Eurodam Review
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Additional details
This cruise was a getaway from grey winter in my Midwest city. I had a lot of choices and settled on this one for two new ports and totally warm weather. I'm an experienced cruiser, a solo traveler of 76, and this was my fourth HAL cruise. I liked the same things on this cruise as on other HAL cruises: nice shipmates, great crew, pleasant experiences, fun shore excursions, lots to do, not very crowded, very comfortable ship.
I liked the trivia games and their fun host, Monique. Every evening that I ate in the Dining Room I walked in without reservations and asked for a sharing table with 8 to 10 other travelers. I met 200 people in all 11 days. All of them were pleasant and interesting, and from many places. My room was a delight and my stewards the sweetest and nicest possible young men. I tipped them 50 dollars each, and the head housekeeper said that was lavish in the currency of their Indonesian country. But they earned it; my sons couldn't have been nicer to me. Of course, this was on top of the daily gratuity charge, much of which the stewards don't get. I really believe in abundant tips for good service, and I got it from Ari and Sya every day. I ate at Canaletto restaurant several evenings and it was superb; best of all the ship's food and service. This was only a $19 surcharge. The Dive In burgers were gorgeous, and the pizza bar wonderful too. Food is no problem on Eurodam!
Another plus was great entertainment from the Piano Guys in the Billboard Bar, and the fantastic always energetic BBKing band and singers. A tip: in the back of the BB King showroom are curved banquette-type seats, and these are far more comfortable than the theater seats, and with a better view. As for the mainstage shows, I felt really sorry for the ship's dance crew of six dancers who had to fill a stage and give energetic performances to canned music and in lackluster costumes. The impressionist was good and funny, but I skipped other mainstage shows. One of them was actually the history of Holland America Line via a film. I much preferred the music elsewhere.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom
loved my tub and shower, after some getting used to the water controls, but for some reason I could only find an overhead outlet in the bathroom so I couldn't use my hair dryer. The little desk/vanity on the other side of the cabin had outlets, but not enough. I brought a cluster charger from home and this worked. I use a cpap at night and had to stretch it across the cabin as I found no bedside outlet. Someone else told me they found one behind the nightstand, but I couldn't find one near the bed. Oh, that bed. I never wanted to leave my comforter and 5 pillows. The tv was excellent: I saw many movies during the insomnia hours I had. It was set to lower volume so as not to disturb others, and that was a nice plus, I thought. If you want your room done up early, there's a little card in a door slot for "service please" or "do not distrub."
Port Reviews
Aruba
lovely sun and sail along shoreline, with beach stop and Pelican's Nest bar
Curacao
drive out to the country, away from the city, lovely island and people.