Nieuw Statendam vs Zaadam

[aprilsp88]

Hi,

 

We're choosing between 2 sailings. Zaandam has better itinerary, but in terms stateroom, shows, nightly music suitable for dancing, , is Nieuw Statendam much better?

 

We've sailed Veendam once, itinerary, food and service are all very good, but the stateroom is very rundown and entertainment lacking especially the nightly music (the band is good, but only jazz, no other choices). Zaandam is the same class, but refurbished in 2018, does it make a difference?

 

Thanks,

April

 

[0106]

My husband insists on a balcony.  The Zaandam has no standard verandah cabins.  The cost of the suites that have a balcony is out of our usual price range.  For that reason, I would select the NS.

[DaveOKC]

After sailing on the Pinnacle class ships (the NS is one), it would be VERY hard to go back to the R or S class ships for me.  Only exception is if I was in a Neptune, then I might do it.

 

[Mary229]

I sailed both this year.  Both are in excellent shape. They are about as different as can be, Zaandam is small and cozy, you can get your steps in on the NS just walking to the dining room 3 times a day😉. The new HAL entertainment and dining options are completely available on the NS but I was quite satisfied with the Zaandam entertainment. I can’t comment on dancing options. I would happily sail either again.

 

PS. I bought an inside on the Zaandam but accepted a very nice upsell offer to a verandah/suite.  

Edited September 21, 2022 by Mary229

[Mary229]

Another thing, overall the Zaandam staterooms are larger than on the NS

[albingirl]

NS hands down.  Been on both, no comparison.  I love the Pinnacle class ships.

[aprilsp88]

34 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I sailed both this year.  Both are in excellent shape.  

Mary,

 

Is the bathroom on Zaandam also refurbished? Last 2019 we were on Veendam, in bathroom paint was peeling off, looked not clean.

 

Is there production show? The singers and dancers were excellent on Veendam, although there was no live orchestra only recorded music.

 

Thanks,

April

[Mary229]

5 minutes ago, aprilsp88 said:

Mary,

 

Is the bathroom on Zaandam also refurbished? Last 2019 we were on Veendam, in bathroom paint was peeling off, looked not clean.

 

Is there production show? The singers and dancers were excellent on Veendam, although there was no live orchestra only recorded music.

 

Thanks,

April

My rooms on each, both verandahs, were in excellent shape all around.  The bathrooms were up to date, clean and hygienic (and I am a bit of a germaphobe).  The bed, mattresses and linens were like new.  The floors were in good shape. The best part of all of the ships is the new air filtration systems which improves the overall environment more than I expected.   
 

The Zaandam does not yet have the big flat screen TV.  I do not really enjoy  cruise production shows so I can’t comment.   Also one cruise was 3 weeks and one was only a week so it wouldn’t be fair to compare the overall entertainment package. 

Edited September 21, 2022 by Mary229

[FlaMariner]

Been on both......

 

If all things are the same, we'd choose Nieuw Statendam....Some reasons that come to mind:

 

• we can afford a balcony (they are plentiful and thus affordable on NS vs Zaandam)
• bigger ships thus more stuff (music walk, Dutch Cafe, Tamarind, nicer greenhouse spa, etc....)

 

The Pinnacle Class ships are our first choice....but any 'dam ship is awesome.

 

 

[crystalspin]

1 hour ago, aprilsp88 said:

We're choosing between 2 sailings. Zaandam has better itinerary, but in terms stateroom, shows, nightly music suitable for dancing, , is Nieuw Statendam much better?

 

We've sailed Veendam once, itinerary, food and service are all very good, but the stateroom is very rundown and entertainment lacking especially the nightly music (the band is good, but only jazz, no other choices). Zaandam is the same class, but refurbished in 2018, does it make a difference?

If you sailed the Veendam, that was a smaller "S" class. Sailed twice in the (not Nieuw) Statendam with three adults in an Inside! Very roomy for an inside.

 

Have sailed three times in "R" class ships: Zaandam with three adults in an upsell Vista Suite -- VERY ROOMY! -- and once each on Zaandam and Volendam on the Lower Promenade deck (the actual Promenade walkway location) in oceanviews, steps from the largest balcony on the ship. Two of our family joined later and ended up in a nearby Inside, and it did have a loveseat and a chair. The last was 2018 and there was a sing-along piano bar in "the Mix" and a small dance band (pre-dinner) in the Ocean Bar. I believe that entertainment has been cut!!! There was at least one canned music "production" show the last night.

 

I have not sailed in a Pinnacle class ship (have three booked!), but I recently looked into some of the cabins thereon -- most of the Insides are VERY small with only a storage cube-stool at the desk for seating! Like a dorm room or smaller. But as others have noted, there are Verandahs that are not Vista Suites and are more economical.

 

In the COVID age, I would not sail without a balcony, although that is not the only reason I'm booked x3 on the Koningsdam! (Itineraries and not having to fly being the major ones.) 

[NCTribeFan]

My first HAL cruise was Zaandam circle Hawaii, over a decade ago.  I absolutely loved it!  Three women in an OV.  Had enough room even with the sofa bed made up all the time.  I was booked on Zaandam for the repo FLL-Montreal in April 2020.  That was my first Covid cancellation.

 

I sailed Koningsdam when she first arrived in Florida (Nov 2017, I think).  Took a verandah upsale on an 11-night partial Panama Canal sailing.  Honestly, I just didn't use that balcony very much.

 

I'm in an inside on Rotterdam next spring for 26 nights (including the TA with 9 straight sea days).  I'm very much looking forward to it.

 

I'd love to sail Zaandam again.  I love smaller ships.  I'm not big on the production shows.  My nightly entertainment is usually making donations to the casino.

 

I haven't met a HAL ship that I haven't loved, at this point.  Haven't been on that many, but I've really liked each one.

[Navybikermom]

I much prefer the Zaandam due to the placement of the Explorer’s Cafe. I don’t want to go all the way up to the Crow’s Nest for a cappuccino. I would really like to try the Dutch Cafe on the newer ships, but the rest of the ship isn’t radically different. Music venues are laid out a bit differently, but they still have music! I found the Explorer’s Lounge classical duo and the Ocean Bar jazz band to be my favorite places to spend time. The pipe organ in the atrium is pretty special too. 
 

Biggest drawback for me is the casino on Zaandam. They allow smoking and it’s awful. I was on a 7-day cruise earlier this month and didn’t notice any non-smoking days. I would spend way more money in it if there was no smoking. 

[RuthC]

I would always choose the Zaandam over the Nieuw Statendam, or any other Pinnacle class ship. 
Bigger doesn't necessarily make something better! 

The Zaandam has everything I want or need in a ship, and offers it in a compact form. So much easier to get around! One can actually sit in a lounger on Lower Promenade and be mesmerized by the sea. Cabins are larger in a comparable category, and you can sit on the couch/love seat and watch television! Imagine that. You don't have to get into bed to catch a TV show, if you care to watch. 
The Zaandam may not have as much variety of entertainment as the Nieuw Statendam, but it does have what I am interested in seeing, so that's enough. 

Especially if the Zaandam had the preferred itinerary I would choose that ship, but all else being equal, I still would sail on the Zaandam while I still can.  

[*Miss G*]

Both ships are beautiful in their own unique ways.  Given your preference for nightly music to dance to, I would recommend the Nieuw Statendam.  I hope you let us know which one you chose and how you enjoyed it!

[St Pete Cruiser]

Zaandam does have a lot in its favor, although it can't compete with the music walk on Nieuw Statendam.  The promenade deck with deck chairs is a big plus for me.  The interior rooms are larger, as are most of the other rooms.  Some of the old bathtubs have been replaced with new showers with glass doors. Crow's Nest has better views. Main dining room has more tables with window views.  In general, you pay more for a ship with fewer guests: Zaandam is 1400 vs Nieuw Statendam 2600.  Viking ocean ships are about the size of the Zaandam for comparison.

Nieuw Statendam is a beautiful ship.  Better theater with LED panels and stage jutting out into audience. Nicer two level center pool with more dining venues.  Better spa, too.

 

[crystalspin]

1 hour ago, RuthC said:

Bigger doesn't necessarily make something better! 

The Zaandam has everything I want or need in a ship, and offers it in a compact form. So much easier to get around! ...all else being equal, I still would sail on the Zaandam while I still can.  

THIS^^^

 

We had so much fun with my family on the Zaandam (and Volendam). It was in general very easy to find one another and esp. the last 14-day AK trip on the Z in 2018,  due to my vivacious younger sister, it seemed that the entire crew (and half of the passengers) knew us by half-way through the cruise!

 

My favorite class is actually the Vistas and I did try to go to So.Pac on the Oosterdam and then the Zuiderdam (both COVID cancelled) and also the Volendam in a Lanai. My husband liked the Nieuw Amsterdam best; I found it a little big and sterile! But keeping an open mind about the K'dam.

[MISTER 67]

IMHO the Vista and Signature class ships are the best that HAL has to offer. If I had one little beef is that I'd like to see a larger venue for Lincoln Center, taking half of the Explorers lounge hasn't worked unless you like watching and listening to classical music in a shoebox.

[Florida_gal_50]

6 hours ago, albingirl said:

NS hands down.  Been on both, no comparison.  I love the Pinnacle class ships.

Same.  I adore the pinnacle class.

[kazu]

OP, I think it really depends on what you want.  the two ships are like comparing apples to oranges (although similar in many ways).

 

I’m itinerary driven so if Zaandam had the better itinerary, that’s what I would be going with.  No question the rooms on that ship will be bigger and more space than on the Pinnacle class.  There’s a big difference.

 

I believe I read that the Zaandam was getting / had gotten the new tv’s.  I had an interest since I’m on her next September and on N Statendam in May.

 

I learned long like @RuthCthat bigger isn’t always better.  My favourite ship had the least bells and whistles - but the itineraries were fantastic, the crew amazing and while the shows were small - there were some amazing performances - Prinsendam.

So every ship offers different things to different people - if entertainment is most important then you choose the ship, is itinerary and a more personalized service is important - choose the ship.

 

do what’s right for YOU.

[CurlerRob]

5 hours ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

Zaandam does have a lot in its favor, although it can't compete with the music walk on Nieuw Statendam.  The promenade deck with deck chairs is a big plus for me.  The interior rooms are larger, as are most of the other rooms.  Some of the old bathtubs have been replaced with new showers with glass doors. Crow's Nest has better views. Main dining room has more tables with window views.  In general, you pay more for a ship with fewer guests: Zaandam is 1400 vs Nieuw Statendam 2600.  Viking ocean ships are about the size of the Zaandam for comparison.

Nieuw Statendam is a beautiful ship.  Better theater with LED panels and stage jutting out into audience. Nicer two level center pool with more dining venues.  Better spa, too.

 

 

Just FYI - Viking Ocean vessels are 930 pax max - more comparable HAL Prinsendam (for those of us who experienced her ...). 🍺🥌

[aprilsp88]

This forum is wonderful, I've read each post multiple times, very informational, some pros and cons I've never think of before. Thank you all! If you have more to add please keep it coming 🙂

 

Thanks,

April

[Bookited]

Itinerary is our first consideration when booking a cruise.  We have been on both ships and prefer the smaller class ships.  Pinnacle class ships have more public areas, but even though they have not been sailing at capacity, it seemed more crowded than smaller class ships.  On our Nieuw Statendam cruise we had a deck 4 balcony which was the smallest cabin we've ever had.  Travel companions who were in an inside cabin said theirs was much smaller than ours.  I prefer the promenade decks of the non--pinnacle class ships, but the Dutch cafe is great.  It depends on what is most important to you.