Need information on the Eurodam please

[TransplantedOkies]

My best friend and her family on going on the Eurodam Eastern Caribbean cruise for Thanksgiving. I am trying to help her get information about what to expect.

Please help me help her by answering whatever questions you can. If there are other things I have not listed here that are useful please let me know so that I can pass the info to her.
All information is greatly appreciated.

1. What are the gratuities per day per person? Are those charged to EVERY person including children?
2. Please explain the soda cards. Are the sodas unlimited?
3. Other charges she needs to know about (example for things like using the in-room refrigerator to keep insulin cold?)
4. Any luggage requirements on board(weight etc)
5. Room service? Is it included in the price of the cruise?
6. Coffee, tea, juice-do these cost extra?
6. Wheelchairs on board-do they charge to use them for the whole week?

[Mary Ellen]

1. What are the gratuities per day per person? Are those charged to EVERY person including children? $11/day/per person

2. Please explain the soda cards. Are the sodas unlimited? There are a number of very recent threads about beverage cards. They have a $ value and aren't for unlimited sodas.

3. Other charges she needs to know about (example for things like using the in-room refrigerator to keep insulin cold?) Every cabin on the E'dam has a refrigerator.

4. Any luggage requirements on board(weight etc) No weight limit of personal items.

5. Room service? Is it included in the price of the cruise? Included. Some (including us) do tip.

6. Coffee, tea, juice-do these cost extra? Only if they are bought at the Explorations Cafe. Coffee, tea, and juice are available in the MDR, Lido, room service...

6. Wheelchairs on board-do they charge to use them for the whole week? If they require a wheelchair they will need to bring their own or pre-arrange for a rental (see HAL site (http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Shipboard+Life&contentMenu=Health+%26+Medical&contentSubMenu=Travel+Well%3Csup%3ESM%3C/sup%3E+:+Planning+for+Healthy+Travel) for rental information). Wheelchairs on board are for emergency use.

[TransplantedOkies]

Thank you Mary Ellen

[IRL_Joanie]

....
6. Wheelchairs on board-do they charge to use them for the whole week?

Mary Ellen answered all the other questions fully and also gave you the info to the HAL web Site for Handicap access help.

However, I have a more in depth, with address, phone numbers etc listing here to help out my fellow Handicap HAL Cruisers: http://abqreunion2008.com/HAL_HC-Info.html

Joanie

[Himself]

I would just add that your friends are choosing a wonderful ship. I am traveling on the Eurodam this week and she is a wonderful ship. Her ports are quite nice. I am writing from Charlotte Amalie and I am so glad I choose this ship with these ports of call. They did not choose a wrong ship when they chose the Eurodam

[schoolinmy3]

Our family was on the Eurodam this past May on a cruise out of Rome. It was our second cruise but our first for our three children. At the time they were 10, 17 and 19. I wasn't sure how they would like cruising but they LOVED it. The only problem was it was hard to get them off the ship when we were in port. And they love Europe. They just loved the ship more. The laid back, unfrenetic atmosphere may not be the style for everyone but for our kids the older crowd suits them the best. My daughter received a lot of attention from their cabin steward as he had a daughter her age that he hadn't seen in a couple months. My 17 year old LOVED Aaron Tessis the guitarist in the Crow's Nest. He went up every evenng to listen. He even bought one of his cd's. Another couple hints - my kids were in a J cabin on the main deck. These J cabins (main deck only) are quite large and comfortable. This interior cabin felt larger than the verandah cabin my husband and I shared. The J cabin only had a shower which was fine but the sink/vanity area was much larger than the vanity in our cabin so there was plenty of room for toiletries. To keep the kids clothes easier to access everything went in the wardrobes. The suitcases went under the beds to keep them out of the way. Also, the front desk loans out dvd's for the dvd players. They have a folder and a list to choose from. The unlimited laundry was a great option for our kids as teenagers get sweaty! The clothes came back neatly folded and pressed. (we didn't choose the pressing option but they were pressed anyway). There was a pizza buffet which my 17 yo ate probably 7 slices each day from. It was not that easy to find initially but it is called Slice. The cooking classes are great fun. We did those. And my daughter loved Club HAL. You can carry on your own sodas so this is an option. Our kids just switched to drinking iced tea and juices which are free. As far as dining, the Canaletto was a favorite, especially for dessert. We dined there twice. There is no sur charge but the restaurant requires reservations. Some of our fellow cruisers couldn't get reservations so keep that in mind. The Tamarind has no sur charge for lunch and it was delicious as well. The magician's show was a big hit as well and his kids were in Club HAL with my daughter sometimes. Anyway, sorry for the long post, those were some of the reasons why my kids fell in love with the Eurodam!
diane

[Mary Ellen]

The clothes came back neatly folded and pressed. (we didn't choose the pressing option but they were pressed anyway). Yes, all clothes come back pressed. The "pressing option" is for those who just want clothes pressed, not laundered.

[schoolinmy3]

Yes, all clothes come back pressed. The "pressing option" is for those who just want clothes pressed, not laundered.

OK that makes sense. By the time my clothes need pressed they need laundered too ;). So I wouldn't even consider JUST pressing. But I imagine pressing alone would be nice for the formal wear. Except my formal gown was of the no pressing needed kind of material as well. :p
diane

[TransplantedOkies]

Thank you all

[catl331]

The refrigerators are not very cold. They keep things cool. What temperature does insulin need? I think some people keep this in the clinic.

[Typhoon1]

The refrigerators are better described as cool boxes.

I wouldn't put anything perishable in them.

[TransplantedOkies]

I am not sure at what temp the insulin needs to be kept at. I will make sure my friend knows about this.

[gooselace]

My DH kept his insulin in the room refrigerator on the Eurodam, and it kept very cool. If for some reason it doesn't seem cool enough, you could request some ice cubes to put around the insulin (in a cup or glass).