October 4, 2026
4-Night PACIFIC COAST Cruise
Departing from Vancouver
From
$609
Price / day
$152
Veendam|MS Zaandam
Veendam vs MS Zaandam
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
Veendam
Holland America Line
Check prices on CruiseDirectVS
Newer Ship
MS Zaandam
Built in 2000
4 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
More Spacious Ship
MS Zaandam
42.9 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Veendam vs MS Zaandam: Quick Comparison
MS Zaandam is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2000, it is 4 years newer than Veendam, which entered service in 1996. MS Zaandam is approximately 8% larger by gross tonnage at 61,396 GT. MS Zaandam also carries 82 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 | Veendam | MS Zaandam |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 1996 | 2000Newer |
| Gross Tonnage | 57,092 GT | 61,396 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 1,350 | 1,432 |
| Space per Passenger | 42.3 GT | 42.9 GT |
| Length | 220 m | 237 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | 716 |
Key Differences: Veendam vs MS Zaandam
Age
MS Zaandam was built in 2000, making it 4 years newer than Veendam, which was built in 1996.
Size
At 61,396 GT, MS Zaandam is approximately 8% larger by gross tonnage than Veendam at 57,092 GT.
Passenger capacity
MS Zaandam carries up to 1,432 passengers compared with 1,350 aboard Veendam, a difference of 82 passengers.
Passenger space
MS Zaandam offers more space per passenger: 42.9 GT per guest, compared with 42.3 aboard Veendam. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for Veendam and MS Zaandam (PACIFIC COAST and Mexico) 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
Veendam
MS Zaandam
December 7, 2026
12-Night Mexico Cruise
Departing from San Diego
From
$1,979
Price / day
$165
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Veendam
Average
$0 / day
VS
MS Zaandam
Average
$159 / day
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose Veendam if…
- You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than MS Zaandam.
Choose MS Zaandam 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 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.
Veendam vs MS Zaandam: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
MS Zaandam
Built in 2000
4 years newer
Bigger
MS Zaandam
61,396 GT
8% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
- MS Zaandam is 4 years newer.
- MS Zaandam is 8% larger by gross tonnage.
- MS Zaandam carries 82 more passengers.
- MS Zaandam offers more space per passenger (42.9 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Veendam or MS Zaandam?
MS Zaandam is newer. It was built in 2000, while Veendam was built in 1996, making MS Zaandam 4 years newer.
Which is bigger, Veendam or MS Zaandam?
MS Zaandam is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 61,396 GT compared with Veendam at 57,092 GT.
Which ship carries more passengers?
MS Zaandam has a passenger capacity of approximately 1,432, compared with 1,350 for Veendam.
Which ship is more spacious, Veendam or MS Zaandam?
MS Zaandam has the higher passenger space ratio at 42.9 GT per passenger, versus 42.3 for Veendam. 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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Veendam
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