This was our second cruise and our first in 12 years. We chose the HAL Eurodam due to its ports-of-call and overall rating. We traveled with our three sons whose ages range from 22 to 15. We had a great time due to HAL, the weather, and the destinations.

We stick close together as a family so our kids didn't take advantage of the youth programs. Our main activities on the boat consisted of eating, going to the shows, playing shuffleboard on deck 3, and playing games in the Explorations Cafe on the upper deck. The quality of the entertainment was great. In addition to song and dance, there were excellent comedian and a magician shows. We didn't use the pools or pool areas at all but got our share of water on the excursions. The Explorations Cafe/Crow's Nest were popular spots without being overcrowded. My wife and I attended one fun cooking session in the Culinary Arts Center and one historical presentation. Although we didn't take advantage of many enrichment activities, the ship provides a full range of activities from morning through the late evening.

You will not go hungry on this ship. Although I can't compare the food to other ships, HAL gave me more than I expected. We mostly ate in the Rembrandt where the meals, especially dinner, were very good. (You won't go wrong if you stick mostly to the Rembrandt.) We ate in the Italian Canaletto once where the food was good but not exceptional. The Lido restaurant was a typically crowded buffet but it was convenient when we were in a hurry and the food was decent. Read more