Holland America Eurodam : a Floating Palace

Silk Den on the Eurodam

Tarmarind Restaurant on the Eurodam

Pinnacle Grill bread

I can't say enough good things about the Holland America Eurodam. She is not the newest ship but almost ... Nieuw Amsterdam is the only newer ship. She is spotlessly maintained and the staff is first class. The ship is absolutely stunningly beautiful as you can see from my photos.

I traveled alone on a cruise from Barcelona to Dover, so it meant so much to have the staff befriend me and make my meals so special. The first night I brought my Kindle but after that, I chatted with the crew. Thanks, George from the Lido, the manager of Canaletto (Henry??) and the staff of the Pinaccle Grill where I had two lunches. 

Holland America also makes it attractive for people traveling solo. Unlike other cruise ships that charge double for the rooms, HAL typically charges 1.5 times the per person rate, which makes a big difference in price. I wanted a balcony room but in the end, settled for a large G partially-obstructed room, 4091. It was amazing. Even though there was a machine outside my floor to ceiling window, it only covered a portion of one side which left me with a nice ocean view. There were times I missed a balcony, but normally I went out on the 3rd floor deck for panoramic views and walks. 

Eurodam large outside cabin 4091 - partially obstructed view

Eurodam Cabin 4091

Traveling alone is definitely underrated. I have to say there was really no time I felt like I made a mistake by cruising by myself. I got to do exactly what I wanted to do for the entire 10 days. I am not in to the shows on board or after-dinner bars, so before I went to bed, I watched a movie or a TV show. The ship provides DVDs in the rooms and free videos from the front desk. I planned excursions ashore every day and the itinerary was intensive. We left from Barcelona and visited Gibraltar, Cadiz, Lisbon, Vigo (where I went with a small group on a private tour to Santiago de Compostela), Cherbourg, Brussels and disembarked in Dover. The sun shown every day and sometimes it even got warm but never hot. The only rain we saw was the overnight in Lisbon, but I was safely on the ship enjoying my dinner at the Canaletto, the Italian restaurant on Lido Deck. I had the same seafood dish both time I ate there and was thrilled with it. Steak both days at Pinnacle Grill. (Okay, I admit one place I am pretty predictable is with my food. If I like something, I can eat it again and again!) 

Lido Restaurant on the Eurodam

The most amazing Asian lunch on board in Lido when in Cherbourg.

Yvette and Ray

Neil, Tiara and me, Luh (on the left)

I met some really great people ... thanks Neil, Tiara, Yvette and Ray, and also the 6 couples from Texas whose names I don't remember but will never forget their hospitality.