HELENPSL

Zuiderdam - Jan. 4, 2016 - 11 DAY PANAMA CANAL SUNFARER

Thanks so much!!

We were on the Eurodam 3 weeks ago. Our cabin was next to the outside elevators ( which we love) and under the back area of the Lido. Never heard any noise from above.

Glad to hear you are enjoying yourself. We will be on there next month and am wondering a few things...

 

What shows/events did you particularly enjoy? Which nights were formal night? Also, we are DIY and wondering if there is a mad rush to get off the ship or if Eurodam has certain passengers off first? Are you noticing anything I should know about? We want to get off at St Petersburg fairly early with DIY and wondering how much of a mad house it is with customs and everything.

 

 

 

Jenn

Hi Jenn,

IMHO - I would strongly suggest not trying to do St. Petersburg as a DIY. There are several issues. Not sure where you live but if you are a US resident you need to get a visa to enter Russia. Last I read the visa was $300 per person. If you use a local tour company you go in under their visa and just pay the price of the tour. We paid $300 per person for a 2 day tour in SPB and it was wonderful. Secondly, not very many people speak English. Should you get lost it will be difficult to communicate. What really struck me when we were there was that I couldn't even read the street signs since it's a totally different alphabet. You can pretty much do the rest of the ports as DIY but St. Petersburg is the one port I would suggest going the tour route.

Helen

Could someone recently on the Eurodam tell which laundry programs were available?

I am interested in by the bag pricing and per day for length of cruise (we'll be on for 12 days).

 

Thank you.

We were on the Eurodam 3 weeks ago and did the "all you can stuff" laundry bag. It cost us $30 per bag. We were cruising in Europe and the Baltics.

Helen

Hi Helenpsl! We liked this cruise to the Baltic so much we just booked Auckland to Sydney in March 2016 on the Noordam.

We also loved everything and just booked 2 shorter cruises - 11 day Panama Canal in January 2016 and 12 day Atlantic Coast cruise in Oct. 2016. These are both on the Zuiderdam. Haven't even finished working thru my pictures from the last cruise and I'm ready to go again. BTW - Angelo said to tell you hello!!

We also took this cruise and disembarked on May 20. We loved the ship and loved the itinerary but JMPS is correct...you will need a day of rest after 2 days in St. Petersburg. (Hi JMPS...how are you doing??) We had a very cute experience when we went into the casino. As soon as we walked in, the casino supervisor came up and said "I know you guys." He was working on the Nieuw Amsterdam when we took our 2014 cruise. There were hugs all around and it was a nice feeling to be treated as family. On the other hand...maybe we're just spending too much time in the casino!!

Just returned from the 24 day Iberian and Baltic Adventure cruise on the Eurodam. We were midship in cabin 8079 right next to the outside elevator. We never felt any vibration on the ship with the exception of The Tamarind. We were at a corner table and it vibrated so much that it really ruined the dinner for us. But...this was the only place we noticed any vibration.

Last year we did the 24 day Magic of the Med on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Again, we were midship in cabin 6082 right next to the outside elevator. We didn't feel any vibration on the NA at all.

For us, being midship with a verandah is our criteria - preferably next to the outside elevators so we have people on only one side. We never had a problem with any noise because of the elevators. Not sure what we'll do when we sail a ship with only inside elevators!!

Helen

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful Bon Voyage. We leave on Tuesday 4/21 for Barcelona and the cruise actually begins on Sunday 4/26. We are beyond excited. I'm ready to go now!!

I will post my review of the ship and ports when we return. I always love reading all the analysis posted. I truly appreciate all that I have learned from all of you on Cruise Critic.

Best regards,

Helen (and Angelo)

Bolding mine - I hope you realize that the spring itineraries run fron FLL TO Quebec or Montreal, and not from Montreal/Quebec to FLL. Only the fall itineraries have the direction you want.

Actually, I did not know this info so thanks very much. I really didn't want to wait until next fall but it does sound like such a great trip. Maybe I'll have to find another "little" cruise to do in the spring. Oh well...it's a tough life but someone has to do it!!

Helen

I contacted my PCC just last week to ask the same question. She thought the itineraries would be released around June. We are looking for the trip that begins in Quebec City and ends in Fort Lauderdale. The one for 2015 is in October but I'm hoping they have another one in 2016 some time in the spring.

We are leaving on the Eurodam on April 26 so I will ask again when we're onboard.

Helen

We did this same cruise in May 2014. We were on the port side but I honestly don't think it made much of a difference. As someone else mentioned, go out on the deck for the sailaway in Venice. This cruise truly lives up to its name - it is magic!! This is a very port intensive trip. You will be happy for the few sea days. One port is more interesting than the other. Top 3 ports for me...Venice, Istanbul and Barcelona. You will not regret booking this trip!

Helen

Nice to see comments about various cruise lines. What a great itinerary on the Nieuw Amsterdam! Istanbul is one place I would love to see. What are some of the ports on your upcoming Eurodam cruise? HAL does have some very good itineraries especially the longer cruises. Planning is a fun part of the cruise process don't you agree?

Cruise critic makes the planning even better. Last year I hooked up thru CC with several people from Australia. Since we were leaving from Venice we flew in a few days early. Two of the couples were staying in the hotel right next to our hotel so we met them for dinner the first night. With one of the couples it was love at first sight...very unusual for us. We spent most of our cruise with them and they will be cruising with us this year. The upcoming cruise leaves from Barcelona. This was an intentional choice since we ended there last year but didn't have enough time. We are going in 4 days early and then leaving on April 26 (not April 15 which is what I wrote above). We go to several ports in Spain; to Lisbon; Gibraltar, England to see the Rock of Gribraltar; Cherbourg, France to see the D-Day sights; Belgium; and end the first 12 days in Copenhagen. From there we cruise for 12 days thru the Baltics - Germany; St. Petersburg, Russia; Finland; Sweden and end up back in Copenhagen. We decided that we didn't know when we would get back to this part of the world so we are then flying to Prague for 4 days and then home to Florida. I don't know how anything can beat the trip last year but I'm certainly ready to try!!

I have only sailed on 5 cruises - 2 on RCI, 2 on CCL and 1 on HAL.

Carnival - these were both to the Caribbean. We sailed on the Dream and the Breeze. We found both of these ships difficult to get around. We always felt like we were in a maze since few of their decks go all the way through from one side to the other. We finally decided to just go to the casino and start there. We did enjoy the food on the CCL ships and the entertainment.

RCI - the first experience was many years ago and a quick 4 day trip on Navigator of the Seas. We then sailed on Oasis. I was also amazed that they could process so many people so quickly and the ship never felt crowded. We liked the food better on CCL and finally realized that we are not meant to travel to the Carribbean. We did find, though, that this ship had the best entertainment.

HAL - last years trip was my dream trip. We took the 24 day Magic of the Med cruise. It was completely port driven and went to some of the most interesting places such as Venice, Athens, Barcelona, Istanbul, etc. We were on the Nieuw Amsterdam - loved the ship and the service was fabulous. Although the shows in the evening left something to be desired we spent most of our evenings in the BB King Blues club. Just fantastic (yes it's loud). Since we were exhausted from our excursions we were in bed by midnight so we could do it again the next day.

We are now scheduled to leave April 15 on the Eurodam for the 24 day Iberian and Baltic Adventure. We loved the size of the Nieuw Amsterdam and expect to love the Eurodam as well. Right now we are pretty much committed to HAL primarily because of the itineraries. Now looking at the 14 day Quebec City to Ft. Lauderdale cruise for 2016. Always in the planning mode!!!

Couldn't believe how easy it was to get this OBC. I was told it could take "quite a while" to receive the credit. I faxed them the document they required and a copy of my brokerage statement in the morning. By the time I returned home in the afternoon I had already received notification that they applied the credit to my account for our cruise in April. Piece of cake!!

Helen

We were in cabin 6082 last year on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Loved the cabin. We had no problem with the elevators. I did like having people on only one side. We are booked on the Eurodam in April and specifically booked a cabin next to the outside elevator. I don't think you'll have any issues with the location.

Helen

As long as I will get to join other people for dining I will be happy. I was given open seating on Koningsdam Inaugural. Usually I request late dining on Hal and get it but not this time. I think I will try to obtain fixed dining on embarkation day.

On NCL so many people say they want to eat with their own party/family there are no share tables. On Carnival they fill the open seating tables up as people arrive. You can sit with your own party too.

We tried open dining last year on the Magic of the Med cruise. We had met another couple and ended up having dinner with them every night. But, when we went down for dinner we always asked for a table for 6 or 8 and specifically requested a round table. It really made it easy to meet others and made for some very interesting evenings.

It's too bad that HAL doesn't keep their bars open or entertainment going late.

 

I as well don't believe it's about age. It has to be what HAL chooses to do.

Last year we were blessed to be able to go on the 24 day Magic of the Mediterranean cruise. I am a night owl and was also concerned about the level of entertainment. What I found was that after our excursions every day we were exhausted. We came back for dinner, spent most nights in the BB King Blues Club or the casino and were ready to pass out by midnight. We were up and running the next morning. Many of the longer cruises have relatively few sea days so you are constantly moving. If you're thinking of a Caribbean cruise it will be a bit more relaxing and entertainment may be more important.

Helen

Well let me be the odd ball for just a moment. The reason the we look to book on HAL specifically is BECAUSE of their smoking policy. My DH doesn't smoke but I do so it's important to me. Would I love to quit...yes but it hasn't happened yet. Last year we booked a balcony cabin right next to the outside elevator so we only had people on one side of us. This was on the NA. We have booked the same type of cabin for our upcoming April trip on the Eurodam.

I especially like to sit out on the balcony late at night after a long and very busy port day. I use this time to sort thru the days pictures and check the internet. This is the most enjoyable cigarette of the day.

Truthfully, I'm not sure what we would do if they cancel smoking on the balcony.

Helen

And herein lies the problem of trying to please everyone. I loved the BB King band and was thrilled they were playing almost every night. We were on the NA last year and while my DH was in the casino, I was in the Queens lounge. It was a comfortable place for me to go by myself.

We found most of the evening shows to be boring. To us, this was where the ship could use great improvement. Our cruise was very port intensive so we really didn't care since each day was very busy. We met a wonderful group of people on cruise critic and had a fabulous time getting to know all of them better. We were never bored on the ship.

So what's a cruise director to do??

Helen

Does it matter which side your balcony is on? Port or Starboard? This is a once in a lifetime trip for us so any and all help is appreciated!

 

Deb

We are doing a 24 day cruise on the Eurodam and the last 12 days is the Baltics. It was suggested that we book the starboard side for the cruise. Are you on the May 8 cruise starting in Copenhagen?

Helen

Not yet clear re: the 6/13 Seabourn sailing. I will keep you posted.

 

The thing that's really frustrating is that HAL via chat (Winnona) told me that the cruise was changed because of too many ships in St. Petersburg that night. But my TA says only two ships are planned for St. Peterburg that night, and four two nights previously. So SOMETHING does not make sense.

 

My mom really wanted to do St. Petersburg. There's a Silversea 7 days cruise that would work in that time slot (with some extra nights in hotels) so I'm waiting to see what she wants to do.

 

Sigh. The best laid plans....

There is a 12 day Baltic cruise that leaves on May 8, 2015 from Copenhagen. It includes St. Petersburg. This is the second portion of our 24 day cruise that begins in Barcelona. Hopefully the May 8 date will work for you.

Helen

Because there are two of us that use CPAP's we bring 2 or 3 extension cords. As someone mentioned, the outlets are on the complete opposite side of the cabin. We both fill the machine with their tap water nightly and have never had a problem. We put the machines in our 22 inch carry on bag. When it came in a couple of pounds over I just showed her it was due to the medical equipment. No problem with the airline.

Hope this helps.

Helen

I am going on the New Amsterdam Empires Cruise out of Venice on August 28th.

 

I am trying to figure out if I should take my MacBook Pro and my iPad with me on the cruise or if I should leave them at home....

 

I would like to stay in touch and also use the computer/Ipad while on the ship.

 

My question is really about how reliable the Internet service is on the New Amsterdam for both the computer and if anyone has taken an iPad on the ship as well?

 

I realize that I will have to contact AT&T and get a "European" plan for the iPad and also be conscious of when I am "roaming" otherwise I will end up with a heck of a bill when I get back for the iPad!

 

I will be in a Neptune Suite on the New Amsterdam so I will have access to the Neptune Lounge that provides Internet Access for a "small fee" (according to the list of amenities). I am not sure if that "small fee" means using their computers or using your own.....

 

Any advice about the internet services, connections, and experience with bringing your own devices, laptops, iPads, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Andrew,

I was on the Nieuw Amsterdam in May for 24 days. There was an internet package available (which I took) of 250 minutes for $100. I had my ipad with me and uploaded pictures every day. Sometimes it was a bit difficult to log on with the ships connection but, for the most part, it worked. I also used my ipad for pictures so I had it with me whenever we were in port. We found free wifi at most cafes and restaurants which I used so I could save those precious minutes on the ship. I have booked another cruise in April 2015 and will take the internet package again. Hope that helps.

Helen

Happy to add you. :D

 

Warning - I can't add all those comments in the personal section - it's just too dam long:p how about travelling with significant other and Australian friends?

No problem - whatever works. Thanks for adding us!

Would love to be added to your list:

Eurodam 26-Apr-15 24 day Iberian and Baltic Adventure

Travelling with my "significant other" of 7 years and friends from Australia who we met on the Magic of the Med cruise in May 2014 on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Can't wait for the next trip!

Thanks so much...Helen

(helenpsl)