Zaandam vs Amsterdam

[vino100]

I have been on neither of these ships. I’m looking at a Canada New England itinerary. I’m looking for the good and not so good about either ships. 

Thanks in advance. 

[RuthC]

The Zaandam and Amsterdam are both R-class ships, so are the same size, and pretty much identical in layout. I haven't been on the Zaandam in a long time, so can't report on its current condition. When I did sail her, she was fine. I loved the music theme in the decorations, too. 
The Amsterdam is one of the two Flag Ships of the fleet, and is kept in great condition; I sailed her a few months ago. She does the World Cruises, which sells out every year, so that speaks well of her. 

But are you sure you mean the Amsterdam, and not the Nieuw Amsterdam? The Amsterdam doesn't usually come to New England. The Nieuw Amsterdam is a very different ship from these two. 

[catl331]

39 minutes ago, RuthC said:

But are you sure you mean the Amsterdam, and not the Nieuw Amsterdam?

Yes, Amsterdam. After a repo from FL 5/26/20 she does Boston<>Montreal all summer before heading south again on 10/3.

[RuthC]

17 minutes ago, catl331 said:

Yes, Amsterdam. After a repo from FL 5/26/20 she does Boston<>Montreal all summer before heading south again on 10/3.

Ooo! Thanks, Carol, for that information. I did not know the Amsterdam was coming to my neighborhood. Now I'm tempted to look up some of her itineraries and see if there is anything there I can't resist. 

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have sailed on both ships.  But also for us it has been a while since we sailed on the Zaandam.

 

JMO -- we have sailed quite a few times on the Amsterdam and like her a lot.

[crystalspin]

Have sailed on the Zaandam twice and not on the Amsterdam. I was investigating New England/Northeast US departures and happened to notice that Amsterdam has Lanai cabins on the Lower Promenade Deck (3) while Zaandam does not. Lanai cabins are retro-fitted cabins with walk-in showers, private doors to the teak promenade, and reserved deck-chairs outside that door.

 

The experience outside of booking one of those rooms, would be very similar! 

[Andi Land]

We are taking the Amsterdam for the June 2020 Montreal to Boston cruise. It is our favorite ship. We haven’t sailed on the Zaandam since 2010 so I don’t have any info to offer there but the Amsterdam is wonderful. 

[doublebzz]

Sailed on both ships and found both equally appealing.  I would base my choice on price and/or itinerary and not on the perceived qualities of the ships based on inputs from Cruise Critic mavens.

[vino100]

Thanks everyone for the great input. Sounds like I can’t go wrong either way. I have always been interested in the Amsterdam, but the Zandam is a better price. Decisions, decisions. 

[AncientWanderer]

1 hour ago, doublebzz said:

Sailed on both ships and found both equally appealing.  I would base my choice on price and/or itinerary and not on the perceived qualities of the ships based on inputs from Cruise Critic mavens.

 

I agree.  We've been on both lately and the difference would mostly be in the crew and executive chef running MDR.  And there is no way to know about that ahead of time.  We enjoyed our cruises on both ships.

[TiogaCruiser]

Does Amsterdam still have a reformer in her gym? 

[rotjeknor]

We've been on the Zaandam in april 2019. Well kept ship, we enjoyed her a lot.