Two Midwesterners escape winter on the Eurodam.

[ottahand7]

Today's Daily for Bimini.   We may or may not go ashore.  Depends on if there is a shuttle to the nearby resort. 

[ottahand7]

It looks rainy out in Bimini and looks like not much at the end of the pier so I spent some time providing feedback on our crew through the Navigator.  I am caught up so will share some thoughts as we come near the end of this 10 day cruise. 

HIA beverage package - good thing we don't get near our limit because when we order call high end whiskey and tequila they get the jigger out and give us an exact ounce. Generous pours are a thing of the past. 

Beverage service in the casino is poor.  I start my night going to the Gallery bar and ordering my Patron tequila in a snifter and go to my machine.  I flag down a waiter and ask for another shot in the same glass.  Patron Anejo is $3 extra.  I tip $2 and tell her I need service so check with me if I need more. It has helped with service on subsequent evenings. More to come. 

[ottahand7]

Casino has finally loosened up towards the end of the cruise and it keeps more patrons playing.  We play slots exclusively.  I was down a lot and won it all back last evening.  If I win on a machine I cash out and move to the next. Probably will be loose tonight to send people home on a happier note, time will tell.

I played one machine, can't recall the name of it - it had drop down red, gold and silver balls.  I think I know why the machine is never played, I won 8 balls, one mini for $5.12, three $5 and two smaller denominations and they added up to $20.  The screen disappeared too fast for a photo.  Will play it tonight to get some evidence with my camera ready.  

Food has been uniformly good. The only things that are losers are baked potatoes which are cooked in advance, dried up and barely warm.

From our balcony in Bimini today we saw many fish, a sea turtle and a Kingfisher bird.  Can't get them well with cell phone camera.  

[ottahand7]

Tonight's MDR menu. Missing a favorite Weiner Schnitzel tonight because of our  comped PG dinner.  No harm no foul because the menu repeats regularly.  

 

[ottahand7]

Our map for this week completed. It was a wee bit too small to cover Mexico and Central America.  More stickers early next week!   The Gaffers tape worked perfectly almost too well, it took 10 minutes to get it off but didn't leave a mark on the door. Saturday I will rehang it with 4 times less tape.  

[ottahand7]

Back on board after lengthy in transit process. 389 counting contractors.  Nothing like being in a closely seated auditorium with a bunch of phlegmy coughers. 🤯

 

Keto lunch in the Lido strip loin and fried chicken.  

 

[canadarocks]

Totally get that. We went through the dreaded transit process twice last year.... never again if I can help it. We're getting off in Fort Lauderdale during the turnaround in March. 

 

Hope your free Pinnacle Grill dinner was good! 🙂

[ottahand7]

1 hour ago, canadarocks said:

Totally get that. We went through the dreaded transit process twice last year.... never again if I can help it. We're getting off in Fort Lauderdale during the turnaround in March. 

 

Hope your free Pinnacle Grill dinner was good! 🙂

The PH will be a coming story.   We will have to do in transit three more times.

 

 Today's menu.

  

Edited January 13 by ottahand7

[ottahand7]

Last night we had dinner in the Pinnacle Grill.  We arrived a bit early and were seated at 5:20, place was almost full.  

 

I think lots of HIA users and 5 stars increased the pressure on the restaurant.  It seemed they were running out of food.  My lobster bisque was a short pour and thin.  John ordered scallops and asparagus.  The scallops looked like an appetizer portion.  The asparagus was 5 or 6 pieces of very thin asparagus.  My ribeye was huge and perfectly cooked. Flavor was wonderful.  

 

We got our appetizers in about 30 minutes then the waiting began.  We had already been through two glasses of wine during our wait. At 6:30 I suggested we bail out and head to the Lido.  John says give it 5.  Waiter had already told us soon, just waiting on John's scallops.  We finally got our meal at 6:40 and I insisted they comp us some wine because our

dinner was so late which they did times 2.  That means 4 glasses of wine during the whole process.  John tried the Celsius Sauvignon Blanc again and I tried it and it was decent.  Maybe a fresher shipment.  

 

A very long night, I am going to change all my reservations to 5:00 and never last night of a voyage.

 

[ottahand7]

Today's Daily 

[canadarocks]

Wow.... that long a wait and just 3 scallops for a Main Course! Glad you got some free wine.

[sseibert3]

On board.

[jlawrence01]

Is it proper form on this board to add comments on this cruise or should I start my own??

[ottahand7]

8 minutes ago, jlawrence01 said:

Is it proper form on this board to add comments on this cruise or should I start my own??

Please go ahead if you would like.  More eyes see more.  

 

We are getting the paywall Chiefs Dolphins game tonight.  Thanks HAL!  🏈. All games covered. 

[jjfarns]

Go Chiefs. It’s currently zero degrees here in Kansas City headed for a low of minus twelve tonight 🥶. We join you on the 24th. DW started packing today. Looking forward to warmer weather. 

[shippmates]

I also join you on the 24th and have started to get things out that I do not want to forget.  My books and my hat, sunscreen, water shoes.  It is getting really cold in PA this next week.  I am over snow and winter.

[Saphire]

Thank you for your interesting reports! We sail Eurodam in March, and I was wondering if they offer martini tastings or mixology. I did not see it posted in the Daily. Thank you and enjoy your cruise!

[jlawrence01]

Several comments on the cruise ports on the January 3rd sailing of the Eurodam.

 

Roatan - We booked a private tour with Roatan Trips and Travel through Get your guide.  We were picked up by a driver and taken anywhere we wanted to go.  $25 per person for a four hour tour.  Our guide was a college aged kid who took us places "off the beaten path   Ask for Lucas.  It was our second trip to Roaton in three months and both were through RT&T.

 

Belize - The tendering process would be difficult if you have mobility issues on both ends. The port is not bad BUT the area south of the port is rough.  We were harassed by one particular guy who kept grabbing our arms.  We booked a $25 city tour through one of the local vendors.

 

Cozamel - I walked a half mile to a Luche Libre wrestling exhibition and a "meet and greet" with the wrestlers which was great.  It was booked through GetYourGuide.com and was $59.

 

Bimini -  They have a shuttle that we thought would take you around the island or so we thought.  It just went to the Bimini Beach Resort which was full unless you wanted a beach day.  We took a guided tour for $85 pp which honestly was not worth it.  I think that we would walk the town on our own as it is only a two mile walk to the end of the island.  Bimini is very overpriced overall and honestly was a let down when the original itinerary was Key West.

[jlawrence01]

4 hours ago, Saphire said:

Thank you for your interesting reports! We sail Eurodam in March, and I was wondering if they offer martini tastings or mixology. I did not see it posted in the Daily. Thank you and enjoy your cruise!

On the first sea day, the cruise director and the lead bartender had a Q&A session with guests.  

 

There were two mixology sessions during the 10 day cruise for a $20-25 fee.

[ottahand7]

There are also a martini hour offer in the Tamarind bar where they will make many kinds for a reduced price. It is a pretty bar in the evening.  🍸

[kb4683]

19 hours ago, ottahand7 said:

Back on board after lengthy in transit process. 389 counting contractors.  Nothing like being in a closely seated auditorium with a bunch of phlegmy coughers. 🤯

 

Did they happen to offer any shore excursions for in transit passengers?  Not looking forward to your experience if we can avoid it in March.

[Papaeagle]

We're going to be on the Eurodam during the Superbowl. Where do they show the games on this ship? Thank you!

[retiretwo]

The last time we were on for the Super Bowl, a Big pre-party and viewing were held in the main showroom. That was on the Oosterdam. Also, that was pre pandemic.  

[Papaeagle]

That would actually be a nice place to watch. I wonder if that's where the Chiefs and Dolphins game was last night?

[ClippyJoe]

We were on the Konigsdam last year and the Super Bowl was shown on the large screen at the pool.