Zaandam - Zuiderdam

[Tedferg]

7 Day Canada New England - Zaandam or Zuiderdam? OV Cabin

I am leaning towards Zuiderdam - newer ship more entertainment options.

[RuthC]

Not a lot newer, as both ships are among the older ones in the HAL fleet. But you are right that the Zuiderdam will have different entertainment options. 

Personally, I would choose the Zaandam. The outside cabins are larger than on the Vista ship. The ship is smaller, making it easier to get around, and meaning fewer passengers. You will run into the same people over again. 

Either ship will offer a good cruise. 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

1 hour ago, Tedferg said:

7 Day Canada New England - Zaandam or Zuiderdam? OV Cabin

I am leaning towards Zuiderdam - newer ship more entertainment options.

Zuiderdam has a larger Casino and a Craps table (if that matters)

A different (and depending on your POV - better)  piano bar setup.

A BB King Lounge or Rolling Stone Room - nothing like it on the Zaandam.   

Theatre has better sight lines IMO

 

But - it has more people and if you don't plan to take advantage of those more extensive entertainment options then the Zaandam is a better choice - smaller ship - fewer passengers, but big enough to get the big shows and a variety of menu options.  

 

I like em both - you can't go wrong

 

 

Edited October 14, 2022 by The-Inside-Cabin

[0106]

The Zaandam is small enough that you embark or disembark in Montreal, a beautiful city with better airport connections for me. The passage through the St Lawrence seaway on the way to Quebec is beautiful.  
 

The  Zuiderdam is to large to go to Montreal so you will embark or disembark in Quebec  City, missing Montreal.

[crystalspin]

I have sailed on both of the "Z" ships. For an OV, I would choose the Zaandam with an OV on the Lower Promenade midships (but not aft of 3380/3375 or you risk being under the galley where they work all night with heavy trolleys). You will be steps from the largest balcony on the ship -- the true Promenade!

[crystalspin]

3 hours ago, crystalspin said:

For an OV, I would choose the Zaandam with an OV on the Lower Promenade midships (but not aft of 3380/3375 or you risk being under the galley where they work all night with heavy trolleys). 

I forgot to mention that the unobstructed OVs on the Lower Promenade from 3331 to 3370 had their bathrooms remodeled in 2018 drydock to have glass showers ONLY, no tub, and new counters and sinks.

 

https://halfacts.com/r-class/3339-zaandam/

Edited October 14, 2022 by crystalspin

[Tedferg]

Great responses, thanks. I apologize because I have two separate posts that should be combined. I had 'booking' questions as a Newbie. However Zuiderdam versus Zaandam are important questions for this itinerary. Good points about Zaandam - Montreal.

 

What evening entertainment is there on Zaandam?

Edited October 14, 2022 by Tedferg

[Tedferg]

10 hours ago, crystalspin said:

I forgot to mention that the unobstructed OVs on the Lower Promenade from 3331 to 3370 had their bathrooms remodeled in 2018 drydock to have glass showers ONLY, no tub, and new counters and sinks.

 

https://halfacts.com/r-class/3339-zaandam/

Thanks, looks like unobstructed OVs are appealing. I see them on Dolphin, Main and Promenade. Main had a slight premium, any thoughts on which deck to choose?

[rover16]

Was on the Zuiderdam in May and the Zaandam last week, and I'd take the Zaandam. Actually found the music opportunities much better on the Zaandam. We were in a Vista Suite, so can't comment on an OV, but DW and liked the Zaandam better. t was our 3rd cruise since May, and the best ship & cres for us.

[crystalspin]

2 hours ago, Tedferg said:

Thanks, looks like unobstructed OVs are appealing. I see them on Dolphin, Main and Promenade. Main had a slight premium, any thoughts on which deck to choose?

The Main Deck cabins 2564 - 2647 also have the refreshed bathrooms. I would take a port-side cabin on the Lower Promenade for access to the Promenade boardwalk. You're only up one staircase from the front desk; it's very handy! I would choose Port because some of the Starboard are under the "movie" theatre and I'm never sure what they are going to use that for! But it is pretty safe anyway.

Edited October 14, 2022 by crystalspin

[crystalspin]

BTW, my favorite ship yet is the Zuiderdam! But for the cruise you're looking at, the benefits of the Zaandam win out.

[Tedferg]

7 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

The Main Deck cabins 2564 - 2647 also have the refreshed bathrooms. I would take a port-side cabin on the Lower Promenade for access to the Promenade boardwalk. You're only up one staircase from the front desk; it's very handy! I would choose Port because some of the Starboard are under the "movie" theatre and I'm never sure what they are going to use that for! But it is pretty safe anyway.

Thanks for knowledgeable responses. Thanks also to Rover16

[RuthC]

4 hours ago, Tedferg said:

Thanks, looks like unobstructed OVs are appealing. I see them on Dolphin, Main and Promenade. Main had a slight premium, any thoughts on which deck to choose?

The outside cabins on Lower Promenade are smaller than the outsides on the other two decks. 
If I were to book and outside on Lower Promenade, I would choose one between the forward and mid-ship elevators/staircases, and on starboard side. 
The outside cabins on that deck are actually smaller than the insides on the same deck. Lower down the outsides are 10 sq. ft. larger. 

Between the two elevators mentioned you are under a quiet area; heading aft until the aft elevators you are under the galley, and there can be noise at night. One time friends were in that area, port side, when we hit extremely rough seas during the night. They listened to dishes for the Pinnacle Grill as they crashed and smashed. I was fine over on starboard (and slightly forward of them). 

The outsides on Main Deck are between two passenger cabin decks. However, they are also under the promenade, so there is always the danger of hearing a 'herd of elephants' overhead as people don't know enough not to jog above a cabin area. 

[Anne614]

How are the ocean view rooms on deck 1 for noise?

[kj_connections]

Hope it's okay I jump on this threat - which ship would be better with kids age 7 and 10?  Which has a better pool?

[idiebabe]

We spent two weeks on Zaandam at the end of August/September.  Absolutely loved being back on her.  We have also sailed (pre-Covid) Zuiderdam many times (another favorite). 

 

However, Zaandam wins out for us!  It was great having a Pianist in Ocean Bar for a Pre-Dinner drink plus having a Band with a Singer for later Entertainment.  The Piano Bar has not been converted over to Billboard and the Piano Player was very good and enjoyable.  Comedy Shows were back on the Main Stage compared to being in BB King, etc.  

 

 

[crystalspin]

2 hours ago, kj_connections said:

Hope it's okay I jump on this threat - which ship would be better with kids age 7 and 10?  Which has a better pool?

Have sailed on both "Z" ships (twice on Zaandam and once on sister ship Volendam).Once only on the Vista class Zuiderdam. We don't have children so can't speak to that.

 

Zuidy is my favorite ship so far, but we obviously enjoyed the Zaandam-sized ships! Zuiderdam is larger than Zaandam so it may have a larger pool? IDK, we don't hang out there. 

 

The Zuiderdam will have more Verandah cabins is that is on your radar. You have to 'buy up' to a Vista suite to have a balcony on the Zaandam. 

 

Above are my immediate thoughts! We also did like singing along with the Piano Man, don't know if that would be a hit with your aged kids... 

[dwc13]

On 10/13/2022 at 8:46 PM, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Zuiderdam has a larger Casino and a Craps table (if that matters)

 

Since you mentioned the magic word (Craps), I'll confirm there is a mini craps table (1 dealer) in the casino on Zaandam. It's an odd-shaped one, not the typical small oval or rectangle with rounded corners.