Thanks for the Memories

We received this from a guest on the prelude cruise:

Hello,

I was from July 2-5 on board. I never experienced a nicer crew than on HAL’s EURODAM.
Let me send you this picture in memory of a great cruise.

You may feel free to visit my blog if you understand German:
http://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com

My comment in your Pinnacle guestbook: 101 percent performance (crew and food)

Thank you for a great cruise. I am sure that the small problems on the first cruise will be solved very soon. I felt much more better with you than on QUEEN VICTORIA.

Best regards from Germany,
Tien-Lun Yao (aka HeinBloed in cruisecritic.com / kreuzfahrten-treff.de)

Let Her Entertain You

Jill Quinlan

Headliner Jill Quinlan is no stranger to the Holland America Line stage. Paul Lasley spoke to Jill about the lifestyle of a shipboard entertainer and the excitement of performing for a live audience.

To listen to this podcast, click on the arrow below.

Meet the Production Cast

Pam went to the theater to snap this photo of the production cast wearing costumes from “Dream Park.” It looks like a bright, high-energy show.

Back row, from left: Lindsey Wild, Erika Tomlinson, Jennifer Killian, Virginia Reid, David Brouwer, Jill Quinlan, Daniel McHugh, Michon Suyama-Brouwer, Christina Marshall and April Leopardi.

Front row, from left: Steven Montalvo, Kenneth Anneberg, Peter Gill and Mario Covacevich.

Line Dancing the Night Away

Pam captured this video of Cruise Director Shane giving Eurodam guests pointers on line dancing in the ship’s Northern Lights Lounge.

Behind-the-Scenes Galley Tour

On a recent sea day, guests were invited to take a behind-the-scenes galley tour and see how the kitchens operate. The tour went through the main galley, and Executive Chef Robert Schumann was there to answer questions.

What’s Cooking in the Culinary Arts Center?

On his recent trip aboard Eurodam, Andy Newman took some photos of HAL’s Master Chef Rudi Sodamin cooking up some treats with guests in the Culinary Arts Center. The state-of-the-art center and its show kitchen enable Sodamin, visiting celebrity chefs and the ship’s own galley team to conduct cooking demonstrations, tastings and seminars.

Guests can sit back and relax while watching the demonstration. Television monitors located around the room make it easy to see what’s happening from all angles.

On a recent sea day, Pam attended the cooking demonstration conducted by Pinnacle Grill Chef Ani Limaye, who showed Events Manager Melissa and guests how to make eggs stuffed with herbs, mustard and caviar.

It Takes a Team to Back Up Eurodam

What does it take to maneuver a 935-feet-long ship in reverse? Captain van Donselaar explains:

“I have eyes all over to assist me. There are officers forward and aft to relay the distances to me from the ship to shore, as well as an officer on the opposite bridge wing. With my own visual observations and radar, all of these combine to assist me to ensure a safe maneuver in reverse.

“Wind, currents and other ship traffic are all factors that I also have to consider to determine the safest time to turn around and proceed forward. Twenty years of experience doesn’t hurt either!”

Captain van Donselaar stands on an observation window set in the deck of the bridge; there is a window on each bridge wing. These 22 millimeter-thick (.87 inch) glass windows enable the captain to monitor the ship’s position when docking.

Postcards from Tallin, Estonia

Eurodam called at Tallin, Estonia, July 17 and while Pam was ashore she took these photos.

The Town Hall of Tallinn is the best-preserved residence of a medieval city council in northern Europe. A trooper-shaped weathervane called Vana Toomas (Old Thomas), one of the best-known symbols of Tallinn, has been standing at the top of the spire since 1530.

Flowers at the local market are in full bloom.

So Much to Do, So Little Time

With no port to rush off and explore, sea days are time to relax by the pool, catch up on some reading and enjoy the amenities on board. If you want, you can be busy from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep! So, what’s a day at sea look like? Here’s a small glimpse, and we’ll have more photos of activities around the ship over the coming days.

Nothing like a nice walk around the deck to get you going in the morning.

Guests enjoy the golf chipping challenge with Cruise Director Shane.

Learn how to make your favorite cocktails in mixology class with Event Manager Melissa and bartenders Bong and Eduardo. Melissa got all of the guests to count and then cheer while Bong and Eduardo shook the cosmopolitans to completion.

Happy 2nd Anniversary to the van Donselaars

Pam and Captain van Donselaar celebrated their second wedding anniversary on board yesterday, July 16. Pam has special members of her family and their friends aboard Eurodam to help them celebrate!

Pam and Captain van Donselaar tied the knot in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, at the English Inn Resort.

The adventurous couple celebrated their first anniversary in Iceland. They did a 40-minute dive in Silfra, the crack in the tectonic plate that separates Europe from North America.