Eurodam size worries me

[PalmBeachMom]

Is anyone else concerned that the Eurodam just won't feel like HAL since it is so large?

[jhannah]

I'm not concerned. It isn't THAT much larger than the Vistas. One more passenger deck, but that isn't apparent just walking around.

[Mike2131]

One of our favorite ships was the Coral Princess and it is slightly larger than the Eurodam. Our feeling is that the Eurodam will have a similar (although newer) feel and suit us well. It will be our first experience with HAL so it should be interesting.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have sailed on 3 of the Vista class ships and didn't feel that they were that big. Another deck shouldn't make that much of a difference.

[FLACRUISER99]

I hope its big enough for a Laundromat.:eek:

[jhannah]

It's big enough for a passenger laundry ... but no go. HAL dropped these starting with the Vista class ships.

[m steve]

it's how well the staff conducts the activites such as boarding, disembaration and service in dining room, room service and seating for the shows. Bigger can be better or worse.I like bigger cabins and balconies. I also like the more intimate dining areas and lounges.

[innlady1]

It's big enough for a passenger laundry ... but no go. HAL dropped these starting with the Vista class ships.

That's the only downside of the Vista's. :o I like being able to launder our clothes the way I want them laundered!

[nates04]

I really like the size of the vistas, a little bigger wouldn't bother me. My question is if the only increase really is another passenger deck as stated above, but not bigger then the vistas in other ways, that kinda concerns me. If it isn't any longer or wider or doesn't have another deck of public space then the vista then my understanding is that there will just be another deck full of passengers on a vista size ship...that worries me.

I must not be understanding correctly, I hope I am not.

[hammybee]

There are tremendous economies of scale associated with larger ships for both the cruise line and passenger. Larger/newer ships have more balconies and suites and therefore they tend to be more affordable than those on older ships. Passengers want affordable balcony cabins and the newer ships deliver in a way not possible for the older ships to compete. Newer ships tend to be more reliable from a mechanical standpoint too.

Like you, I prefer the older and smaller ship experience and fortunately, we can all still have it.

[RevNeal]

While I much prefer the smaller ships (the R class ship is my favorite HAL vessel, followed by the S class), what concerns me the most about the Vista and the Signature ships isn't so much their size ... it's their passenger complement relative to the available public square-footage and crew size. The Noordam hosts 1918 passengers at double-occupancy. The Eurodam will host 2104 passengers at double occupancy! And, yet, both ships have only 800 crew members. That's a passenger/crew ratio of 2.63. By comparison, the R-class ships (the Volendam) hosts 1432 passengers and has a crew complement of of 647. That's a passenger/crew ratio of 2.21. In other words, the ratio is getting worse with the larger ships, which should equate to poorer service.

I have enjoyed, and will continue to enjoy, cruises aboard the Vistas. I'm sure my cruises aboard the Signature ship(s) will be wonderful too. However, I will always prefer the S and R ships.

[NorthernNeighbour]

That's the only downside of the Vista's. :o I like being able to launder our clothes the way I want them laundered!

Definitely a mistake on HAL's part to leave out a launderette. We tend not to use them -- but have done so in an emergency or near the last day at sea when we still going to be on a land-based vacation after the cruise.

Surely it's NOT a question of 'class' -- even the snooty CUNARD line has launderettes on board. We used them on the QM2 last year the day before we docked in New York. It was nice to arrive with all clean clothes for our New York stay.

[sapper1]

The Eurodam is scheduled to make her first visit to Saint John, New Brunswick on September 4th. I am quite anxious to see her and plan to be sitting on Fort Howe Hill, overlooking the harbour, to watch her arrival. Should be quite exciting. After she docks we can take a drive by and get a close up look. We did the same for the Queen Mary 2's first visit and the fireboat spraying in the air made for some great pictures.

[GeriatricNurse]

[quote=jhannah;12776221]It's big enough for a passenger laundry ... but no go. HAL dropped these starting with the Vista class ships.[/quo

WHY?

[PRINSENDAM]

[quote=jhannah;12776221]It's big enough for a passenger laundry ... but no go. HAL dropped these starting with the Vista class ships.[/quo

WHY?


In short.... they were a nuisance!:eek:

It was explained to me that the constant problems with breakdowns, insufficient machines, etc etc led HAL to not have them on the Vista ships. My guess is that the thinking is that when you are on a 7 day cruise, you won't spend time in the laundy. Of course the ship provides a full laundry service for your convenience.

What I always try to do is have everything returned 'hanging'. At the cruise winds down, have everything returned 'folded'. Cuts packing time in half!

I know this answer won't help and the excuse does seem a bit feeble but I guess we are stuck with it.

Stephen

[hammybee]

RCL, Celebrity and the HAL Vista Class ships do not have self-serve laundromats.

[mamaofami]

Oh Hammy, that avitar is great! Love it!

[Wildcats]

... it's their passenger complement relative to the available public square-footage and crew size. The Noordam hosts 1918 passengers at double-occupancy. The Eurodam will host 2104 passengers at double occupancy! And, yet, both ships have only 800 crew members. That's a passenger/crew ratio of 2.63. By comparison, the R-class ships (the Volendam) hosts 1432 passengers and has a crew complement of of 647. That's a passenger/crew ratio of 2.21. In other words, the ratio is getting worse with the larger ships, which should equate to poorer service.

I hadn't thought of this. In my lurking on the Holland America web site, they even seem to be confused about how many crew will be on the ship. Under their "fleet" heading they list 800 crew, but under their Eurodam blog "stats" section they show 929 crew.

If they do cut crew numbers it strikes me the RevNeal is correct on decrease in service and would make me reconsider our fall '08 cruise on the Eurodam.

Tom

[Cruzman]

While I much prefer the smaller ships (the R class ship is my favorite HAL vessel, followed by the S class), what concerns me the most about the Vista and the Signature ships isn't so much their size ... it's their passenger complement relative to the available public square-footage and crew size. The Noordam hosts 1918 passengers at double-occupancy. The Eurodam will host 2104 passengers at double occupancy! And, yet, both ships have only 800 crew members. That's a passenger/crew ratio of 2.63. By comparison, the R-class ships (the Volendam) hosts 1432 passengers and has a crew complement of of 647. That's a passenger/crew ratio of 2.21. In other words, the ratio is getting worse with the larger ships, which should equate to poorer service.

I have enjoyed, and will continue to enjoy, cruises aboard the Vistas. I'm sure my cruises aboard the Signature ship(s) will be wonderful too. However, I will always prefer the S and R ships.

Rev., I guess you have a different source than mine; not to say yours is more or less accurate. Cruisedeckplans.com lists the Eurodam at 951 ft, 86,000 GRT and 2044 passengers dbl occupancy. They show the Vista Class as 951 ft, 85,000 GRT, and 1848 passengers dbl occupancy.

[pipedreams62]

[quote=GeriatricNurse;12778814]


In short.... they were a nuisance!:eek:

It was explained to me that the constant problems with breakdowns, insufficient machines, etc etc led HAL to not have them on the Vista ships. My guess is that the thinking is that when you are on a 7 day cruise, you won't spend time in the laundy. Of course the ship provides a full laundry service for your convenience.

What I always try to do is have everything returned 'hanging'. At the cruise winds down, have everything returned 'folded'. Cuts packing time in half!

I know this answer won't help and the excuse does seem a bit feeble but I guess we are stuck with it.

Stephen

Bring this on every trip,it stows under my bed


http://www.ohiokids.org/tz/im/wb01.jpg

[RevNeal]

Rev., I guess you have a different source than mine; not to say yours is more or less accurate. Cruisedeckplans.com lists the Eurodam at 951 ft, 86,000 GRT and 2044 passengers dbl occupancy. They show the Vista Class as 951 ft, 85,000 GRT, and 1848 passengers dbl occupancy.

My source is Holland America's Website. Also, there is a difference between the Vista class double occupancy figures and those for the Noordam. The Noordam can host more passengers in double occupancy than the other 3 Vistas (as originally configured). The 1848 figure is for the other 3 Vistas as originally configured (not as they are being re-configured).

As for the figures for the Eurodam ... again, those came straight from HAL's own website. The original press release states that the Signatures would host only 2044 passengers (see here (http://www.hollandamerica.com/media/newsRelease.do?fileName=/200601/09_corporate_01.xml)); however, if one calls up the information on the Eurodam from her profile page under "Fleet" (see here (http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruiseships/Eurodam)) you'll find the updated figures which I used.

See HAL's "Fast Facts" sheet for the Vistas: http://www.hollandamerica.com/pdfs/media/factsheets/VistaClassShips_FastFact.pdf

[Vic The Parrot]

A couple hundred more pax on board won't mean any big difference to me.

I'm more concerned about the annoying hourly bingo announcements, and amplified string quartet in the Explorers Lounge. :rolleyes:

[Vic The Parrot]

Hey Greg!


Looks like that "fungus" is slowly going away! :D ;)

[RevNeal]

A couple hundred more pax on board won't mean any big difference to me.

I'm more concerned about the annoying hourly bingo announcements, and amplified string quartet in the Explorers Lounge. :rolleyes:

I didn't notice any "hourly bingo announcements" on the Volendam last month, nor any sound system in the Explorers Lounge. Indeed, the only time I heard bingo announced was during the CD's little chat during the 1 pm Captain and CD's PA.

[Vic The Parrot]

I didn't notice any "hourly bingo announcements" on the Volendam last month, nor any sound system in the Explorers Lounge. Indeed, the only time I heard bingo announced was during the CD's little chat during the 1 pm Captain and CD's PA.




That's an improvement.

I remember on Oosterdam (you were there ...) the constant droning of the "bingo princess" .... too bad I didn't go to that office, and insert that mike up her nostril. :D

[RevNeal]

That's an improvement.

I remember on Oosterdam (you were there ...) the constant droning of the "bingo princess" .... too bad I didn't go to that office, and insert that mike up her nostril. :D

LOL ... yes, I remember that. It was pretty bad on the Oosterdam that cruise. And, I've heard it as bad on other ships. But, it wasn't that bad on the Volendam last month. I hope it won't be bad on the Rotterdam next month. :D

[jtl513]

WHY?[/B]
In short.... they were a nuisance!:eek:

And passenger cabins produce far more income than laundry rooms! :rolleyes:

[PRINSENDAM]

And passenger cabins produce far more income than laundry rooms! :rolleyes:



And no prize for stating the obvious! ;)

Stephen

[MrsMuir]

Frankly, I hated doing laundry on our first cruise (Rotterdam), and will never do it again. I had to hoard quarters and spend precious sea-gazing time in the crowded laundry room, with nary a male in sight while we womenfolk had to wash our mens' endless laundry loads. Using the ships' laundry-by-the-bag services is the way to spend one's vacation. I supplemented by washing out my own delicates a couple of times and hanging them on the clothesline over the tub. Meanwhile, DH's laundry came back in perfect order, better than I can manage. Maybe a family would benefit from a laundry, but not the poor mother who thought she was going to relax for a change.

Mrs Muir

[RuthC]

I, too, am not worried that the size of the E-dam will make it seem like something other than a HAL ship.

I am not fond of the size of the Vista's, but have happily sailed the Noordam twice---with a third to be booked soon, and an E-dam coming up in July. The Noordam truly felt like a HAL ship in every way. It has a quiet beauty, the fresh flowers and artwork I'm used to. And, most important, that fabulous HAL crew.
I expect the E-dam will be very similar. :)

[RevNeal]

I am not fond of the size of the Vista's, but have happily sailed the Noordam twice---with a third to be booked soon, and an E-dam coming up in July. The Noordam truly felt like a HAL ship in every way. It has a quiet beauty, the fresh flowers and artwork I'm used to. And, most important, that fabulous HAL crew.
I expect the E-dam will be very similar. :)

Ditto, Ruth! Ditto! I've been on all the Vistas but the Zuiderdam; I've been aboard the Noordam twice. I found her to feel like a HAL ship ... more so, indeed, than the other Vistas I've been aboard. And, I agree ... the Eurodam will feel so too, I suppose. I'm a bit concerned about the staff-to-passenger ratio, but I'm more than willing to wait and see. The Noordam didn't disappoint me.

[m steve]

and doesn't have water slides, ice skating or climbing walls it will look like a HAL ship.

[Mary Ellen]

It was explained to me that the constant problems with breakdowns, insufficient machines, etc etc led HAL to not have them on the Vista ships. My guess is that the thinking is that when you are on a 7 day cruise, you won't spend time in the laundy. Of course the ship provides a full laundry service for your convenience.

What I always try to do is have everything returned 'hanging'. At the cruise winds down, have everything returned 'folded'. Cuts packing time in half!

I know this answer won't help and the excuse does seem a bit feeble but I guess we are stuck with it.

StephenYep, I remember hearing about the Vistas doing 7-day Caribbean cruises. Thus, NO need for the passenger laundry. Yeah, right. Look at who is sailing Europe in 2009. To me, HAL has LIED. Longer cruises with luggage weight restrictions.

We are booked on the E'dam's Inaugural. While we are excited about the fellow CC passengers and itinerary, I am SO not looking forward to the ship itself.

DH has mobility issues. The E'dam IS too big for him. We use the ships laundry for most things, but for anything that is spilled upon, I want to wash it myself to make SURE that spot is gone before it goes in the dryer. Also at home I'll throw my 'delicates' in the washer, but air dry. Now, I'll get the 'joy' of doing hand washing while on vacation. :mad: :mad: :mad:

I really don't see us doing another cruise on the E'dam. We've never sailed a Vista and have NO plans to ever do so. We've passed on the 'Good Nuts' cruise just because of it being on the Noordam.

[George W. Bush]

I don't think I would've spent the money if I wasn't looking forward to the whole trip. Maybe you should've waited a bit and found an itinerary that was on a ship you could look forward to?

[RevNeal]

Yep, I remember hearing about the Vistas doing 7-day Caribbean cruises. Thus, NO need for the passenger laundry. Yeah, right. Look at who is sailing Europe in 2009. To me, HAL has LIED. Longer cruises with luggage weight restrictions.

We are booked on the E'dam's Inaugural. While we are excited about the fellow CC passengers and itinerary, I am SO not looking forward to the ship itself.

DH has mobility issues. The E'dam IS too big for him. We use the ships laundry for most things, but for anything that is spilled upon, I want to wash it myself to make SURE that spot is gone before it goes in the dryer. Also at home I'll throw my 'delicates' in the washer, but air dry. Now, I'll get the 'joy' of doing hand washing while on vacation. :mad: :mad: :mad:

I really don't see us doing another cruise on the E'dam. We've never sailed a Vista and have NO plans to ever do so. We've passed on the 'Good Nuts' cruise just because of it being on the Noordam.

Mary Ellen, I understand your point-of-view and your concerns. I also don't like having to send off clothing with spills for the ship to clean, and I much prefer doing my underwear myself. I also used to think that I wouldn't sail on a ship the size of a Vista. However, I eventually did and I enjoyed it. Yes, the ship is a little larger than I would like. However, the style of the ship is nice and the crews have been wonderful. Also, I have found that the ship's laundry has invariably done a good job on my laundry when I've sent it off to have the crew do it. I'm not going to encourage you to sail on a Vista; I'm only going to suggest that you may find yourself surprised at actually liking the Eurodam. My principle reasons for cruising on her are the people and the event -- however, I also expect that I will like her.

[hammybee]

Yep, I remember hearing about the Vistas doing 7-day Caribbean cruises. Thus, NO need for the passenger laundry. Yeah, right. Look at who is sailing Europe in 2009. To me, HAL has LIED. Longer cruises with luggage weight restrictions.

We are booked on the E'dam's Inaugural. While we are excited about the fellow CC passengers and itinerary, I am SO not looking forward to the ship itself.

DH has mobility issues. The E'dam IS too big for him. We use the ships laundry for most things, but for anything that is spilled upon, I want to wash it myself to make SURE that spot is gone before it goes in the dryer. Also at home I'll throw my 'delicates' in the washer, but air dry. Now, I'll get the 'joy' of doing hand washing while on vacation. :mad: :mad: :mad:

I really don't see us doing another cruise on the E'dam. We've never sailed a Vista and have NO plans to ever do so. We've passed on the 'Good Nuts' cruise just because of it being on the Noordam.

That the lack of self serve laundry is attributed by some, to the Vista Class ships primarily doing 7 day cruises, is probably nothing more than some folk, rationalizing what was a business decision.

I am sorry that the lack of laundry and the size of the Eurodam cause you to not look forward to the inaugrual cruise. You can bring unlimited luggage with you, provided you are willing to pay the air carrier for the extra weight/baggage or perhaps, bite the bullet and sit back and enjoy the "laundry by the bag" service, provided onboard. It's a fabulous intinerary and I am certain the company of fellow CCer's will more than compensate for all the dirty laundry. :)

[Dolphins]

If you like the Vista class ships, I don't think a hundred more passengers are going to make a big difference. Now NCL is planning a new mega-ship with over 4,000 passengers, almost double their current Jewel class ships. Now that's too big for me.

[Mary Ellen]

You can bring unlimited luggage with you, provided you are willing to pay the air carrier for the extra weight/baggage or perhaps, bite the bullet and sit back and enjoy the "laundry by the bag" service, provided onboard. It's a fabulous intinerary and I am certain the company of fellow CCer's will more than compensate for all the dirty laundry. :) We DO get the 'unlimited' laundry. You must have missed:
We use the ships laundry for most things, but for anything that is spilled upon, I want to wash it myself to make SURE that spot is gone before it goes in the dryer. HAL does do a wonderful job with the items we do send out. I am paying more by doing a load or two on my own. I look at passenger laundry as I look at life boats - I don't always expect to use them (only on longer cruises), but they had better be there if needed. On board the E'dam for 23 days, I will be stuck doing hand laundry on vacation (I don't have that many 'delicates' ;) ).

And the only reasons we are 'making do' with the E'dam - the fabulous itinerary and delightful CC'ers we'll be cruising with. I hope to be amazed by the ship, but I'd be happy if HAL built their new ships that suited our needs better. I do like that HAL is finally waking up and having showers in some outside cabins, but on their new builds they are mainly in crappy locations - not ones that we book. It looks like the Prinsendam is more to our needs.

[caviargal]

Personally, I would never do laundry on vacation. I also really like HALs laundry service.

I just booked the Eurodam for my birthday in 2009 and am looking forward to it. The additional dining venue(s) are a big plus for us and I imagine that more thought has been designed into the ship for AYW which is what we choose these days.

I also like the more contemporary look of the staterooms. As long as they don't change the corner SBs and SCs, I will be content:).

[QQRZZA]

Unfortunately, just about every new-build will be bigger than the last, higher capacity, more crowded (and without any laundramats). Every available space will be used to produce revenue, and lots of it. These cruise factories will provide 24 hour selling fests to massive passenger manifests. If cruisers are willing to put up with massive crowded ships, the size and capacity will continue to grow exponentially. Consider the implications for cruising 10 years from now...ships with 10,000 passengers visiting ports like Saint Thomas with 150,000 new cruisers enveloping the town for 10 hours every day. IMHO the prospect is not "relaxing", or "getting-away-from-it-all". This disgusting prospect is not as far-fetched as some may think. Many cruise lines continue to advertise "bigger is better" without limit. If it's over 4,100 passengers for 2008, 10,000 passengers in 2018 is not really out of the question.

[bepsf]

In short.... they were a nuisance!:eek:

It was explained to me that the constant problems with breakdowns, insufficient machines, etc etc led HAL to not have them on the Vista ships. My guess is that the thinking is that when you are on a 7 day cruise, you won't spend time in the laundy. Of course the ship provides a full laundry service for your convenience.

What I always try to do is have everything returned 'hanging'. At the cruise winds down, have everything returned 'folded'. Cuts packing time in half!

I know this answer won't help and the excuse does seem a bit feeble but I guess we are stuck with it.

Stephen

I have been told the same thing - and that the breakdowns were directly attributable to passengers misusing the machines/putting the wrong type of soap in, etc.

The increase in passenger capacity is relatively negligible.

I'm of the same mind about shipboard laundry: Nothing better than arriving home with luggage full of clean clothing and not having to do laundry for a couple more weeks after returning home.
:)