On Eurodam, Holland America keeps it fairly simple when it comes to choosing cabins. There are just a handful of styles. Windowless inside cabins measure 160 to 200 square feet. Outside cabins measure 181 to 191 square feet.
All of these accommodations include beds that can convert from two twins to one queen and private bathrooms (shower-only for insides; otherwise all have tub/shower combos) with amenities from Elemis, the company that operates the ship's spa. Flat-screen televisions offer a range of channels that show news (depending on itinerary, could be CNN or BBC), movies and Holland America promotional programming. There's no interactive system, so you cannot pre-order shore tours or spa treatments or make bookings in alternative venues. Other features in these cabins include small sofas/sitting areas, desks, complimentary safes and reasonable storage space. (Beyond the closets, there are shelves over the couches and also under the beds.)
The inside cabins' decor scheme is quite cheery. Frankly, they're the nicest inside cabins I've seen in cruising, featuring blues, yellows and reds. Ironically, standard cabins are decorated in a rather sludge-like color palette of earthy green, brown and rust.
My deluxe verandah cabin, measuring 200 square feet, was amply comfortable for two. In addition to the above features, the stateroom had a 54-square-foot balcony with a gorgeous (and comfortable) wicker-like pair of armchairs with ottomans and a table just big enough to hold drinks.
If you want just a bit more space, the superior verandah suite is 298 square feet with a 100-square-foot balcony. It's the equivalent of a cabin-and-a-half in width. There's a full sitting area with a sofa and chairs, a larger desk and flat-screen television.
Introduced on Eurodam (and now spreading throughout Holland America's fleet) is a new "spa category" cabin. These staterooms, located on Decks 10 and 11, are decorated in soothing nature colors with appropriate artwork depicting landscape scenarios. The cabins are located in the forward section of the ship with a special direct-to-spa staircase from Deck 10, but they're essentially the same size as standard balcony staterooms. The difference is the additional perks offered to residents of these cabins, including yoga mats, special in-bathroom amenities, a desktop fountain and iPod docking station. A note: spa cabins on Deck 11 have only a French balcony with no room for furnishings.
Eurodam's most upscale suites offer the luxury of space with a bundle of extra-value services. On a second trip, I bunked in the deluxe verandah suite, which measures 380 square feet with a 130-square-foot balcony. (Some are actually a bit larger.) It was among the most comfortable suites I've ever experienced. This cabin, the equivalent of two standard staterooms in width, featured a large bedroom and living room area, with huge couch and attendant chairs, a separate dressing room, six closets, and a bathroom with whirlpool tub and separate shower. (However, the latter was equipped with a rather clingy curtain; I think it would look and feel more luxe if it had a glass door instead.) There were also two sinks and the usual Elemis amenities.
My favorite spot in this cabin was the balcony; it was long and roomy enough for the pair of comfy wicker-like chairs that are on all verandahs, but there was also room for a dining table for four. After one particularly long day ashore, we enjoyed a sunset dinner outside, ordered from the Rembrandt menu.
Beyond the space, residents of these cabins are given perks that include breakfast each morning in the Pinnacle Grill (the same menu as the Rembrandt, just a cozier locale), free laundry and dry cleaning, and priority tender boarding. Binoculars and umbrellas are provided. These passengers also have access to the Neptune Lounge, a private living room area that offers beverages and continental fare throughout the day; its biggest plus is a dedicated concierge, who is able to assist with a multitude of requests, from booking reservations at the spa and restaurants onboard to dealing with the purser's office. On my cruise, the concierge was of immense help when a pre-departure check of my onboard bill showed errors.
The most elaborate suites onboard Eurodam are the two 1,000-square-foot Penthouse Verandah Suites. These feature separate sleeping and living quarters, dressing rooms, 318-square-foot balconies with whirlpools, small butler's pantries with microwaves, and powder rooms.
This cabin (1053) was an excellent choice for us. We prefer inside cabins, low in the ship, to keep motion to a minimum. The lack of outside light, we think, is a plus - both during Nap Time and when the ship pulls into a port very early in the morning. Since we ended up...continue
Quiet. Close to the aft elevators that led to dining room and buffet. Very far from the forward elevators leading to the Crow's Nest. Nice balcony with unobstructed views.
