What Is There to Do on the Eurodam

The Eurodam'southward Crow'southward Nest Lounge has books, puzzles and lath games available. It's a nice place to enjoy a cocktail before dinner, just it's crowded during the daytime.

Our family took a 7-Day Alaskan Explorer Cruise aboard Holland America's Eurodam.

Holland America's reputation for having excellent onboard entertainment is deserved. Indeed, nosotros loved the music, magic and one-act acts aboard the Eurodam.

Nevertheless, we wish the Eurodam spent more time emphasizing Alaska'south natural wonders and less time pushing shopping-related activities. (Nosotros counted 210 product- or service-related events on the transport'south weeklong schedule!)

Here is a guide to the various things to do aboard the MS Eurodam. We promise information technology helps you decide whether a Holland America cruise to Alaska is a good choice for your family.

Whale Watching

The Tamarind Bar (on Deck 11) might be the best whale-watching spot on the Eurodam. Unlike the crowded Crow'south Nest, the Tamarind Bar is empty during the 24-hour interval and has a like view.

Looking for wildlife at sea is like watching a meteor shower: A lot of time is spent waiting. When something does happen, it may non happen in front of you. In that location is also a fright of missing out.

For the kickoff two days of our cruise, nosotros couldn't become near a window without someone telling us "You just missed the most amazing affair." It was frustrating.

Thankfully, we spotted a humpback whale breaching in the waters exterior of Victoria. Nosotros too saw a pod of seven orcas (i.eastward. killer whales) swim past our balcony.

Here is our advice for whale and wild fauna watching aboard the Eurodam:

• Leave small kids in Club HAL . Whale watching requires a lot of patience.

• Don't expect close-upwardly views. To the naked eye, a afar whale tin look the same as a bird or a bounding main panthera leo. It'south of import to pack a practiced pair of binoculars.

• Go to the Tamarind Bar, especially when it is closed. The Crow's Nest gets crowded quickly because it has sweeping views from atop the ship. Meanwhile, the Tamarind Bar has a similar view and remains empty for most of the solar day.

• Don't rely on announcements from the bridge. The officers in the span but appear a whale sighting one time during our cruise. (This was disappointing.)

• Avert cabanas and individual viewing areas. The Eurodam is littered with sunbathing cabanas that clog the decks and obstruct the view of other passengers. These cabanas don't make sense on a sightseeing cruise (even if you're inside of one).

Walking the Deck

The Deck three Promenade was rarely crowded. Information technology's a great place to relax or watch coastal scenery.

The Eurodam's Promenade on Deck 3 gives passengers the opportunity to walk 360-degrees around the ship: Three laps equals one mile.

Deck 3 also hosts "On Deck for a Crusade," a charitable 5K fundraising walk that supports cancer organizations. Contributions are tax deductible.

Mainstage Entertainment

The Mainstage is used for live performances, lectures and screenings. Make it early for skilful seats.

The Eurodam'southward Mainstage encompasses Decks 1, 2 and 3. It's a large venue that hosts a variety of live and pre-recorded entertainment, including:

• Movie screenings;

• BBC's "Wild Alaska";

• Educational lectures;

• Dance performances;

• Magic by Joseph Réohm;

• Comedy past David Crowe; and

• A evidence performed by the Eurodam crew.

Joseph Réohm's blend of comedy and magic was entertaining. The illusionist also hosted a fun workshop in which he taught passengers a magic play a joke on.

David Crowe, the onboard comedian, is a funny, downward-to-Earth guy. He gave us wildlife spotting tips when we bumped into him on deck.

Vince Ricco, the Eurodam's cruise director, hosts several "EXC Talks" on the Mainstage. These educational lectures are similar to a TED talk. Immature children might get bored.

The Mainstage besides doubles as a movie theater (with a great sound organization). We enjoyed a screening of BBC'due south "Wild Alaska" that was scored to classical music.

Many of the Mainstage'southward seats have an obstructed view (especially in the balconies), and then information technology's important to arrive early for evening shows. Consider taking motion sickness medicine: The stage is at the bow of the ship and it sways in crude water.

Live Music

Billboard Onboard is an upbeat music lounge adjacent to the Eurodam's Gallery Bar and casino.

The Eurodam has three alive-music venues:

1. B.B. King's Blues Club - This is the largest music venue on the Eurodam. On well-nigh nights, "B.B. King's All Stars" play 3 sets of R&B favorites. Information technology'southward a loftier-energy show.

2. Lincoln Center Phase - This narrow venue hosts a string quartet, accompanied by a pianist. We especially liked when these classically-trained musicians performed the themes from Jaws, Psycho, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and other famous films.

3. Billboard Onboard - These "dueling pianos" are side by side to the Gallery Bar. The singing pianists played an eclectic mix of songs, from '60s classics to Top 100 hits. Nosotros liked the concept, but some of the songs tested the singers' song ranges.

During the day, these same venues host trivia, classes and "gameshows."

Dancing

There isn't much dancing aboard the Eurodam despite all the alive music. The trip the light fantastic floor in B.B. King's Blues Club opens nightly at 11:30 p.m.

Afternoon Tea

The Eurodam's dining room hosts afternoon tea at 3.p.m. Individual tables may be requested.

The dining room hosts afternoon tea at 3 p.grand.

The Maître D' liked group passengers together, leaving them to awkwardly decide which one-of-a-kind finger sandwich (or petits fours to take). We propose asking for a private table.

Fitness Heart

The Eurodam's Deck 9 fettle heart includes stationary bikes, treadmills, cardiovascular machines and free weights. The gym also hosts presentations like "Secrets to a Flatter Breadbasket." (We caught the tail-cease of a presentation; information technology seemed like an infomercial to usa.)

The ship's jogging track and basketball courts are located on Deck 11.

Pools

The Eurodam has two pools, but this is non the ship for peaceful swimming.

The outdoor pool is heated, but non inviting in cold, windy weather. Meanwhile, the indoor pool (below a retractable ceiling) was mobbed with unruly children. It was mayhem, daily.

America'south Test Kitchen

The Eurodam hosts live cooking demonstrations in the same space equally B.B. King's Dejection Guild. From a passerby's perspective, these shows looked professional and well attended.

Parties and Meetups

The Bon Voyage Sailaway party was a bust. Complimentary drinks would have been a nice touch.

We were disappointed past the Bon Voyage Sailaway party on the Lido Deck.

The Eurodam pushed-off 45 minutes later than the scheduled time. Hors d'oeuvres were scarce. There were no free drinks, just long lines at the bar. In hindsight, the Deck 3 Promenade is the best place to watch the Seattle skyline disappear into the horizon.

The send as well hosts a Dutch-themed "Orange Party" and various meetups for singles, solo travelers, LGBTQ passengers, military and friends of Nib W.

Classes

The staff in the Photograph Shop teach daily photography workshops. In that location are also Microsoft-branded digital workshops that (surprise!) revolve around Microsoft products.

A line-dancing form and flower arranging workshop are held once per week.

Religious Observances

Catholic Mass is offered daily. An interdenominational service is conducted on Sunday and a Shabbat gathering is held on Friday.

Meteor Showers and Northern Lights

Awake after midnight? Alaska is ane of the best places to encounter the Perseid meteor shower, which occurs annually between July and August.

The Northern Lights are a winter phenomena. That said, at that place is a small hazard of seeing aurora borealis on Alaskan cruises in April, August and September.

Paid Activities and Amusement

Casino

The Eurodam'southward casino is pocket-sized and tasteful. Information technology was often empty during the day.

The Eurodam has a pocket-sized casino that includes card tables, slot machines and video games. The casino also hosts lottery drawings and Texas Hold'em (cash games and tournaments).

Bingo tournaments are held in the lounge beside the casino.

Greenhouse Spa

The Eurodam'due south spa advertises hydro pools, thermal suites, acupuncture, detoxification and cryptic services like "Lose Upwards to eight Inches in I Session." We didn't visit the spa.

Shopping

The shops aboard the Eurodam are similar to the duty-free stores at an drome.

The Eurodam has a drove of shops that sell jewelry, booze, cigarettes, clothing and souvenirs. These shops are reminiscent of the duty-free stores that you'd observe in an airport.

Food and Beverage

In that location are several beer, wine and liquor tastings aboard the Eurodam, including:

• Martini Sampling ($15.00);

• Sommelier Suite Wine Tasting ($19.95);

• Alaskan Beer Tasting ($15.95);

• Sip and Savor: Wine & Titbit Pairing ($5.00);

• Bartender's Choice: Sake Tasting ($19.95);

• Bartender's Pick: Single Malt Tasting ($19.95);

• Wines of the World Tasting ($25.00);

• Cocktail Mixology ($15.00);

• Bartender's Choice: Cognac Tasting ($19.95);

• Eurodam'due south Bar Hop ($22.00); and

• Premium Vino Tasting ($39.00).

We didn't partake in these tastings, partly on principle (we didn't like the abiding sales pressure on the ship), simply as well because the events didn't inspire us.

Always Bring Sunscreen is our family'due south travel blog. We focus on family-friendly all-inclusive resorts and we only write near resorts at which we've stayed. Unlike many travel blogs, we don't take complimentary or discounted trips. For similar reasons, we don't publish our names on this website because we don't want special treatment at the resorts in which we stay.

Collectively, our family has a background in writing, editing, photography and data assay (which is useful for estimating the best times to travel and finding top-rated products similar sunscreen). All of our travel photography is original and copyrighted.

We live together in New York City and prefer to travel in the Leap.

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Source: https://www.alwaysbringsunscreen.com/holland-america-eurodam-alaska/things-to-do

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