Holland America Eurodam Review On Alaska Cruise
Since my last voyage aboard the Eurodam with Holland America, over four years had gone. However, I was about to go on a trip to Alaska onboard the Eurodam, which had recently undergone refurbishment.
My experience aboard the Eurodam and what it’s like to cruise Alaska is outlined in the following review.
Review of Holland America‘s Eurodam, along with Photographs
My all-time favourite ship is the Eurodam, and it has been for a very long time. This journey through the Inside Passage of Alaska gave me the opportunity to view the ship after it had undergone a significant repair in 2015. The most important thing for me would be to experience a cruise through Alaska on a ship of a more moderate size.
Our trip began in Seattle and included stops in Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan in addition to the mandated detour to Victoria in British Columbia. In addition to that, the magnificent Glacier National Park would be sailed through by the Eurodam for an entire day.
Eurodam Fast Facts
Holland America Line is the Cruise Line.
Cruise Ship: Eurodam
Premium cruise line, which costs a lot of money
Passengers/Crew: 2,104/929
Remodeled in the year 2015
Dining Rooms: 2
5:45, 8:00, and open are the times for dining.
No to the Self-Service Laundry
What to Anticipate While Aboard the Holland America Ship Eurodam
To begin my evaluation of the Holland America Eurodam’s Alaska cruise, I’ll provide some background information about the ship.
In 2008, Holland America debuted the Eurodam, the first of two ships in their Signature Class of ships, which are in the mid-size category.
It is not quite as large as some of the other cruise lines’ mega-ships because it has only 11 decks and can accommodate only 2,104 passengers (based on double occupancy).
The fact that all of Holland America’s ships are of a medium size and relatively simple to navigate without requiring a steep learning curve is one of the aspects of the company that I like and respect the most.
It was the first ship to receive B.B. King’s Blues Club during her refurbishment in 2015, and since then, it has developed a reputation for being one of the most lively nightclubs onboard.
The next year, the cruise line entered into a partnership with BBC Earth, and as a result, the main theatre on board now showcases live performances of classical music to complement the outstanding BBC Earth Live movie presentations.
“Alaska in Concert” was the name of the special BBC Earth Live event that was only held for one night on this particular itinerary. These multi-sensory production presentations are something I never miss.
On board the Eurodam, there is a total of 24 public areas, including 12 bars and lounges, two swimming pools (one of which is beneath a sliding glass dome), a fitness centre, spa and salon, and, personally, my favourite, a dedicated movie theatre with freshly popped popcorn.
The great outdoors are a significant part of the Alaskan experience, and the Eurodam offers a generous amount of deck space. Because the ship does a U-turn in Glacier Bay, there is no “ideal” side of the ship from which to see the scenery; instead, the view is the same for all passengers.
One of the compliments that has been bestowed upon Holland America for a very long time is the exceptional level of service that is offered by their crew and employees. This cruise did not fail to meet expectations in that regard either.
Good morning was something that was always stated by every member of the crew, as well as “may I help you” and “can I get you anything,” but they never got overly nice or invasive to the point where it made you want to grimace every time you saw them.
Onboard Expenses
Due to the fact that Holland America is not an all-inclusive cruise company, passengers should be prepared to pay additional fees for deluxe coffees, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, speciality restaurants, and shore excursions. You may avoid the feeling of being “nickel and dimed” during your cruise by purchasing a variety of dining and beverage packages either before you set sail or while you are on the ship. At the time of embarkation, each passenger is allowed to bring one bottle of wine with them.
Along with the majority of cruise lines, the internet connection is not free. The packages for the wifi are offered at reasonable prices, and the connectivity is very stable, with the obvious exception of parts of wildness. The fact that you will not leave the United States while on an Alaska cruise means that you can continue to use your smartphone as normal to browse the internet. When you are cruising down the coast of British Columbia, make sure that your phone is set to the aeroplane mode.
My regular balcony stateroom, which also included an additional balcony space.
You’re looking at stateroom #5138, and as you can see, there’s a little bit of extra space on the balcony. This balcony has two really cool features: one, if you stand in the little triangle space, you have a perfect forward view without having to look to your side, and two, there is no one above you to look down onto your balcony, which is something I was able to do to the enormous balcony just below my room. Both of these features are really neat.
As you can see, the regular balcony comes equipped with everything you could possibly require, including a significant number of USB connections that are dispersed throughout the cabin. Additional storage may be found in the bins that are hung over the compact sofa, as well as at the foot of the desk, and beneath the bed. In addition, there is a generous amount of closet space available, complete with “genuine” hangers that can be detached from the closet rod. That is not something that you will encounter on many cruise lines very frequently.
A bathtub is another item that is uncommon in most homes these days. I believe that practically all of the earlier Holland America ships installed bathtubs in all of the staterooms, with the exception of those located within the ship. In addition, I was relieved to learn that the bathtub has a sizable grab bar that may be used for assistance when entering and exiting the shower or tub. Or to grab onto while you’re standing in the shower if the sea is choppy!
Additional shelf space can be found beneath the counter in the bathroom. In addition, there is a hairdryer that is not fastened to the wall, as well as a magnifying mirror. Elemis toiletries serve as the industry standard, and pump bottles containing shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are affixed to the wall within the shower. Because I find even the most basic Elemis products to be extremely drying, I usually travel with my own. The bar of hand soap that’s now sitting on the sink is in perfect condition.
Eurodam Dining Review
I’ll admit it. I am a really picky eater. Because of this, you can find me at the Lido Market most of the time, considering the various possibilities that are available to me. The dining experience at Holland America’s Lido has been updated, and the company has reorganised the food stations to create a more streamlined flow, with clearly marked signs for each type or category of food, such as “The Homestead” for comfort food, a salad bar, Asian cuisine, a carvery, and ice cream, among other options.
Rembrandt Dining on the Eurodam is split across two floors. The first level, which can be found on Deck 2, provides guests with unreserved seating for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is served with Holland America’s signature open seating format, which they refer to as “As You Wish” dining. You have the option to dine between the hours of 5:15 and 9:00 pm. The second level of Deck 3 is where you will find the restaurant that serves meals at predetermined times, specifically 5:15 pm and 8:00 pm.
There are a total of 14 different meal options, one of which being an afternoon serving of Royal Dutch Tea every day.
Complimentary
• New York Pizza, the Main Dining Room, the Lido Market, and Dive-In, as well as 24-hour room service
Additional cost
• The Grand Dutch Café, Gelato, Explorations Café (which serves speciality coffees), Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, Tamarind, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, and the Culinary Arts Center
Eurodam Entertainment Review
B.B. King’s Blues Club is my favourite place to spend the night on the Eurodam as well as any other ship that Holland America operates. The band performs three sets nearly every evening, with the last performance beginning at 10:45 p.m. and signalling the beginning of the most active part of the night at the venue. In addition, there are speciality cocktails available, with themes ranging from jazz to blues.
Live performances that accompany BBC Earth nature production films may now be experienced thanks to a partnership with BBC Earth. These concerts will take place in all four corners of the globe.
Head on over to the piano bar at Billboard Onboard if you still have room for more music in your life. Guests are encouraged to sing along with the piano players as they perform chart-topping hits spanning the last half-century.
Activities on board are available from the moment the sun rises until well into the night. During an Alaska cruise similar to the one that we were on, the ship invited a naturalist from the National Park Service as well as Alice, a member of the Tlingit tribe, to join them on board. They met up with us as we were driving into Glacier Bay, and they put up their tables in the EXC Lounge.
The naturalist provided us with a narrative throughout our 9-hour voyage through Glacier Bay as part of the destination immersion programme known as EXC, Explorations Central, offered by Holland America. Alice was available to chat to everyone about the way of life for Native Americans in Alaska. It was great to catch up with Alice after only having met her once previously a few of weeks ago on another guided excursion.
On the sea days of the voyage, there are multiple opportunities to watch a chef from America’s Test Kitchen put on a cooking demonstration. No, there won’t be any freebies handed out at the end of the presentation! You do, however, get a large recipe card to take home with you.
The pool that was located under the dome was rather popular, and as a result, the entire area was frequently crowded with people swimming, lounging, and eating at Dive-In (located in the upper left corner) or the Lido Market.
There are things like computer classes, dance lessons, and quiz competitions, among other things. Everything is written down in the daily planner that will be handed to you right before night.
I am unable to list all that is occurring because there is so much activity. However, this should give you an idea of some of the activities, particularly those that take place on sea days.
Who Is Joining Us?
For a number of years, Holland America was well-known for being a cruise line that catered to passengers aged 55 and over. And there’s a good explanation for that.
It was the ideal mix since the ships were smaller and easier to navigate, the crew had received improved training that resulted in respect and friendliness toward their senior guests, and the onboard schedule was slightly less jam-packed than usual.
Today, as you might imagine, Holland America shifted their emphasis to appeal to customers in their forties and fifties. The introduction of Music Walk, which has Billboard, Lincoln Center, and B.B. King’s, the expansion of active shore excursions, and even the improvement of wifi all contribute to a decrease in the average age of the passenger population.
This Alaska cruise, like many other cruises to our 49th state, drew an active and outdoorsy crowd that ranged in age from twentysomethings to retirees. Since the beginning of our voyage was on September 1st, there were relatively few young children on board.
During the course of our talk, the Captain shared that over the course of the previous summer, there were a great number of families, some of which spanned three generations.
Even though the patrons tended to be older, the B.B. King Blues Club never failed to sell out for any of their shows. Up to the very last minute of the final music set, the dance floor was packed with people. Being older does not equate to the carpet being rolled up at nine o’clock every night. Especially not in this location.
A luncheon for the loyalty club is hosted by Holland America on each and every voyage. The lowest floor of the Rembrandt dining room was completely occupied by Eurodam’s lunchtime. It was clear that Holland America has a devoted fan base from the crowd that showed up to this event.
Reflections Before We Part
In addition, while I was in Alaska, I went on a tour through the Alaska Inside Passage that lasted one week and was aboard a very small ship.
To avoid having to fly while getting to Alaska, I used the ferry that is part of the Alaska Marine Highway. I couldn’t help but wonder how the same schedule would play out on this larger ship that could accommodate 2,104 passengers.
In a nutshell, the cruise around Alaska aboard the Eurodam was fantastic for a number of different reasons. Due to the fact that Holland America has been operating cruises in Alaska for the past seventy-five years, they have a certain amount of influence when it comes to entering Glacier Bay.
During my voyage on a tiny ship, the National Park Service informed us that we would not be able to see the spectacular Marjerie Glacier because the viewing area was already occupied by the maximum number of two ships.
But we were able to get very close to the glacier that is perhaps the most photographed in the park while we were aboard the Eurodam. The sky was a brilliant blue the entire time.
The variety of well-organized shore excursions was extensive, and they came in all shapes and sizes. There was an activity suitable for every skill level of Alaska explorer.
Float planes and helicopter excursions will get you up up and personal with these massive glaciers. There were walking tours, hikes that were either flat or uphill, and my personal favourite was a trip to a dog sledding training camp that included a ride there.
There is something for everybody, on every possible level. Since Alaska cruises focus on the great outdoors, passengers should not expect to visit any museums or participate in any activities that take place inside.
Even more of what it is about Eurodam that I adore
• Taking the glass elevators up and down with a view of the ocean during your ride. You have no choice but to do it since the view is incredible, even if it is a little intimidating at first.
• The classic teak promenade that goes all the way around. There is a ban on running.
• Attending first-run movies in the theatre that is specifically designated for that purpose. You’ll need to pick up your bag of popcorn at the front door.
• To kick back and relax on sumptuous sofas covered in purple velvet while sipping a few exotic cocktails at the opulent Silk Den Lounge.
• The make-up mirrors that are lit and magnifying, as well as the detachable hair dryers
• A 5K walk called On Deck for a Cause, which will raise money for cancer research.
