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Bigger, bolder, better: Holland America turns its largest ship ever into a vibrant work of art.
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By Val Hunt
Holland America Line's (HAL's) ms Eurodam couldn't help but get attention. Not only is it the first of the company's new Signature line, but it's also the largest in the fleet, with a 2,104-passenger capacity. But this launch is about more than scale and size. It's a showcase of design, art and innovation that reminds five-star travelers why "posh" (port out, starboard home) was invented to describe the cruise experience.
The design brief for the ms Eurodam is an outgrowth of HAL's five-year-old, $525 million Signature of Excellence program. Ships throughout the 14-vessel fleet have been updated and upgraded with new décor. Pizzerias and fusion restaurants have taken over from steam tables and straight-line buffets. The traditional activities roster has been rejuvenated with options such as new spa staterooms and a resort-like pool concept.
Work on the ms Eurodam synthesized these changes into a brand. Creating the new flag relied on the talents of several design firms -- some familiar with HAL ships and one coming on board for the first time. VFD Interiors from the Netherlands designed all of the public areas on decks 1, 2 and 3 (except deck 2's Northern Lights and the main show lounge) as well as the Greenhouse Spa on deck 9, deck 7's penthouses and the main staircase.
Another Scandinavian firm, Petter Yran & Bjørn Storbraaten from Norway, was responsible for the Northern Lights and main show lounge, as well as the Neptune Lounge on deck 7 and the public spaces on decks 9, 10 and 11. Passenger corridors, guest cabins and the officers' bar were designed by the first U.S.-based firm to work on an HAL ship, NB Design Group of Seattle. Luke de Micco, one of the architects for the ship's builder, Fincantieri, took creative control over the Pinnacle Bar on deck 2.
Throughout the restaurants, bars and public spaces is a discreet evolution from traditional gold and brass to newer luxury finishes such as nickel and stainless steel. "We wanted looks that would match the up-to-date styles of the new meal offers," de Micco says. Space usage and a rich mix of materials enables the ms Eurodam's dining options to transition between classic and contemporary. Bright green acrylic dividers are a welcome surprise in the Italian eatery, Canaletto. The pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant sends a modern message with bold yellows and purples.
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