After three days in Barcelona we boarded the Eurodam for our 13th HAL cruise and our third time on Eurodam. It's a big ship that never feels big to us and we would never sail on one of the mega 4000 passenger ships. Embarkation is always excellent and rapid and one gets in one's room quickly.

We always take a Neptune Suite, in this case 7047. I realize having a suite may not be in everyone's price range but if you can make it work, the cruise you go on will feel different for many reasons. The room is obviously bigger with a large patio and a sitting area with a full size couch. There are many suite amenities which make an experience above and beyond regular passage. And then there is the Neptune Lounge, a kind of private club for suite passengers with two incredible concierges (in this case Mae and Joni) who will see to absolutely anything from help with excursions, any personal needs, making dinner reservations, you name it. One can have a European breakfast there daily or in the Pinnacle Grill. Throughout the day there are hors d'ouvres, cappuccino and tea. One can have breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill and there is a place to meet with other cruisers and share excursions, memories and tips. We find it well worth it.

My wife and I loved the itinerary and loved Spain. What more can you say about Stonehenge and the Normandy Beaches? It was an ideal itinerary. it was very busy and packed each day. Someone complained that the captain turned the ship around in Barcelona to accommodate a lady with a broken leg. Wouldn't you want the same so you could be off loaded and not pay $1500 min for a helicopter? it was only an hour back and an hour forward and we were not off schedule, we arrived on time the next morning. We were not delayed 8 hours. Sheesh. And yes there were gale force winds at Cherbourg so the port would not let us leave. I too am sorry we missed Brugges but I would rather that than die at sea. Hello, it is a cruise. Read more