Day 6 of 11 on Holland America Line’s Eurodam on this trek around the Eastern Caribbean, hitting up several lesser-cruised-to islands including our stop today Roseau, Dominica! Unlike yesterday’s disappointment in St. John’s, Antigua, I’m approaching Roseau with an open mind and a sense of adventure.
Roseau, the capital and largest city of Dominica, has a rich history. Originally called Sairi, it became a French colony in the 17th century. The city has a fascinating past marked by struggles between French and British control, evident in landmarks like Fort Young, originally built by the French.
While Roseau may not have beaches right at the port, it offers other bits to explore. The cruise ship docks right in the heart of the city, just steps away from the downtown Roseau. For those looking for shore excursions, you can book one to go to a nearby beach, but the most popular excursions skip the beach and hit up rainforests which are a short trip by cab or bus.
Since the weather is picture-perfect (sunny, a bit humid, and temperatures in the mid-80s!), it’s a great day to get out and explore.
Lido Market Breakfast Menu
It’s breakfast time and today up on Deck 9, the Lido Market is serving up these delicious options.
Main Dining Room Breakfast Menu
Down in the Main Dining Room, here’s what’s being offered this morning.
Lido Market Lunch Menu
Before heading off to explore the island, let’s take a look at what’s for lunch at the Lido Market buffet this afternoon.
Main Dining Room Lunch Menu
Traditional lunch is being served in the main dining room, and here’s what’s on today’s menu.
Port of Call: Roseau, Dominica
Roseau, Dominica. Where do I begin?
Stepping off the ship I expected to see something a little better than what I saw yesterday in St. John’s. I was hoping for a nice area to walk around, some cool things to see and visit, but… I was met with… reality.
My 37 minutes ashore were an eye-opener, for sure.
Let’s start with the “pushy locals.” Now, the people of Dominica are supposedly known for their friendly and laid-back nature. However, in the port area, there was a much different dynamic. The relentless offers to buy illegal substances – weed, cocaine, the list goes on – were overwhelming and frankly, unsettling. I felt like I was saying, “no” every three minutes.
The poverty was another stark reality. Begging for money and food, by both young and old, was an eye-opener, especially since all of us on this $450 million dollar ship are well-fed and taken care of. It’s a harsh reminder of the economic disparities that exist even within paradise.
The physical state of the port area itself added to the sense of disrepair. Dilapidated buildings lined the streets, some with gaping holes, their burnt outs shells a reminder of past fires. One restaurant continued to operate in a building clearly scorched from a fire in the not so distant past. Raw sewage flowing in open drains added another layer to the uninviting atmosphere.
One detail that struck me most was the proximity of this poverty to the seat of power. Just a block away from the cruise ship terminal lies Dominica’s “White House,” the official residence of the Prime Minister. Here you have this beautiful building, with its manicured lawn, gated entry, that sits right smack-dab in the middle of the rubble of crumbling buildings and homes.
I didn’t wander around long, but did so just long enough to get some pictures which captures what you’ll see around the port area.
Lido Market Dinner Menu
Time for dinner and let’s have a peek at what’s being offered tonight at the Lido Market buffet.
Main Dining Room Dinner Menu
For those wanting to have dinner in the main dining room tonight, here’s what’s being served.
Dinner at Canaletto
Tonight’s dinner is a change of pace – a reservation at Canaletto, Holland America’s Italian specialty restaurant. For a very reasonable $25 per person (plus the standard 18% gratuity), Canaletto offers an Italian dining experience, but with a twist!
Here’s the interesting part: Canaletto isn’t a separate restaurant with its own dedicated space. Instead, it’s a clever transformation of some Lido Market space. During dinner, a dedicated section of the buffet seating area with roughly 20 tables transforms into an Italian trattoria, complete with attentive wait staff and the promise of a delectable Italian feast.
The menu is filled with Italian classics – think pasta, seafood, and braised meats. And of course, no Italian meal is complete without a tempting selection of desserts.
Let’s take a look at the menu.
To start my meal at Canaletto, I opted for a both the Antipasto and Burrata. The Antipasto included salami and prosciutto, which I recognized from the buffet selection, along with some Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. It seems some ingredients, like these cured meats, are used across both the buffet and Canaletto’s menu.
The Burrata, however, was a delightful change and not available on the buffet. It was fresh and delicious, although the abundance of pistachios on top was a bit much for my taste.
When I saw Osso Bucco on Canaletto’s menu, there was no question – that’s what I had to order. Presented on a bed of creamy polenta, the veal shank was melt-in-your-mouth tender and bursting with flavor. It was simply fantastic – a true culinary highlight of my evening.
Tonight’s meal at Canaletto turned out to be an incredible value and service was just about equal to Pinnacle Grill. The portions were incredibly generous, and everything I tasted was absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, by the time dessert rolled around, I was practically bursting at the seams. Despite that, my server managed to convince me to try the cheesecake. Let’s just say it was worth every single extra calorie, even though I know I’ll probably regret it later!
End of the Night
After a fantastic dinner at Canaletto, where both the service and food were top-notch, I decided to try my luck at the casino. Unfortunately, my unlucky streak continued there! It seems like many others are experiencing the same, so at least there’s some solace in misery.
For those seeking entertainment tonight, the World Stage, the ship’s main showroom, doesn’t have a production show. Instead they are showing the movie “Oppenheimer” in there. If classic rock is more your style, the Rolling Stone Lounge has a band playing, and for those who enjoy piano music, Billboard Onboard has you covered.
Our next port of call is St. Lucia… till then!