Live and life from the Eurodam and her New Year's cruise

[TiogaCruiser]

14 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

 

We called it a night around 11;45 PM only to get an interesting surprise at 5:19 AM 

 

 

 

A cliffhanger, huh?

[Copper10-8]

Day 2 - Monday 31 DEC 18

 

Those HAL beds and multitude of pillows are sure comfy making for a deep sleep! That is, until the First Stage alarm of one short blast, followed by a long one, repeated three times, was activated at 0519 hrs. It comes through nice and loud, as it should, through a wall speaker located right above the head board of the bed. A short time later, Capt. Eric came on to let us know that a fire alarm was received on the bridge from one of the main technical spaces in the engine room. Emergency responders, i.e. the four fire teams, hose teams, SCBA teams, the emergency response support team, and many others, were investigating the situation and he would get back to us with an update.

 

After about 10-15 minutes, the good captain did in fact return to the air waves to announce that a fuel leak had been detected on one of the six main diesel engines which had been shut down immediately as a precaution. In addition, the high-tech “Hi-Fog” system had also been activated, the concerned engine space isolated, and the engineering staff were handling the situation. By 0600 hrs., the first responders were stood down and EUDM returned to her early morning sedate slumber state, allowing many of us to start counting sheep and sawing logs again. I’m sure the hard-working Engine Room wipers and firemen-greasers had some cleanup to do afterwards.

 

One of the perks of a Neptune Suite is the ability to have breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill Restaurant (until 0930) so that’s exactly what we did. Our primary servers were Bayan from, interestingly enough, Kazakhstan, and Peter from Hungary. Maria had the ‘All American’ breakfast, while I had the eggs benedict minus sauce. The had the little newspapers in the U.S., Canadian and UK versions at the entrance to the PG. Makes for a quiet and relaxing breakfast in there.

 

After petit-dejeuner, we took a stroll of the ship, paying attention to the “new stuff” since we last sailed her like EXC in the Crow’s Nest, the Gallery Bar instead of the Northern Lights, Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard, America’s Test Kitchen, the removal of the Shorex office and future cruise consultant from Deck 1, the removal of the Atrium stairs from Deck 2 to Deck 1, and from Deck 3 to Deck 2 by the Pinnacle. EUDM did not get the “Rijksmuseum at Sea” during her last dry-dock, so just wondering if that project has been jettisoned after it was installed in Westerdam during her early 2017 dry-dock. We were pleasantly surprised when we walked by Billboard Onboard and heard/saw a passenger jazz band "allowing the Saints to come in" with several of their fans cutting the rug in the bar. They sounded really good!

 

We had lunch in the Lido utilizing the excellent salad bar, noticed that they are once again taking orders for, and preparing,'made to order' sandwiches, yes!, and spent the rest of the PM jelling in our room getting ready for the big night. Maria, btw, is now addicted to “Young Sheldon”

 

 

[Copper10-8]

10 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:

Happy New Year to all.

 

Heavy traffic was due to visitors in town for the Holiday Bowl parade and game yesterday.  

 

A van from Tijuana arrived at 4:45 pm with 6 guests.  Lucky for them that they used their cell phone to relay their progress once through the border crossing.  

 

When your safety drill started, there were still 17 missing.  Slowly they trickled in, with a variety of "excuses" for not being on board by 4 pm.   Two had driven from Fresno, two misread their boarding documents and thought check-in was at 5 pm, and two were just married.  

 

David

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for that intel, David! 

[Copper10-8]

11 hours ago, skypig said:

Don’t keep us hanging what was the interesting surprise at 0519? 

 

Yeah, sorry! The ship's internet connection, today, has been as slow as a herd of snails traveling through peanut butter. They say it does this every time on the two sea days out of San Diego. Finally able to post now, but still unable to download pics

[Copper10-8]

14 hours ago, Jammu2 said:

Goid photos! What class cabin are you in?

 

Neptune

[erewhon]

Thanks for your update.

We once experienced a fire alam at about 2 am on the Volendam, the Captain advised everyone to stay in their staterooms, but several passengers fully dressed, donned their lifejackets, and stood in  hallways until the Captain  announced that the fire was under control, and everyone should go back to sleep.

[Copper10-8]

2 minutes ago, erewhon said:

Thanks for your update.

We once experienced a fire alarm at about 2 am on the Volendam, the Captain advised everyone to stay in their staterooms, but several passengers fully dressed, donned their life jackets, and stood in  hallways until the Captain  announced that the fire was under control, and everyone should go back to sleep.

 

It's been my experience that certain people have extreme difficulties comprehending and following simple instructions. That phenomenon exhibited itself once again at the muster drill on embarkation day. The two individuals standing directly behind us underneath boat #8 were each holding their life jacket............what is a mother to do??

[erewhon]

7 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

It's been my experience that certain people have extreme difficulties comprehending and following simple instructions. That phenomenon exhibited itself once again at the muster drill on embarkation day. The two individuals standing directly behind us underneath boat #8 were each holding their life jacket............what is a mother to do??

 

Yes, great difficulty with simple instructions.

We have seen  passengers wearing their lifejackets to the safety drills, even though everyone was instructed not to wear or bring  the lifejackets.  

Also those who talk, eat and drink during the safety drill.  Guess the rules do not apply to them!!

[ski ww]

We also had a First Stage alarm go off on a Gala Night at about 21:30 on the Prinsendam. Nobody in the dining room moved. Shortly the bridge announced that they had a small problem in the engine room and had everything under control. The all clear sounded before we finished dinner. Enjoying your posts.  

[Copper10-8]

Day 2 - Monday 31 DEC 18

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 2, 2019 by Copper10-8

[Copper10-8]

Pinnacle breakfast

 

 

 

 

 

[Copper10-8]

When we walked by Billboard Onboard and heard/saw a passenger jazz band "allowing the Saints to come in" with several of their fans cutting the rug in the bar. They sounded really good!

 

[Copper10-8]

In case you lose your way and direction 

 

[POA1]

 
. The two individuals standing directly behind us underneath boat #8 were each holding their life jacket............what is a mother to do??

Throw them into the water to demonstrate how the little light comes on when the life jacket comes into contact with sea water.

Great thread, and happy new year!

[rafinmd]

Do you know if those directional carpets have made their way to the R and S class?

 

Roy

[MaxeyMom]

Thanks for the fabulous pics of your cabin, etc.   Do you know if all the cabins been updated with newer color schemes and large screen interactive TV? Is it just the suites?

[VMax1700]

Have a great cruise!

Going to miss the 'pop quiz' on the sailaway thread till you get back 

Best wishes for 2019.

[Copper10-8]

On 1/1/2019 at 3:07 AM, High Flyer said:

Happy New Year and thank you for taking us along.  Great pix and maps.

If you happen to be in the casino sometime, would you see if there is a crap table.  I've heard rumors.........Also, does it still open at 9pm.  66 days and counting.

 

Your craps table is present and accounted for inside EUDM's casino, located adjacent/aft of the cashier's window. I learned that craps players routinely practice a wide range of superstitious behaviors, and may expect or demand these from other players as well. Most prominently, it is apparently universally considered bad luck to say the word "seven" (after the "come-out", a roll of 7 is a loss for "pass" bets). Dealers themselves often make significant efforts to avoid calling out the number. When necessary, participants may refer to seven with a "nickname" such as "Big Red" (or just "Red"), "the S-word", etc.

 

Have fun and good luck!

 

[Copper10-8]

Day 2 - Monday 31 DEC 18 (con't)

 

Decided to have an easy low-key dinner in the Lido for the second night in a row and we both chose the pasta bar, having a very good Linguine.

 

For the New Year’s Eve celebration, there were three options; Numero Uno; the B.B. King’s All-Star band started playing at 9:00 PM on Lido Deck pool side; Numero Dos; asst. cruise director Erica, who doubles as a DJ, set up shop at 10:00 PM by playing the hits inside the Queen’s Lounge and, Numero Tres; pianists Greg and Alissa were ringing in the new year starting at 11:30 PM in their work place adjacent the casino, also on Deck 2. The venue with the least amount of people turned out to be the Queen’s Lounge however, we chose the Lido pool which, became packed as the clock of midnight drew nearer. Eurodam’s ship’s bell, the big boy, had been brought up and was hanging in a specially constructed cradle on stage adjacent the BB King’s while the magrodome (moveable/retractable roof) had been partially opened.

 

All chairs (and tables) had been removed making it standing room only on Deck 9 which some might not appreciate, but I think is a great idea! While working Oosterdam last year on New Year’s Eve, we actually had to respond to a near physical altercation between two adult (I think) males who had almost come to blows over a, you guessed it, use/”reservation” of a chair. A near fight over a chair close to year’s end, go figure that one out! Removing all seating eliminates that kind of childish activity.

 

So, getting back to my story, the BB King’s were playing some excellent dance music as usual until while Beverage stewards came out with tray upon tray of glasses filled with Champagne which were duly distributed to the assembled guests (twenty-one years of age and over only, mind ya). Yes, we did see oliebollen and appelflappen, both Dutch New Year’s Eve traditions! Eurodam’s officers were looking good in their dark “mess dress,” as did the ladies, New Year’s Eve being one of the nights when they get to wear their own “formals.” For passengers, New Year’s Eve had been designated as “festive dress” which wound up being interpreted as wearing anything from tuxes, suits, and sports coats to collared shirts with slacks, t-shirts, festive gym shorts and festive sneakers. No bathrobes, however!

 

At about 11:55 PM, Capt. Eric took up a position by his ship’s bell and, at the stroke of midnight, “let her (I’m speaking of the bell of course) have it”. The assembled crowd spontaneously broke out in toasts, kisses, hugs, embraces, handshakes, you name it, they were all over the place, while the BB’s broke out in Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration”. It was a really kool, I mean cool, festive atmosphere, which continued for quite a while up there. We called it a night around 0100 hrs. and retreated to our floating abode (the ship, not the cabin, was floating). 

 

Lido Linguine (I spelled it Linguini before but I've since been edumecated)

 

New Year's Eve dessert selection in the Lido

 

 

 

E-dam's Capt. Eric during his toast in/on the Main Stage

 

 

Deck 9 Lido pool area all prepared for the party of the year

 

Edited January 2, 2019 by Copper10-8

[pc_load_letter]

It's an absolute embarrassment (as a San Diegan) that the Port of San Diego cannot get a parking lot to adequately supply parking for cruise guests.

 

I've always said the Port of SD couldn't manage a hot dog stand so I don't expect it to get fixed any time soon.

 

They better get their act together though because the Carnival Dream starts two years of departures here in 2020.

[Copper10-8]

"oliebollen" and "appelflappen", a Dutch New Year's Eve tradition

 

The B.B. King's All-Star Band in action as it gets close to Midnight on New Year's Eve. Ship's bell in the background in its cradle

 

 

 

 

 

Capt. Eric rings in 2019

 

 

 

 

[Copper10-8]

4 hours ago, MaxeyMom said:

Thanks for the fabulous pics of your cabin, etc.   Do you know if all the cabins been updated with newer color schemes and large screen interactive TV? Is it just the suites?

 

I believe only the suites, but I will try to verify

[Copper10-8]

7 hours ago, rafinmd said:

Do you know if those directional carpets have made their way to the R and S class?

 

Roy

 

Hi Roy and Happy New Year! I would think the "S" and "R" ships who have been to dry-dock in 2018 (plus the ones going in 2019) have/will have them

[POA1]

4 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

I believe only the suites, but I will try to verify

 

The Signature Suites had been updated when we were on the Eurodam in 2016. Same room and bath schemes. I think my father-in-law's VA on had the new decor as well, but I can't swear to it. 

[Copper10-8]

4 hours ago, MaxeyMom said:

Thanks for the fabulous pics of your cabin, etc.   Do you know if all the cabins been updated with newer color schemes and large screen interactive TV? Is it just the suites?

 

During her Dec 2015 dry-dock, Eurodam's suites (signature, neptune & pinnacle categories) received upgrades and improvements  incl. interactive TVs, new furniture, modern fixtures and new carpeting