Eurodam Review
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We cruise with Holland America because of its tone. As seniors who enjoy quiet, contemplative moments as well as good companionship and the pleasures of travel, we find HAL to offer both in just about the right amounts. This was our first trans Atlantic cruise (except for a New York to Bremerhaven passage with our children many decades go) and the eight sea days out of Fort Lauderdale were one of the trip's highlights. Bottom line: we enjoyed the trip and would do it again.
The Eurodam's passenger complement of 2100 was larger than we're used to, but it almost never seemed crowded. There was almost always ample space to pursue whatever activity we had in mind. The ship was immaculate and the service up to HAL's well known standards. Our cabin steward was never under foot but always seemed to know when to move in and do his thing. We had the pleasure of meeting a dining room steward from a previous cruise and enjoyed his service.
All that said, we do have some criticisms of the Eurodam. (1) The casino straddles the entry way to the main theater on one deck, making it difficult to avoid both the smoke and the activity. We appreciate the importance of the casino to many passengers and to the company's bottom line, but much prefer its being off to the side, as on the Rotterdam, for example. We also support strongly a no-smoking policy ship wide. We and several of our new friends suffered respiratory problems throughout the cruise due, likely, to the second-hand smoke that made its way far beyond the casino. Fortunately, HAL is surveying the smoking issue. (2) The library was smaller in relationship to the ship's size than those on other HAL boats. Its position next to the Crow's Nest results in a mixing of readers with nappers, to the disadvantage of the former. (3) While the HAL cast and stage band were superb - great young talent - the headline entertainment left a lot to be desired. The hammered dulcimer, for Pete's sake, and a Liberace wannabe. Two lecturers on geopolitical topics were very bad - given 30 minutes of Internet and PowerPoint, I could have whipped up a lot better myself - and the piano bar guy really sucked. Couldn't play; couldn't sing. HAL should do better entertainment wise, as is, I believe, widely recognized.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom
Desk/vanity table size too small almost even for a lap top. We otherwise enjoyed the cabin and its comfort. The veranda didn't get as much use as we thought it would (a bit shallower than expected) but was appreciated at times and worth the extra cost. I was impressed by the acoustic insulation. Hardly ever heard anyone else. Everything was small, but you're on a ship! Unless you can afford a penthouse, that's what you get.