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Login Designed to carry fewer guests while offering greater space, Zaandam is elegant and comfortable. Her décor is inspired by music and features musical instruments including signed guitars from Queen, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones and a Baroque-style pipe organ. While on-board, enjoy regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings with Port to Table. Rejuvenate at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon. Indulge at any of our fine dining venues.
SHIP CONDITION- The ship overall is in great shape. There is rust on some exterior areas but that is to be expected on any ocean-going vessel. The public areas of the ship are clean, and the crew was performing maintenance tasks in exterior areas every day. Most public areas appear to have been updated and modernized fairly recently with new furniture, carpeting and fixtures. In particular, the public restrooms have been redesigned with new tile, flooring and fixtures. ATMOSPHERE - The ship atmosphere felt very classic Holland America. We particularly enjoyed the wrap around promenade deck for strolling and relaxing on wooden, padded deck chairs. The median age was probably 60's-70's with only a few passengers with children. (There seemed to be fewer mobility scooters and people with walkers than we have encountered on other HA ships.) The lounges and bars were seldom crowded and unlike other cruise lines we've sailed on we encountered no loud, alcohol impaired, individuals acting out. We dislike modern cruise ships designed with a central atrium area ringed by bars and eating areas that are unpleasantly loud, with the atmosphere of a suburban shopping mall. Zaandam has a more classic design with separated lounges, bars and eating areas that create a more relaxed ambiance. CABIN- Our cabin was a Vista Class cabin located in the aft of the ship one deck below the buffet area just off the elevator bank. There were no issues with noise from the buffet or the elevators. The cabin was spacious and updated. There was a small spa/shower tub that we did not use, expect to shower. There is a shower curtain instead of a glass enclosure, which makes sense for a spa tub/shower combination. Our cabin attendants kept the cabin tidy and clean every day. The only cleanliness issue was the glass on the balcony, which was coated with sea spray and grim. I wiped it down myself so we could have a better view. The maintenance crew was cleaning all balconies on debarkation day, which was obviously not the case at the end of the prior cruise. RESTAURANTS/FOOD/BARS - We had late seating fixed time (7:30 pm) dining, which we prefer over the open seating because the waiters become more familiar with your desires, and after a couple of nights you can just walk directly to your assigned table without waiting. The food in the main dining room was good but not really innovative. It's very old school, classic cuisine. We had a delicious meal in the Pinnacle Grill, including a perfectly cooked, shared lobster tail. The pop-up Morimoto by Sea in the Pinnacle Grill was a disappointment. Some of the appetizers were good but the main dishes we had were just not special enough to warrant the cost. We did have issues with slow service in the bars/lounges. The lounges/bars are understaffed at peak hours with too few servers/bartenders to provide good service. It was obvious they were stressed and overwhelmed. This was particularly the case in the Crow's Nest Lounge during port sail aways and happy hour. ENTERTAINMENT - The individual singers/dancers were talented, but the shows and performances were lacking in innovation and showmanship. Every show and performance throughout the ship was always some type of pop song medley without much of a theme. Even the classic string ensemble played the same overdone classical material and pop songs. (I believe we heard some version of the theme to "Bridgerton" performed in every venue.) POOL/SPAS - We did not use the swimming pool. We did use the hot tubs in the pool area a couple of times. The hot tubs were a disappointment because the water was barely lukewarm. Other passengers we talked to in the hot tubs also mentioned the inadequate temperature. One woman said she was going to mention the issue to the customer service desk, but it stayed the same for the whole voyage. FINAL THOUGHTS - We liked the ship and would definitely sail on her again. We will be sailing on her sister ship Volendam in the Fall and look forward to it. We really enjoyed the more relaxed, classic, smaller ship atmosphere onboard Zaandam.
Embark and Disembark were very well executed by the port employees and the Zaandam team. The most organized we have experienced at the San Diego cruise terminal. Our room stewards, Ayu & Joko were outstanding! Always professional, hard working and smiling. The food in the main dining room and Lido marketplace was really tasty and probably the best we've had on the Zaandam. Fun dancing at the Ocean Bar and the Orange party was a lot of fun as well on the Lido pool deck. Nice entertainment at the World stage, very diverse and talented performers. The seas were a little rough leaving S.D. for the first few days and heard a lot of chatter about sea sickness affecting both crew and guests. We made some really good friends that we will keep in touch with. Overall a really nice cruise and we've already booked Zaandam for the 35-day Hawaii-Tahiti-Tuamotus-Marquesas Legendary cruise in 2026 & 2027.
Zandaam - Vancouver to San Diego - 5 day cruise - only a little over half full as this cruise turns into a Legendary Journey to the South Pacific. My first "smaller" ship on HAL. Very nice. The crew and staff - Outstanding. Madi our Steward was polite, attentive and reliable. Top drawer. Lido staff - Outstanding. Dining Room staff - once again outstanding. Food very good. Captain's noon talks were informative, clear and concise. Cruise Director Claire - once again clear, concise and timely. Stateroom - one of the nicest we have ever experienced. However - one of us found it far too noisy for sleeping even with ear plugs, interior panels, creaking and groaning as the ship navigated complex currents and waves. If you are a light sleeper don't pick this cabin. Cabin temperature - just fine. Cigarette smoke chased us out of the small but entertaining casino except early mornings. We are fans of "no smoking" cruises especially inside the ship. We did not go to any of the entertainment or activities as this is not our thing and we were visiting with close family who we do not see often. However there seemed to be plenty to do if that is what you like on cruises. Embark in Vancouver - 15 minutes thru USA customs - walk on - with a large Princess ship already in Port. Disembark in San Diego - 5 minutes.
This was a 5 day cruise from Vancouver to San Diego with a port of call in San Francisco. This was my friend’s first cruise. It was the perfect fit as the ship is smaller than most and doesn’t’ have the Carnival crowd. It was much more upscale. Plus the itinerary was perfect with 3 days at sea and a port of call. This was my 12th cruise but first on Holland America. Everything was perfect with one exception. The ship was beautiful and extremely clean. Originally we got a room with a porthole. When we walked into the room it was very dark and disappointing. As a result we upgraded to a full window which was the best purchase I’ve made in a long time. Our cabin attendant was awesome with 2 daily servicing of our room. Our room was always spotless. All of the crew were fantastic!!! The cruise director, Clare was the best cruise director I’ve had on a cruise. There were plenty of activities each day. A surprise was a Okterber fest one afternoon with beers and soft pretzels. The Lido deck was decorated for the event. We boarded in Vancouver at 1030a with no lines and immediate access to our room because this was a relocation cruise. The ship passengers were split between American cruisers and Canadians who were going on the 54 day cruise when we got off. The only disappointment was the food in the buffet. It was mediocre at best. Also, after 10pm there was no food available anywhere on the ship. My friend said it was the BEST bread pudding he’s ever had. However, the meals in the main dining room were very good and also a better selection of desserts. The entertainment, though, very small was wonderful with a comedian who I thought was the best comedian on any of my other cruises I’ve taken and an exceptionally talented singer who was amazing. There were no big production shows (however this was a 5 day cruise). All in all it was a wonderful experience and I’ll certainly sail on Holland America again.
With refined amenities and Holland America Line signature Mariner’s Dream bed gracing each elegant stateroom, the ship offers five grades of staterooms. Most are ocean-facing, many featuring teak-lined verandas for dining alfresco or private sunbathing.
Holland America Line invites you to dine "As You Wish". To savour Italian cuisine one night and a perfectly grilled porterhouse steak the next. To take your place in the Dining Room at a specific seating time or be spontaneous, following your desires. Onboard, there are restaurants to suit every mood, along with the flexibility to choose the dining style you prefer.
Every day aboard a Holland America cruise ship brings a wealth of cruise activities and indulgences, along with the freedom to partake in as many-or as few- as you please. It's an opportunity to try something new that surprises you, every day.
Dabble, discover, daydream- do everything, or do nothing at all.
Whether you want to workout in the Fitness Centre, learn yoga, pamper yourself with a massage and spa treatment, or enjoy a game of basketball, there's a perfect onboard activity for everyone.
Holland America Line's youth activities program, Kids Club, offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17, supervised by a full-time, professionally trained staff. They'll have an opportunity to join other kids their age for arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games and themed parties.
Note: Kids Club is not offered on cruises of 25-days or longer, including all Legendary and Grand Voyages. We will offer a selection of children’s activities throughout these longer voyages for any children who may be onboard.
Safety Comes First
Safety is our primary concern and strict policies are in place for effective supervision. Adult guests are not permitted to remain in Kids Club unless attending to a special-needs child.
Please note: During voyages with a high number of families onboard, we will make all efforts to accommodate interested parties. However, participation in our program cannot be guaranteed. Hours of operation may change to better serve our guests.
