MS Zaandam|Westerdam

MS Zaandam vs Westerdam

Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.

MS Zaandam cruise ship
Barek · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

MS Zaandam

Holland America Line

Check prices on CruiseDirect
VS

Newer Ship

Westerdam

Built in 2004

4 years newer

Lower Price Per Day

MS Zaandam

$159 / day

$79 less per day

More Spacious Ship

MS Zaandam

42.9 GT per guest

Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity

MS Zaandam vs Westerdam: Quick Comparison

Westerdam is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2004, it is 4 years newer than MS Zaandam, which entered service in 2000. Westerdam is approximately 35% larger by gross tonnage at 82,862 GT. Westerdam also carries 536 more passengers. MS Zaandam has upcoming sailings in PACIFIC COAST and Mexico, while Westerdam has sailings in Asia. Based on the upcoming cruises currently displayed, MS Zaandam has the lower average starting price per day. 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

Specification comparison of MS Zaandam and Westerdam
SpecMS ZaandamWesterdam
Year Built20002004Newer
Gross Tonnage61,396 GT82,862 GT
Passenger Capacity1,4321,968
Space per Passenger42.9 GT42.1 GT
Length237 m285 m
Decks——
Cabins716—

Key Differences: MS Zaandam vs Westerdam

Age

Westerdam was built in 2004, making it 4 years newer than MS Zaandam, which was built in 2000.

Size

At 82,862 GT, Westerdam is approximately 35% larger by gross tonnage than MS Zaandam at 61,396 GT.

Passenger capacity

Westerdam carries up to 1,968 passengers compared with 1,432 aboard MS Zaandam, a difference of 536 passengers.

Passenger space

MS Zaandam offers more space per passenger: 42.9 GT per guest, compared with 42.1 aboard Westerdam. 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 Westerdam (Asia) currently cover different regions or departure ports.

Price

Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, MS Zaandam has the lower average starting price per day at $159 per day.

Compare Ports of Call

MS Zaandam

4-DAY PACIFIC COASTAL CRUISE

Departure Port
Vancouver
Region
PACIFIC COAST
Nights
4
Round Trip
No
  1. Day 1 · Oct 4, 2026Vancouver
  2. Day 2 · Oct 5, 2026San Diego

Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.

Westerdam

14-DAY FAR EAST DISCOVERY HOLIDAY

Departure Port
Hong Kong
Region
Asia
Nights
14
Round Trip
No
  1. Day 1 · Dec 20, 2026Hong Kong
  2. Day 2 · Dec 21, 2026Halong Bay
  3. Day 3 · Dec 22, 2026Da Nang
  4. Day 4 · Dec 23, 2026Phu My
  5. Day 5 · Dec 24, 2026Sihanoukville
  6. Day 6 · Dec 25, 2026Laem Chabang
  7. Day 7 · Dec 26, 2026Nathon
  8. Day 8 · Dec 27, 2026Singapore

Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.

Upcoming Cruises & Prices

MS Zaandam

Westerdam

Prices shown are starting fares and may change.

Which Ship Is Cheaper?

MS Zaandam

Average

$159 / day

VS

Westerdam

Average

$238 / day

MS Zaandam has the lower price per day among the sailings shown

$159/day vs $238/day

About $79 less per day

This comparison is based on the upcoming sailings currently shown and may not represent like-for-like itineraries.

Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.

Which Ship Should You Choose?

Choose MS Zaandam if…

  • You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
  • You value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).
  • You want to sail in PACIFIC COAST and Mexico.
  • Departing from Vancouver and San Diego works for your plans.
  • The lower price per day among the sailings currently shown matters to you.
  • You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than Westerdam.

Choose Westerdam if…

  • You prefer the newer ship.
  • You prefer the larger ship by gross tonnage.
  • You do not mind sailing on a ship with a higher passenger capacity.
  • You want to sail in Asia.
  • Departing from Hong Kong and Singapore works for your plans.

MS Zaandam vs Westerdam: Final Comparison Summary

Newer

Westerdam

Built in 2004

4 years newer

Bigger

Westerdam

82,862 GT

35% larger by gross tonnage

Lower Price Per Day

MS Zaandam

$159 / day

About $79 less per day

  • Westerdam is 4 years newer.
  • Westerdam is 35% larger by gross tonnage.
  • Westerdam carries 536 more passengers.
  • MS Zaandam offers more space per passenger (42.9 GT per guest).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is newer, MS Zaandam or Westerdam?

Westerdam is newer. It was built in 2004, while MS Zaandam was built in 2000, making Westerdam 4 years newer.

Which is bigger, MS Zaandam or Westerdam?

Westerdam is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 82,862 GT compared with MS Zaandam at 61,396 GT.

Which ship carries more passengers?

Westerdam has a passenger capacity of approximately 1,968, compared with 1,432 for MS Zaandam.

Which ship is more spacious, MS Zaandam or Westerdam?

MS Zaandam has the higher passenger space ratio at 42.9 GT per passenger, versus 42.1 for Westerdam. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.

Which ship is cheaper, MS Zaandam or Westerdam?

Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, MS Zaandam has the lower average starting price per day at $159 per day versus $238 per day. Fares vary by itinerary, departure date, cabin type and availability.

Where does MS Zaandam sail?

The upcoming MS Zaandam sailings currently listed cover PACIFIC COAST and Mexico, departing from Vancouver and San Diego.

Related Cruise Ship Comparisons

Explore Upcoming Cruises

MS Zaandam

Holland America Line

Westerdam

Holland America Line