Postcards from the Dec. 13 Cruise

Cruiser Becky Holtrop sent us this nice note and a link to photos from her recent cruise:

We were on Eurodam’s December 13 sailing. The ship was beautifully decorated for Christmas and we cruised in style since we stayed in the penthouse!

Here’s a link to my photo album.

Captain Mercer said we experienced the roughest seas in Eurodam’s history; that made for an adventure!

Happy New Year,

Becky

Captain’s Log: Dec. 25, at Sea

We have had a lovely Christmas. Yesterday, the 24th, we were docked in a windy Philipsburg, St. Maarten. There were five big cruise ships in and it was consequently very busy.

The large swell was rolling into the bay despite the headland which protects the harbour and we had put additional mooring lines out. It was just as well, with the constant ‘up and down’ alongside the berth, one of the aft lines chafed through. The four ships alongside the pier were all moving quite considerably, and I saw the crew of each ship having to tend lines too.

We left late, six older teenagers, arriving well after sailing time — 40 minutes after all-aboard. They were lucky, in the old days, before security checks and computer swipe-on, they would have been unknowingly left in St. Maarten, having to return to the U.S., clad only in swimming gear and a towel. That would have been a sight to see.

We had gales forecast and sure enough, during the night, we rolled somewhat, despite the use of our stabilisers. We did, however, have a wonderful evening of festivities, culminating in an evening carol service, the participants being the Indonesian, Filipino and ‘International’ choirs. They sang their hearts out and then, after my Christmas address, they were meant to sing ‘Silent Night’, holding candles, on the stage. Despite rehearsals and constant oversight, no one had foreseen that the stage curtain has a fail-safe option, if ‘people’ or persons are too near the curtain when it starts to lift, the circuits deliberately switch off. So there they were, singing from behind a curtain that wouldn’t lift! Some quick improvisation saw them exiting stage left and right instead.

Our long-range radar detected a very small target at 9:15 on Christmas morning and an information announcement was duly made to the boys and girls (and their Mums and Dads). By 9:30, although flitting behind some of the clouds, our lookouts had positively identified what appeared to be a sleigh, reindeer and a portly man, dressed in red and white. By 9:45 there were reports from the technical staff that someone could be seen on the closed-circuit television, trying to climb down one of our funnels! A (slightly dishevelled) Santa Claus arrived on our main stage, the show lounge and excited children were brought to him, with their families, to receive ‘goodies’ from him, lots of happy, excited faces! I always go down and watch this. It is what Christmas is all about and this was no exception. It always takes me back to the days when my girls were such an age.

The evening saw me, with many of the officers, serving our wonderful crew in their dining area. It’s a tradition with our fleet and makes for a great time. Then it was time for an officers cocktail party, followed by our Christmas dinner and then an early night, to catch up on some sleep. Half Moon Cay beckons us …

Happy Holidays From the Eurodam News Blog

All of us at Eurodam News Blog wish our loyal readers a happy and healthy holiday season. Due to Christmas (and Boxing Day for those of you in the U.K.!), we will not be posting Dec. 25 and 26. We will be back posting Monday, Dec. 29. Enjoy your holiday!

Eurodam decked out for the holidays. Thanks to guest John Majors for sending in the photo.

Postcards from Tortola

Eurodam called at Tortola yesterday. I came into the dock a little fast, ending up in the straw market!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Best wishes from Nicoline de Vendt & Aad Hoogesteger.

Happy Holidays from the Technical Department

The technical department of the ‘E’ wish you a Happy Holiday!

Happy Holiday from Eurodam’s Senior Officers

Wishing all our readers a very Happy Holidays and a prosperous 2009.

From left: Environmental Officer Hans Crijnen, Chief Engineer Frank de Vries, Chief Officer Emeil de Vries, Hotel Manager Mark Pells and Captain Jonathan Mercer.

Happy Holidays From the van Donselaars

By ship, plane, train or automobile, we hope your travels lead home this holiday season.

Prettige Feestdagen!

Cheers,
Pam and Jeroen van Donselaar

(For those of you new to the blog, Captain van Donselaar shares the helm of Eurodam with Captain Mercer. He will be returning to the ship Jan. 3 with his wife, Pam, who served as our blog correspondent during the inaugurals.)

Postcards from the Nov. 29. Cruise

Guest W. Studinka sent us some photos he took during his Nov. 29 cruise aboard Eurodam.

A server in the Pinnacle Grill and one of the shipboard photographers.

The Sea View Bar on the Lido Deck.

Some delicious cuisine being whipped up during the Lido Deck breakfast (left) and one of the casino staffers.

Mr. Studinka with one of the wine sommeliers.

Postcards from Grand Turk

Eurodam is calling at Grand Turk today, and these photos were taken by passenger John Majors on his recent cruise. Another beautiful day!

Grand Turk from above. You can see the pool at Margaritaville (left), the Grand Turk Cruise Center (right) and the beach that has become very popular with the guests.

A closer view of the beach.

The shops at the Grand Turk Cruise Center.

The pool at Margaritaville.