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MS Zaandam
Holland America Cruise Line logo
// CRUISE LINE
Holland America

MS Zaandam

Rotterdam Class Class · Holland America Cruise Line

BUILT
2000
Refit 2025
SIZE
61,396 GT
778 ft length
CAPACITY
1,432
guests · 615 crew
DECKS
9
passenger decks
CALL SIGNNCLAST2
MMSI311000341
IMO9677076
FLAGNetherlands

// ABOUT THE SHIP

About the Ship

MS Zaandam is a Rotterdam Class-class cruise ship operated by Holland America Cruise Line, originally launched in 2000 (26 years ago). She is one of 11 active ships in the Holland America fleet and sails alongside her sister ship, the MS Volendam. The ship underwent her most recent renovation in 2025, which included updates to onboard features and spaces.

At 61,396 gross tons and 778 feet (237 meters) long, the MS Zaandam is more compact than the Holland America fleet average of 922 feet. The ship spans 9 passenger decks (Deck 1 through Deck 10) with a beam of 106 feet and a draft of 27 feet. Originally built at an estimated cost of $300 million, the ship is flagged in Netherlands.

The MS Zaandam accommodates up to 1,432 guests. There are 716 staterooms onboard, averaging roughly 2 guests per cabin at full occupancy. A crew of approximately 615 keeps the ship running, resulting in a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.3:1.

Onboard the MS Zaandam, guests can choose from 37 venues including 5 dining options, 7 bars and lounges, 17 activities. The casino is located on Deck 5 and the buffet can be found on Deck 8.

// DECK PLANS

Deck Plans – 9 Decks to explore

MS Zaandam spans 9 passenger-accessible decks with 716 staterooms and 37 onboard venues — including 17 activities, 7 bars & lounges, 5 dining, and 8 shopping. Explore every level from bow to stern using the interactive deck plans below.

gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze gangwaze BRIDGE NEPTUNE LOUNGE 7088 7087 7086 7085 7084 7083 7082 7081 7080 7079 7078 7077 7076 7075 7074 7073 7072 7071 7070 7069 7068 7067 7066 7065 7064 7063 7062 7061 7060 7059 7058 7057 7056 7055 7054 7053 7052 7051 7050 7049 7048 7047 7046 7045 7044 7043 7042 7041 7040 7039 7038 7037 7036 7035 7034 7033 7032 7031 7030 7029 7028 7027 7026 7025 7022 7021 7020 7019 7016 7015 7014 7012 7011 7010 7009 7008 7007 7006 7005 7004 7003 7002 7001
View deck plans

PASSENGER DECKS

9

guest-accessible decks

STATEROOMS

716

cabins across all categories

VENUES ONBOARD

37venues

BY TYPE

Activities17
Bars & lounges7
Dining5
Shopping8
// CABINS

Cabins – 716 staterooms

MS Zaandam has a total of 716 cabins throughout its 9 passenger decks. Those are made up of 303 Ocean View, 82 Balcony, 197 Suite and 134 Inside cabins. The 26 stateroom categories that make up these 4 cabin types are found below, along with counts for each.

Cabin search
OCEAN VIEW
303cabins
8 CATEGORIES
DLarge Ocean-View Stateroom
86
CLarge Ocean-View Stateroom
56
DALarge Ocean-View Stateroom
45
ELarge Ocean-View Stateroom
43
EELarge Ocean-View Stateroom
33
FLarge Ocean-View Stateroom
18
DDLarge Ocean-View Stateroom
16
FFLarge Ocean-View Stateroom
6
BALCONY
82cabins
3 CATEGORIES
HLarge Outside Stateroom (fully obstructed views)
34
HHLarge Outside Stateroom (fully obstructed views)
24
GLarge Outside Stateroom (partial sea views)
24
SUITE
197cabins
8 CATEGORIES
AVista Suite with Verandah
72
BVista Suite with Verandah
42
AAVista Suite with Verandah
42
SANeptune Suite with Verandah
26
BBVista Suite with Verandah
8
BCVista Suite with Verandah
4
SBNeptune Suite with Verandah
2
PSPinnacle Suite with Verandah
1
INSIDE
134cabins
7 CATEGORIES
JInterior Stateroom
50
LStandard Interior Stateroom
32
KInterior Stateroom
21
IInterior Stateroom
12
MStandard Interior Stateroom
10
MMStandard Interior Stateroom
5
NStandard Interior Stateroom
4

// SHIP CLASS

Rotterdam Classclass

YEARS

1999–2000

AVG SIZE

61k GT

AVG LENGTH

778 ft

AVG CAPACITY

1,432

Built between 1997 and 2000 at approximately 61,000 gross tons, the Rotterdam class carried around 1,400 guests and established the modern Holland America design template with elegant two-deck dining rooms and extensive art collections.

MS Zaandam

MS Zaandam

BUILT 200061K GT
MS Volendam

MS Volendam

BUILT 199961K GT
// THINGS TO DO

Things to do

MS Zaandam features 32 venues across 9 decks, including 13 activity, 7 bar, 4 dining, 5 other and 3 shopping. Explore every onboard experience from dining and entertainment to pools, fitness and more.

Art Galleryentertainment
DECKS 4,5
Atriumentertainment
DECKS 3,4,5
Casinocasino
DECK 5
Club Halkids & teens
DECK 9
Fitness Centerfitness
DECK 8
Greenhouse Spa Salonspa
DECK 8
Lido Poolpool
DECK 8
Queens Roomentertainment
DECK 5
Sliding Dome Coveroutdoor
DECK 9
Sports Courtssports
DECK 9
The Loftkids & teens
DECK 9
Wajang Theatertheater
DECK 4
World Stagetheater
DECKS 4,5

// AGE & RENOVATIONS

MS Zaandam ship age vs the fleet

Built in 2000 and last renovated in 2025, MS Zaandam is 26 years old. The fleet average age is 18.1 years. She is newer than 10% of the 11-ship fleet, ranking #10 from newest to oldest.

THIS SHIP

Age at a glance

BUILT

2000

26 years old today

LAST RENOVATED

2025

1 yrs ago

FLEET AVERAGE

18.1 yrs

7.9 older

NEWER THAN

10%

of fleet

FLEET RANK

#10

of 11

FLEET RANKING

By age, newest to oldest

#10 newest of 11 ships

Out of 11 ships in the fleet, MS Zaandam ranks #10 when sorted from newest to oldest by build year.

NEWESTOLDEST

AGE BENCHMARKS

MS Zaandam vs the fleet

Newest ship
5 yrs
MS Zaandam
26 yrs
Fleet average
18.1 yrs
Oldest ship
27 yrs

SHIP RENOVATIONS

Last major refit

LAST RENOVATED

2025

1 years ago

In February 2025, the Zaandam emerged from a two-week dry dock with a rebuilt Greenhouse Spa & Salon, featuring a new thermal suite and infrared sauna. The Neptune Lounge was refreshed with new flooring and an expanded catering area, and the Photo Gallery was updated with a high-tech facial recognition digital system. The ship’s library also received a modern facelift with an updated collection and new seating.

// SHIP SIZE

How big is MS Zaandam?

Compare the MS Zaandam ship size with the rest of the Holland America fleet below. Included, you'll find gross tonnage, length, and the relationship between the two graphed in the scatter plot.

MS Zaandam measures 61,396 GT and 778 ft in length. The average size of a Holland America ship is 84k gross tons and the average ship length is 922 ft. MS Zaandam is 27% smaller and 16% shorter than the average ship in the fleet.

// THIS SHIP

61k GT

MS ZAANDAM

// AVERAGE

84k GT

FLEET AVERAGE

// LARGEST

100k GT

MS NIEUW STATENDAM

// SMALLEST

61k GT

MS VOLENDAM

// PROPORTIONAL AREA · 11 SHIPS · TOTAL 924K GT

MS Nieuw Statendam100K GT
MS Rotterdam100K GT
MS Koningsdam100K GT
MS Nieuw Amsterdam87K GT
MS Eurodam86K GT
MS Noordam83K GT
MS Westerdam82K GT
MS Zuiderdam82K GT
MS Oosterdam82K GT
61K
61K
MS Nieuw Statendam100k GT
MS Rotterdam100k GT
MS Koningsdam100k GT
MS Nieuw Amsterdam87k GT
MS Eurodam86k GT
MS Noordam83k GT
MS Westerdam82k GT
MS Zuiderdam82k GT
MS Oosterdam82k GT
MS Zaandam61k GT
MS Volendam61k GT

EACH CIRCLE'S AREA IS PROPORTIONAL TO GROSS TONNAGE · HOVER FOR DETAILS

// CAPACITY

Passenger Capacity

The MS Zaandam carries up to 1,432 guests and operates at roughly 100% capacity, so you can expect that number will accurately reflect your fellow passenger count. These guests are looked after by a crew of 615 staff members, representing a guest-to-crew ratio of 2.3:1. On average, Holland America ships have 2,157 guests and 863 crew, which works out to a fleet-average ratio of 2.5:1.

// GUESTS

1,432

at full occupancy

// CREW

615

international staff

// RATIO

2.3:1

service ratio

// 2,047 PEOPLE ABOARD AT FULL CAPACITY

Guests1,432
Crew615
EACH FIGURE = 10 PEOPLE

// 10 · FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About the MS Zaandam

FAQs for the MS Zaandam. Here are the most popular questions asked by our community members regarding this Holland America ship.

01On which deck is the MS Zaandam Casino located?

You will find the MS Zaandam Casino on Deck 5 of the ship.

02On which deck is the MS Zaandam buffet located?

You will find the MS Zaandam buffet on Deck 8 of the ship.

03When was the MS Zaandam last refurbished?

In February 2025, the Zaandam emerged from a two-week dry dock with a rebuilt Greenhouse Spa & Salon, featuring a new thermal suite and infrared sauna. The Neptune Lounge was refreshed with new flooring and an expanded catering area, and the Photo Gallery was updated with a high-tech facial recognition digital system. The ship’s library also received a modern facelift with an updated collection and new seating.

04What is the MS Zaandam ship class?

The ship belongs to the Holland America class of ships known as the Rotterdam Class class.

05What does the MS Zaandam offer in terms of things to do?

The ship features 5 restaurants, 7 bars, 17 activities, 0 shows and 8 other venues for your enjoyment. You can click on our ship deck plans or details pages for a full list of activities, sorted by feature type.

06How many decks are on the MS Zaandam?

The MS Zaandam has a total of 10 passenger decks. The lowest deck is Level 1. The upper most passenger deck is Level 10.

07What is the MS Zaandam capacity?

We're often asked how many passengers are on the MS Zaandam. The ship's capacity is 1,432. When comparing the occupancy to the average Holland America passenger capacity, you'll find that the average ship in the fleet holds 2,157 guests. Feel free to look at our graph above to see where this ship falls in line with all other live Holland America ships.

08How old is the MS Zaandam?

The MS Zaandam was built in 2000. Holland America includes 11 active ships. The oldest in the fleet was built in 1999 while the newest ship was built in 2021. The average Holland America ship is 18 years old and the median build date for all active ships is 2006

09Is the MS Zaandam a good ship?

Each of Holland America's ships offers a unique layout with features and activities catered to all. Whether the MS Zaandam is right for you will depend on your individual preferences. Do you prefer a larger or smaller ship with many or fewer guests? Are you hoping for many family activities or entertainment options for an older clientele. Our deck maps layout and activities list provide a helpful guide to what you'll find on board. Feel free to explore the see if this ship is suited towards your preferences.

10How long is the MS Zaandam?

From end to end, the MS Zaandam length equals 778 feet (237 meters). Compare that to the average ship length of all 11 active vessels in Holland America fleet, measuring 922 feet (281 meters). Please see our size comparison chart above to see how this ship falls in line with all other active ships in the fleet.

Researched and assembled by Gangwaze Cruise Editorial using daily-refreshed ship and fleet data.

LAST UPDATED · JUNE 12, 2026

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