Having never experienced the life of cruising yet I was intrigued and excited at the prospect of a day on the Holland America Line’s, Ms Eurodam, which was visiting Newcastle on Sunday 5th July. I was not disappointed.
It was a lovely Summer’s day when we met Silver travel Advisor’s, Steve Newman, and fellow guests at 9.30am for our boarding of the ship at 10 am. We browsed the ship’s many attractions independently for over an hour, including a super theatre expanding over several deck levels, spa, pools, cinema, culinary and arts centre along with the observation decks. I have to say it was quite impressive although I know this is not the biggest ship, holding around 2,000 passengers, in their fleet, nor by any means closest to the size of the largest cruise ships sailing today.
Our next step was to meet up for lunch in the Rembrandt restaurant on deck 2. Lunch was delicious and consisted of seafood salad, tomato and basil soup followed by a choice of mains, baramundi, beef tenderloin or gnocchi with all the trimmings. Dessert was chocolate and peanut tart with rum and raisin ice cream. Iced water and wine flowed throughout lunch, served by very polite,attentive and smiling waiting staff.
Feeling fully satiated we then attended a presentation by Holland America Line’s, marketing manager, Carly Perkins, which was very informative and armed with their cruise brochures and information and tips from fellow guests, some veteran cruisers with 19 cruises under their belts from QE2 to Hurtigruten, I am now reading and absorbing as much information as possible on cruising.
We will go on a cruise most definitely. Which one? Well the world is our oyster. Meantime we have many tips from our wonderful day on Sunday. Thank you Silver Travel Advisor for the opportunity, without you I would never have known about this ship visit. A wonderful day and thank you to Steve, Carly and fellow STA guests for their contribution. Bon Voyage my friends.
