Good morning from St. John’s, Antigua! It’s day five of my amazing 11-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Holland America’s Eurodam where we arrived around 7 am and by 8 am sharp, they had us cleared to disembark. The weather looks fantastic – sunshine galore and temperatures in the mid-80s, perfect for a day of exploring.
Sharing the port today are the Enchanted Princess from Princess Cruises and the Seabourne Ovation. This is a brand-new port for me, as it’s not on many cruise itineraries. Honestly, from the ship, it doesn’t seem like the most exciting place, but hey, first impressions can be deceiving, right?
There’s no beach right here at the port, so if that’s what you’re after, you’ll need to hop in a taxi. But the good news is, there are over 30 beaches within a 3-mile radius, and they’re supposedly some of the best in the Caribbean! So this afternoon, I’m ditching the ship and venturing out to explore the town .
St. John’s dates back to 1632, when British colonists first settled on Antigua. It’s been the island’s administrative center ever since, and today it’s the capital of Antigua and Barbuda. The cruise port itself sits right in the heart of St. John’s, so you can easily wander the streets and soak up the local atmosphere.
Main Dining Room Breakfast
For those looking for a bite to eat before getting off the ship this morning, breakfast is being served in the Main Dining Room. Here’s today’s menu.
Lido Market Breakfast Menu
For those looking for a quick breakfast, the buffet is available at the Lido Market and he’s a peek at what’s being served.
Main Dining Room Lunch
Before I head off the ship to begin exploring, here’s what’s being served for lunch today in the ship’s Main Dining Room.
Lido Market Lunch Menu
Up on the Lido Deck on 9, lunch is now being served at the Lido Market buffet and here’s a peek at what’s on the menu today for those who are staying on the ship, or haven’t left yet to explore St. John’s.
Port of Call: St. John’s, Antigua
St. John’s, Antigua, was supposed to be one of the highlights of this cruise. After all, it’s the island’s historic capital and a place I haven’t been to before! It turned out to be an utter letdown.
Stepping off the ship, the port area was nothing but a string of tiny, dingy bars and restaurants. The kind you wouldn’t dare enter in a strange town. There was a newer shopping area, but it felt generic, full of the same Caribbean jewelry and perfume stores you see everywhere. Plus, a bizarre number of “casinos” and what might be the last remaining Athlete’s Foot store on Earth. The pièce de résistance? A constant swarm of taxi drivers hawking tours and rides, mixed with aggressive shopkeepers trying to lure you in.
My plan was to explore the streets on foot, but within a few blocks, I scrapped it. A full-blown street fight erupted, with police seemingly unconcerned. Homeless people slept or were passed out in the open, and the stench of urine hung heavy in the air everywhere you went. This wasn’t just disappointing, it was the first time I’d ever felt unsafe in a Caribbean port.
An Example of Holland America Line Service
As always, passengers returning to the ship are greeted with chilled face towels and cold lemon water at a tent set up just outside the gangway. Crew members are there to assist those with mobility issues to get on or off the ship safely, while others are just there to answer questions or provide a “welcome back!”
Main Dining Room Dinner Menu
It’s time to start thinking about dinner, and here’s what’s being served tonight in the Main Dining Room.
Lido Market Dinner Menu
Tonight at the Lido Market buffet, a special Caribbean themed dinner is being served. Here’s a peek at tonight’s menu.
St. John’s Sailaway
Despite the underwhelming experience around the port in St. John’s, the island did manage to redeem itself a bit as we departed. As the sun dipped towards the horizon, casting the sky in a blaze of orange and pink, sailing away from Antigua was nothing short of spectacular.
The views from the ship were breathtaking – a complete contrast to the scene onshore. So, while St. John’s itself might not have been a highlight, the sunset sent-off definitely softened the blow.
Pinnacle Grill Menu
Since dinner was so good at the Pinnacle Grill on the first night of this cruise, it’s time for another visit tonight.
Holland America’s Pinnacle Grill is featured on every ship in the fleet and costs $42 pp + 18%. The menu features aged steaks, fresh seafood, chicken, and pork options. Every course is beautifully presented and complemented by an award-winning wine list and cocktails made at the adjacent Pinnacle Bar.
Tonight, I decided to start with a classic – steak tartare. It arrived perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of capers and shallots to add a delightful bite. Every time I order it here, it reminds me why it’s my go-to appetizer.
Next up, the jumbo shrimp cocktail. Three beautifully chilled, plump shrimp were presented with a tangy, house-made cocktail sauce with a nice little kick. It was the perfect balance of refreshing and flavorful, a great way to cleanse the palate before the main course.
My main course at the Pinnacle Grill arrived – a hefty 14oz double cut pork chop. I specifically requested it medium-rare, hoping for that juicy, pink center. Unfortunately, it leaned a little closer to medium-well. While a touch more done than I prefer, I have to say, it was still surprisingly tender and flavorful. It had a nice smoky depth, and the natural sweetness of the pork shone through. Despite the slight cooking mishap, the quality of the meat was undeniable.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have room for dessert, but once again the food and service were well worth the extra charge for dinner and I’ll probably be back again before the end of this cruise. My server was on top of things throughout my meal and there were never any issues with being rushed or the timing of the dishes coming out. A fantastic experience overall.
That’s a Wrap for Today!
Feeling the need to stretch my legs after that feast, I decided to explore the evening entertainment options.
The Rolling Stone Lounge was the only live music scene happening tonight, with their band kicking off their three sets at 8:30 pm. Sadly, the piano players at Billboard Onboard were taking the night off, and the World Stage solo instrumentalist show didn’t quite pique my interest.
Overall, the entertainment scene felt a bit… underwhelming. Here’s the thing, I remember cruising Holland America in the past, where each lounge seemed to come alive with music every night. Soloists, duos, trios – there was always something to create a vibrant atmosphere. Now? Not so much. There are even a couple of former lounge spaces completely unused, sitting empty like forgotten dreams. Even the atrium bar on Deck 1, a great spot to unwind with a drink and some tunes, had been replaced with more seating.
Honestly, it felt like a bit of the magic had dimmed. I’m thinking of grabbing some pictures to document the changes – the “old” Eurodam versus the one sailing today. Progress isn’t always positive, you know?
On a brighter note, tomorrow brings another new port – Roseau, Dominica. Here’s hoping this one lives up to the excitement of discovery, unlike the disappointment of St. John’s!