Thanks for the review. We are going to Alaska on this ship in May. We are looking forward to this trip very much. Your review reassures me that we made the right choice in cruise line and ship. As far as the short comings. Most are understandable and won't bother me. Since we are going to Alaska, I doubt they will have the roof open at the pool. The receipt thing sounds like a bit of a pain. We have the Have it All package which includes gratuities and the elite drink package. It makes it nice since I don't have to worry about tipping. I like the almost all inclusive feature of the Have it All package.
Yes, the Have it All is a great value! I have heard great things about Holland in Alaska, I'm sure you will have a great time! We really loved the layout of the ship and as always, the crew is wonderful! Enjoy and thanks for watching our review:)
Just got off the Eurodam on Saturday. Water feature still not fixed, same with roof. Smell was still in area you mentioned mid ship although I didn’t notice the floor wet. They did have fans out. Very annoying to have to sign receipts for drinks. The shows were not great.
Thank you for your video. I will be sailing Eurodam in April. This will be my second Holland cruise, and I really liked my first one a couple years ago to Alaska on the Nieuw Amsterdam. I usually sail Princess. Anyways, I purchased the Have It All package. Will I still have to sign for every drink? And I am hoping the sewage problem, roof, and fountain issues have been resolved at this point. Thank you again for this informative video.
Yes, even if you have the Have it all package, you have to sign a receipt. Remember, tip is optional. Glad our video was helpful. Let us know if the issues have been fixed. Thanks for watching our videos.
@@WHATSNEXT-TRACY_SCOTT I just returned from my Eurodam trip. There wasn't any sewage problem, and the roof worked! I don't recall seeing any fountain so I am thinking that isn't working. Thanks!!
We are going on our first HAL cruise on the Eurodam this May 4th. Thanks for sharing your opinions. We don't drink so most of the concerns you had about that don't apply to us and as this will be our first HAL cruise the entertainment will be new to us. We're also early risers and early to bed so other than Chocolate Surprise night be won't be up late. Since it's Alaska they should have the Lido pool roof closed and the scenery and wildlife are the real stars. 🎉
I was on her last May solo for my birthday to Alaska in a balcony on the 4th deck. My main bartender was at the gallery bar. I could get a couple beers or a double brandy to take back to my cabin and never had a problem. The main complaint was at the Pinicale resturant. Ordered NY strip medium rare and it was over cooked and TUFF. Waiter told the head of staff and after he saw the steak the meal was comped totally. Gave the waiter a $20.
The couple we traveled with had the same problem ordering a rare steak on the Eurodam at Pinnacle too. It's great that they comped the meal for you, but it would be even better if the steak had met expectations in the first place. We went back to Pinnacle on the same cruise and everything was perfect. The waiter was wonderful and had been serving on HAL for 30 years! Thanks for watching and sharing your experience.
Wait you have been cruising since you were 20? I started in 2012 for my 62th birthday, get a pattern here? The big thing I hear is Hal is for old people, saw 3 kids on my cruise, and never felt old on the Eurodam.
No, we haven't been cruising since we were 20 - the HAL Pinnacle waiter had been serving for HAL for over 30 years. We only started cruising in 2021, after retiring during Covid. And yes, very few kids, on HAL, unless you cruise over spring break - then it's packed with families!
@@WHATSNEXT-TRACY_SCOTT Just had a thought about the shower in my cabin, you seem to be a bigger guy like me, 6' 250 and my cabin's shower was so small, how small was it? With the curtain pulled, which I didn't like, one could just get in it.😛
I'm 6' 2'' and over 250. Yes, it is a tight fit and we don't like shower curtains either, but just try and ignore for the time spent in the shower. Again, thanks for your comments.
My first cruise will be booked soon. I'm looking for reviews to help make a choice. Seems like the Holland Eurodam to Alaska is way cheaper than other choices in Sept. 24.
HAL in general has been offering good prices. If you're looking for the best deal, you probably found it! HAL has been cruising Alaska for over 75 years so they are a great choice for Alaska! Thanks for watching and enjoy your first cruise.
Just an FYI from other reviewers.. Apple phones are NOT friendly/compatible with their app.. super aggravating to many cruisers. Thanks for the info. 1st Holland cruise Jan. 25’. Celebrity Retreat guy so we’ll see. Thanks for the info
Thanks for the information. I have iPhone, Scott has Samsung, we both have the same problems with the app. We would be interested in hearing from you post cruise to know your thoughts HAL vs Celebrity - did you book Neptune on Holland? Thanks for watching and please let us know!
We were in the Caribbean on the Eurodam Jan 2024, but yes, this applies to any sailing, anywhere. We were on an Adriatic cruise out of Rome on the Nieuw Statendam in Nov 2023 when we first learned of the food changes and the signing of receipts. It is across all destinations and all HAL ships.
I believe HAL makes you sign your drink receipt in order to be able to control your drink package consumption! HAL limits you to 15 TOTAL drinks per day, before staring to charge the cost of the drinks! (You get NO credit for port days when you don’t use your drink limits!) Celebrity, although they also have the same limits it is not “strictly” monitored! Only if you become drunk and disorderly will they monitor your drinks! Yes! HAL hopes to embarrass you into adding more tip on EACH receipt you sign! I just BOLDLY cross out the added tips line and carry lose $$ to personally hand to a deserving server! Regrettably HAL has turned nickel and dimming the guests into an art form! They are not subtle, like most cruise lines! It’s a shame because overall HAL can be a lovely cruise line with beautiful ships: not glitzy but elegant!
@horacioyrausquin4601 Yes it does help keep track of drinks. On Virgin now, no signing, they just scan wrist band and drinks show up. No feelings of having to tip. A lot more enjoyable experience. Thanks for watching our videos.
@@WHATSNEXT-TRACY_SCOTT Same on Celebrity Cruises, your consumption is recorded every time the bar swipes your card, they don’t make it obvious. I have found that with the drink package they don’t monitor your bottles of water, HAL does and it’s included in your limit!
@@WHATSNEXT-TRACY_SCOTT Soon I will be back on the ROTTERDAM, I am looking forward to see if it’s gotten better since my last sailing on her! I sailed on her within the first 3 months of her first sailing! It was surprisingly chaotic! Hopefully, 🤞 HAL has had enough time to improve and get better organized. Let’s see!
Entertainment is non-existent. HAL cheaps out with comedians. I want to see live shows: singing and dancing. Last Call is excellent, but the Broadway show is like nails on a chalk board.
Currently on the eurodam. Not impressed with Hal!! Have been cruising with them since 2006! The only way these cruise lines are going to learn is by sailing with the competition. The cut backs on food and entertainment is ridiculous. Their was are favourite cruise, sadly the just don’t care any longer. Their signature of excellence no longer exists. They will not miss us, more monies will be spent elsewhere. Only way they will take notice is by boycotting until they realize their customers have sailed elsewhere!!
Thanks for sharing, you've really seen some big changes in 18 years! I get what you're saying about sailing their competitors. We like Regent but, we spend more money for Regent. Can you let us know if the roof, fountain and sewage midship on deck 3 have been fixed? What problems are you having?
We've had a number of cruises with HAL prior to the pandemic. Carnival Corporation brands have taken on a lot of water in the past few years; even the ink is running on the 'Signature of Excellence'. No relief in sight until more competition shows up.
Roof was operational, no fountain , no wet carpet but was definitely a sewage smell in the area. We had to sign receipts in some bars , but not all of them. Entertainment was poor at best. Hal removed BB king lounge on the Vista class ships awhile ago, and recently on the signature class. They are only on pinnacle class ships now ! We have seen to many cutbacks from Hal on this cruise , food quality & selection, entertainment , ship conditions. Impressed with starlink but their app is poor at best. Only cruise line not doing any new builds or refurbishments. Our Neptune suite was in sad shape!! I have cancelled 3 upcoming cruises with Holland will check out other options. Good luck on the Nieuw Amsterdam was my favourite ship , haven’t sailed her since fall of 2019. Enjoy your sailing . Will be looking forward to your video.
Thank you so much for the update on the Eurodam. I am sorry to know that you are canceling 3 upcoming cruises, but definitely understand. There are so many other options to consider, please let us know which line you choose and how it compares to HAL! Thank you for all the information and please keep in touch with your travels.
@@WHATSNEXT-TRACY_SCOTT You cannot catch COVID from touching a pen or a tong because COVID is AIRBORNE!!! If you are afraid of COVID, wear a MASK onboard.
Boy, yours is one of the most helpful videos I have seen!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching our videos.
Thanks for the review. We are going to Alaska on this ship in May. We are looking forward to this trip very much. Your review reassures me that we made the right choice in cruise line and ship. As far as the short comings. Most are understandable and won't bother me. Since we are going to Alaska, I doubt they will have the roof open at the pool. The receipt thing sounds like a bit of a pain. We have the Have it All package which includes gratuities and the elite drink package. It makes it nice since I don't have to worry about tipping. I like the almost all inclusive feature of the Have it All package.
Yes, the Have it All is a great value! I have heard great things about Holland in Alaska, I'm sure you will have a great time! We really loved the layout of the ship and as always, the crew is wonderful! Enjoy and thanks for watching our review:)
Just got off the Eurodam on Saturday. Water feature still not fixed, same with roof. Smell was still in area you mentioned mid ship although I didn’t notice the floor wet. They did have fans out. Very annoying to have to sign receipts for drinks. The shows were not great.
Thanks for the update! So sad that these issues continue on the Eurodam. I hope you enjoyed the food and the ports:)
We sailed on her as the covid stuff started to go away. We truly loved this ship and crew especially since they were shorthanded. Thanks for sharing
That's awesome, it is designed very well! Thanks for watching our video.
Thank you for your video. I will be sailing Eurodam in April. This will be my second Holland cruise, and I really liked my first one a couple years ago to Alaska on the Nieuw Amsterdam. I usually sail Princess. Anyways, I purchased the Have It All package. Will I still have to sign for every drink? And I am hoping the sewage problem, roof, and fountain issues have been resolved at this point. Thank you again for this informative video.
Yes, even if you have the Have it all package, you have to sign a receipt. Remember, tip is optional. Glad our video was helpful. Let us know if the issues have been fixed.
Thanks for watching our videos.
@@WHATSNEXT-TRACY_SCOTT I just returned from my Eurodam trip. There wasn't any sewage problem, and the roof worked! I don't recall seeing any fountain so I am thinking that isn't working. Thanks!!
@Francine-gc2re Thank you for the follow up.
Very informative and honest review. Thanks
Glad you found the video informative.Thanks for watching!
We are going on our first HAL cruise on the Eurodam this May 4th. Thanks for sharing your opinions. We don't drink so most of the concerns you had about that don't apply to us and as this will be our first HAL cruise the entertainment will be new to us. We're also early risers and early to bed so other than Chocolate Surprise night be won't be up late. Since it's Alaska they should have the Lido pool roof closed and the scenery and wildlife are the real stars. 🎉
Alaska is great. Have fun and thanks for watching our videos.
Hey we might see ya there. We are going on that cruise too. Leaving May 4th. 😊
Thanks for watching our videos.
On a Princess ship last fall, bartenders moved to different bars almost daily. My friends had to find their favorite bartenders daily.
Thanks for the info. Thanks for watching our videos.
I was on her last May solo for my birthday to Alaska in a balcony on the 4th deck. My main bartender was at the gallery bar. I could get a couple beers or a double brandy to take back to my cabin and never had a problem. The main complaint was at the Pinicale resturant. Ordered NY strip medium rare and it was over cooked and TUFF. Waiter told the head of staff and after he saw the steak the meal was comped totally. Gave the waiter a $20.
The couple we traveled with had the same problem ordering a rare steak on the Eurodam at Pinnacle too. It's great that they comped the meal for you, but it would be even better if the steak had met expectations in the first place. We went back to Pinnacle on the same cruise and everything was perfect. The waiter was wonderful and had been serving on HAL for 30 years! Thanks for watching and sharing your experience.
Wait you have been cruising since you were 20? I started in 2012 for my 62th birthday, get a pattern here? The big thing I hear is Hal is for old people, saw 3 kids on my cruise, and never felt old on the Eurodam.
No, we haven't been cruising since we were 20 - the HAL Pinnacle waiter had been serving for HAL for over 30 years. We only started cruising in 2021, after retiring during Covid. And yes, very few kids, on HAL, unless you cruise over spring break - then it's packed with families!
@@WHATSNEXT-TRACY_SCOTT Just had a thought about the shower in my cabin, you seem to be a bigger guy like me, 6' 250 and my cabin's shower was so small, how small was it? With the curtain pulled, which I didn't like, one could just get in it.😛
I'm 6' 2'' and over 250. Yes, it is a tight fit and we don't like shower curtains either, but just try and ignore for the time spent in the shower. Again, thanks for your comments.
My first cruise will be booked soon. I'm looking for reviews to help make a choice. Seems like the Holland Eurodam to Alaska is way cheaper than other choices in Sept. 24.
HAL in general has been offering good prices. If you're looking for the best deal, you probably found it! HAL has been cruising Alaska for over 75 years so they are a great choice for Alaska! Thanks for watching and enjoy your first cruise.
Menus should be on the APP...at least the menus were posted on Princess last fall in the APP...
Thanks.
Just an FYI from other reviewers.. Apple phones are NOT friendly/compatible with their app.. super aggravating to many cruisers. Thanks for the info. 1st Holland cruise Jan. 25’. Celebrity Retreat guy so we’ll see. Thanks for the info
Thanks for the information. I have iPhone, Scott has Samsung, we both have the same problems with the app. We would be interested in hearing from you post cruise to know your thoughts HAL vs Celebrity - did you book Neptune on Holland? Thanks for watching and please let us know!
Princess ship last fall Have It All packages also had to sign.
Thanks for letting us know.
Is this on all destinations?
We were in the Caribbean on the Eurodam Jan 2024, but yes, this applies to any sailing, anywhere. We were on an Adriatic cruise out of Rome on the Nieuw Statendam in Nov 2023 when we first learned of the food changes and the signing of receipts. It is across all destinations and all HAL ships.
I hate signing a receipt
Definitely! Thanks.
I believe HAL makes you sign your drink receipt in order to be able to control your drink package consumption! HAL limits you to 15 TOTAL drinks per day, before staring to charge the cost of the drinks! (You get NO credit for port days when you don’t use your drink limits!) Celebrity, although they also have the same limits it is not “strictly” monitored! Only if you become drunk and disorderly will they monitor your drinks! Yes! HAL hopes to embarrass you into adding more tip on EACH receipt you sign! I just BOLDLY cross out the added tips line and carry lose $$ to personally hand to a deserving server! Regrettably HAL has turned nickel and dimming the guests into an art form! They are not subtle, like most cruise lines! It’s a shame because overall HAL can be a lovely cruise line with beautiful ships: not glitzy but elegant!
@horacioyrausquin4601 Yes it does help keep track of drinks. On Virgin now, no signing, they just scan wrist band and drinks show up. No feelings of having to tip. A lot more enjoyable experience.
Thanks for watching our videos.
@@WHATSNEXT-TRACY_SCOTT Same on Celebrity Cruises, your consumption is recorded every time the bar swipes your card, they don’t make it obvious. I have found that with the drink package they don’t monitor your bottles of water, HAL does and it’s included in your limit!
@horacioyrausquin4601 Yes, the water is definitely annoying and cans of soda also. If I remember correctly.
@@WHATSNEXT-TRACY_SCOTT Soon I will be back on the ROTTERDAM, I am looking forward to see if it’s gotten better since my last sailing on her! I sailed on her within the first 3 months of her first sailing! It was surprisingly chaotic! Hopefully, 🤞 HAL has had enough time to improve and get better organized. Let’s see!
@@horacioyrausquin4601 Enjoy your cruise 🛳😎
Thanks. Hate signing. Celebrity Never has you sign.
Our biggest pet peeve with Holland! We always add it to the post cruise survey but it just doesn't matter:(
Entertainment is non-existent. HAL cheaps out with comedians. I want to see live shows: singing and dancing. Last Call is excellent, but the Broadway show is like nails on a chalk board.
Yes, the entertainment is in need of a big change. Surprised it has not been improved in the last few years. Thanks for watching our videos.
Currently on the eurodam. Not impressed with Hal!! Have been cruising with them since 2006! The only way these cruise lines are going to learn is by sailing with the competition. The cut backs on food and entertainment is ridiculous. Their was are favourite cruise, sadly the just don’t care any longer. Their signature of excellence no longer exists. They will not miss us, more monies will be spent elsewhere. Only way they will take notice is by boycotting until they realize their customers have sailed elsewhere!!
Thanks for sharing, you've really seen some big changes in 18 years! I get what you're saying about sailing their competitors. We like Regent but, we spend more money for Regent. Can you let us know if the roof, fountain and sewage midship on deck 3 have been fixed? What problems are you having?
We've had a number of cruises with HAL prior to the pandemic. Carnival Corporation brands have taken on a lot of water in the past few years; even the ink is running on the 'Signature of Excellence'. No relief in sight until more competition shows up.
So many people cruising now, the cruise lines not need to compete for your money anymore.
Roof was operational, no fountain , no wet carpet but was definitely a sewage smell in the area. We had to sign receipts in some bars , but not all of them. Entertainment was poor at best. Hal removed BB king lounge on the Vista class ships awhile ago, and recently on the signature class. They are only on pinnacle class ships now ! We have seen to many cutbacks from Hal on this cruise , food quality & selection, entertainment , ship conditions. Impressed with starlink but their app is poor at best. Only cruise line not doing any new builds or refurbishments. Our Neptune suite was in sad shape!! I have cancelled 3 upcoming cruises with Holland will check out other options. Good luck on the Nieuw Amsterdam was my favourite ship , haven’t sailed her since fall of 2019. Enjoy your sailing . Will be looking forward to your video.
Thank you so much for the update on the Eurodam. I am sorry to know that you are canceling 3 upcoming cruises, but definitely understand. There are so many other options to consider, please let us know which line you choose and how it compares to HAL! Thank you for all the information and please keep in touch with your travels.
People are afraid of sharing pens now?!? Lighten up!!!
Thanks for watching our video. Just see to many people coughing and sneezing into their hands and not cleaning.
@@WHATSNEXT-TRACY_SCOTT You cannot catch COVID from touching a pen or a tong because COVID is AIRBORNE!!! If you are afraid of COVID, wear a MASK onboard.
You can catch the flu or norovirus. Just trying to protect against missing part of a cruise from someone not practicing good hygiene.
@@WHATSNEXT-TRACY_SCOTT If you are that afraid, just stay home.
If you had a pencil would you have a point ?