October 4, 2026
4-Night PACIFIC COAST Cruise
Departing from Vancouver
From
$609
Price / day
$152
MS Zaandam|Rotterdam Retired
MS Zaandam vs Rotterdam Retired
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
VS
Newer Ship
MS Zaandam
Built in 2000
3 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
More Spacious Ship
Rotterdam Retired
47.1 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
MS Zaandam vs Rotterdam Retired: Quick Comparison
MS Zaandam is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2000, it is 3 years newer than Rotterdam Retired, which entered service in 1997. Rotterdam Retired is approximately 1% larger by gross tonnage at 62,000 GT. MS Zaandam also carries 116 more passengers. MS Zaandam has upcoming sailings in PACIFIC COAST and Mexico. The sailings shown cover different itineraries, so the price per day figures are not a like-for-like comparison. Cruise fares vary significantly by itinerary, departure date and cabin availability, so any price difference should be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent gap.
Ship Comparison
| Spec | MS Zaandam | Rotterdam Retired |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 2000Newer | 1997 |
| Gross Tonnage | 61,396 GT | 62,000 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 1,432 | 1,316 |
| Space per Passenger | 42.9 GT | 47.1 GT |
| Length | 237 m | 237.5 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | 716 | — |
Key Differences: MS Zaandam vs Rotterdam Retired
Age
MS Zaandam was built in 2000, making it 3 years newer than Rotterdam Retired, which was built in 1997.
Size
At 62,000 GT, Rotterdam Retired is approximately 1% larger by gross tonnage than MS Zaandam at 61,396 GT.
Passenger capacity
MS Zaandam carries up to 1,432 passengers compared with 1,316 aboard Rotterdam Retired, a difference of 116 passengers.
Passenger space
Rotterdam Retired offers more space per passenger: 47.1 GT per guest, compared with 42.9 aboard MS Zaandam. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for MS Zaandam (PACIFIC COAST and Mexico) and Rotterdam Retired currently cover different regions or departure ports.
Compare Ports of Call
MS Zaandam
4-DAY PACIFIC COASTAL CRUISE
- Departure Port
- Vancouver
- Region
- PACIFIC COAST
- Nights
- 4
- Round Trip
- No
- Day 1 · Oct 4, 2026Vancouver
- Day 2 · Oct 5, 2026San Diego
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Upcoming Cruises & Prices
MS Zaandam
December 7, 2026
12-Night Mexico Cruise
Departing from San Diego
From
$1,979
Price / day
$165
Rotterdam Retired
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
MS Zaandam
Average
$159 / day
VS
Rotterdam Retired
Average
$0 / day
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose MS Zaandam if…
- You prefer the newer ship.
- You do not mind sailing on a ship with a higher passenger capacity.
- You want to sail in PACIFIC COAST and Mexico.
- Departing from Vancouver and San Diego works for your plans.
Choose Rotterdam Retired if…
- You prefer the larger ship by gross tonnage.
- You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
- You value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than MS Zaandam.
MS Zaandam vs Rotterdam Retired: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
MS Zaandam
Built in 2000
3 years newer
Bigger
Rotterdam Retired
62,000 GT
1% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
- MS Zaandam is 3 years newer.
- Rotterdam Retired is 1% larger by gross tonnage.
- MS Zaandam carries 116 more passengers.
- Rotterdam Retired offers more space per passenger (47.1 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, MS Zaandam or Rotterdam Retired?
MS Zaandam is newer. It was built in 2000, while Rotterdam Retired was built in 1997, making MS Zaandam 3 years newer.
Which is bigger, MS Zaandam or Rotterdam Retired?
Rotterdam Retired is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 62,000 GT compared with MS Zaandam at 61,396 GT.
Which ship carries more passengers?
MS Zaandam has a passenger capacity of approximately 1,432, compared with 1,316 for Rotterdam Retired.
Which ship is more spacious, MS Zaandam or Rotterdam Retired?
Rotterdam Retired has the higher passenger space ratio at 47.1 GT per passenger, versus 42.9 for MS Zaandam. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.
Where does MS Zaandam sail?
The upcoming MS Zaandam sailings currently listed cover PACIFIC COAST and Mexico, departing from Vancouver and San Diego.
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