It’s only fitting that Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands christened Holland America Line’s (HAL) Eurodam, in an elegant ceremony in Rotterdam on July 1, 2008. The 2,104-passenger ship is upscale and sophisticated in amenities, dining and décor.
More than 2,000 dignitaries and celebrities attended the naming event – the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle across the ship’s bow. Passengers of HAL’s 14th ship will enjoy similar VIP treatment aboard this fancy ship, in keeping with its class and style.
Of the 1,052 cabins, the Eurodam boasts 56 luxury, spa-inspired staterooms; top deck, private cabanas overlooking the pool; elegant dine-anytime restaurants; and impressive artwork, artifacts and ship models that commemorate the Dutch Golden Age.
Located near the Greenhouse Spa and Salon, the spa staterooms have a nature theme with walls of Earth-tone hues and bright green accent colours.
The tranquil atmosphere is set with a water décor accessory to provide soothing sounds.
Amenities include an invigorating showerhead, loofah mitt, aromatherapy bath salts and cotton bathrobes.
An iPod docking station, yoga mat, pedometer, fitness DVD and fruit trays keep you motivated to make healthy choices.
Exclusive spa stateroom-only packages include the Body of Indulgence treatments offering a hot stone massage and facial. The Skin Renewal package includes facial rejuvenation acupuncture.
His Sanctuary package features a grooming treatment, shave and deep tissue massage and Bliss for Two provides couple’s massages.
For outdoor relaxation, passengers who want the comfort of their own private haven will enjoy one of the tented cabanas on the Observation and Lido decks around the mid-ship pool.
Furnished with modern woven chaises, ottomans and upholstered settees for up to four people, all cabanas come stocked with bathrobes and plush towels.
Guests can look forward to iced fruit skewers mid-morning and frozen grapes, chocolate-covered strawberries and a glass of champagne in the afternoon.
HAL’s As You Wish dining program allows passengers to choose when they want to eat.
In addition to the luxurious Rembrandt dining room, Lido buffet, terrace grill, pizzeria and 24-hour room service, you can enjoy the reservations-only Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind and Canaletto specialty restaurants.
A surcharge of $15 to $30 per person applies. These intimate restaurants seat about 70 to 140 people.
The onboard Culinary Arts Center (a fleet-wide initiative) provides guests with an opportunity to experience demonstrations and seminars conducted by top chefs, wine experts and leading cookbook authors provided by Food & Wine magazine.
Resembling the elaborate show kitchens used by celebrity chefs on TV cooking programs, the theatre-style venue has large, plasma video screens to display overhead and close-up video views of the food preparation.
Guests learn new cooking techniques and dishes at a large cooking display counter. Cooking classes are offered at a minimal charge of , with 12 people in a class.
Passengers can also attend seminars at the Microsoft Digital Workshop.
Experts teach even the most novice camera or computer user how to take better vacation photos, make movies, edit pictures and create scrapbooks.
Guests learn how to share their digital memories through email, blogging and social networking so friends and family can see where they’ve visited.
The Eurodam also features more than 10 bars and lounges, a disco, casino, 890-seat theatre for Broadway-style shows and Club HAL kids centre with more than 20 computers and TVs.
The ship’s retractable dome over the mid-ship pool makes lounging or relaxing in the pool or hot tubs enjoyable – even if it’s raining.
For more information call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425)
Written July 2008
