Holland America Line

Eurodam

Overall Editor Rating
Kaila Yu April 21, 2023

Fodor’s Expert Review

Ship Overview

Holland America Line
Cruise StyleMainstream
Ship SizeLarge
Price Range$$
Sails To Alaska
Alaska
Sails From Seattle
Seattle
Duration7 days

Celebrating 75 years of Alaskan cruises in 2022, Holland America is one of the longest-running cruise lines to Alaska. Eurodam has an additional restaurant and approximately six percent more staterooms than the line’s earlier Vista Class ships. The first of two Signature Class ships saw another upgrade in the form of the Asian fusion premium dining option Tamarind. With its maiden voyage in 2008, the Eurodam’s name symbolizes the company’s Dutch and European roots. Further highlighting the company’s origins is an extensive art collection; the display highlights Dutch contemporary artists. Read More

Newly refurbished in December 2015, the ship premiered with fresh interiors, new bars, dining, and suites—including Bose Bluetooth speakers and USB outlets. Another significant update is the Music Walk, a multi-room music venue featuring classical, blues, and pop and rock music and live performances. The Eurodam visits Mexico, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbeans. It departs from Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Venice, Vancouver, and Barcelona.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Pros
Cons
Included food options are excellent  
Spacious verandah staterooms are enhanced by stunning views of the Alaskan landscape
Plenty of entertainment options mean something for everyone    
Embarkation can be a long, tedious process, requiring passengers to show documentation multiple times
Premium WiFi is spotty, even when docked at ports of call  
Menus are sometimes posted later in the afternoon, making it difficult to decide where to eat that night

What to expect on board

Staterooms & Cabins

Editor Rating
Cabins
Accessibility

There are three cabins available: Interior, Ocean View, and Verandah-style—all rooms have two lower beds that can convert into one queen-size bed. Also included are Euro-Top mattresses, massage shower heads, a selection of free on-demand movies on the flatscreen TV, and ample closet space. Suites include perks such as sofas, a spacious bathroom with whirlpool tub, and options for two lower beds to convert to a king. Spa room upgrades are available for regular cabins or suites and include amenities such as yoga mats, loofah mitts, pedometers, and aromatherapy bath salts. There are no single-occupancy rooms or multi-room cabins.

There are 30 wheelchair-accessible staterooms, including turning space, accessible routes, and bathrooms. A caretaker companion is required if the guest needs help with basic needs such as dressing, eating, etc. Certain service animals are allowed on board, accessible routes are available onboard, and elevators access all levels.

Food & Drink

Editor Rating
Dining
Bars

The fare includes a number of dining options from the Lido Buffet, to the Main Dining (enjoy a three-course dinner here), room service, a burger joint, and a pizza bar. There’s also afternoon tea, and Dutch pea soup, a hearty and warming nod to the brand’s roots, is served when cruising by the Hubbard Glacier. There’s so much tasty food that there’s no need to spend additional cash on the premium options, but if you spring for it, the possibilities are delicious. Fee-dining options include the steakhouse, Pinnacle Grill, the aforementioned Tamarind Bar, seafood popup, Sel de Mer, Italian at Canaletto, and coffee and pastries from Explorations Café.

Lemonade, water, coffee, and iced tea are complimentary, but sodas and alcohol cost an additional fee. You’ll want to opt for the drink packages as per drink costs can add up quickly. Make sure to sign up for the drink package deal offered before the trip; the price onboard is much higher. 

Popular bars onboard include Crow’s Nest for its cocktails and exceptional panoramic views, Tamarind Bar (get the chilled apple-pear saketini), and the Ocean Bar, which invites mingling while sipping.

Entertainment

Editor Rating

There is plenty of entertainment at sea, including live music, dancing, a casino, bingo, two swimming pools, six hot tubs, sports courts, and more. The Main Stage features dance and musical performances, destination and wildlife lectures, movie matinees, and one of the highlights, the BBC Earth featuring stunning wildlife footage and a live orchestra. There are kids and teens clubs with plenty of kid-friendly activities.

Spa & Fitness

Editor Rating

The Fitness Center on Deck 9 offers generous machines such as ellipticals, treadmills, bikes, rowing machines, weight machines, and free weights. Free classes are available with an upcharge for categories such as spinning, yoga, and Pilates. For walks, head to the Promenade Deck. Adjacent to the Fitness Center, the Greenhouse Spa & Salon encompasses steam, sauna, aromatic, and massage rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, heated ceramic lounges, a full-service salon, and relaxation areas.

Key cruising tips

Health & Safety

Rotterdam has a staffed medical facility with a physician available for more serious issues; consultations will be charged to an on-board account. 

Covid protocols are evolving and largely dependent on destination. Vaccinated guests do not need to test before boarding but must show proof of vaccination, and unvaccinated guests must take a Covid-19 test (can be self-administered) within three days of embarkation.

Some itineraries have additional requirements, including all Canada, Alaska, and Australia cruises.

 

Dress Code

The general dress code on board is casual. Shorts, beachwear, jeans, and men’s tank tops are not allowed in fine-dining spots, though none of this is strictly enforced.

Junior Cruisers

Club Hal offers a haven for kids 3 to 12 with a play area, youth programs, and activities. Teens 13-17 have their own designated club called The Loft.

Service

Eurodam has outstanding, attentive service, from personal waitstaff to bartenders and performers. Our waiter made a special effort to seat us window-side for dinner when available. The daily cleaning service includes surprise animal towel creations on occasion.

Tipping

Tips are automatically added to your bill at $15.40 per person/day for standard cabins and $16 for suites. The staff appreciated additional tipping for stellar service.

QUICK FACTS

SHIP STATS
Entered Service
2008
Refurbished
2015
Number of Cabins
1,052
Passenger Capacity
2,104
Crew Members
876
Passengers to Crew Ratio
2.40
Gross Tons
86273
Width
105.8 feet
Length
936 feet

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