Eurodam Cruise Review
Educational, July 2008 - Valerie McCrum
Myself and some other staff from Scotland's Cruise Centre were welcomed aboard Holland America Line's newest Signature class ship, Eurodam. She had docked at South Queensferry mid cruise and we took a tender boat out for a few hours on to enjoy a sumptuous lunch and check out her public rooms and facilities.
Holland America's ships always look slightly different from all the other cruise liners as they are dark navy instead of the dazzling white ships we are used to. But there was nothing dark or dull inside. I think it must have been the most tastefully decorated ship I have ever been on, meticulously detailed and brand new.
The Mainstage is the theatre which doubles as a cinema. A nice little touch was that they had bags of popcorn waiting for you at the entrance to help yourself to, before taking your seat to watch the latest films.
The Queen's lounge is a more intimate room with stage where they host game shows and other entertainment but also hold their Culinary Arts classes, with state of the art cooking demonstrations etc.
The Northern Lights nightclub hosts themed nights of 70's, 80's etc and had some nice little touches like they can project images of the dance floor on the tables, cool lighting, and curtained off booths where you can sit with friends or dance the night away.
The main pool has a beautiful water feature and is surrounded by plush padded sun loungers. Above it is The Retreat, which is exclusive private cabanas, with even more plush loungers, that you can rent for $45 per day on port days and $75 per day on sea days. If you want to be closer to the pool action then the lido cabanas are available for $30 per day on port days and $50 per day on sea days.
The Greenhouse Spa and Salon is a the perfect place to relax and unwind. The main feature is the hydro pool and thermal suites. Entrance to this exclusive area is charged at $75 per day or $150 for the entire cruise, for a couple the do a special offer of $250 for the cruise. I know some people might not like the idea of having to pay for this area, but if it was free then everyone would use it and the effect would be totally spoiled by noise and not enough room. The fitness centre is available for everyone and was fully equipped and operated specialist classes throughout the day as well.
Tamarind is an intimate, serene, pan Asian restaurant, where you can have a dim sum lunch at no extra cost or to have dinner there it has a $15pp cover charge. Then you can move into the Silk Den for after dinner cocktails. Canaletto's is the Italian restaurant, a reservation is required however there is no cover charge.
Children are not forgotten about either on Eurodam. ClubHAL for 3-12 year olds has organised activities and the Loft is a teen hang out for mini discos and games, they also have their own sun deck and juice bar.
We were treated to lunch in the Rembrandt dining room. I had chicken Cesar salad followed by a juicy sirloin steak, I couldn't manage desert but it was mango and banana strudel. Tea or coffee was then served with petit fours. The service was quick and discreet and the HAL motif cutlery and china distinguished it from other cruise lines.
My last memory of Eurodam was the smell of fresh lilies and the enormous flower displays throughout the ship.
Holland America is described as a 5* plus cruise line. Eurodam is the largest in the fleet however, she is by no means large in comparison to the other ships that have been launched this year. At 86,000 tonnes she is a great-mid sized ship, elegantly decorated and perfectly detailed.
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