Seetag/Day at Sea 2 auf der/on EURODAM

Um auf die deutsche Version zu kommen, bitte unten auf dieser Seite Older Post anklicken.


Get well soon Carmen - made ready for you earlier than planned...

and

Happy Birthday to you, dear Nina...

and

thanks so much for the e-maill-message on the delivery date of my cabin greetings. I am very excited to get the HAL service at home without going on a ship...



Somehow you saw that the ship was built with Fincantieri... Always little things...

Like the gap between shower and bath tub... just perfect to catch dust...



On QUEEN VICTORIA they used so much silicon paste that there was no more left for EURODAM...

But let's face to the part: what was very very nice:

Nina did not just apology with us but also with the consignees for the late delivery.



Maybe the gesture had an value of 5-10 USD... but the knowledge that everybody is so excited on HAL was more than just 5-10 USD worth...

Still surprised that Royal Caribbean saw no need to react...

For Copenhagen we got a map and for our dinner in Pinnacle Grill a confirmation. It was wrong, but the Restaurant Manager told they need to find a way to do it properly for the computer as there was a group booking. So we should not worry about the time and number of persons. We should just relax, come whenever we want and enjoy the dinner.





It was forcasted that the chance for showers was 75%. But nothing to see... but from the movements in the stairways.





If the cabanas would be 50 USD per day it would be worth to book. They offered some features. Why not booking an inside cabine in future and if the weather is nice then taking a cabana. Those at the pool deck were all booked.

And may I introduce HAL's wonder weapon:



Leslie - the future cruise consultant. All single-men on world must book single staterooms with single occupation surcharge on Grand Voyages just be around her and have daily cruise consulting with her... - or???

Now we went for breakfast. A giant surprise was waiting for us...

Through the glas door someone was waving for us:

Bagus was Restaurant Manager last year in Tamarind-Restaurant on EURODAM and made it running.

We were his very first paying guests.

New restaurant - new crew - new conception and then he got guests with Asian roots who could not deal with the pan-asiatic food somehow...

It fully ended in a desaster. But he managed it so well that we went to lunch next day. He was so happy that we came back and gave him and his team another chance.

That's why we were so happy that he welcomed us in the Rembrandt-Restaurant. But we were also very sad to learn that he would leave with us the ship in Copenhagen and will not return back to the ships.

After 14 years he would like to do something closer to his family. He will stay loyal to cruises and will train future crewmembers. This sounds great to us because we know that crew members like him will be available also in future and a new generation will learn from him. We wished him all the best for his future.





Green Tea and Cranberry Juice are no challenges for HAL...





A wide range of daily specials and have a look how nice they serve the butter...





The fruit plate smiled...

On this desk they placed the breakfast pastries. The neighbourgh table was in hurry. They did not want to wait until the stewards returned from getting their beverages and helped themselves with their fingers. I did not found it very pleasant.





But when this happened... I did want to wait until we get the results of the Labatories if it was H1N1, Norovirus or just the sea movement.

I explained the waiter what happened. He returned the whole tray to the galley and get from somewhere else a new tray.





We got some pumpernickel on request. I think it was "stolen" from the canapé-cook...





On request I was sure to get Egg Benedicts on salmon but I was satisfied with their offers.

The Waffles were very nice. Belgian style: slightly crispy.



We went to the debarkation information "show".

Last time we got a questionaire and we can choose the time of debarkation by ourselves.

But this time we just got the allocation for 08.15 hrs.

I wrote "show" because JT did it so entertaining that it was fun to sit there and listen.

He mentioned that we can ask the reception for alternative arrangements.

That was what we did: no discussion: they changed from purple 5 for 08.15 hrs to pink 1 for 09.00 hrs. They apologied for not having a questionaire for us.





Then they had a farewell-mini-show for us who had to leave the ship on the next day...























Bruno's Sister and Brother-in-law wanted to spend their 25th anniversary day in the spa to get pampered.

Perfect timing to have an UNHOSTED cruisecritic.com-meeting which occured some troubles onboard:

Our 2-nighter was available independently as 2-nighter, but also as part of a 6-nighter starting July 06 and as a 12-nighter ending July 22. I did not want to read all three threads to get an overview who will be onboard. So the communication to find all cruisecritic.com-members was difficult.

That's I why I asked to add a note to the daily programme which was refused by the Cruise Director. With CUNARD and other companies it was never a problem to get this note into the daily programme.

So I opened a thread in cruisecritic.com and asked what I made wrong and what I need to do to get it published. You get the UNHOSTED meetings of the alcoholics (Friends of Bill W.), the homosexuals (Friends of Dorothy) and with HAL also religious groups into the daily programme.

I got a lot of responses and some explained that there were even HOSTED meetings available on HAL ships with free beverages etc. but that was not what I asked for...

To make a long story shore: JT met me later and explained to break copyright by using the expression "cruisecritic.com" in their daily programmes.

O.K.: Now someone in Seattle has to decide if this would acceptable to print such events into the daily programme or not.

I think it's in the spirit of the single forums to meet eachother on board and the cruise company must not afraid of getting trouble they print the name of the forum into the daily programme - or???

We met Allen from UK and Ning and Greg from California. As we were all in one rank of age it was very nice with them. We brought Ning and Greg our English Berlin-Guide and gave them an enveloppe to return the book for us once they left Berlin. But I got it on another way back to my hands...

The meeting was hold at 11.00 hrs in Silk Den Lounge. It should be open since 10.00 hrs according to the daily programme. I called Nina on the house phone who confirmed that 10.00 hrs is the correct opening time and she would take care of it. Five minutes later a waiter came to ask for our orders. He got everything from another open bar to give First Aid. So meanwhile they started to find the Bar Manager who arranged the opening of the bar.

The treatment should be finished at 12.30 hrs. Few points which I really dislike on this ship: the time frame for lunch in the main serviced restaurant was from 12.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs. I did not want to go to Lido again so we wanted to go there.

I had some business with my favorite front desk while Bruno waited at the spa exit for his relatives. As it took an eternity he called the front desk that they should tell me to call him. He got Nina and she went right out, found me, put me phone in my hand and connected me to the bar where Bruno waited for me. What a great service. We decided to go to the restaurant without waiting for them any longer.

At 12.57 hrs I was the first of us in the restaurant because I was already on Deck 1 at the front desk...

A little noise that they would close at 13.00 hrs but I got the very best table for 6 although we are only 4...



Bruno arrived 13.01 hrs from Deck 9. They let him in but with a small comment.

His sister and brother-in-law arrived 13.10 hrs and they told them that it was closed. But they let them in.

Our stewards were so relaxed that they did not take over any pressure from the entrance check. As usual they were very nice and friendly. During we were waiting for the next course they had some conversation with us.







The hamburger brought back my memories during school time. In Western Germany McDonald's opened their first branch in 1973. The mother of my best buddy wanted to make us some hamburgers by herself: Meatloaf in a "standard" Kaiserroll. And this hamburger reminded me to my childhood... A hamburger on "standard" roll.

With the ice cream you could see that they were no Italian company. That's the competence of COSTA and MSC and they or their manufacturer cannot make it. But you have other advantages like a huge number of diet-food. But maybe it's not has the same flavour anymore because the older you get the less flavours you can identify and then it does not play a big role, which flavours you selected...



At 15.00 hrs Dr. Justin Miller, who did the show last night, started with his presentation on American music history.







He was telling about the beginning of American music history and gave small samples.













Well the time was over and he told that there will be a continuation in few days before Kiel and he would tell about the song "Moon River"...

Grrr... whom can I convince that I need to be onboard to join this event...

We bought all three CDs from him, like many others as well, who liked to have the CDs signs.





Somehow I had the impression that he got notice on my blog... It might be German what he said to me...

I told him that Pachebel's Canon is one of my favorite and I sang in the church Bach's "Jesu, Men of Desire" during the Year of Bach. He was bad enough to tell me that there will be more Bach after I leave the ship in Copenhagen...

There was one correction I wanted to make: Pachebel and Bach were both of 17th century and were not born so far apart: Pachebel was born 1653 and Bach 1685... so not so far away like explained on the stage. But maybe it was only misunderstood by me.



I do not want to exclude you from his performance:

https://www.justinmillerguitar.com/music.html

You can listen to his music and you may share the moments I had and understand why I am so excited.

Have joy to listen to his music.

I liked to have a nap but it did not work somehow...

Originally we booked for 18.30 hrs a table in Pinnacle Grill. But 100 seats were taken for 20.00 hrs. So they put as for the computer for 17.30 hrs. The Restaurant Manager told us that we can come at anytime between 17.30 hrs and 18.30 hrs. It was only to make the computer running...

What did not work properly: if you book via internet you cannot adjust the order. By mistake I did one reservation on 18.00 hrs instead of 18.30 hrs. So I tried to cancel the item. Not possible. Then setting 18.00 hrs for quantity 0 (zero). Not possible. So a double reservation was made by mistake.







We were very happy to meet old friends: We know Augustino from our visit in Pinnacle Grill one year ago. So sorry that our great steward Dominic was no more onboard and ozeanos (a forum-mate) was also transferred to another ship.

But we got everything what we missed on other ships because they cancelled it and HAL introduced it: the presentation of the raw meat which we loved on Royal Caribbean before.

The service was European, professionell and friendly... but the difference between an European Style and the Asian Style: you need a little warm-up with the Europeans while with Asias they are always sending a natural warmth that you can feel...





And you get lobster already as a greeting from the galley...



Was I as excited as one year before: YES!!! With this great lemon-coconut-chicken-soup which I ever had in my life. And this time I was able to identify the correct spoons for eating and decoration.





Missing on NCL with Cagney's: the celebration of preparation of the Salad in front of the guests... and as you like it...









but my salad which came from the kitchen was not bad either:







Only the Crab Cake... sorry but this award stay with NCL...

Bruno had again Land and Sea with a Filet Mignon, but also still "L'Étioile" on MSC FANTASIA then Cagney's on NORWEGIAN JADE were better...





But my lobster was made to perfection...
Hhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...













The food was so great so our intention to catch the 20.00 hrs show was just cancelled in our mind to enjoy the wonderful desserts. So we went first packing then going to the show at 22.00 hrs...

I tried to trick-out HAL:

They hold per day and person 60 USD on your credit card.

Another cruiser from a German forum (egyptnic) told me that they hold for 30 days.

That was why I presented before 22.00 hrs my cruisers prepaid credit card with 1% conversion rate (instead of 1.9%)

They got authorisation of for 300 USD which should be put immediately on my credit card account. But they did not book it immediately on my account because there was no more authorised crew members available.

So the next day: they had the original hold, the second authorisation of 300 USD and the final payment amount made so that I was unable to withdraw money from an ATM in Copenhagen.

I need to develop a new strategy how to trick them out. It's not so easy like with NCL: I just present another card and ask for an immediate payment on this card to my on board account.

A first class show followed which met my taste totally:

























Everything what I love was on stage: Elton John, Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond, Celine Dion, Cher, The Rightenous Brothers, The Surpemes, The Beatles etc. etc....

... and also the Andrew Sisters which you can only experience on HAL to serve a certain age range when they danced on their music during their wedding...

But I also saw that I was unable to identify one piece of music because I might be already too old for it...

... and from my so-far favorite NCL-show "One World" they brought You raise me up.























We went to bed.

For my taste a big mistake was made:

I thought it might be better to adjust the time one day ahead so you had the day on sea to adjust your body time. The next day was debarkation in Copenhagen so everyone will have a short night due to time adjustment.

On the way to our staterooms: Kabine: Sing-a-long at the Piano and Ning and Greg told us how nice it was...



... and all hits from Flashdance in Northern Lights with the Disco-Queens who took from them pictures on the stage while we were waiting for the show...



... and Karaoke in the Culinary Arts Center on ABBA's Dancing Queen.



If somebody will ever read that a body was found at the Baltic Sea which looks like our Cruise Director JT...

It was me and I threw him overboard...

He deserved to be treated this way: because he put so many great events on the same time that I deeply regretted not be at all places at once and because I need to go to bed.

This was very mean of him... and something I will never forgive him...

And now you might understand why I did not continue to blog from the ship... The life on board was so great to think of others...

From a German song:

Finally me... Just time for me... I embrace the entire world... and I am doing what I like to do...
Endlich ich... Zeit für mich... Ich umarm die ganze Welt... und tu, was mir gefällt...

Um auf die deutsche Version zu kommen, bitte unten auf dieser Seite auf Older Post anklicken.


Get well soon Carmen - made ready for you earlier than planned...

and

Happy Birthday to you, dear Nina...

and

thanks so much for the e-maill-message on the delivery date of my cabin greetings. I am very excited to get the HAL service at home without going on a ship...



Somehow you saw that the ship was built with Fincantieri... Always little things...

Like the gap between shower and bath tub... just perfect to catch dust...



On QUEEN VICTORIA they used so much silicon paste that there was no more left for EURODAM...

But let's face to the part: what was very very nice:

Nina did not just apology with us but also with the consignees for the late delivery.



Maybe the gesture had an value of 5-10 USD... but the knowledge that everybody is so excited on HAL was more than just 5-10 USD worth...

Still surprised that Royal Caribbean saw no need to react...

For Copenhagen we got a map and for our dinner in Pinnacle Grill a confirmation. It was wrong, but the Restaurant Manager told they need to find a way to do it properly for the computer as there was a group booking. So we should not worry about the time and number of persons. We should just relax, come whenever we want and enjoy the dinner.





It was forcasted that the chance for showers was 75%. But nothing to see... but from the movements in the stairways.





If the cabanas would be 50 USD per day it would be worth to book. They offered some features. Why not booking an inside cabine in future and if the weather is nice then taking a cabana. Those at the pool deck were all booked.

And may I introduce HAL's wonder weapon:



Leslie - the future cruise consultant. All single-men on world must book single staterooms with single occupation surcharge on Grand Voyages just be around her and have daily cruise consulting with her... - or???

Now we went for breakfast. A giant surprise was waiting for us...

Through the glas door someone was waving for us:

Bagus was Restaurant Manager last year in Tamarind-Restaurant on EURODAM and made it running.

We were his very first paying guests.

New restaurant - new crew - new conception and then he got guests with Asian roots who could not deal with the pan-asiatic food somehow...

It fully ended in a desaster. But he managed it so well that we went to lunch next day. He was so happy that we came back and gave him and his team another chance.

That's why we were so happy that he welcomed us in the Rembrandt-Restaurant. But we were also very sad to learn that he would leave with us the ship in Copenhagen and will not return back to the ships.

After 14 years he would like to do something closer to his family. He will stay loyal to cruises and will train future crewmembers. This sounds great to us because we know that crew members like him will be available also in future and a new generation will learn from him. We wished him all the best for his future.





Green Tea and Cranberry Juice are no challenges for HAL...





A wide range of daily specials and have a look how nice they serve the butter...





The fruit plate smiled...

On this desk they placed the breakfast pastries. The neighbourgh table was in hurry. They did not want to wait until the stewards returned from getting their beverages and helped themselves with their fingers. I did not found it very pleasant.





But when this happened... I did want to wait until we get the results of the Labatories if it was H1N1, Norovirus or just the sea movement.

I explained the waiter what happened. He returned the whole tray to the galley and get from somewhere else a new tray.





We got some pumpernickel on request. I think it was "stolen" from the canapé-cook...





On request I was sure to get Egg Benedicts on salmon but I was satisfied with their offers.

The Waffles were very nice. Belgian style: slightly crispy.



We went to the debarkation information "show".

Last time we got a questionaire and we can choose the time of debarkation by ourselves.

But this time we just got the allocation for 08.15 hrs.

I wrote "show" because JT did it so entertaining that it was fun to sit there and listen.

He mentioned that we can ask the reception for alternative arrangements.

That was what we did: no discussion: they changed from purple 5 for 08.15 hrs to pink 1 for 09.00 hrs. They apologied for not having a questionaire for us.





Then they had a farewell-mini-show for us who had to leave the ship on the next day...























Bruno's Sister and Brother-in-law wanted to spend their 25th anniversary day in the spa to get pampered.

Perfect timing to have an UNHOSTED cruisecritic.com-meeting which occured some troubles onboard:

Our 2-nighter was available independently as 2-nighter, but also as part of a 6-nighter starting July 06 and as a 12-nighter ending July 22. I did not want to read all three threads to get an overview who will be onboard. So the communication to find all cruisecritic.com-members was difficult.

That's I why I asked to add a note to the daily programme which was refused by the Cruise Director. With CUNARD and other companies it was never a problem to get this note into the daily programme.

So I opened a thread in cruisecritic.com and asked what I made wrong and what I need to do to get it published. You get the UNHOSTED meetings of the alcoholics (Friends of Bill W.), the homosexuals (Friends of Dorothy) and with HAL also religious groups into the daily programme.

I got a lot of responses and some explained that there were even HOSTED meetings available on HAL ships with free beverages etc. but that was not what I asked for...

To make a long story shore: JT met me later and explained to break copyright by using the expression "cruisecritic.com" in their daily programmes.

O.K.: Now someone in Seattle has to decide if this would acceptable to print such events into the daily programme or not.

I think it's in the spirit of the single forums to meet eachother on board and the cruise company must not afraid of getting trouble they print the name of the forum into the daily programme - or???

We met Allen from UK and Ning and Greg from California. As we were all in one rank of age it was very nice with them. We brought Ning and Greg our English Berlin-Guide and gave them an enveloppe to return the book for us once they left Berlin. But I got it on another way back to my hands...

The meeting was hold at 11.00 hrs in Silk Den Lounge. It should be open since 10.00 hrs according to the daily programme. I called Nina on the house phone who confirmed that 10.00 hrs is the correct opening time and she would take care of it. Five minutes later a waiter came to ask for our orders. He got everything from another open bar to give First Aid. So meanwhile they started to find the Bar Manager who arranged the opening of the bar.

The treatment should be finished at 12.30 hrs. Few points which I really dislike on this ship: the time frame for lunch in the main serviced restaurant was from 12.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs. I did not want to go to Lido again so we wanted to go there.

I had some business with my favorite front desk while Bruno waited at the spa exit for his relatives. As it took an eternity he called the front desk that they should tell me to call him. He got Nina and she went right out, found me, put me phone in my hand and connected me to the bar where Bruno waited for me. What a great service. We decided to go to the restaurant without waiting for them any longer.

At 12.57 hrs I was the first of us in the restaurant because I was already on Deck 1 at the front desk...

A little noise that they would close at 13.00 hrs but I got the very best table for 6 although we are only 4...



Bruno arrived 13.01 hrs from Deck 9. They let him in but with a small comment.

His sister and brother-in-law arrived 13.10 hrs and they told them that it was closed. But they let them in.

Our stewards were so relaxed that they did not take over any pressure from the entrance check. As usual they were very nice and friendly. During we were waiting for the next course they had some conversation with us.







The hamburger brought back my memories during school time. In Western Germany McDonald's opened their first branch in 1973. The mother of my best buddy wanted to make us some hamburgers by herself: Meatloaf in a "standard" Kaiserroll. And this hamburger reminded me to my childhood... A hamburger on "standard" roll.

With the ice cream you could see that they were no Italian company. That's the competence of COSTA and MSC and they or their manufacturer cannot make it. But you have other advantages like a huge number of diet-food. But maybe it's not has the same flavour anymore because the older you get the less flavours you can identify and then it does not play a big role, which flavours you selected...



At 15.00 hrs Dr. Justin Miller, who did the show last night, started with his presentation on American music history.







He was telling about the beginning of American music history and gave small samples.













Well the time was over and he told that there will be a continuation in few days before Kiel and he would tell about the song "Moon River"...

Grrr... whom can I convince that I need to be onboard to join this event...

We bought all three CDs from him, like many others as well, who liked to have the CDs signs.





Somehow I had the impression that he got notice on my blog... It might be German what he said to me...

I told him that Pachebel's Canon is one of my favorite and I sang in the church Bach's "Jesu, Men of Desire" during the Year of Bach. He was bad enough to tell me that there will be more Bach after I leave the ship in Copenhagen...

There was one correction I wanted to make: Pachebel and Bach were both of 17th century and were not born so far apart: Pachebel was born 1653 and Bach 1685... so not so far away like explained on the stage. But maybe it was only misunderstood by me.



I do not want to exclude you from his performance:

https://www.justinmillerguitar.com/music.html

You can listen to his music and you may share the moments I had and understand why I am so excited.

Have joy to listen to his music.

I liked to have a nap but it did not work somehow...

Originally we booked for 18.30 hrs a table in Pinnacle Grill. But 100 seats were taken for 20.00 hrs. So they put as for the computer for 17.30 hrs. The Restaurant Manager told us that we can come at anytime between 17.30 hrs and 18.30 hrs. It was only to make the computer running...

What did not work properly: if you book via internet you cannot adjust the order. By mistake I did one reservation on 18.00 hrs instead of 18.30 hrs. So I tried to cancel the item. Not possible. Then setting 18.00 hrs for quantity 0 (zero). Not possible. So a double reservation was made by mistake.







We were very happy to meet old friends: We know Augustino from our visit in Pinnacle Grill one year ago. So sorry that our great steward Dominic was no more onboard and ozeanos (a forum-mate) was also transferred to another ship.

But we got everything what we missed on other ships because they cancelled it and HAL introduced it: the presentation of the raw meat which we loved on Royal Caribbean before.

The service was European, professionell and friendly... but the difference between an European Style and the Asian Style: you need a little warm-up with the Europeans while with Asias they are always sending a natural warmth that you can feel...





And you get lobster already as a greeting from the galley...



Was I as excited as one year before: YES!!! With this great lemon-coconut-chicken-soup which I ever had in my life. And this time I was able to identify the correct spoons for eating and decoration.





Missing on NCL with Cagney's: the celebration of preparation of the Salad in front of the guests... and as you like it...









but my salad which came from the kitchen was not bad either:







Only the Crab Cake... sorry but this award stay with NCL...

Bruno had again Land and Sea with a Filet Mignon, but also still "L'Étioile" on MSC FANTASIA then Cagney's on NORWEGIAN JADE were better...





But my lobster was made to perfection...
Hhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...













The food was so great so our intention to catch the 20.00 hrs show was just cancelled in our mind to enjoy the wonderful desserts. So we went first packing then going to the show at 22.00 hrs...

I tried to trick-out HAL:

They hold per day and person 60 USD on your credit card.

Another cruiser from a German forum (egyptnic) told me that they hold for 30 days.

That was why I presented before 22.00 hrs my cruisers prepaid credit card with 1% conversion rate (instead of 1.9%)

They got authorisation of for 300 USD which should be put immediately on my credit card account. But they did not book it immediately on my account because there was no more authorised crew members available.

So the next day: they had the original hold, the second authorisation of 300 USD and the final payment amount made so that I was unable to withdraw money from an ATM in Copenhagen.

I need to develop a new strategy how to trick them out. It's not so easy like with NCL: I just present another card and ask for an immediate payment on this card to my on board account.

A first class show followed which met my taste totally:

























Everything what I love was on stage: Elton John, Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond, Celine Dion, Cher, The Rightenous Brothers, The Surpemes, The Beatles etc. etc....

... and also the Andrew Sisters which you can only experience on HAL to serve a certain age range when they danced on their music during their wedding...

But I also saw that I was unable to identify one piece of music because I might be already too old for it...

... and from my so-far favorite NCL-show "One World" they brought You raise me up.























We went to bed.

For my taste a big mistake was made:

I thought it might be better to adjust the time one day ahead so you had the day on sea to adjust your body time. The next day was debarkation in Copenhagen so everyone will have a short night due to time adjustment.

On the way to our staterooms: Kabine: Sing-a-long at the Piano and Ning and Greg told us how nice it was...



... and all hits from Flashdance in Northern Lights with the Disco-Queens who took from them pictures on the stage while we were waiting for the show...



... and Karaoke in the Culinary Arts Center on ABBA's Dancing Queen.



If somebody will ever read that a body was found at the Baltic Sea which looks like our Cruise Director JT...

It was me and I threw him overboard...

He deserved to be treated this way: because he put so many great events on the same time that I deeply regretted not be at all places at once and because I need to go to bed.

This was very mean of him... and something I will never forgive him...

And now you might understand why I did not continue to blog from the ship... The life on board was so great to think of others...

From a German song:

Finally me... Just time for me... I embrace the entire world... and I am doing what I like to do...
Endlich ich... Zeit für mich... Ich umarm die ganze Welt... und tu, was mir gefällt...

Regards
HeinBloed