This cruise was already booked before we sailed in the summer on Nieuw Amsterdam in Alaska. After a disappointing first experience of HAL we tried to remain positive and not join the ship with any pre determined expectations. However after just a couple of hours onboard we realised the Eurodam is very much the twin sister with little obvious differences.

We had been booked to embark at 1pm and we arrived on time and flew through embarkation. Excited to try the mariner lunch experience we headed straight to the dining room only to be told it had finished at 1pm! So why book our arrival after it had finished. Not the best of beginnings. We took hand luggage to the cabin ... second disappointment ... it was pretty much exactly how we remembered the balcony stateroom on NA ... complete with the darkened tinted mirrors. It makes the cabin dull and depressing .. along with the outdated decor and dark wood. The narrow corridor between the bathroom and the wardrobes made unpacking a nightmare and opening the bathroom door a problem.

We tried not to let all this dampen our excitement of starting a cruise and went to get lunch in the buffet. Little change here too. Oh dear ... it's all starting to slip down hill and we haven't even left port. We opted for a simple salad ... served as usual ... not self serve .. please not too much dressing ... ooops too late! Please don't mix ... ooops too late! Mental note.. don't ask for any dressing. Outside eating is our preference but one whole side is given over to smokers so that limits tables available as often passengers choose to linger long after they have finished eating. We did manage to find two seats but the table had not been cleaned there was food on the floor, the windows were dirty and the small shelf next to me was needing a good clean too. Still not left port! No cutlery .. no glasses ... no napkins ... after a frustrating 10 minutes we finally managed to sit and eat our soggy salads. There must be other choices ... but .. we had forgotten how quick those blinds drop!!! Read more