Housekeeping Department’s Newbuild Setup

With approximately one more month to go before the official delivery of Eurodam, it is a good time to inform our Eurodam Blog readers about the newbuild set-up conducted by the Housekeeping Department.

One of the largest assignments of the Eurodam housekeeping newbuild team is the inspections of the staterooms. I will go into detail about these stateroom inspections in my next post, but first I want to briefly describe the way a stateroom is constructed.

All staterooms consist of two main areas: the bedroom and the bathroom.

In the photo you see some prefabricated bathroom units located on the pier, ready to be lifted on to the ship.

The bedrooms are constructed inside the ship. First, all wires and pipes are installed; after that, the walls are put in place.

After the walls are in position, the ceiling is installed.

When the ceiling and walls are in position, the larger pieces of furniture are placed and mounted to the floor or wall. After that, it is time for the carpet.

All smaller pieces of furniture (beds, nightstands, sofa, etc.) are placed in the stateroom. In the photo you can see the parts of the sofa are still in boxes.

At this point the staterooms are almost ready. Mattresses are placed and smaller items like artwork, bed lights, curtains, etc., are installed.

Once the signage and outlet covers are installed, the stateroom is ready to be turned over to Holland America Line.

Culinary Arts Center

Pam sent these photos of Eurodam’s Culinary Arts Center, the innovative theater-style venue with a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen. Presented by “Food & Wine” magazine, the center provides guests an opportunity to experience demonstrations and hands-on classes conducted by top chefs, wine experts, and leading cookbook authors featured in “Food & Wine” as well as the ship’s own culinary experts.

In addition to the amazing facilities — similar to the show kitchens seen on television cooking programs — the center has large plasma video screens so guests don’t miss the fine details. Guests also can choose to watch the broadcast on their stateroom TV.

Loading the Libations

Cheers! In this photo from Pam, Bar Manager Marc Spijkerboer supervises a pallet of liquor being loaded on board Eurodam today.

John Heald Interviews the Captain — Again

On his popular blog, www.johnhealdsblog.com, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Senior Cruise Director John Heald is featuring his second interview with Jeroen van Donselaar, master of Eurodam. John generously shared the interview with Eurodam News Blog.

John Heald: Captain, we read your wonderful interview a few weeks ago and I thought we could check in on you and see how you are. Can you tell us what stage of readiness the ship is in now?

John Heald

Jeroen van Donselaar: Hello John, well I have been at the yard a month now and progress has been amazing! Most public areas are 99 percent finished, in fact loading of loose furniture like chairs is well under way. This week we had a visit by Mr. [Micky] Arison who was visibly impressed and congratulated the yard on the progress.

Capt. Jeroen van Donselaar

JH: What are your priorities at the moment as captain of the vessel?

JvD: Well, I am heavily involved at the moment with voyage planning. This means checking the tracks, but also contacting the various agents in the ports that we will be visiting to obtain berthing information, for instance. I am familiar with most ports, there are however a few new ones for me, such as Edinburgh.

Other than that, I am working on various inaugural events with our PR department. The fifth and final ship’s staff officer — our Environmental Officer Hans Crijnen — has joined us this week so the management team is complete and we are very busy getting ready to move on board. This is a major logistical operation to move everyone from hotels and apartments into their cabins on board.

JH: As the ship gets ever nearer to delivery what do you think will be the highlights on board for the excited guests?

JvD: I personally am very excited about the very contemporary yet elegant design of the ship, areas such as the Pinnacle wine bar and the Lido are absolutely stunning. I think the new pan-Asian restaurant Tamarind will be a big hit with our guests.

JH: You will be meeting the Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands who will be the godmother of the vessel. Are you nervous about this great honor and have you been told of any specific protocols for when you meet her?

JvD: No, looking ahead to this event does not make me nervous. I know that it has been organized very well and we have a lot of resources in place to make sure that everything will go smoothly and that it will be an enjoyable day for all.

Yes, I have been briefed on protocol, the biggest no-no would be to have one’s cell phone go off … My only concern would be the rather unpredictable Dutch weather. Let’s hope for sunny skies!

JH: Holland America has an incomparable tradition of excellence. What do you think are the main reasons for this?

JvD: Well, we have been at it for 135 years. The key to our success in my opinion is our crew, our Indonesian and Filipino crew with a mix of international is a truly winning combination.

JH: Finally, as you navigate the ship away from the pierside, what thoughts will you have and is there someone you dedicate your very successful career to?

JvD: Well this moment of course is rapidly approaching. We are moving on board on May 31, the ship will be handed over to HAL on June 16, and our departure is on June 20.

I feel extremely privileged that I was asked to be the first captain of the new Signature-class Eurodam. Fincantieri and their partners have done an amazing job in turning this ship out to be what I believe is the most beautiful ship the company has ever had.

I am also very grateful to my parents who made it possible for me to attend nautical college now almost 25 years ago. I am looking forward to showing them “my ship” in Rotterdam!

JH: Thank you, Captain, and hopefully I will meet you soon.

Card Art: Missing Ryndam Painting Surfaces

We finally received an image of the fifth painting by maritime artist Stephen Card that will be featured in the forward stairwell on Eurodam. It is a depiction of Ryndam II outbound for Wellington.

Built in the Netherlands and delivered in 1951, Ryndam II was originally designed as a cargo ship, and is notable as the first Holland America Line ship to sport a gray hull. In 1960 the ship was transferred to the Montreal and Quebec service. In 1964 the ship inaugurated Holland America’s first service around the world to Australia, a trip that took 10 weeks.

Ryndam II was the first Holland America ship to sail with an Indonesian crew. The ship was laid up in Rotterdam in 1970 and sold in 1972. In 1993 the ship was refurbished and was permanently moored as a floating casino at Gulfport, Mississippi.

Topping Off the Atrium Bar

Pam Kern sent us these photos of the Atrium Bar countertop on Deck 1 being installed. It is made up of three layers of glass and marble on the sides. The glass has been purposely cracked on the inside for its aesthetic look.

Elaborate Elevator Doors Installed

These are the forward elevator doors, sent by Pam.

Pools Filled and Tested

Lido Pool

Hydropool in the spa

The spa hydropool and Lido midship pool were filled and tested yesterday. The new water feature (the rectangular thing in the foreground) at the Lido pool looks great! We can’t wait to see it once it’s operational. Thanks to Pam for snapping these photos.

Kind Words from a Reader

Julia Rodriguez sent us the nicest note via e-mail and she wanted to send greetings to so many folks at the shipyard that we thought we’d post her message. Thanks Julia!

Hello,

I have been following the progress of the building of the Eurodam with utter fascination! I never realized the intricacies involved in ship building and must admit, that I took for granted the talent and dedication that is involved with the creation of such a beautiful masterpiece. I sailed with Holland America Line for almost 10 years as a member of the Cast (Anita Mann Productions) and have many wonderful, exciting, out-of-this-world memories of my time on-board. I loved it so much that I put up with the seasickness! My husband, Remco Buis and I met on the Rotterdam IV and both have such great memories to last us a lifetime. Needless to say, I am so very excited to think that I may experience the Eurodam in all her glory in the near future.

Hats off to you and Good Luck!

PS: Warmest regards to Henry Veringa, Captain Jeroen Van Donselaar, Andre Van Schoonhoven and Bill Prince.

Let’s Get Physical

The fitness center sure looks different from the first photo we posted back in September. ENB correspondent Pam Kern snapped these photos of the workout area.