Zaandam Ship Review

Holland America's Zaandam is a regular on the Alaskan runs during the summer months. Photo © Aaron Saunders

Zaandam Overview

The 2000-built Zaandam and sister Volendam, are attractive mid-size ships, carrying 1,440 passengers. Décor is classy and traditional with a touch of fun and whimsy to keep things interesting.

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Public Rooms & Activities on Zaandam

The Mondriaan Lounge showroom aboard Holland America Line's Zaandam. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

Many of Zaandam’s public spaces follow a music theme, from the ornamental baroque pipe organ in the atrium to the saxophone autographed by Bill Clinton saxophone in the Sea View Lounge, and the electric guitars displayed in the atrium stair tower, signed by Queen, Eric Clapton, and the Rolling Stones.

Popular night spots include the piano bar (its piano painted to look as though it’s made of scrap lumber and rusty nails), mellow Explorer’s Lounge and hopping Ocean Bar, where passengers go to dance to the traditional tunes of a live band. The Crow’s Nest nightclub up top is designed with banquettes in bright, modern colors and serves as the ship’s disco (and by day, a venue for special events and parties).

The Ocean Bar is a popular pre-dinner gathering spot aboard Zaandam. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

There’s a casino and a two-level show lounge with movable clusters of chairs and banquettes on the ground level in front of the stage. Arguably the most popular spot on the ship is the Explorations Café, a combo Internet center, coffee bar and library, with plenty of comfy seating and tons of books and magazines to read. Foodies appreciate the Culinary Arts Center demo kitchen, which shares space with the ship’s movie theater.

Grab a cool drink and relax around the Lido Pool! Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

You’ll find a roomy gym with floor-to-ceiling windows and an adjacent well-equipped spa. Up on deck, a sport deck holds a pair of practice tennis courts, as well as shuffleboard. The ship’s lovely wraparound Promenade deck is a great place to walk or do laps, with great sea views to boot. There are two pools; one set under a retractable glass roof for use in cold weather.

Dining On Zaandam

The casual Lido Buffet offers up breakfast, lunch and dinner in a comfortable, relaxed setting. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

The two-story main dining room is an elegant throw back wrapped in windows. For more intimate dining, there’s the Pinnacle Grill for seafood and steaks, and the Lido buffet restaurant is the spot for casual dining all day long.

Staterooms & Suites On Zaandam

Like the rest of HAL’s ships, standard cabins are among the roomiest in the industry, running at least 185 square feet and bathed in an attractive color scheme of salmon red, burgundy and muted metallics. All outside cabins have shower/tub combos (a rarity in the cruise world), plus flat-panel TVs and DVD players, terry-cloth bathrobes, massage shower heads, lighted magnifying makeup mirrors, and super comfy bedding.

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