Help comparing Veendam, Westerdam & Zuiderdam

[wgeddings]

I am hoping someone can help me with a decision between the Westerdam and Veendam for a Thanksgiving cruise. I have been on the Zuiderdam last Thanksgiving and I assume the Zuiderdam and Westerdam are very similar since they are sister ships. I know the Veendam is smaller but I do not really know what that means in terms of things on board. It will be an inside or outside view room so the balcony/verandah things do not matter. Many other things (such as bars and size of casino) do not matter either. I am hopeful someone has been on Veendam and either Zuiderdam or Westerdam and can give me some comparison.

Here are the areas I would like to know about:

1 – theater – I live to watch movies. On the Z., it was in the Queen’s Lounge. Is it the same way on the Veendam and the Westerdam and is there a difference between the 2?

2 – Video game room – There was a big one on the outside of the main lounge (where the musicals took place) on the Z. and a smaller one near the top deck. Is it similar on the both the Veendam and Westerdam?

3 – The main dining area on Z was nice. Is it similar on the Westerdam and Veendam?

4 – The Lido Buffet was laid out in stations and had lots of choices on the Z. Is the same on the Westerdam or Veendam?

5 – Cabin sizes (remember, inside or outside view only) – did you notice any differences?

6 – Other thoughts and comparisons?

Things I do not need information about include benefits of getting a verandah cabin, kids programs, on ship programs or size and number of bars or things dealing with shore excusions. I appreciate the thought but I do not want to see the thread devolve into an argument about those things. :eek:

Thank you. :)

[csg99]

I am hoping someone can help me with a decision between the Westerdam and Veendam for a Thanksgiving cruise. I have been on the Zuiderdam last Thanksgiving and I assume the Zuiderdam and Westerdam are very similar since they are sister ships. I know the Veendam is smaller but I do not really know what that means in terms of things on board. It will be an inside or outside view room so the balcony/verandah things do not matter. Many other things (such as bars and size of casino) do not matter either. I am hopeful someone has been on Veendam and either Zuiderdam or Westerdam and can give me some comparison.

Here are the areas I would like to know about:

1 – theater – I live to watch movies. On the Z., it was in the Queen’s Lounge. Is it the same way on the Veendam and the Westerdam and is there a difference between the 2?

2 – Video game room – There was a big one on the outside of the main lounge (where the musicals took place) on the Z. and a smaller one near the top deck. Is it similar on the both the Veendam and Westerdam?

3 – The main dining area on Z was nice. Is it similar on the Westerdam and Veendam?

4 – The Lido Buffet was laid out in stations and had lots of choices on the Z. Is the same on the Westerdam or Veendam?

5 – Cabin sizes (remember, inside or outside view only) – did you notice any differences?

6 – Other thoughts and comparisons?

Things I do not need information about include benefits of getting a verandah cabin, kids programs, on ship programs or size and number of bars or things dealing with shore excusions. I appreciate the thought but I do not want to see the thread devolve into an argument about those things. :eek:

Thank you. :)

You're correct in your assumption about the Westerdam and Zuiderdam being alike. We cruised on both in '05 and they are the same, except for decor (didn't have a problem with either of them). The Veendam was our first cruise ship, so we have very fond feelings toward her! I can answer some of your questions, but the more seasoned HAL cruisers should be able to help with the rest.

1) The theater is much better on the Veendam than on the Vista ships. It has an actual theater configuration with theater-style seating, not those uncomfortable chairs in the Queen's Lounge. The sightlines are much better. And, you still get the free popcorn!

2) Sorry, can't help with the video game room.

3)Yes, the dining room on the Veendam is lovely. Laid out very similar to the Vistas, with the up/down configuration. Just not as far of a walk to get to the show lounge after dinner, luckily!:)

4) Since it's been 5 years since we were on the Veendam, I can't speak to the Lido. I seem to recall that recent cruisers have mentioned that they've added a few separate stations aside from the buffet line, but I'm sure someone will jump in with the correct info.

5)We had an outside cabin on the Veendam, which was wonderful! (it was on the lowest passenger deck, very last aft cabin, and we loved it! No noises from people passing by (because they couldn't) and the only noise we ever heard was the anchor chain, which didn't bother us at all). We had verandah cabins on the Westerdam & Zuiderdam, so I can't speak to comparisons but, again, I'm sure someone can address that.

6)My other thought is that, while we enjoyed our cruises on the Vista class ships, we both found that we prefer the smaller ships (we've also cruised on the Zaandam and Maasdam). It's all personal preference. I will say that, in our experience, every cruise has been amazing and the HAL quality has been apparent at every turn. What I love about the "smaller" ships is that they seem to have a lot more nooks and crannies that you can find to curl up in with a book, or to gaze at the view. No matter which you choose, I doubt that you'll regret it!:D

[wgeddings]

Thanks csg99, exactly the info I was looking for!

[csg99]

you're welcome!:D I will also add that the inside cabins appear to be almost identical to the outside, minus the window (but they have draperies where the window would be, with backlighting, so you can have the same effect). We had an inside when we were on the Maasdam (sister ship of Veendam). I would not hesitate to book either one. (we slept the deepest we ever had in the inside cabin--no light creeping in around the drapes in the early morning).

[CJcruzer]

We were on the Veendam last August and the Westerdam this past February - both are beautiful ships!!!

the dining room on the Veendam is beautiful (nicer decor than the Westerdam) - and the dining room service and food I would rate slightly better on the Veendam. the Lido buffets were both excellent, the Lido being larger on the Westerdam with a few more specialty stations, although the desert cakes and pies were displayed nicer on the Veendam.

Video games - can't give you advice as I did not use.

the Veendam has the Wajang theatre - which has comfy theatre style seating - free popcorn and the espresso/cookie station is located there also...On the Westerdam, the Queen's Lounge is where they show movies, didn't go since the times were not covenient for us and there was no movie that we felt we just "had to see"- we were either on shore, soaking up the Caribbean sun or at dinner!!! I've been told that the seating is not as comfortable - (we went down to have a look) -

Enjoyed the evening entertainment more on the Westerdam - it was slightly more "upbeat".

We had an outside cabin on both ships- they were comparable in size - same decor!!!

CJcruzer

[HERKIMER417]

DW and I sailed the Z in Sept of 05 and the Veendam in March of 06.

I didn't find some shops until the last day on the Z, while I was able to find everything very quickly on the V.

The bar locations seemed better for the V but the quietness of its location reflected less foot traffic was better on the Z.

We had a balcony on the Z and and inside on the V. - both were very nice size.

The one thing that drove us nuts was - while on the Z it seemed that no matter where we were - we needed to go to the opposite end of the ship. A long - long walk. Rolling in high heels drove my wife nuts.

The V didn't seem to seem to be as bad.

A smaller ship mean less people on board and less crowds disembarking

Peception or actual size - I don't know but I'd prefer to go the Veendam again.