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

The Fresh New Look aboard Holland America’s Eurodam

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 21^st century.

The New Gallery Bar

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.

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

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.

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