Photos by Jason Leppert
Over the weekend, Holland America Line showed off its recently refurbished Eurodam and several new brand features that are rolling out across the fleet - most notably aboard the Koningsdam coming in April 2016 - including suites, the Music Walk and dining programs.
As excited as the company is about the new Koningsdam, Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford said of the enhancements that "it's not a new ship story; it's a Holland America Line story." Below is a photographic preview of that very story.
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Suites
The premium cruise line is proud of its suite enhancement program for its Signature-, Vista- and R-class ships, and the new look is a refinement over the previous decor. The new Signature Suites, as seen below, sport handsome neutral tones paired with dark woods, a look that is similar to what can be expected on Koningsdam but with lighter woods on the new ship.
Suite bathrooms have also been given a luxurious upgrade. Particulalry nice are the light tiles and zig-zag patterning.
The larger Neptune Suites, as seen below, also received the new appointments, including a new 54" flat-panel television featuring on-demand film and television content that is complimentary throughout all the cabins.
Also, a nice improvement ship-wide are these new backlit signage treatments with cleverly integrated elevator call buttons.
Music Walk
Music Walk is a stretch of new entertainment venues that first encompasses Billboard Onboard, an expertly designed space that opens up the formerly enclosed piano bar into a larger space adjacent to the casino. Dueling pianos and vocalists perfom chart toppers here with bravado while music history trivia accompanies the performances on surrounding screens.
Next along the Music Walk is the Lincoln Center Stage in a less dramatically altered redesign of the previous Explorer's Lounge. The music - two-thirds classical and the rest a mix, including a surprising inclusion of Radiohead's "Creep" - gets top billing here as a Holland America Line favorite of ensemble musicians are elevated to a whole new level of excellence thanks to the new partnership.
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A new favorite among loyalists has become B.B. King's Blues Club, and it's also a part of Music Walk on Eurodam.
Dining
By replacing the once-underutilized Northern Lights nightclub with the Gallery Bar, the Eurodam has a new watering hole that can feature the signature cocktails of celebrity mixologist Dale DeGroff. It's a fun space with a potpourri of framed art prompting conversation. In fact, it even reminds somewhat of the Hogwarts portrait halls of Harry Potter fame.
Here, we enjoyed a sampling of bites from Holland America Line's expert Culinary Council like Donuts with Foie Gras by Mark Best.
And at Pinnacle Grill, we were given a taste of food that is on its way to the new Koningsdam including a refreshing Sprouting Salad of Golden Beets at its Culinary Arts Center.
The French Sel de Mer seafood restaurant will feature dishes like savory Bouillabaisse Marseillaise.
And guest-favorite Tamarind will return with Asian courses such as the wonderful Wasabi and Soy-Crusted Beef Tenderloin.
Of course, no meal would be complete without dessert, and Jacques Torres' Molten Chocolate Cake is a mouthwatering send-off.
Rounding out the Eurodam dining improvements are the refreshed Lido Market buffet and New York Pizza place.
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