ms Eurodam December 13 to 20 Eastern Caribbean Cruise

Day 1 - Embarkation (Ft. Lauderdale) We flew into Fort Lauderdale the day before with our party consisting of myself, DW, DD (4 years old), DD (1 year old), FIL, and MIL and stayed at the Marriott chain Suites. As part of their services they had a shuttle that picked us up from the airport and also would drop us off at the cruise port. Because of the number of guests staying at the hotel who were leaving on a cruise, the hotel had to make additional arrangements in getting a bigger vehicle to take all the guests to the cruise port. Instead of leaving at 11:45 AM, we ended up having to waiting until close to 12:45 PM before leaving the hotel. Once at the cruise port we had to further wait in line as other buses ahead of us need to unload the passengers and luggage. We were finally allow to leave the bus at around 1:45 PM and met the porters who then took the tagged luggage and we then proceeded to enter the terminal 26 to get processed. After passing through the security screening /metal detectors we then went to the Holland America registration booths. By this time, it was around 2:00 PM. After reviewing out ID's, on-line forms and taking our pictures we were then issued our ship passes and allowed to board the Eurodam in around 10 minutes. This was the fastest boarding we have experienced to date. Since it was already past the 1 PM, the cabins were already available and we proceed directly to the cabins to drop off our carry-on luggage, water and soda. We booked a large inside cabin on the Main deck (1058 J, Deck 1, Port side) and the In-laws booked a GTY category H and had a Oceanview cabin (1023 D, Deck 1, Starboard side). We then went up to the Lido (deck 9) for a late lunch. Once we finished lunch, I then went to the Tamarind restaurant to book lunch and was able to obtain reservations on Tuesday (San Juan) and Thursday (at Sea) for noon time. The first at Sea day was all booked out prior. In the Daily Program they were adverting that if you tried all three specialty restaurants it would only cost $33. That would be a good deal, if you wanted to try two of the three restaurants (Pinnacle Grill @ $25 and Tamarind @ $15 pp would be already $40). I then returned back to my cabin and met our cabin steward and requested to remove the contents of the bar fridge. He then promptly complied with my request and I then restocked the fridge with my own drinks. I then got my 1 year old DD to sleep around 3:20 PM for a quick nap prior to the Muster Drill at 4:15 PM. After the drill, we then returned back to the cabin and prepared for our early seating dinner (5:45 PM) at our assign dining table #60 (for six) near the rear of the ship on deck 3 (upper). Our waiter is Adnyana, and his assistant is Razky. The passengers who had lower seating were assigned "As you wish anytime dining". After dinner, I then went to the Front Office to make arrangements for the unlimited laundry service ($45), which would start on the next day and finish on the Friday. When I returned back to the cabin, our cabin steward then handed out the canvas bags and the night chocolates. I then went watch the opening show at 10 PM and after which I did a quick walk around the ship to get my bearings on the various areas that I would be visiting during the course of the cruise. I went back to the Lido for some late night snacks (being served from 11 PM to midnight) of beef and chicken stasys. I then returned back to the cabin and called it a night.

Day 2 - At Sea We woke up around 8:00 AM and got up to the Lido for breakfast around 8:45 AM. By the time we finished it was around 10:00 AM and we then returned back to the cabin to prepare for the Cruise Critic Meet and Greet at 11:00 AM at the Silk Den lounge. The Meet and Greet had a theme were all the attendees would bring a serving of chocolate to share with the group, as we all expressed an interest in all things chocolate. At the Silk Den, the Hotel Manager, Cruise Director, and Beverage Manager made an appearance to our gathering. HAL also served drinks and some hors d'oeuvres in addition to a chocolate fountain with various fruit for dipping. It was a good showing of CC attendees and we all enjoyed the opportunity to meet the various members of the roll call and to sample the various chocolates each person brought with them to the gathering. At noon time we then when for lunch at the restaurant and then retired to the cabin, as DD need to get she afternoon nap. DD finally work up around 4:15 PM and we starting to prepare to go to dinner, as tonight were a formal night. I also collect all of the laundry that we need to get cleaned and was able to stuff the bag full (leaving some for the next day). We got to our table within our 5:45 PM dinning window and finished around 7:30 PM and headed to the front of the ship to attend the 8 PM song and dance show called "In Concert". The singers and dancers played a series of contemporary hits for the next hour (to be repeated at 10 PM). After the show, we took the kids back to the cabin in order to change and have them ready for bedtime. We turned in early, as the ship would be docking at Grand Turk at 7 AM next morning and depart at 2 PM and we wanted to get to the beach in the morning and return back to the ship before the afternoon. Read more