Which Ship Is Which Class?

Hi all,

 

Can someone (I'm talking to you here, Iknick) please tell me which ship is which class? On the Forum there are many references to 'S' class, 'V' class, etc. but I don't know which is which.

 

I have a catalog with all the deck plans, but it doesn't seem to have those designations (that I could find).

 

Thanks!

 

Lane

N-Class : Noordam (retired 11/04)

 

S-Class : Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam, Veendam

 

R-Class : Rotterdam, Amsterdam

 

V-Class : Volendam, Zaandam

 

Prinsendam : Class of her own (ex. RVL Sun)

 

Vista Class : Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, (and soon-to-be Noordam)

 

Hope that this helps!

 

Steve

http://www.shipcafe.net

S = Statendam Class

Statendam, Ryndam, Maasdam, Veendam, 720' long, 1266 passengers, 55,461 tons

Statendam deck plan but a bit larger: Volendam, Zaandam, Rotterdam, Amsterdam: 62,000 ton, 1300 and 1400 passengers, 780 ft. long - extra set of elevators in center.

V= Vista Class:

Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, & Westerdam, 82,000 ton, 950' long, l846 passengers

deck plan completely different from above & cabins diff. sizes. Most of the

Statendam class ships have identical cabins in sq. ft. and layout. V class

slightly smaller cabins in each class but more verandahs on the smaller cabins.

This is an issue of some debate. I'd class them exactly the same as Steve did above, but arguably the V-class ships (VOLENDAM/ZAANDAM not Vista-class which are totally different) could be considered to be R-class ships as they really are the same, with minor differences (fewer suites, different funnel, less powerful engines).

 

The S-class and R-class/V-class seem very similar at first glance. The layout, decor, etc. is very similar so that at first glance the R-class look like longer S-class ships. They are in fact a totally different hull design and class of ship.

Steve has it correct.

 

I agree with his categorizing.

Doug et. al, I definitely know that the Rotterdam/Amsterdam are strikingly similar to the Volendam/Zaandam in terms of hull and interior design. I know that these latter two ships were originally marketed as their own newbuild category. I remember the collateral pieces that were distributed highlighting the new Volendam & Zaandam. This could be a fine line for many given how similar they are but I think that I will always see those two ships as their own unique beings . . . just myself being nit picky.

 

Any other feedback?

This is a very interesting thread.

 

What many passengers love about the S,R and V class HAL ships is the familiar deck layout. We do not get lost. For example after dinner one exits the dining room and either veers to the right to have coffee in the Explorers Lounge or goes to the left to the casino. The other alternative is to just follow on to the Show Lounge. The traffic flow is not confusing. There are many other examples of this similarity.

Any other feedback?

Not really. Aside from whether the R and V ships are the same class (personally, I could go either way) I don't think anyone could really argue with the way you classed the ships.

 

Question - aside from the Vista-class name, which I've seen in HAL literature, HAL doesn't actually seem to talk in terms of "classes" of ships, in their marketing. Is this the case internally too?

Within the industry, the classes of the ships are used heavily. . i.e., "It's an R-Class ship", etc. . . .

 

I don't really see them being used in collateral material, etc. as much. If anything, I occasionally see ships being referred to as "Statendam Class" and "Vista Class" but those are the most commonly seen.

Shipcafe is much closer to this information than the rest of us...and by the way, this is the classification system generally used in Seattle.

 

At times R and V class is merged and simply called R.

Within the industry, the classes of the ships are used heavily. . i.e., "It's an R-Class ship", etc. . . .

I assumed that it had to be. I'm just surprised that HAL does not have an official classification system.

 

I don't really see them being used in collateral material, etc. as much.

"Vista class" shows up a fair amount but otherwise I can't recall seeing HAL's marketing materials refer to "class".

 

In contrast, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, etc. (in no particular order) all do this. Mind you I don't always agree with their classifications but they do refer to "classes" of ships. HAL doesn't seem to.

 

At times R and V class is merged and simply called R.

I think most of the time it probably is. For all intents and purposes they are the same class of ship.