Eurodam TA REPORT. from Cadiz April 4

[MaisonRose]

CC review Eurodam March 27, 2016 FLL TO BCN 14 nights

 

 

I promised earlier to check in sometime from our EURODAM TA that left Ft. Lauderdale on Easter Sunday. Despite a huge number of ships at Port Everglades, things went predictably smoothly at checkin, and after muster drill she sailed away as scheduled: 8 sea days ahead. Here are some of my impressions.

 

The Screening Room shows very good movies 4 times a day. We have seen Joy, Spotlight, the Danish Girl, Creed, Room, Bridge of Spies, I Miss You Already, The Big Short, A La Mala, and a film about Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret who go out on the town in London to experience the end of WW2 celebration (really cute). So we have enjoyed these "big" movies plus the in room entertainment. Some of the first run shows later appear on the in room program, but not all. Some of the movies are rotated in and out. The TV category has the Downtown Abbey series, Friends, Game of Thrones, the Big Bang Theory, some Househunters International, Castle, Chopped, and Criminal Minds. The movie category: Destinations has "scenic movies" like Shirley Valentine, A Passage to India, Muriel's Wedding, Aloha (and many others). Live TV has Fox, BBC, MSNBC and ESPN

 

The major theater, Mainstage, has, as usual, been just okay, with a Three Tenors act, a talented pianist, a comedian and a musician. Currently the HAL cast is doing a musical called Astoria: you'll love it if torn jeans, tattoos and swirling hair are your thing.

 

The public area along deck 2 is Music Walk with an energetic selection of entertainment: the Lincoln Center Stage has a well subscribed quintet playing classical pieces, a dueling piano pair taking requests at BILLBOARD, and a sensational eight person band in BB KINGS that packs the dance floor for every performance. Sadly this rockin band leaves the Eurodam on July 17th. HAL has a big winner here and I hope the group and the BB KING brand prevail as nothing has livened this line like the new venue. Behind it is the Gallery Bar, by the way: a quiet and clubby place to enjoy an aperitif. The casino is smoke free and open to the dual piano performers.

.

The dining room is good, service excellent and portions small but that's really a good thing. We have had dinner in the Lido several times which was refreshingly informal, a break from the time consuming dining. Not many tuxes on Gala Night (we have had four) but you won't feel uncomfortable if you wish to show some glam. Sadly a few guests have shown up in less than outfits. At the Lido there have been some notable breeches in dress standards which have gone unchecked. I'm personally not found of hairy chests and swim trunks in the food lines, I hope someone stops this.

 

We have had two wonderful meals in Tamarind. Try the mango cloud dessert if you go.

 

I have only made the three o'clock tea one time but it wasn't served properly (tea bags and lukewarm water).. But scones, tea sandwiches and pretty petite desserts are still high quality. Shame about the "tea".

 

There aren't as many very aged people on the ship, i.e. wheelchairs and strollers. There are 2 comfort dogs.and 19 kids for this 14 day Transatlantic Crossing.

 

There are lots of Solo and Singles activities including a pub crawl. The Culinary Arts host Melodye keeps busy with lots of presentations. Tom is the destination specialist, Suzanne does Future Cruisers, Cruise Director JT WATTERS keeps things running smoothly and is popular at Trivia. The Captain is John Scott.

Groups have formed for bridge players, stitchers, LGBT, Friends of Bill, The Digital Workshop is always busy with Windows 10 and photography classes and the Spa and Fitness teams present informative workshops. There are yoga and spinning classes for a fee. I missed the Zumba class.

 

Although I am a three star mariner, I haven't sailed on the Eurodam before but my first impression is that the public spaces, especially the Lido, is crowded. There seems to be a lot of jostling for tables and in the food lines. On the other hand there are many spacious and pleasant bars.

 

Our temperatures have cooled once we arrived in Funchal and although there is a wind now as we approach Gibraltar, the sailing has been quite smooth and warm.

 

Our cabin is on the main deck, port side. We have plenty of storage and the tub has a hand held Euro shower with perfect temperature control and water pressure. Plenty of fluffy towels, crisp sheets, comfy mattresses. Hasan, the steward, serves us well. I can't say enough for the wonderful crew on this ship, there has not been one misstep in my experience.

[portofrome]

Thank you so much for posting your report.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for your report, glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for the report.

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[Hows the Serenity]

Thank you for your report, looking forward to boarding the Eurodam on May 6

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[puppycanducruise]

Thank you for taking the time to post your report.

Glad you had a good cruise.

[SeaCruiser_1]

I enjoyed your overview. I will be sailing the TA back to Fort Lauderdale in November! This wil be my first Transatlantic sailing. I'm glad to hear about the movies. I am looking forward to the sea days and relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

[Clarea]

Appreciate the feedback.:)

[Keith1010]

Enjoyed your report and hope you have time to post some additional ones.

 

Keith

[emcollins3]

Thank you for sharing this! We set sail on Eurodam on April 24 and it has been exciting to track her journey from the Caribbean over to the Mediterranean. Wishing you safe travels for the rest of your trip, and thanks again!

[chefestelle]

Thank you! I will sail on Eurodam in July so this is a most helpful post!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[just_cruising_along]

I really appreciate the time you took to post this. Looking forward to our trip on the Eurodam.

[ski ww]

Thanks for your report. We are sailing on her 31 Dec for three weeks. Is tea served in the Crow's Nest or in the MDR?

Allan

[travelers07]

Thank you so much! Packing now to leave on Sunday- time with family in Germany before we board April 17 for 19 days. Love hearing all the details of the Eurodam.

 

If you have time, how is the Internet? And how was Cadiz- we stop there too. Hope you had a smooth crossing- we love the transatlantics!

[Hows the Serenity]

Thank you so much! Packing now to leave on Sunday- time with family in Germany before we board April 17 for 19 days. Love hearing all the details of the Eurodam.

 

If you have time, how is the Internet? And how was Cadiz- we stop there too. Hope you had a smooth crossing- we love the transatlantics!

 

 

Have a great cruise, you will disembark in Venice and we will board our 24 day Magic of the Mediterranean.

Chris

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[MaisonRose]

I enjoyed your overview. I will be sailing the TA back to Fort Lauderdale in November! This wil be my first Transatlantic sailing. I'm glad to hear about the movies. I am looking forward to the sea days and relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

See you on the Nov 4 sailing....it is much more fun to gain hours than to lose them.

[MaisonRose]

Thanks for your report. We are sailing on her 31 Dec for three weeks. Is tea served in the Crow's Nest or in the MDR?

Allan

 

There was a Tea Dansant one day, elsewhere.

[MaisonRose]

Thank you so much! Packing now to leave on Sunday- time with family in Germany before we board April 17 for 19 days. Love hearing all the details of the Eurodam.

 

If you have time, how is the Internet? And how was Cadiz- we stop there too. Hope you had a smooth crossing- we love the transatlantics!

 

Have heard no complaints about the internet but haven't used it.

The book club in Explorations did SHADOW OF THE WIND, BOOK SUPPLIED. VERY POPULAR, GOOD CLASSIC.

 

Last night, Cadiz to Malaga...

We sailed through Gibraltar at 1:30 am, woke up for it, fun to see both Europe and Africa. Cool when we got off in Malage (shuttle 5 euro RT) but warm now, big grand city, just head for the cathedral back, then turn left. Sites well marked.

 

Cadiz is a great stop, a nice small town you can walk to.

Funchal there is no bus but the 7.50 EU taxi is worth it. The walk is longer than the advertised 30 minutes unless you are a fit hiker. Taxi sharing is good, too. There will be drivers selling all day tours, too.

In Funchal We did a walking HISTORY TOUR which was ok but our guide was Spanish, not local. Just so so, and tiring. Be sure to have the taxi take you to the Mercado, then work your way back from there. Funchal is a pleasant place to stroll around and listen to Portuguese.

 

We ate at Canaletto last night..the Zuppa de pesce was worth it, the gelato and the limoncello desserts excellent. My pasta was lukewarm, though, but I wasn't planning to eat it anyway. I had ok veal piccata, my sister loved the chicken cacciatore.

She is gluten free and has had no problem, loves the baguette in the Lido.

 

Going to Cartegena tomorrow then have to pack for our Barcelona arrival.

[Mtn2Sea]

Thanks for the detailed report. Enjoy your time in Europe!

[travelers07]

Thanks for the port info- several of those are on itinerary too! So looking forward to being on the Eurodam again- and we were lucky to be offered an upsell to a Neptune. Have not done that before so even more fun.

[Heartgrove]

Thank you for the report, specifically about the activities during the crossing.

[SLOTheta]

CC review Eurodam March 27, 2016 FLL TO BCN 14 nights

 

 

 

 

 

The public area along deck 2 is Music Walk with an energetic selection of entertainment: the Lincoln Center Stage has a well subscribed quintet playing classical pieces, a dueling piano pair taking requests at BILLBOARD, and a sensational eight person band in BB KINGS that packs the dance floor for every performance. Sadly this rockin band leaves the Eurodam on July 17th. HAL has a big winner here and I hope the group and the BB KING brand prevail as nothing has livened this line like the new venue. Behind it is the Gallery Bar, by the way: a quiet and clubby place to enjoy an aperitif. The casino is smoke free and open to the dual piano performers. I can't say enough for the wonderful crew on this ship, there has not been one misstep in my experience.

 

 

Thank you for this thorough review! I'm interested to hear more about the entertainment and dancing venues. You mentioned a dance floor, which I'm happy to hear! Was the BB Kings band the only area where you could dance? How big was the dance area? We will be on the ship July 5th, and I'm excited that great band will still be on there.

 

Happy to hear that the casino is smoke free. HAL will make more money off of me that way.

 

Thanks again!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[TeDaKi]

Thank you so much for your report and great to hear that you are enjoying the TA cruise. :):)

I'm looking forward to the 7 day Gems of Spain cruise which leaves Barcelona on Apr 17th. Eurodam is a great ship! I was on last year's Northern Translantic Viking Passage in Sept 2015, so I am looking forward to sailing on Eurodam again.