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In Depth: The ‘New’ Eurodam and Why Holland America Is A Special Place For Me

March 14, 2016 by Aaron Saunders

The Fresh New Look aboard Holland America’s Eurodam

Holland America's Eurodam at the pier in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday, March 13, 2016. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Holland America’s Eurodam at the pier in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday, March 13, 2016. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Aaron Saunders, Avid Cruiser

On Sunday, I stepped aboard Holland America Line’s Eurodam for a look at the fresh new innovations that were recently added to the ship. These include substantially refreshed suites and brand-new, Koningsdam-esque innovations that revolve around Holland America’s new Music Walk concept that has been created in conjunction with Lincoln Center and Billboard Onboard.

The results are truly fantastic. Eurodam has been left with a fresh, new look and vibrant new features that are not only exciting and entertaining, but also lovingly designed to highlight the best aspects of the Holland America Line cruise experience in a way that will appeal to the line’s loyal Mariners and new guests alike.

One of my favorite features of Holland America's Vista and Signature-class ships: the wonderful Hydrotherapy Pool in the Greenhouse Spa. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

One of my favorite features of Holland America’s Vista and Signature-class ships: the wonderful Hydrotherapy Pool in the Greenhouse Spa. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Second-favorite feature: the relaxing Thermal Suite. You can purchase individual or couple's passes to this relaxing area. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Second-favorite feature: the relaxing Thermal Suite. You can purchase individual or couple’s passes to this relaxing area. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

I mention loyal Mariners because I myself am one. I started cruising with the line long before I ever started writing about cruises professionally. In 2005, I discovered the Oosterdam on a quickie Pacific Northwest cruise from Vancouver to Seattle, and it began my love affair with the line that quickly evolved to taking one or two “dam-ship” cruises every year.

My late grandmother, though, was the one who truly got me hooked on Holland America – even before I was old enough to ever book a cruise. Together with her late husband, she’d sail to Alaska religiously nearly every year, on the old Noordam and Nieuw Amsterdam of 1983 and 1984. Accordingly, I have old coffee mugs that still list the old Rotterdam on them. I have daily programs from the Nieuw Amsterdam’s June 1993 sailing to Alaska. And ones from 1995. And ones from 1997.

It's Sunday! You can always know what day it is on a 'Dam Ship' thanks to Holland America's changeable elevator floor mats. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

It’s Sunday! You can always know what day it is on a ‘Dam Ship’ thanks to Holland America’s changeable elevator floor mats. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Today’s Holland America Line has changed substantially from 1993…or has it? The ships may have changed, and certain traditions may have become less rigid, but I believe the core Holland America product – the reason that so many Mariners come back, and the reason that I felt an immediate sense of warmth and “home” upon boarding Eurodam at her Fort Lauderdale berth – has only improved with age.

Welcome aboard! Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Welcome aboard! Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Here’s a look at what guests can expect of Eurodam, and the rest of the Vista and Signature-class ships as they go into their respective drydocks this year and next:

Refreshed Suites

Welcome Home! Suites aboard Eurodam have received a brand-new colour scheme, surfaces, soft furnishings and features. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Welcome Home! Suites aboard Eurodam have received a brand-new colour scheme, surfaces, soft furnishings and features. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

The first thing we were invited to look at was Eurodam’s substantially-refreshed suites. Holland America didn’t just give these some new soft fabrics and slap a coat of paint on the balcony; these suites were rebuilt from the ground up. Wall treatments are new. Couches and chairs are new. Lighting is new. Bathroom fittings and fixtures are new – especially important, given that the old bathrooms were a touch on the drab side.

The Suite Life: brand-new bathrooms have a new look and vastly upgraded furnishings and surfaces. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

The Suite Life: brand-new bathrooms have a new look and vastly upgraded furnishings and surfaces. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Nearly every aspect of the bathrooms in suites have been changed - for the better. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Nearly every aspect of the bathrooms in suites have been changed – for the better. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Neptune and Pinnacle Suites also benefit from a Bose Bluetooth speaker that can wirelessly connect to your iPhone playlist, and you can charge that iPhone with the new USB power outlets situated bedside. Bedside lighting is also much improved, with dedicated reading lights on either side.

Holland America even swapped out these couches with brand-new ones. The underlying sofa bed in select categories has also received an upgrade, with substantially more comfortable mattresses. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Holland America even swapped out these couches with brand-new ones. The underlying sofa bed in select categories has also received an upgrade, with substantially more comfortable mattresses. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Brand-new inset flat-panel television screens feature complimentary video-on-demand movies and TV shows. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Brand-new inset flat-panel television screens feature complimentary video-on-demand movies and TV shows. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Other enhancements include a massive LED flat-panel television screen inset into the wall, hooked up to a video-on-demand system that features complimentary movies and television shows. If you want to watch the entire series of Downton Abbey, Holland America’s got it.

Holland America’s top-of-the-line suites were already plenty nice; this refit, though, brings them firmly into the 21st century.

The New Gallery Bar

The fabulous new Gallery Bar aboard Eurodam. Photo courtesy of Holland America Line.

The fabulous new Gallery Bar aboard Eurodam. Photo courtesy of Holland America Line.

My undisputed favorite addition to the Eurodam is the Gallery Bar, which takes the place of the former Northern Lights disco. First introduced in 2002 aboard Zuiderdam, the Northern Lights disco never quite found its footing. It was under-utilised on every Vista class cruise I’ve taken. Now, this formerly unassuming public room tucked away on the port side of Deck 2 – Lower Promenade Deck has been given new purpose and a dramatic new look.

New lite bites...Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

New lite bites…Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

...and new cocktails in the Gallery Bar, formerly the Northern Lights Disco. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

…and new cocktails in the Gallery Bar, formerly the Northern Lights Disco. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Stylish and sophisticated, the Gallery Bar includes an exclusive cocktail menu created by famed mixologist Dale DeGroff. We sampled creations that included the ‘Slightly Less Than Perfect’ Perfect Manhattan; the “Gallery” Gimlet; the Ritz Cocktail; and Another Shade of Greyhound. My favorite? The new take on the Manhattan – it’s refreshing and decidedly elegant.

The cocktail list perfectly fits in with the room, which is itself quite elegant. New furnishings accompany a bevvy of eclectic works of art. All told, this went from being one of the strangest to one of the most inviting venues onboard. This is a real winner for Holland America.

Music Walk – Billboard Onboard

Duelling Pianos: Billboard Onboard takes the former Piano Lounge concept and blows it wide open. Literally. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Duelling Pianos: Billboard Onboard takes the former Piano Lounge concept and blows it wide open. Literally. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Just outside the Gallery Bar, on the starboard side of the ship, is the Billboard Onboard venue, part of Holland America’s new Music Walk. You can get custom cocktails here, too, with musically-inspired names that are the perfect accompaniment to the live music.

One of Holland America’s strengths has always been its live onboard music. Billboard Onboard takes that to a new level, and we were treated to a superb musical performance by two pianists performing at the same time here.

With the walls removed from the corridor...Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

With the walls removed from the corridor…Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

...Billboard Onboard encourages guests passing through to linger and enjoy the show. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

…Billboard Onboard encourages guests passing through to linger and enjoy the show. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

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The post In Depth: The ‘New’ Eurodam and Why Holland America Is A Special Place For Me appeared first on From The Deck Chair.

Filed Under: From the Deck Chair, Holland America Line

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