Cruise Ship Review

First Impressions

We already knew that Eurodam, which will debut in summer 2008 (our photo was taken at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard in October 2007), would represent an evolution in ship design for the line. What we didn't know, until recently, was precisely how. Holland America has since revealed some enticing details about the 86,000-ton, 2,044-passenger vessel, the largest ever for HAL, and the first in its Signature-class of ships. Innovations will include the 142-seat Tamarind, a top-deck Pan-Asian restaurant; the Silk Den Bar (located adjacent to Tamarind); an African-themed Explorer's Lounge; Caneletto's, a 66-seat Italian specialty restaurant incorporated into the Deck 9 Lido restaurant; a newly designed atrium; and a reconfigured show lounge. Reservations are required for Tamarind and Caneletto's (as well as the Pinnacle Grill). Even its already fabulous Explorations Cafe, powered by The New York Times, will get a fresh look and locale. It will be housed on the starboard side of the top-of-the-ship Crow's Nest and will feature Internet-accessible computers, music listening stations, and of course books and magazines. On the accommodations side, Eurodam will introduce a new stateroom concept. Ten cabins will feature ceiling-to-floor and wall-to-wall panoramic windows. Otherwise, the vessel will be outfitted by now standard Holland America features, such as Euro-Top Mariner's Dream beds, deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel TV's, DVD players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads, professional grade hair dryers, fresh flowers and complimentary fruit baskets. The ship will carry 126 more passengers in roughly the same amount of space as HAL's Zuiderdam-class vessels (Eurodam has an extra deck). Eighty-six percent of cabins are outsides; of those, 67 percent come with balconies.

Beyond containing Holland America's newest innovations, Eurodam will feature some pretty nifty ideas from the line's recent past, such as the Pinnacle Grill, its fabulous Culinary Arts Center with an onboard show kitchen, an expanded Greenhouse Spa & Salon with thermal pool, a sprawling fitness facility and the teen-only Loft.

Eurodam is the 80th ship in the venerable HAL fleet -- the line's first ship, Rotterdam, launched 134 years ago. It is being built at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard, outside of Venice.

Eurodam be named in Rotterdam on July 1, 2008 before it embarks on a 10-night maiden voyage from Copenhagen. The ship will sail its inaugural season in Europe followed by sailings in Canada and New England in the fall and the Caribbean in the winter.

Technically speaking, Eurodam will feature navigation and safety systems including dynamic positioning abilities to hold the ship in a precise position. The vessel will be powered by six diesel generators and propelled by the latest Azipod propulsion technology.

Holland America has an option to purchase a Eurodam sibling for delivery in 2010, though it has not yet placed that order.

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