Holland America without distinction
Eurodam Cruise Review to Europe - Northern Europe
12 Night North Sea Adventure (Copenhagen To London)
Sail date: July 31, 2011
Ship: Eurodam
Cabin type: Balcony
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 13 years ago
Review summary
For a newer ship, the Eurodam seemed worn already. The staff were as diligent at cleaning etc etc but it simply wasn't as nice as the other HAL ships I've sailed on. The one highlight on board was a new 'private' restaurant... Canneletto that occupied one half of the Lido deck buffet area. This was a no charge but reservation required eating experience that made you feel you were getting something a little added for your dollar. And the service staff there were excellent. Some of the line staff for food at the Lido were frequently 'snappy' Again, different than I had witnessed on other HAL occassions. The land package tours were very pricey. Some were exceptional, but a few you felt like you paid alot to get a little. This itinerary (Norway fjords and Great Britain with Brugges/Ghent, Belgium) was interesting for the mix of places. I was remiss in that I should have known better the seasonal conditions for these spots some of which were quite rainy/overcast/and at times colder. I didn't pack well. The ship wasn't always prepped well for suggesting on days ashore the expectations. Getting on the boat was horrible.(Off was great and smooth). We had an hour and half wait in a hot muggy tent! No explanation and no apology???!!! Our passports were taken day one to be held by the ship for the Scotland side of the travel. Not much explanation about this or prior prep to build the expectation that it would be happening. Especially irksome since the first half of the trip was in Norway. I have had this happen before but in Russia with the collection of the passports the day before and the return the day after. Its a disquieting feeling when you are without this while traveling in other countries. I still don't feel that there was much explanation by them of what the issues are that they have to cope with that led them to this need. An explanation would have gone a long way to make it feel a little better. Its these subtle little things that make you feel a little less 'cared' for or about. The ships's design layout didn't really impress me for being part of their 'new' class of ship, the Signature class. It was certainly beautfiul as all ships are but didn't 'wow' you. My experience last year on Celebrity's Eclipse of their new Solstice class, had that effect. You walked on board and every element of the cruise environment and experience left you feeling "WOWWW!". Maybe I was spoiled by that and expected the same from HAL. It didn't happen. And I have figured out that I will be doing Celebrity going forward or not at all. I was able to avoid signing up for all the enticements of their future cruise desk, which says it all!Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ports of call
South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland
Invergordon (Inverness & Loch Ness), Scotland
Pros: itinerary
Cons: Ship less than I had come to expect from HAL before
Recommends Eurodam? No.
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