Island Hopping Through the Eastern Caribbean

Our 10-day Thanksgiving cruise departed from Ft. Lauderdale aboard the Eurodam, Holland America’s first Signature Class ship. Although the ship was constructed in 2007, it received upgrades in 2015 and 2019. Our veranda cabin was more spacious compared to similar class cabins on other cruise lines, featuring a bathtub and all standard amenities. However, the room wasn't very clean upon our arrival. We informed the stewardess, who took note and promptly informed us that evening turndown service is no longer provided. Guests can now opt for either a morning or afternoon service.

On previous Holland America cruises, we thoroughly enjoyed the shows, comedians, the Lincoln Center Stage (featuring music recitals by a quartet), and America's Test Kitchen (a cooking show presented by members of their TV show). However, on this cruise, we were very disappointed with the entertainment. The shows at the World Stage were of poor quality, the sole comedian was not funny (a first in over 30 cruises), America's Test Kitchen was no longer available (we were aware of this), and the Lincoln Center Stage is being phased out. We weren't informed of some of these changes before our cruise. The highlight of the entertainment was the orange party at B.B. King’s Blues Club, where everyone is encouraged to wear orange, the color of the Netherlands, in honor of the royal family from the House of Orange. We also enjoyed the music at Billboard Onboard, where dueling piano players entertain while testing guests’ trivia knowledge.

We dined several times at specialty restaurants, with half of these meals included in our dining package. We visited Pinnacle Grill (a steakhouse) and Tamarind (Pan-Asian) twice each, and Canaletto (an Italian restaurant set up each evening next to the Lido Market self-service) once. Tamarind offered a good and innovative experience, Pinnacle Grill maintained its usual high standard, but Canaletto was disappointing except for the Osso Bucco. The remainder of our dinners took place in the main dining room, where opting for the "As You Wish Dining" often meant waiting to be seated.

Our cruise package included the Signature Beverage Package, allowing for up to 15 drinks per day, covering coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol. Initially, everything was fine, but a few days before the end of the cruise, the staff began informing us that they were out of our preferred white and sparkling wines. This issue was consistent throughout the ship. Eventually, we spoke with a beverage manager who confirmed they were not out of stock. We've never encountered this issue with Holland America in the past.

We selected this cruise primarily for its itinerary, rather than the ship itself. Although we had been to these islands previously, it had been some time since our last visit to a few of them. Upon our arrival in Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten (the Dutch side of the island), it was raining. Consequently, we opted not to visit Orient Beach, which is considered the best beach on the island. Instead, we spent a couple of hours exploring Philipsburg before returning to the ship.

In Antigua, we scheduled a ship excursion on a catamaran, which was one of the two included in our package. They first brought us to a snorkeling reef, followed by a visit to a beautiful beach. The water temperature was in the mid-eighties, making it quite enjoyable.

Our next destination was the island of St. Lucia. We docked in Castries, where we embarked on our second ship excursion, a tour focused on Creole traditions. We journeyed by coach towards St Mark's to begin our visit at an old colonial-style house that offered a stunning view of the city.

Our next stop was Howelton Estate, one of the island's oldest residences. It offers several artisanal attractions along with the typical souvenir shop. The atmosphere is somewhat commercial. Our final stop was the highlight of the trip. We visited the Fond Latisab Creole Park, where we were warmly welcomed and guided through lush landscapes featuring nutmeg, cinnamon, bananas, and cocoa. We learned how they used to saw wood to the rhythm of the "chak chak" and drums. Our local guide then demonstrated the process of making cassava bread. At the end, we enjoyed a creole folk dance before sampling the cassava bread with local fruit or rum punch.

In Dominica, we embarked on a trolley-train tour of Roseau, the capital. The tour lasted just under two hours and included visits to the city and the Botanic Gardens. The gardens feature 50 varieties of native plants and imported trees, along with the Sisserou Parrot, Dominica's National Bird. This protected parrot is likely one of the oldest Amazon parrot species globally and is exclusive to Dominica.

We opted for a beach day in St. Kitts and took a taxi from Basseterre to the Carambola Beach Club, located in South Friar’s Bay. The club offers umbrellas, lounge chairs, a bar, and a restaurant. It was an ideal place to enjoy the day. Situated on the Caribbean side of the island, the beach is calm without much wind or waves.

We opted for a ship excursion during our day in St. Thomas. Having visited several times before, we chose not to rent a car. Our plan was to visit the stunning Magens Bay beach first and then head to town in the early afternoon for some shopping. However, our guide informed us that since it was Sunday and the shops would close early, we would begin our tour in the city. Many were disappointed because, like us, they were eager to visit the beach. Upon arriving in town, a sales representative from a jewelry store quickly boarded our open-air safari bus to give a sales pitch. We decided to explore the city on our own, but most stores were still closed. The remainder of the tour was more enjoyable, and we had a wonderful time at Magens Bay, which is ranked as one of the world's ten most beautiful beaches by the National Geographic Society.   

The following day was spent at sea before we reached Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, home to Holland America's private island. The beach is stunning, and the water's color is incredibly scenic, making it a perfect day for relaxation. For lunch, they serve their traditional BBQ, featuring a burger or a hot dog.

Overall, we had a fantastic time on the cruise due to the destinations. However, as previously noted, we were let down by the cruise ship, the mediocre food, and the limited entertainment options.