Eurodam - Holland America Line

Eurodam Overview

Launched in 2008, the Eurodam was the 80th Holland America Line cruise ship to set out to sea. This beautiful vessel spends most of her time exploring Scandinavia or the Caribbean. She belongs to Holland America Line's Signature class fleet and her sister ship is the Nieuw Amsterdam.

The Eurodam specs
A mid-sized vessel, the Eurodam weighs 86,273 tonnes, measures 936 feet in length and spans 11 decks. She can accommodate 2,104 passengers and 929 crew members, and her maximum cruising speed is 23.9 knots.

Inside the Eurodam
Like all other Holland America Line vessels, the Eurodam has her own distinctive theme. Her interior decor was inspired by the Dutch Golden Age. Nearly everywhere you look you will find beautiful artwork from some of Holland's most famous artists, such as 17th century watercolour maps by Johannes Vingboons. Keep an eye out for other impressive Dutch memorabilia as you explore the ship.

Things to do on board the Eurodam
There is plenty to keep you occupied on board the Eurodam. Home to two gorgeous pools, several private cabanas, a library, a cinema, a photo gallery, a day spa, a theatre, plus many bars and lounges, you're sure to find a space on board to suit your needs. That's without mentioning one of the ship's main attractions - the Culinary Arts Centre. Here, you can watch the Eurodam chefs give live cooking demonstrations, a real must-see for food enthusiasts.

Another popular spot is the Explorations Cafe. Located on Deck 11, this space doubles as a library and an internet cafe. Take your pick from hundreds of books or rent a DVD to play in your room - there's plenty to keep you occupied here.

Activities tend to centre around learning and enrichment, such as information sessions about upcoming ports and shore excursions, and trivia competitions. The highlight of the ship's enrichment programme is the Digital Workshop powered by Windows. Here you can participate in a series of workshops about topics like blogging, social media, image editing and movie making.

Eurodam restaurants and bars
For a medium-sized vessel, there is an impressive array of dining options on board the Eurodam. Several additional eateries were added during a 2013 refurbishment, including a restaurant specialising in Asian cuisine.

There is a good balance of formal and casual dining venues. The Rembrandt Dining Room has two fixed seating times (5.30pm and 8.15pm), or guests may make the most of the As You Wish dining option and eat any time between 5.30pm and 9.30pm. The menu has been carefully designed by the Holland America Line's master chef, Rudi Sodamin, so you can expect meals of exceptionally high quality. Vegetarians are well-looked after, with 22 dishes to choose from in the main dining room alone.

In the evening you can relax and unwind in one of the Eurodam's many bars and public lounges. Of particular note is the Silk Den. Attached to Tamarind Restaurant, the Silk Den is a recent addition to the Eurodam and has panoramic ocean views. It's the perfect place to grab a pre-dinner drink.

Eurodam itineraries and shore excursions
The Eurodam's schedule tends to revolve around Scandinavia and the Caribbean, depending on the time of year. The shore excursions available will therefore depend on your destination. You can expect a good mix of tours to choose from, with a range of cultural, scenic and active options. Some examples include a canal cruise in Copenhagen, white water river tubing in Jamaica and a visit to an ice bar in Stockholm. It's a good idea to book your shore excursions when you purchase your Eurodam ticket, however the helpful staff at the shore excursions desk can help you with any last-minute requests when you're at sea.

Cabins on board the Eurodam

The Eurodam has a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and preferences. At the most affordable end of the spectrum, the interior cabins are between 160 square feet and 200 square feet in size. Outside or balcony cabins are slightly larger (starting at 181 square feet) and are the perfect option if you'd like a sea view but don't require a lot more space.

All of the standard cabins are equipped with sitting areas, desks, safes, storage space, Elemis toiletries, flatscreen televisions and DVD players. DVDs are available to hire free of charge from the Excursions Cafe. The inside cabins have a shower only, but all other room options also have a bath tub.

At the other end of the spectrum are the suites. The Deluxe Verandah Suite is 380 square feet with a 130 square foot balcony. This spacious room includes a separate dressing area and a whirlpool bath, and guests benefit from free laundry and dry cleaning services, as well as exclusive access to Neptune's Lounge. The Eurodam also has two Penthouse Verandah Suites, which measure an impressive 1,000 square feet.

Another accommodation option is the spa cabins. These are designed with your relaxation in mind. Located on Decks 10 and 11, they have easy access to the Greenhouse Spa, and come equipped with yoga mats and an iPod docking station.

Eurodam Food and Dining

Dining included in your Eurodam ticket:

• Rembrandt Dining Room
• Lido Restaurant
• Terrace Grill
• Slice Pizza
• Room Service

Specialty dining (not included in your fare):

• Pinnacle Grill
• Le Cirque
• De Librije
• Tamarind
• Canaletto

Entertainment on board the Eurodam cruise ship

The Eurodam by day
The best places to seek out entertainment during the day are the Culinary Arts Centre, Explorations Cafe and the Crow's Nest. The Culinary Arts Centre puts on a range of live cooking performances, as well as more interactive classes that allow you to test your own culinary skills, meanwhile the Explorations Cafe doubles as an internet cafe and library. The Crow's Nest is the ship's main card room.

Another excellent spot during the day is The Screening Room, the Eurodam's cinema. This plays approximately five recently released films a day. It's the perfect way to pass the afternoon or early evening.

Pools, spas and fitness facilities on board the Eurodam
There are two main pool areas on board, the Lido Pool and the Sea View Pool. The Lido is a colourful, lively area and tends to be popular with families and social groups, thanks to the nearby cabanas and ample deck space. The Sea View Pool is an adults-only area and - as the name suggests - has breathtaking views of the open sea and the ship's wake.

The Greenhouse Spa & Salon offers an excellent variety of relaxing treatments, such as manicures, pedicures and massages. Here you'll also find a thermal suite complete with ceramic loungers and a hydropool.

Those looking to keep fit on board will find everything they need for a decent workout at the Fitness Centre. The qualified instructors run group classes, including yoga, pilates and indoor cycling. Other places for exercise are the basketball court, volleyball court and the outdoor promenade (for walking and jogging).

Eurodam nightlife
The Mainstage Show Lounge is at the heart of the Eurodam's evening entertainment scene. Refurbished in 2013, this theatre has $2.5million worth of LED screens, which are used extensively throughout the production shows. The theatre is also home to the Eurodam's version of the Holland America Line's famed Dancing with the Stars: At Sea competition. The finalists perform here on the last night of every cruise - an evening not to be missed.

If production shows aren't your thing, you can take your pick from a range of other popular evening venues. There seems to be a bar to suit every interest, from the B.B. King's Blues Club (featuring a Memphis and Motown Band) to the Northern Lights, the ship's nightclub. The Piano Bar and the Sports Bar are also excellent places for a nightcap. Alternatively, try your luck at the on board casino.

The Eurodam for families
Holland America Line operates an excellent childcare programme across all of its ships. Called Club HAL, this programme caters for kids from the age of 3 to 12. Teenagers have their own area ('The Loft'), which is home to several 'teens-only' events such as sports competitions and dance classes.

The younger children are split into two groups - ages 3-7 and 8-12 - to ensure all activities are age-appropriate. Organised activities tend to run from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm, and then again after dinner. Group babysitting is available after 10pm for a small charge.

Children must be at least six months old to travel on short cruises, 12 months for longer sailings. Special accessories such as cots and high chairs are available upon request.