Eurodam – Final Review

                   

My final review of the Eurodam…

It’s a beautiful ship.  Lovely to look at and walk around in.  Lots of balconies and the cabins are very nicely appointed.  Outslide elevators are fabulous!

The crew needs some more training though in customer service.  Some crew members were very nice, but the room stewards and dining waiters don’t seem to have it together yet.  I know its a new crew, but not up to other cruise line standards that’s for sure.

While the ship activities are interesting enough for an older crowd, I would not recommend for under 50.  Seriously, no real lively activities for nightclub activities and very little dance floor space.  So if you want a rocking time with nightlife activities, this isn’t the ship, and maybe isn’t the cruise line I’d recommend

The dining was good, but just that, good.  It wasn’t great.

Overall cruise experience, 5 out of 10.

Eurodam Day 4, 5, 6 and 7

I’m writing these posts from my notes now, I decided to record them in Word and then post when I got home since the internet package was costly enough.  It’s now bad just to check your email ($55 for 110 minutes), but for a 7 day cruise those minutes just fly by. 

Today is the Cayman Islands and my first visit.  It was nice shoping, clean areas and didn’t get bombarded by the local merchants. 

Went to the art gallery auction today and that was good if you like art.  HAL features Park West and they have some very good works of art. 

Public areas on the ship are very nice, but the staff is really not as friendly as I would expect.  I got a drink at the bar today and didn’t even get a smile from the bartender.  The casino is small.

Day 5, Day 6 and Day 7

The days are now jumbling together as you tend to lose track of the days so I’ll just post my general impressions and some events. 

• The shows are really okay, but that’s about it.  They are entertaining enough but nothing to write home about, hence no more needs to be said…
• The breakfast buffet is good and plenty of options
• The dining room food is good, but not as good as I would expect from a highly rated culinary line
• The desserts were disappointing
• No 24 hour food.  The biggest disappointment is they have one late night buffet available that lasts about an hour, and the pizzeria is open until about midnight but that’s it.  I had one friend who finished up in the nightclub at about 2:00 and wanted something to eat, but nothing was open.  The late night buffet only lasts from like 11:30 – 12:30, so don’t expect anything late night.  She probably could have ordered from room service (they say it’s 24 hour) but I didn’t test it.
• One cruiser I met at dinner had a run in with the main desk personnel to resolve an issue.  She told me she complained to the manager about poor public service.  I too noticed when I went to the main desk to get some change for tipping, the young lady behind the desk seemed somewhat aggravated by my request. 
• The night club is very small.  Hardly any dance space!
• Tried to make a reservation for the Pinnacle Grill for dinner and was told they were booked for the last two nights so we did lunch instead.  It was good and worth the price.  But, the next night I was walking by the restaurant at 6:15 and half the restaurant was empty!  When I checked, they said they were still booked.  So I’m not sure about the restaurant management, if they open at 5:30, could have had me in and out by then!

Eurodam Review Day 2 and Day 3

Day 2 (a little late)

Stopped at Nassau today, and went into the town – port is absolutely forgettable, but take a trip to Atlantis hotel. It only costs $4.00 each way per person.  Very nice hotel/entertainment complex.  Lots to do, an aquarium, beach, lots of good shopping etc.  I lost my glasses there though so I’m walking the rest of the cruise through with my sunglasses on, and that’s been challenging. 

 

The dinner was good except Holland America I think is new to the “As You Wish” dining and don’t really seem to have it down yet.  It took a while to get seated.  We had wonderful dinner companions and good conversation.  My meal of the Jerk Chicken was excellent, the salad of California Greens good and was the Chocolate cake dessert.  Coffee is excellent on board. My companions had the daily available item of New York Steak and no matter how ordered, it seems to come cooked medium (one had ordered it rare, the other had ordered it medium rare). It was sent back to be cooked rare and the second delivery it was perfect.  The rest of the meal passed without incident.  Service was nice, but not outstanding, we did have to wait for our order to be taken.

 

Our room steward did forget to fill our ice bucket as requested and was a little late getting to straighten the room, although very apologetic.  He promised better attention tomorrow.

My traveling companion has not even met her steward yet, and that seems to be a bit unusual for cruise ships.  So I haven’t made my mind up on service. 

The rest of the day passed uneventfully but enjoyably.  Nice party on the Lido deck pool.  There are absolutely beautiful cabanas available for rent (pricey, pricey though). They have large outdoor loungers (very large, specialty service, curtains for privacy).Ship really has nice furnishings, balcony furniture etc.  Very impressed with the décor. 

The ship’s entertainment main stage is beautiful and very comfortable.  The show itself was mediocre.  The singing and dancing was good, but a little bit well…boring.  It was medley of tunes from the 50s – 80s I guess. 

Day 3

Today is a day at sea and a beautiful day too.  Weather is 80ish and perfect.

Breakfast is good, nice buffet, good selections and good food.  Get there early or go late.  It gets crowded.

 

The Exploration Café where I am typing this is very nice. It’s located, along with the Crow’s Nest Club, up at the very top of the ship with spectacular views. Great selection of DVDs, books, game tables, beautifully appointed.  Again, coffee is excellent, I’m enjoying my Latte as I write this.  Although I brought my own laptop, there are many computers available with printing capability.  There is a full time specialist available to help you get connected, email, get DVDs or whatever. Very nicely done.