Two Midwesterners escape winter on the Eurodam.

[ottahand7]

SeeWell, we are getting close.  Just like the sunrise we have a beautiful afternoon.  We looked for Chinese but there was a line and no tables to sit so we walked a little past Kelly's Landing to The Southport Raw Bar.  It really looks like a dump from the front, it is the view from the back that counts.  All kind of smaller (26 feet) or less can pull in and tie up for an open air lunch on their back deck.  They are on the canal that runs behind the Boatyard and the yacht brokerages.  We started with onion rings and John had a really good tomato basil soup.  Mains were fish and chips for me John had a yummy slider, all good.  Nearby this place is a  Ross  store popular with ship's crews it appears.  Also a great place to get cheap luggage in case anyone has a luggage fail somewhere along the line.  

 

Edited January 2 by ottahand7

[ottahand7]

[kb4683]

@ottahand7

Following as we will be doing 21 days on her in March.  Quick question .. where are you parking for your 52 days?  Right now, it is less expensive for us to rent each way than park our own car in the PE garage.

 

Thank you and Bon Voyage!

 

 

[rafinmd]

Bon Voyage!

 

Roy

[Pia1913]

Bon voyage to both of us. We board the Zuiderdam tomorrow also, for 36 days from Fort Lauderdale to Honolulu. And then we’re going to hang around in Hawaii then fly to California and board another cruise ship before going home. We’ll only be doing 47 days.  

[ottahand7]

4 hours ago, kb4683 said:

@ottahand7

Following as we will be doing 21 days on her in March.  Quick question .. where are you parking for your 52 days?  Right now, it is less expensive for us to rent each way than park our own car in the PE garage.

 

Thank you and Bon Voyage!

 

 

I was told of a hotel that allows long term parking as their lots are bigger than they need.  I can't tell because they may sell out if everyone finds out.   I would say call the hotel brand you use most often about 12 miles outside of Fort Lauderdale and ask if they do long term parking.  Two trips ago we parked in the garage at the Renaissance for $7.50 a night although it was top level in the sun.  We had to find something further away when we did 81 days on the Volendam last winter.  Another way would be to do a Google search on long term parking options by city and drill down.  Sorry I can't be more precise.

[ottahand7]

We had a nice dinner at the Boat House next door.  Their Happy Hour is the best.  

[oakridger]

deleted

Edited January 3 by oakridger

[canadianbear]

What a fabulous cruise you’ve planned!  We love the Eurodam & were on her in November for a 10 day Caribbean cruise.  

 

We also had the HIA.  We dined at Tamarind, Pinnacle (for supper & lunch) and the Canaletto.  ALL were wonderful-the food & service!  Hope you try them all since you’re on so long & that you also enjoy them. 

 

Have a great cruise.  

[world traveler 3515]

Hi Nancy and John,

 

We board the Eurodam on Feb 24 for 21days. Hope to see you aboard.

 

Larry and Anna 

 

Omaha

[ottahand7]

Our ship has come in.  Thanks to @rafinmdfor the screenshot of the webcam.  We will head over around 11.  One elevator is broken so we will go downstairs early.   We are 4* and in a suite so we shouldn't have any issues.  

[cat shepard]

Bon Voyage to you & John, Nancy! Your trip sounds wonderful. Enjoy every moment!

 

My first HAL cruise was on the Eurodam, so she holds a special place in my heart. 

[Ruthenium]

We just got off the Eurodam — lovely ship (my 3rd HAL ship). The sushi bar area in the Tamarind is also a nice no-cover a la carte venue within Tamarind.

[ottahand7]

We got onboard shortly after 11:30.  Lunch in the Lido.  Heading to Maitre D to ask for our favorite waiter Aframe.  We met a nice couple at lunch, Kathy and Tom.  We have a nifty Aft Neptune Suite on Deck 7.  

[ottahand7]

A few shots of our hotel lobby full of passengers heading on the World Cruise on the Zuiderdam.  Note the lady on the Segue.  😮

[Petronillus]

On 1/2/2024 at 6:25 AM, kopykat said:

OMG- I’m from Michigan originally , now upstate NY, and your post sounded like one I would write. I don’t have the luxery of sailing for that many days however and usually fly to FLL. Kelly’s Landing is my favorite restaurant and have stayed at the Renaissance several times. I’m a big Michigan fan.

We too are transplanted Michiganders. Our days at the U of M go back to the Woody Hayes/Bo Schembechler rivalry, when "OHOWIHATEOHIOSTATE" bumper stickers were ubiquitous.

[ottahand7]

Tamarind bar.  

[gizmodog]

Thanks for this, love following your thread, we will be in a Neptune 5 aft. Will love hearing about your cruise and the Neptune suite.

[NCTribeFan]

I loved sitting up in the Silk Den and reading during the day.  It was usually one of the only places I could find that didn't have piped in pop music blaring all day.  I just don't understand why they can't/won't turn that nonsense down (or off) during the day when venues aren't in use.

 

That looks like a fantastic cabin!  I'm envious, but I'll be happy in my large interior on Main.

[ottahand7]

We finally are settled after a lot of activity.  Dinner in the MDR.  I had pot roast and John had Lasagna.  Trying several of the bars.  We will probably settle into the Pinnacle bar.  That is the bar with the Mixology on sea days usually at 3pm.  Nothing for sure right now.  Sadly my favorite whisky Laphroaig is not onboard on the Eurodam.  At least they are no longer selling the cocktail Penicillin which had Laphroaig as an ingredient.  At least they have Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace and Bulleit bourbon which I can be happy sipping.  Wine selections in the Sommelier packages have dropped significantly.  No more Meomi.  No more of our favorite Cote du Rhone in package 3.  It is now on the bottle list at $44.  The new Sauvignon Blanc is from NZ but dreadful.  Ditto for the Pinot Grigio.  They do have Chateau Michelle Chardonnay at $11 per glass that is tolerable. We will probably have to buy package 3 for some dinner wines we like.  We had one shot to get drinks with dinner.  I am sure the kinks will work out tomorrow.  We were able to get a table on level 3 with our favorite waiter.  Casino was packed and slots tight.  

Sail away was WINDY! Our little January 3 Facebook group had a get together at the Seaview pool for sail away and there were many dancing to the Macarena there for sail away.  

A nice start to our day 1 on the Eurodam.  

[erewhon]

@ottahand7  Wishing you a wonderful cruise.

What is the name of the NZ Sauvignon Blanc?  

[ottahand7]

Will get photos of the new bar menu.  So unremarkable I forgot.  Unlike being citrusy like so many Kiwi SB it was weedy and saline. 

 

2 hours ago, erewhon said:

@ottahand7  Wishing you a wonderful cruise.

What is the name of the NZ Sauvignon Blanc?  

 

[ottahand7]

We are wide awake both tapping on our phones.  Our room is very quiet but the seas appear to be rough and there is a lot of creaking and rocking.  Not a problem for us, reminds us of the Volendam in the South Atlantic.  I hope we get out of it for HMC today. 

Speaking of quiet, even though the MDR was crowded last night we could still have normal conversation.  

A wonderful man named Bill who I was

derelict in not noting his last name on Facebook took an array of photos of our sail away and posted them.  I will share one of our Facebook group with their orange flags and John taking a photo of me waving my Baltimore Ravens flags.  So nice of him to share these when HA ships depart.  

[ottahand7]

For the football fans.  Many but not all of the games.  

[ottahand7]

Our Mariner reception.   A strange time, smack dab in the middle of the dinner hour.  Maybe will lighten the load in the MDR.  We have a beverage package so have no need for us to go.  I am paranoid of getting sick so will avoid large crowds if avoidable.  Influenza is pretty prevalent right now and it really doesn't matter if I have had my vaccination I usually get it if I am in crowds.