MS Zuiderdam
Holland America Cruise Line
MS Zuiderdam is one of Holland America's 11 active ships and first entered service in 2002 with its most recent renovation in 2025. In terms of size, it comes in at 82,305 gross tons, 955 feet in length, and 11 passenger decks. On board, it supports up to 2,272 guests and approximately 842 crew members. The ship had an estimated build cost of $400 million and is flagged in Netherlands.
MS Zuiderdam
Ship Stats
Year Built
2002
Last Renovated
2025
Tonnage
82,305 GT
Length
955 ft
Capacity
2,272
Crew
842
Cost
$400 million
Decks
11
Vista Class Class
Vista Class Class groups ships with similar design and onboard features within Holland America. The first ship introduced in this class was MS Zuiderdam (2002), followed by MS Oosterdam (2003), MS Westerdam (2004), and MS Noordam (2006).
MS Zuiderdam Ship Age
MS Zuiderdam entered service in 2002. Across Holland America's active fleet, the average build year is 2008 and across all major active cruise lines the average ship launch year is 2011. Ranked newest-to-oldest, this ship is 9 of 11 (newest ship = rank 1).
Timeline order: newest to oldest
- MS Zuiderdam
Current ship
MS Zuiderdam Renovations
Latest recorded dry dock / major renovation date: 2025.
Renovation details
Most recently, in December 2025, this ship returned to service after a comprehensive dry dock that added 11 new ocean view staterooms to decks one and seven. The Crow’s Nest was upgraded with a new bandstand stage for live music, and all staterooms on Deck 8 received full bathroom renovations, including new vanities and bathtubs. The Atrium and dining venues were also refreshed with new carpeting and upholstery. MS Zuiderdam’s 2023 refurbishment was a major drydock project focused on both guest experience and long-term operational performance. Staterooms were comprehensively updated with new furnishings, refreshed soft goods, improved lighting, and enhanced comfort features. Dining venues and public spaces were refreshed with updated décor, new furniture, and refined layouts that improved guest flow and reinforced the ship’s premium aesthetic. Significant hotel-system upgrades were completed, improving climate control, water systems, and onboard services. Propulsion and mechanical systems underwent extensive maintenance and overhaul work, ensuring enhanced efficiency, reliability, and readiness for continued service across global itineraries.
MS Zuiderdam Ship Size
Length and tonnage across Holland America's fleet
MS Zuiderdam measures 955 feet (291 m) (vs Holland America fleet average of 922 ft) and has gross tonnage of 82,305 GT (vs fleet average of 84,029 GT). It ranks 4 of 11 by length and 7 of 11 by tonnage in Holland America's active fleet.
Passenger Capacity & Crew Size
MS Zuiderdam vs Holland America fleet averages
MS Zuiderdam carries 2,272 passengers (vs Holland America average of 2,157) and has 842 crew members onboard (vs fleet average of 863). That puts this ship at a passenger-to-staff ratio of 2.70:1 compared with Holland America's overall 2.50:1 average.
Passenger Capacity
2,272
passengers
Crew Members
842
staff members
Passenger to Crew Ratio
2.70 : 1
Holland America Avg
2.50 : 1
MS Zuiderdam
Venues & Experiences
Explore dining, bars, activities, and onboard experiences available on MS Zuiderdam.
Deck 10cafeExplorations Central Cafe Crows Nest
Decks 2 & 3main dining roomThe Dining Room
Deck 9specialtyCanaletto
Deck 2specialtyPinnacle Grill
Deck Plans
The MS Zuiderdam has a total of 11 passenger decks. The lowest level available to guests is Deck 1. The highest passenger deck is Deck 11. Click below to access deck plans for the MS Zuiderdam. The resulting page will provide a floor plan and summary of all things to do offered on that level of the ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
MS Zuiderdam quick answers covering size, capacity, deck plans, and what to expect onboard.
You will find the MS Zuiderdam Casino on Deck 2 of the ship.
You will find the MS Zuiderdam buffet on Deck 9 of the ship.
Most recently, in December 2025, this ship returned to service after a comprehensive dry dock that added 11 new ocean view staterooms to decks one and seven. The Crow’s Nest was upgraded with a new bandstand stage for live music, and all staterooms on Deck 8 received full bathroom renovations, including new vanities and bathtubs. The Atrium and dining venues were also refreshed with new carpeting and upholstery. MS Zuiderdam’s 2023 refurbishment was a major drydock project focused on both guest experience and long-term operational performance. Staterooms were comprehensively updated with new furnishings, refreshed soft goods, improved lighting, and enhanced comfort features. Dining venues and public spaces were refreshed with updated décor, new furniture, and refined layouts that improved guest flow and reinforced the ship’s premium aesthetic. Significant hotel-system upgrades were completed, improving climate control, water systems, and onboard services. Propulsion and mechanical systems underwent extensive maintenance and overhaul work, ensuring enhanced efficiency, reliability, and readiness for continued service across global itineraries.
The ship belongs to the Holland America class of ships known as the Vista Class class.
The ship features 5 restaurants, 9 bars, 17 activities, 0 shows and 5 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.
The MS Zuiderdam has a total of 11 passenger decks. The lowest deck is Level 1. The upper most passenger deck is Level 11.
We're often asked how many passengers are on the MS Zuiderdam. The ship's capacity is 2,272. 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.
The MS Zuiderdam was built in 2002. 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
Each of Holland America's ships offers a unique layout with features and activities catered to all. Whether the MS Zuiderdam 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.
From end to end, the MS Zuiderdam length equals 955 feet (291 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.