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Ship Details
Began service: January, 2000
Guest capacity: 1,440
Total staff: 647
Length: 780 feet
Passenger decks: 10
CDC
inspection score: 96
Zaandam Overview
The Zaandam cruise ship departs from Fort Lauderdale,
FL, Seattle, WA, and Anchorage, AL. Throughout the year, she offers
ocean cruises to Alaska, Caribbean, and Panama
Canal.
Check Dates &
Prices for cruises to Alaska, Caribbean, and
Panama Canal.
A sister to the Volendam, the new Zaandam
rocks with a stylish and lively decor that boasts a musical
theme. The Zaandam embodies a graciousness that
recalls the early days of sailing: a classic ship with
modern comforts -- and a vessel that continues the Holland
America tradition of excellence. A moderately-priced
cruise, the Zaandam features free extras such
as cappuccinos and espressos in the Java Cafe,
popcorn at the Wajang Theater, and a
souvenir canvas bag.
Cabins
Staterooms are among the roomiest afloat. Those
who wish to splurge, may opt for one of the 28 suites
measuring 563 sq ft. They are appointed with a king-size
bed, whirlpool bath, dressing area and verandah, plus
some suite extras including complimentary personalized
stationery, afternoon hors d'oeuvres, free dry cleaning
and disembarkation at leisure. Verandah mini-suites,
168 of them, are 284 sq ft. and boast queen-size bed,
whirlpool bath, sitting area, VCR, mini-bar and refrigerator.
The large outside doubles, Categories
C through H, are a good value. They are 197 sq ft. with
convertible queen-size bed, bathtub/shower, TV, music
system and phone. Cabins on Lower Promenade
are next to the wraparound deck that may be frequented
by walkers early in the morning and some have partial
sea views.
Dining
There are tables for two, four, six and eight in
the two-level Rotterdam Dining Room.
The restaurant features good food, sea views and romantic
lighting. Menus are among the most extensive at sea featuring
six appetizers, two soups, two salads and six entrees
for dinner. Vegetarian and low-fat selections are available.
Service is attentive and friendly.
Zaandam now features the Pinnacle Grill
as its alternative restaurant. The cozy and intimate restaurant
features Northwest-inspired cuisine. |
For casual meals, the buffet-style Lido Restaurant,
is a popular place for breakfast and lunch.
Other dining treats include free hors d'oeuvres in the cocktail lounges
every evening and a Royal Dutch High Tea, featuring sandwiches, petit
fours, cookies and cakes to the sounds of string quartet . An expanded
room service menu includes such favorites as shrimp cocktail, sauteed
sirloin minute steak, salmon steak, grilled chicken breast, chocolate
cake and warm apple pie. A mid-afternoon order came within a half
hour.
Entertainment
The main lounge presents variety shows, a Broadway revue, and a high-energy
production. Other entertainment includes a "specta-crew-lar"
show presented by the ship's own staff, featuring folkloric songs
and dances. The evening lineup also includes a harpist in the Explorer's
Lounge and a quartet in the Ocean Bar. The
casinos feature an array of slots and five tables
for blackjack, two for Caribbean Stud Poker, one for roulette and
one for dice. The Wajang Theater presents first-run
films every afternoon and evening. Live sports broadcasts can be viewed
in the Casino Bar. And for those who don't want to
call it a night, the party goes on in the Crow's Nest
disco until the wee hours.
Fitness & Recreation
An expanded Ocean Spa features six treatment
rooms with private shower. Two of the six rooms accommodate wet treatments
such as hydrotherapy baths, seaweed wraps and mud. The Ocean-View
Gym has 11 treadmills, eight bikes, and an assortment of
stairsteppers, rowing machines, Cybex weight training machines and
free weights; aerobics area; dual sauna/steam rooms and a jogging
track one deck above (10 laps equal one mile). The wraparound deck
on Lower Promenade is available
to walkers (3.5 laps equal one mile).
Deck space is ample with plenty of chaises lining the outdoor pool
and the main pool, covered by a retractable dome. Other facilities
include two whirlpools, tennis/volleyball courts, ping-pong and shuffleboard.
Public Areas
The three-level atrium
boasts an impressive 22-ft.-high Dutch pipe organ with mechanical
sculptures. It is connected to a Yamaha player piano for numbers for
piano and orchestra. The 110-seat Ocean Bar is one
of the most popular passenger hubs, located amidships, near the showroom.
It offers sea views by day and music by a quartet in the evenings
- some tables spill onto the atrium and are great for people watching.
The 89-seat Explorer's Lounge is a quieter venue
with a harpist, after-dinner drinks, and chocolates.
Favorites for pre-dinner cocktails are the Piano Bar
and Sea View Lounge. A wonderful spot to toast the
sunset is the Crow's Nest Lounge, the ship's observation
lounge with panoramic views on three sides.
Other public spaces include a well-stocked Ocean View Library
with comfortable chairs and ottomans, an inlaid marble table, and
writing tables; an Internet Center (eight terminals;
open 24-hours, basic charge is 75 cents a minute).
Kids
Kids are kept busy with supervised
Club HAL crafts, parties, and games for three age
groups 5-8, 9-12 and 13-17. Children's menus are available. Baby-sitting
is available on request for $7 per child, per hour.
Expert Zaandam reviews are edited by Michelle, and provided by Ian and Cruise Critic.com,
an award-winning cruise community. This objective information can
help you choose just the right ship for your next cruise vacation.
Check Dates & Prices
for cruises to Alaska, Caribbean, and Panama
Canal.
Zaandam cruise reviews
Cruise
Ship Inspection Report
All passenger cruise ships arriving at US ports are subject to unannounced
CDC inspection. Zaandam Score:
96
Cruise
Critic: Zaandam
The Cruise Critic gives Holland America's Zaandam a 3+-ribbon
rating.
Web links
Holland
America Cruises
Request a brochure, or find a travel agent who represents Holland
America Cruises at the company's official Web site.
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