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.

Observation Deck Verandah Stateroom

We’ve received several inquiries about the balconies on the Observation Deck verandah staterooms, so we’re posting this recent photo.

Latest Large Inside Stateroom Rendering

The above rendering is the latest of a large inside stateroom. We mentioned in a previous post that the inside staterooms would have a recess behind the bed decorated with curtains to give the illusion of a window. That feature will be in the standard inside staterooms only. Also, the wall behind the bed will be beige, not blue, as depicted above.

Updated Verandah Stateroom Rendering

This rendering shows the latest impression of the deluxe verandah staterooms on Eurodam. Compare this image with the one we posted back in August. The clarity is impressive. Everything is very detailed, right down to the paintings on the wall.

Latest Rendering of a Deluxe Verandah Suite

We just received the latest batch of updated renderings of staterooms and public rooms on Eurodam. We are going to be posting them daily until we run out of them, so stay tuned.

Compare the new design with the rendering from an earlier post here.

Installing Balcony Decking

Blog Board member Chief Officer Andre van Schoonhoven, fresh back from vacation, sent us the latest photo from the shipyard.

It’s a picture of one of the decks of outside staterooms with balconies where they have started putting down the imitation teak decking. Andre explained the process of preparing and finishing the decking:

After leveling the steel, a two-component compound called Api Flexilit is poured. After setting, grooves will be cut into this using a router. The grooves will be filled up with the same material in a black color, and then the lot will be sanded down to make it look like wooden planking with caulking in between.

Designing Women Give Staterooms a New Look

Left to right: Nancy Burfiend, Devin Fitzpatrick and My Nguyen

When Seattle-based NB Design Group was awarded the project of furnishing Eurodam’s staterooms, not only was it the first time Holland America Line chose a design team from within the United States, but they also were given a key task: completely change the look from all of the other Holland America Line ships.

ENB recently sat down with Nancy Burfiend, owner and principal in charge of NB Design Group, to find out what approach she took and how she met the challenges of designing for a cruise ship.

Burfiend and her team, which includes My Nguyen and Devin Fitzpatrick, decided to go for a boutique hotel look with clean lines and simplified designs. They took a logical approach when choosing the décor.

“Inside staterooms should be light and airy, so we went with a blonde wood,” said Burfiend. “On the outside staterooms we went with a cherry wood that is more luxurious, and we used warm and inviting fabrics. Because the suites are the most expensive, we went with a dark wood that feels the most rich and sophisticated.”

The firm came up with nine schemes — three each for the inside, outside and suite stateroom categories. Once the selection was narrowed down to one for each category, the team put together color boards and computer-generated renderings of the staterooms.

Burfiend said because this was the first time NB Design had worked with a cruise line, the biggest challenge was becoming familiar with all of the International Maritime Organization regulations that govern construction materials, fabrics and fixtures. Fortunately, Nguyen had worked with Holland America in the past, so it wasn’t completely unfamiliar territory.

“To work within the regulations, we find things we like and then go to companies that can reproduce them in the fibers and materials we need to meet IMO standards,” said Burfiend. “A lot of the things in Eurodam’s cabins are custom-made here in the United States or in Europe.”

After minor revisions, the schemes were approved and the team began acquiring the fabrics and woods they needed. Burfiend said that when selecting decor for the staterooms, they also have to be sure that they are getting the best price, the items can be mass-produced and they are easy to assemble.

So when you’re resting comfortably in your stateroom aboard Eurodam admiring the décor, you have NB Design Group to thank for the relaxing, comfortable atmosphere.

Stateroom Installation Begins

Fincantieri has begun installing the prefabricated staterooms on Eurodam this week. ENB asked Blog Board member Pieter Rijkaart about the installation, and he informed us that 65 percent of the ship’s staterooms are prefabricated shoreside, with the fixed furniture already in place before the unit is moved into its assigned slot on board.

A stateroom being outfitted with the fixed furniture during the prefabrication process

A Deck 6 midship stateroom waiting for installation

A stateroom being hoisted on board Eurodam

A Sneak Peek at an Inside Stateroom

Inside Stateroom

When the time came to begin designing the cabins for Eurodam, Holland America Line turned to Seattle-based NB Design Group to create a different aesthetic from previous ships in the fleet.

Inside staterooms will have blond, maple-toned furniture, creating a light and airy environment. The recessed area behind the beds will be painted sky-blue and covered by sheer curtains with a burn-out, wave pattern that allows hints of blue to show – in effect, creating the illusion of a window.

A Sneak Peek at a Suite

Deluxe Verandah Suite

The suites aboard Eurodam are elegantly simple, with rich wood tones and burnished nickel fixtures, designed to create a relaxing oasis for guests. Seattle-based NB Design Group is introducing different woods, textures and fresh color combinations in each of Eurodam’s stateroom categories. There will be 112 suites aboard the ship, including superior verandah, deluxe verandah and penthouse suites.