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Another day at sea in the Caribbean... steamboats

Today´s entry is covering the first day at sea (out of 8). steamboats

@BertieRulesOK you can prebook online. It's usually a bit cheaper. But they so have a booth right at the baggage belt where you can also book without prebooking. Yes you have Access to your suitcase. You have to pick it up as usal and then you drop it with Bags & Go. steamboats

Capri is my favorite island... but it took me almost 40 years to go into the Blue Grotto (and only because during the pandemic there wasn´t any crowd and our sailing yacht stopped directly in front of it). So I join those saying don´t waste your time on that. I usually jump off the ferry, buy my bus tickets (also valid for the funicular) and hop on the next bus to Anacapri. Yes, there can be a wait and it is definitely crowded and if you have fear of hights take a taxi. I love it ;-). Then you can explore Anacapri (Ville Axel Munthe, chair lift to Monte Solaro). Then I take the next bus to Capri town and do my things there (Augustus gardens, Faraglioni... in August I might skip Villa Iovis). The Via Krupp opened recently. Something I haven´t done yet. In that case you need another bus from Marina Piccola back to Capri town. Walk down to Marina Grande (or take the funicular). Taxi is more convenient but also more expensive. steamboats

So today´s the day - we finally go onboard the Eurodam in Port Everglades. steamboats

I fell back behind, but anyway yesterday´s entry is only covering our trip from Munich to Fort Lauderdale. So it´s a bit boring for you anyway.

Today's entry is featuring our balcony cabin. steamboats

ACL has now confirmed that the Duchess and Countess are going to be scrapped. Obviously there´s no final decision for the American Queen yet. But it doesn´t sound that she will be back in service as an overnight river cruise ship. So at least there is a bit of a hope for the AQ. BTW no word about the Empress. steamboats

Hallo zurück, Nein, wir als Deutsche brauchten außer ESTA für keines der Länder ein Visum. No, as Germans besides ESTA we didn't need a visa for any of the visited countries. steamboats

Today´s entry is covering extra costs onboard like WiFi, beverage packages, the complete wine list, laundry... steamboats

The review continues with the bars and lounges onboard Eurodam including bar menus. steamboats

No beverages are included - alcoholic or non alcoholic. steamboats

Yes, VIVA IS the only German river cruise line including beverages. I didn't want to make my answer too complicated. But VIVA is also catering the English speaking market. With A-Rosa it depends on the fare you have chosen. Basic doesn't include beverages. BTW currently there's a media group of the UK onboard A-Rosa Sena. A-Rosa had several attempts to go more international. steamboats

We continue with part 3 and all restaurants including the menus. steamboats

Almost all German river cruise line do not include any beverages or shore tours. steamboats

Part 2 covering the decks 9 to 12 is online now. Enjoy! steamboats

I´m known for my lengthy reviews with lots of photos. So in April we´ve been on Eurodam for the Panamal Canal transit from Port Everglades to San Diego. My review is in German but automatic translation usually works pretty well. And as mentioned... there are tons of photos. Part 1 starts with the ship description from deck A to 8 (except restaurants, bars and lounges - those get an extra entry). We´ve done all shore tours with HAL so this might be interesting too on what to expect from a certain tour. This will be my longest review ever (I fear) and I just started working on my almost 4 K files (photos, videos, pdf-menus). Hope you enjoy reading and following along! steamboats

That's a small helicopter. The big ones can't land. They are too heavy. Those small ones can't fly far distances. The big Coast Guards ones have a wider range. steamboats

None of the helipads on larger cruise ships is for landing. They won´t be able to stand the weight of modern rescue helicopters. All those helipads are winch areas only. It´s just an unobstructed area where you can more or less easily winch a person up to the helicopter. steamboats

It depends on the staff. Sometimes I had to remove my glasses. Sometimes I was allowed to keep them but with a strap around my head (the ones you use for water activities). Sometimes they even provided a strap. I don´t remember I had to take my rings off but I usually only have my wedding ring. I know they want to have the rings off on the water slides. steamboats

Besides of getting rid of a competitor you pretty much nailed it down. All 3 don't fit into ACL's business model. Duchess and Countess are new boats but way too luxury. The AQ is twice as big as their boats and it needs more money to operate her. steamboats

The helicopter can´t land onboard anyway. The patient is winched up in a stretcher. So with a bit of wind, that might be too dangerous. steamboats

No definite answer to that yet, seems like she´s heading to a shipyard and might go into service again. American Countess and Duchess are already in the Houma area for being scrapped. The American Queen is still sitting in New Orleans. steamboats

Unfortunately rumors are that all three Mississippi river boats will be scrapped - American Duchess, American Countess and American Queen. steamboats

Actually they ask whether your card should be charged in USD or in your local currency. If you opt for local currency X is charging you another 3% conversion fee. So if your card has a 2.5 % conversion fee USD is the better option. Actually with my German card I would have to pay the 3 % charged by X plus the conversion fee of my credit card (as the credit card doesn´t mind which currency the charge is made but that it´s made by a non Euro bank). steamboats