Reflections on my first saling on HAL - Eurodam, New Year's Cruise

[caggfamily]

I apologize in advance for the lengthy review, but I always use the cruise critic forums for research and I appreciate the help and advice I received, so I’d like to pay it forward. I have been on many of the mainstream cruise lines, but this was my first time on HAL. My parents graciously decided to treat the kids and grandkids (12 of us ages 10-70+) to a New Year’s cruise on the Eurodam and they are big HAL fans, so we of course, accepted.

 

Over the years, I have heard the rumors that HAL caters to much older people (I’m pushing 50). And please don’t flame me, but to some extent I think that is true. I saw a higher number than usual of very elderly people on this cruise (80s – 90s). There were also plenty of middle aged people like me, many multi-generational families, and a few young couples. I think HAL has a number of longer itineraries, and as on most lines, if you aren’t cruising during a school holiday of some sort, there will naturally be older people with more time and fewer kids. That being said, I figured that since it was a New Year’s cruise, there would have to be some other teens for my teens to hang out with, and I was correct. Compared with Allure of the Seas this past summer, where there were hundreds of teens (no exaggeration), I believe the HAL crew estimated there were around 100 kids between 13-17, which worked out fine. My 16 year old said it was actually easier to make friends because there weren’t so many of them, so they kept seeing each other. As for my 19 yo DD, she was able to find a few people to hang out with as well, but I don’t think any of the cruise lines do a great job with the 18-20 crowd. They aren’t allowed in the teen club, they can gamble, but they can’t drink. HAL had a meet and greet but it was for anyone between 18-30 and as my DD said, she really didn’t want to dance with someone pushing 30 or beyond. I just want to reassure those who are on the fence that if they have kids and are traveling during a school holiday, there will likely be kids for them to hang out with.

 

Anyway, here are my thoughts on HAL in general. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the cruise experience. The biggest difference was the food. The dining room food had highs and lows similar to other lines, and some nights I had a hard time picking out something to eat – I’m not a vegetarian, but I do enjoy meatless dishes, but some nights I wasn’t fond of the choices. Where HAL really stands out to me though is in the lido deck. They are miles above many of the other lines I’ve been on. I really appreciated how they had crew serving guests in most areas of the lido. It kept everything sanitary and it was more efficient than the serve yourself lines. I also was amazed at the variety they had for breakfast. On other lines, I often went to the dining room for breakfast so I could get eggs benedict and other made to order items. I soon discovered everything was available on the lido. I had a choice of 5-6 types of eggs benedict with virtually no wait, omelets made to order, and fresh crepes on several days too. Their salad bar at lunch was terrific and I never had trouble finding delicious things to eat. My kids thought HAL had the best food overall, especially the desserts. They also had a lot of late night choices that other lines have cut back on. I never made it to the Tamarind – ran out of time, but we went to the Pinnacle Grill one night. IMHO it was great, but comparable to other pay restaurants on the other cruise lines. My main problem with all of these pay restaurants is that they seem to feel since you are paying more, they must also give you more, way more than anyone could or should eat. I had some amazing halibut, but it was so large and rich I only ate a bit of it. My daughter ordered the crab legs (an additional $20 on top of the $29 – but it’s her favorite), and I will say they were large, and prepared so she could just scoop out the crab with a fork. She shared with everyone. Each of us ordered a dessert, and then the waiters brought us whatever desserts no one had ordered. The food was great, but it was too much. However, I can see why people enjoy dining here.

 

We had 5 standard balcony verandas on deck 6, and my parents had a suite next to us. My impression of the cabin stewards is that they are exactly like every other cruise line I’ve been on. Some of fabulous, others quietly do their jobs, and some are so bad you don’t know how they still have jobs. Since there were 6 cabins in a row, we had two different pairs of stewards. I would have thought that my parents would have one of the better ones since they were in a suite but sadly this was not the case. It was worse somehow because some of us had Ayu, who was without question the best steward I ever had. She introduced herself right away, and was always there when I needed her. She greeted us all by name and she always seems so happy. We did not ask for much, but she immediately responded whenever we needed anything. Unfortunately, some of our group had a steward who was never around. Instead of cleaning their cabins while we were at dinner (we had early dining and ate at the same time each night), he would show up after dinner – around 8:00 often when my mother retires for the evening or when family would stop by to visit, He would ask if she wanted turn down service perhaps hoping she would say no? My parents would leave their room early in the morning but it was still not cleaned several hours later, etc. It really was too bad. On the plus side, overall the HAL staff is very friendly and I think that’s a large reason so many people come back.

 

We rented 3 retreat cabanas for the week, and while I know many people don’t like them, to us they were the best money spent all week. Especially with our group, anyone could wander up and there was always someone around. Jason and Michael, the cabana boys, were so warm and friendly that I wanted to take them home with me. They worked hard bringing us drinks and food, and we really enjoyed their company. On my next HAL cruise I will definitely look for a ship with a cabana.

 

Half Moon Cay was lovely, and the food was typical for a private island – not really fabulous but good enough. It would be nice if they stayed longer, but we enjoyed it.

 

I had a cold, so I didn't really go to any of the shows. The spa was nice, my husband said the casino staff was friendly, and I did get to watch the BB King Blues Club band a few times, and they were fantastic. My daughter enjoyed the cooking demonstrations in the Culinary Arts Center, but beyond that we mostly relaxed and enjoyed time with our family.

 

The Eurodam is not as flashy as some of the ships I’ve been on, but it was a nice size and has a friendly crew. I’m sure I will sail on HAL again.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

[Crew News]

Thanks for taking the time to write a review. We hope it remains a great ship as we board in November.

Edited January 11, 2015 by Crew News

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for taking the time to write and post a review of your Eurodam cruise. Glad your kids found others to hang around with and glad to hear you will cruise on Hal again.

[Friend100]

Thanks for your review.

 

We disembarked Eurodam before you boarded. We completely agreed with your comment on the Lido breakfast and lunch. As we just cruised Liberty of the Seas last November and then Eurodam just a few weeks after that, the comparison between the Windjammer there and the Lido was even more obvious.

 

Another one of my family's favourite spot is the Dive-In at the Terrace Grill. Very nice hotdogs and burgers.

 

You said the Eurodam is not as flashy as some of the other ships you've on, I agree, and that's exactly why HAL is now our official favourite cruiseline, replacing Disney!

Edited January 11, 2015 by Friend100

[erewhon]

Thank you for reviewing your Eurodam cruise.

[world~citizen]

You have to go back if only to dine at the Tamarind. :)

 

Great review.

[VTcruisenut]

Thank you for posting your review! We sail on the Eurodam on March 15th! I am excited, but I am also confident we will like the ship as much as we have the other HAL ships we have been on. We prefer HAL because the ships are smaller, hence less passengers as large crowds are not my thing. Also we find that there are alot fewer children on the HAL cruises, not that we don't like kids, but on other ships, they monopolize the pools, parents don't keep track of them etc. Just our preference. I continued to be amazed by the ships, the level of service and the food that HAL provides- however, I am a country girl from rural Vermont, so my travels are not extensive! I am however, counting down the days til our Eurodam adventure begins!

[bshow]

Great review, thank you. We have been on Eurodam twice now and are booked again for next fall. We have had consistently good service; sorry to hear yours was uneven.

[Himself]

Thanks for the review. A priest I know was the Catholic Chaplain on your cruise. I had do a funeral for him and take a Mass for him while he was gone.

[RMLincoln]

Thanks for your review of your Eurodam experience. We haven't been on the newer HAL ships yet but hope to. Sounds nice. m--

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review.

Glad you had a good cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for taking the time to write your review.

Glad you would consider HAL again in the future.

[kazu]

Thanks so much for the detailed and objective review.

 

Well done! and welcome home.

[luvsun22]

Thanks for the review!

 

Do you happen to know if there was much ballroom dancing on the ship?

[Topsham]

[world~citizen;45212258]You have to go back if only to dine at the Tamarind. :)

]

 

 

QUOTE OF THE MONTH!!!!!!!!!;)

[mllewis48]

Thanks for the review, we too enjoyed that cruise with you, in fact we were also on the first leg and Christmas. Our cabin was also on Deck#6 Port Side, we have cruised with HAL many times, 5 Star, and found our Cabin Stewards to be among the best we have ever had.

 

To us the food in the MDR on this cruise was also among the best we have encountered. However, we are not fans of the "International Night", last evening, so both nights we went to the Pinnacle Grill, the food was outstanding.

 

We agree that the average age of HAL cruises is higher than most but have also found that those old folks like to have fun too.

 

We felt New Years Eve was well organized with the parties for all ages, in fact we enjoyed the San Juan skyline from Deck#10 at midnight watching the fireworks and everyone having a great time.

 

Captain Scott and his staff were all very professional, in fact we first sailed with Captain Scott on his first command 17 years ago on the Noordam when he renewed our 25th Wedding Vows.

 

Do try HAL again on another DAM ship, they are all very nice.

 

Mike

[caggfamily]

Thanks for the review!

 

Do you happen to know if there was much ballroom dancing on the ship?

 

Sorry, I don't. A few people I was traveling with mentioned seeing some older people dancing one night, but they didn't specify. Also, there was the Dancing with the Start competition, which seemed to be very popular, but that's all I know.

[caggfamily]

Thanks for the review, we too enjoyed that cruise with you, in fact we were also on the first leg and Christmas. Our cabin was also on Deck#6 Port Side, we have cruised with HAL many times, 5 Star, and found our Cabin Stewards to be among the best we have ever had.

 

To us the food in the MDR on this cruise was also among the best we have encountered. However, we are not fans of the "International Night", last evening, so both nights we went to the Pinnacle Grill, the food was outstanding.

 

We agree that the average age of HAL cruises is higher than most but have also found that those old folks like to have fun too.

 

We felt New Years Eve was well organized with the parties for all ages, in fact we enjoyed the San Juan skyline from Deck#10 at midnight watching the fireworks and everyone having a great time.

 

Captain Scott and his staff were all very professional, in fact we first sailed with Captain Scott on his first command 17 years ago on the Noordam when he renewed our 25th Wedding Vows.

 

Do try HAL again on another DAM ship, they are all very nice.

 

Mike

 

I guess HAL has something for everyone, because International night was one of my favorites, perhaps because there were so many vegetarian choices. We also thought New Year's Eve was fabulous. We were with the "older" crowd by the aft pool and we had a great table right next to the rail where we enjoyed the fireworks in San Juan. I hadn't expected so many different fireworks displays. My teens meanwhile were on the lido where apparently they had a blast as well.

[sail7seas]

What a nice review. Thanks so much for sharing with us. We had some wonderful cruises on Eurodam and think her a nice ship.

 

Welcome Back. :)

[Cruising-along]

Thank you for taking the time to write your review! We sailed the Eurodam for the first time a few months ago and really like that ship.

 

I'm sorry your cabin steward service was inconsistent. :( The few times we have had that problem (late or uneven service) we found that if we mentioned it to our steward, the service always improved immediately. Did your parents try saying anything?

 

I agree with you about the choices for breakfast and lunch at the Lido, and your thoughts about BB King too. And yes, you must go back to try the Tamarind! :D

[Katie333]

Thanks for posting your review!

 

I agree with your findings on the age of the passengers, there is more variety than many first-timers are led to believe, but still a high (maybe slightly higher proportion) of those in their 80s/90s. I don't expect to even be around then, must less still cruising!

 

It also sounds like you approached this trip with an open mind and I think that does wonders. Further agree with you on the HAL breakfast in the Lido, I'm in a Neptune Suite later this month and I'm having a hard time convincing my DH to go to the PG with me for breakfast since he doesn't want to give up the Lido!

[Typhoon1]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and welcome to HAL.

[Jldevlin]

We are on this ship for a transatlantic and we understand that the Tamarind is free for lunch some days ....stupid question but do they serve the same thing at lunch that they do at dinner?????

[esimon]

Thanks so much for the info and input We are HAL people and enjoy most everything about them. The idea of being on a ship with 'hundreds' of children makes me shutter. I love kids but being on a ship trapped at sea that sounds very much like - well lets just say - I hope it never happens.