Rotterdam vs Zaandam

[Toad]

Do you prefer one ship over the other? We have been on both the Zaandam and the Volendam and enjoyed them, so just wondering how the Rotterdam may differ. It seems a bit smaller, is this noticable? Being the companies "Flagship", is it better appointed? Thouts please. We have booked both a suite and a minisuite. My parents will be joining us on the Sunfarer Cruise. All thoughts and ideas for excursions etc. would be appreciated.

[sail7seas]

No....the small size difference is not discernible. You would not even notice when aboard IMO

 

 

The major difference between Volendam and Zaandam to Rotterdam is that Aft Pool is on Lido Deck for Volendam/Zaandam but on the Rotterdam, it is on Navigation which I personally prefer.

 

Rotterdam was built as a magnificent, elegant world cruiser and looks it. She is a very beautiful ship IMO......but that is not to say that I don't really, really like both Zaandam and Volendam as well. We've had some wonderful cruises on Zaandam and would sail her again happily.

[dougnewmanatsea]

The size difference is really negligible. It basically is the result of that pool having been moved a deck higher on the newer ships, creating more enclosed space and thus a higher gross tonnage.

 

On paper the only other difference is that ROTTERDAM has more suites. She also has more powerful engines and so is faster but that's a behind-the-scenes difference.

 

I've not been on either so I can't say what the intangible differences are but they should certainly be very similar. In fact all the STATENDAM-class and ROTTERDAM-class ships (a total of eight in all) are the same basic internal design, even if two completely different hull designs and myriad other little variations from one to the next.

[doone]

I have been on both the Rotterdam and the Volendam. There are very subtle differences between the two. If you enjoyed the Volendam, you certainly will enjoy the Rotterdam. The Rotterdam is a tad bit smaller than the Volendam, hardly noticeable.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been on the Rotterdam once and the Zaandam 5 times. We loved both ships.

 

There is hardly any difference between except for the location of the aft pool and more suites.

 

The Crow's Nest, Ocean Bar, Explorer's Lounge, dining room, show room, boutiques - all have just about the same layout and are located in the same areas.

[sail7seas]

Ocean Bar, Explorer's Lounge, Casino, Shops, Crownest etc are ALL in the same locations on ALL the ships prior to Vista (except, of course, for Noordam and Prinsendam).

 

 

If you are familiar with one of the ships, you will find your way around all of them easily.

[balanceok]

We've sailed both ships this year and found both to be very nice. The key physical differences have been covered above.

 

I will say that we felt the food was better on the Rotterdam, but those new beds on the Zaandam are great. I suspect the Rotterdam has or will have these new beds soon. I understand they are part of a system wide upgrade.

 

:)