Holland America Line's Eurodam has received new dining and entertainment, as well as new suite updates, as part of a recent 14-day dry dock in the Bahamas. The ship reentered service December 20, 2015.
The dry dock added several new concepts recently announced by Holland America, including Lincoln Center Stage, in partnership with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, showcasing an ensemble performing chamber music; Billboard Onboard, in partnership with Billboard, featuring 50 years of chart-topping hits; and Gallery Bar, making its debut in the former Northern Lights venue.
The traditional Lido became Lido Market and received an upgrade in service and menu, and New York Pizza replaced Slice. Eurodam also is the first Holland America Line ship to undergo enhancements to its suites as part of a $300 million brand enhancement initiative announced in November.
Lincoln Center Stage and Billboard Onboard
The new Lincoln Center Stage and Billboard Onboard complement the ship's already-existing B.B. King’s Blues Club. Under the exclusive partnership, Lincoln Center Stage showcases an ensemble performing multiple chamber music programs nightly. On those occasions when guests are enjoying a day at sea aboard ship, the ensemble plays afternoon recitals.
Billboard Onboard features the talents of live musicians — including two pianists, a guitarist and a DJ — who take turns performing shows centered around the interesting facts and figures of the music industry as chronicled by Billboard. Between the nightly sets and songs, guests can sing and play along with trivia questions presented on screens throughout the room.
Oosterdam will also receive these venues during its April dry dock, and other Vista- and Signature-class ships will see the additions over the next few years.
Gallery Bar
During the dry dock, Eurodam received the line’s first Gallery Bar. The new venue, serving an exclusive cocktail menu by celebrity mixologist Dale DeGroff, replaces Northern Lights and is adorned with an eclectic mix of artwork including portraits, landscapes, still-life and abstract pieces. It will be introduced on Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam by May 2018 as the ships enter their respective dry docks.
Lido Market
The traditional casual Lido buffet has been transformed into the new Lido Market concept — a marketplace with different themed stations offering an array of options guests can grab on the go or have quickly made to order, from classic comfort food to dishes from around the globe to freshly made personalized salads.
The range of choices includes specialty stations such as Breadboard, with fresh-baked breads and pastries; Wild Harvest, offering made-to-order salads; Homestead, serving up comfort classics; Distant Lands, featuring flavors from around the globe; Market Central, serving continental breakfast or light meals to go; Perk, where freshly brewed coffee, hot and iced tea and chilled juices are available; and Sweet Spot, serving ice cream creations and desserts.
At Lido Market coffe, juices, water and iced tea are also served tableside. In the evening, the tables have an upgraded setting with placemats, glassware and cutlery awaiting guests after they select their food from the new menu.
New York Pizza
New York Pizza, which debuted on Nieuw Amsterdam, replaces Slice. New York Pizza offers five Big Apple-themed thin-crust personal pizzas made to order in less than 10 minutes, as well as the option to select your own preferred toppings from an extensive list. After ordering, diners are given a pager to alert them when their pie comes out of the oven. In the meantime, they can enjoy a salad, and afterwards the pizzeria offers a couple of sweet desserts to top off the meal.
Suite Updates
Eurodam is the first ship in the fleet to receive the suite upgrades planned for the line’s Signature-, Vista- and R-class ships. The main living area in each suite was refreshed with new furniture, carpet, wall coverings and soft goods. Electronic upgrades included a new USB outlet added to the bed’s headboard, bedside LED reading lights, upgraded electrical outlets and a lighted closet rod. Neptune and Pinnacle suites also received a Bose Bluetooth speaker.
Suite bathrooms also received a makeover, with designer glass tile serving as a backdrop to the refreshed vanity area. Other enhancements include contemporary mirrors with integrated LED lighting, new floor tiles and a nightlight.
A new interactive television system was installed throughout the ship, with large LED flat-screen TVs with complimentary movies on demand as well as easy access to the daily program and shipboard information including restaurant overviews, spa services and guest billing.
Visit hollandamerica.com