<p>There are few cruise lines in this business with any real history. After all, the cruise industry as we know it today dates from the early 1970s, so it's a relative blip in the total history of business or of travel in particular. That's why I think it was so appropriate yesterday when Holland America Line christened its new Eurodam in the port of Rotterdam, just steps away from its former headquarters while celebrating its 135th anniversary.</p><p>Holland America, now based in Seattle and focused on leisure cruising, was once one of the world's great shipping companies, carrying passengers and cargo across the Atlantic and to all parts of the world from its base in Rotterdam. The old green-turreted headquarters building at the end of the quay now houses the New York Hotel, but the Holland Amerika Lin name (in Dutch) is still proudly displayed.</p><p>In recognition of this auspicious occasion, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands yesterday dedicated the Eurodam in a sunlit ceremony on the pier featuring opera singers, a full orchestra, jugglers and street performers. The Queen follows in the footsteps of several other members of the Dutch royal family who have christened Holland America ships over the years. Indeed, this is the 80th ship to have joined the company since it began in business -- and the 14th ship in Holland America's current fleet.</p><p>The Eurodam, built in Venice's Fincantieri shipyard, also isn't just another &quot;dam&quot; ship &ndash; as many often joke about Holland America's vessels. It happens to be the first in a new line of Signature-class vessels, which incorporate the innovations that have been introduced over the last three years as the company's Signature of Excellence program. While other ship classes &ndash; such as the Vista, Rotterdam and Statendam class ships &ndash; have added Signature of Excellence features, the 2,104-guest Eurodam is the first designed with them in mind. Eurodam also is the largest Holland America vessel with 63 more staterooms and one more deck (for a total of 11) than the previous Vista-class ships.</p><p>Another Signature vessel is set for delivery in summer 2010, but after that there are no current plans to build more. Indeed, at a press conference yesterday Micky Arison, chairman of Holland America's parent, Carnival Corp., said the current cost of ships for dollar-based companies will lead to a slowdown in new vessels being built at major European yards unless exchange rates change.</p><p>Holland America's Stein Kruse, president and CEO, and Rick Meadows, executive vice president-sales and marketing, both emphasized that in the Eurodam the company has built a midsize, premium ship that may not offer the glitz of other vessels, but represents an evolution in Holland America's mission to offer better dining, larger spaces (both in the public areas and staterooms), more activities, better service and more destinations. &quot;We're not about gimmicks,&quot; said Kruse. &quot;We're about delivering service and product.&quot; </p><p>That delivery of service and product also is resulting in a decrease in the average of age of Holland America's customers, which now stands at 58. Some of the differences in Eurodam from previous Holland America ships are obvious. There's a new 144-seat pan-Asian restaurant called Tamarind on Deck 11, offering a wide range of Asian cuisine, including &ndash; in a nod to Dutch tradition -- Indonesian specialties (Holland had once colonized Indonesia and Amsterdam is full of Indonesian restaurants). Tamarind serves lunch (free dim sum) and dinner (for a $15 per person charge).</p><p>Next to Tamarind there's a new Asian-influenced bar, the Silk Den, overlooking the pool area. Also new for dinner is the 72-seat Canaletto, a new family-style Italian restaurant that is carved out of part of the Lido buffet dining area on Deck 9. The Terrace Grill offers more poolside dining, while Slice is a new pizzeria serving all day and into the evening on the aft Deck 9.</p><p>Eurodam's Pinnacle Grill, an alternative restaurant on Deck 2 available on all Holland America ships, now features an updated menu of Northwest U.S. cuisine (steak and seafood). Meanwhile, guests now can order room service from several different dining venues as part of Holland America's &quot;As You Wish&quot; dining.</p><p>Accommodations on Eurodam also have been updated and enlarged. A fresh, new color scheme has been adopted for all staterooms. Inside cabins now measure 185 square feet, while suites are 556 square feet. Exclusive to the Eurodam are 56 spa staterooms, which feature their own design (including a water fountain), mineral water, a spa concierge and access to the nearby Greenhouse Spa &amp; Salon on Deck 9.</p><p>Surrounding the pool on Deck 9 and perched above in an area called The Retreat (on Deck 10) are 22 private cabanas that can be rented daily (for $30 and up). These curtained off areas feature bathrobes, fully loaded iPods, chilled water and fresh fruit. The Explorations Caf&eacute; &ndash; a library, coffee house and Internet center that is found on other Holland America ships &ndash; has been relocated to Deck 11 next to the far forward Crow's Nest lounge and bar. </p><p>Activities also have been augmented on Eurodam. The ship features a Culinary Arts Center, sponsored by Food &amp; Wine magazine, located in the Queen's Lounge on Deck 2, where guest chefs offer cooking demonstrations. Also new is a complimentary Digital Workshop, in partnership with Microsoft Windows, where guests can learn more about digital photography, digital videos and developing their own blogs.</p><p>The Eurodam will start revenue cruises in Copenhagen this Saturday on a 10-day maiden voyage of northern Europe, featuring calls at Oslo, Alesund, Vik, Flam and Stavanger in Norway; Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in England; and Edinburgh and Invergodon in Scotland. Indeed, Holland America will now have six ships in Europe this summer and next. Following Eurodam's summer season in Europe, the ship will begin a series of New England and Canada sailings in the fall before moving to the Caribbean in October for the winter season.</p>