Zaandam v. Westerdam

[LDinCT]

Really loved the Zaandam, will I like Westerdam? I haven't heard great things about the Vista Class. Was really trying to book R or S class, but availability isn't good for Alaska this summer. Is the larger number of passengers noticeable? Not worried about the walking, we are fairly young. Is there anything additional that isn't on the Zaandam?

[doone]

My favorite class ship in the HAL fleet is the R and S class ship. However, I did sail the Zuiderdam last year after vowing to never sail a Vista. I was pleasantly surprised at the ship and enjoyed it, but for different reasons as I do the R and S class ships. If you enjoy HAL, I say give the Westerdam a try. I have to say I did not notice the Zuiderdam being any more crowded than the other ships I have sailed on with HAL. I think you will enjoy the Westerdam, but like me, probably for different reasons.

 

Be aware, what I don't like about the Vista style ships is there is no self-serice laundries onboard, however, they do have laundry packages you can purchase. I guess I was spoiled with the laundries on the other ships and miss them, especially on longer than 7 day cruises.

 

Hope this helps and I am sure there are other posters here that can give you some additional help.

[csg99]

We were on the Zaandam 12/03 and the Westerdam 11/05, so I'll try to remember the comparison. The Vistas have a separate disco, Northern Lights, which allows for more variety in the Crow's Nest. The layout of HAL ships are similar, so aside from the extra distance from the dining room to the show lounge, there aren't a huge amount of differences. I don't care for the way the shops on board area is laid out on the Vistas, but I like the casino/sports bar area better on the Vistas. The Queens Lounge is used for movies on the Vistas (when they have them) but the sight line in the Queens Lounge is pretty bad unless you're in the front row, and not nearly as comfortable as the theatres on the R's & S's. The piano bar on the Vistas has seating around the piano, while the piano bar on the Zaandam was laid out with the piano pretty much separated from the guests. Just little things like that. Let me put it this way--I wouldn't turn down a cruise on any HAL ship!:D

[Himself]

I have not sailed on the Zaandam yet, but that will not be for long. I did travel on the Zuiderdam in 2003. It was okey. I did sail on the OOSTERDAM last summer and I liked this ship much better than the Zuiderdam. I have heard very good things about the Westerdam. The Westerdam is a bigger ship and carries 1848 PAS as opposed to the 1440 on the Zaandam. I love the size of the "R" class ships and have traveled on the Volendam (twin sister of the Zaandam) and the Rotterdam. I like that size ship.

The final decision is up to you and I think that you cannot go wrong with either ship.

[KalenaD]

I have sailed on both ships. As far as the ship itself we very slightly preferred the Zaandam, it had a more open feel, and not all those long hallways. It also had less passengers. The only time we really noticed the difference was in the lido on port days, the Westerdam was much more crowded. That being said we would by NO means not travel on the Westerdam again. They both had AWESOME HAL service and were both very well maintained. In fact even though we travelled a year and a half apart, we had the same cruise director for both trips, what are the odds? Even though the Zaandam is a bit older I certainly didn't notice it. I would tavel on either ship ANYTIME!!!!

[RlrCstr]

I was last on the Zaandam before the SOE upgrades, but sail her again in November. I was on the Westerdam last summer and of the 3 Vista ships I have been on, I liked the Westerdam the best.

I do prefer a smaller ship to a larger one, so I would choose the Zaandam, but any day on either one will be fine for me.

 

In Alaska, I was told by the Park Service person, who came on-board to be our guide while in the glacier areas, that the smaller ships were given access to more of the inlet areas and could maneuver closer to the glaciers. Was glad that I was on the Zaandam when I heard that. The Oosterdam was on a parallel route with us, but we didn't see her when in the inlets, just in ports.