Statendam vs. Zaandam to Alaska

[wailea4me]

any thoughts?

[RuthC]

In Alaska, it's itinerary first. Do the two ships have the same route?

If not, then look at the itinerary for each, and decide what schedule matters more.

If so, then take a look at the size of the two ships. Zaandam is a little larger than Statendam. Deckplan is very close to being the same.

Also, take a look at day of embarkation. Will the ship be sharing ports with too many other ships/passengers?

Either ship will deliver the same gracious service from the crew. Atmosphere will be very similar; decor will differ. Food will vary some, based on who is cooking it. Entertainment will be different, but along the same lines on each ship.

[gerryl12]

I would take either ship depending on the itinerary.

[mr green]

I would take either ship depending on the itinerary.

 

I agree.

 

john

[SwissMyst]

Departure days and sharing ports with other ships could matter too - this takes a bit more research to see what ships are arriving on what days in the various ports you will visit. Departures on weekdays are better than the crush that can happen on weekends when a lot of 7 day cruises also leave.

 

Here is one of several other port calculators that can help (none of them are 100% accurate): http://www.cruisetimetables.com/

[c-legs]

Hi,

They both have the exact same itinerary. one is Northbound Vancouver-Seward while the other one, same day, leaves Seward southbound to Vancouver....and vice versa.

The only difference is, as other posters stated, the slight difference in size between Statendam and Zaandam. Also, if that matters to you, one ( Statendam) is 7 years older than the other.

 

Cheers

[lvz2cruz]

We are doing this itinerary and chose Zaandam because it leaves Seward Sunday night giving us a Saturday and Sunday to sightsee there. We will disembark Sunday morning in Vancouver and fly home that day.

If you prefer spending more time in Vancouver, pick whatever ship starts there so you have a few days precruise there.

Of course, if you're retired, this doesn't matter.We can only go a certain week so chose the ship leaving Seward that week.