ms Eurodam, Holland America Line

This was our first criuse with Holland America line and we were most impressed with the not only the quality of the food but the variations, we have not had better. The down side was the service was not as good as other lines we have been with dirty dishes were left hanging around for quite some time. The passengers onboard this ship were predominatly American so you have to get used to the fact that the majority of them do not queue. The overall feeling is that I would sail with them again on perhaps one of their smaller ships of which they have a number.

We sailed on the Eurodam on the Baltic cruise to St.Petersburg, the ship was fantastic the food was fantastic. They could not be faulted at all. We have done this cruise before on the Marco Polo from Cruise & Maritime which is not as glitzy as the Eurodam. Where the Holland America let the trip down was on the tours. Biggest complaint we only had until 3pm in Stockholm which is a bit sad as it was beautiful. Also the talks on Marco Polo were really interesting on the Romanov dynasty and lots of other interesting things. I felt as if it was dummed down to an American clientele on the Eurodam. Although it did have an excellent library and librarian and wifi was reasonably priced. Shows and entertainment were also excellent apart from Patti the entertainments officer who spoke so fast with an American accent, most of it was lost on us. So if it is decor, food to die for and casinos Holland America should be your choice. CULTURE: Cruise Maritime. I forgot to say on the Marco Polo on the tours a member of staff went out with each coach and kept the flock together whereas on the Holland America the Russian tour guides spent more of their time being a shepherd than explaining what we were looking at, a lot of the Americans just wanted to buy tat off the market stalls. CONCLUSION Yes I would go with Holland America again but make my own tour arrangements. Which having returned home seems quite easy to do on the internet.