Holland America Line - ms Zaandam - Luxury Cruising at its best!

Photograph Jason McDowell - USA

Photographs on this page, except those marked otherwise, were provided by and are © Holland America Line

Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a non-commercial and privately owned cruise site and it is NOT associated with any cruise company or travel agency! Although the author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the future. Please read my statement at the bottom of the page!

ms Zaandam (2000-present) Built in 2000 as ms Zaandam by Fincantieri - Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A., Marghera (Venice), Italy for Holland America Line. Her keel was laid on 26 June 1998 and she was floated out of her building dock on 30 April 1999.

After running successful technical trials in the Adriatic, Zaandam was delivered to Holland America Line on 6 April 2000. She then crossed the Atlantic via the Adriatic and Mediterranean bound for Ft. Lauderdale, FL. y 2000. She departed on 4 Ma for her maiden voyage to the Caribbean, alternating Western and Eastern itineraries.

Essentially she is a slightly larger version of HAL’s “Statendam (S) class”: series of ships and the Zaandam, like her sisters, the ms Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Volendam has three design changes that distinguish her from that earlier class: Her aft swimming pool was moved from Navigation Deck up one level to Lido Deck, an alternate restaurant, at the time of her delivery was called the Marco Polo, which later became the famed Pinnacle Grill, and she has a mid-ship stairwell elevator bank which is by far superior. Whilst the ms Rotterdam and Amsterdam have a twin-funnel, side-by-side arrangement, but the Zaandam and Volendam both have a single funnel, however the stack is of a different and a more modern design than the “S” class funnels. Whilst the Rotterdam and Amsterdam were essentially designed for longer, world-wide cruises, the Zaandam and Volendam were designed for duties in the Caribbean, Alaska but also in Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia and around Asia. Her home ports so far have been Ft. Lauderdale and Port Canaveral, Fl, San Diego, CA and Vancouver, BC and soon Auckland and Sydney.

The basic layout of Zaandam’s public rooms are the identical to that of ms Volendam, starting the moment as you board this fine ship with the ships stunning three deck high Atrium featuring a giant 22 ft (6.7 m) high Baroque-style Dutch pipe-street organ with mechanical figures “playing” violins, drums as well as horns. The organ “performs” on sea days at 11:00 am and at 12 Noon, then again at 2:00 and 4:00 pm. As you board you will understand why this ship is known as the ship of music, for the Atrium sets the musical theme!

The Atrium and the Amsterdam Street Organ

Zaandam’s theme is throughout the ship and it is filled with items and actual pieces of music memorabilia throughout the ship, be it framed posters or genuine instruments. Zaandam sports a comprehensive collection of Rock'n'Roll memorabilia that would do credit to any Hard Rock Café and many of these items were originally acquired at a Christie’s auction in London in 1998. There is a Fender Squire Telecaster guitar, which is signed by the Mick Jagger, as well as Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood and Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, this is located in a glass display case on the Deck 4 staircase. An Ariana acoustic guitar signed by David Bowie and Iggy Pop, a Fender Stratocaster guitar signed in silver ink by the members of Queen, then there is a Bently Les Paul-style guitar signed by various artists, including Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, BB King, Robert Cray, Keith Richards and Les Paul in the hallway near the lower entrance close to the Rotterdam Dining Room. The rear wall of the Explorers Lounge has the Conn Saxophone with a mouthpiece signed by U.S. President Bill Clinton. There are two somewhat unusual piano art pieces on board that have been painted by modern Dutch artists; one by Henk van Vessem painted in a colourful abstract design located in the ship’s Lido Restaurant, the other, made to look like “shipwreck wood” is located in the Seaview Lounge located just outside the Piano Bar.

The Explorers Lounge

Explorations Lounge also features the Café, Library, and Internet Cafe

The artwork and artefacts onboard Zaandam is worth millions and that also includes the many antiques, paintings, prints and photography centered around a theme of Dutch and Holland America Line seafaring exploration and cruise travel. There are a series of black & white photos of the company’s early liners in most passenger corridors. Zaandam also exhibits works created especially for her by world-class artists and she has a collection of Egyptian artwork, including a wooden model of the third coffin of King Tutankhamen that is permanently displayed in the Art Gallery. Usually an “eye catcher” is the large reproduction of the New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Yellow Jasper”, actually a fragment of an Egyptian queen’s face that is commonly referred to as “the yellow lips” is located on the outside of the Explorers Lounge. Like all other HAL ships, great paintings of the line’s ships by Captain Stephen Card can be found in the forward stairwell, in addition some of the public rooms are decorated in a traditional Dutch colonial motif. A bronze sculpture of a group of five leaping Pacific dolphins by British artist Susanna Holt is located at Zaandam’s amidships magrodomed Lido Pool. And a pair of boldly coloured life-size ceramic cows created by Dutch artist Jackie Bouw lie contently by the ship’s aft Sea View Pool.

The Lido Pool seen with the giant sliding magrodome closed

Her main two-story show lounge is named after Dutch abstract painter Pieter Cornelis “Piet” Mondriaan. The lounge glitters with bright white, gray, and silver decor with somewhat darker furniture providing contrast, the tables feature lamps with miniature musical instruments.

The Mondrian Show Lounge

Zaandam’s trade mark the Ocean Bar attracts the pre and post-dinner cocktail crowd and her 205-seat Wajang theatre, the place for movies, meetings and presentations. The ever popular Crows Nest observation lounge has a 320-degree view for taking in port departures and arrivals. She has an Ocean Spa fitness center with a gymnasium and separate massage, sauna and steam rooms. Zaandam also has a magnificent Explorers Lounge, Java Café coffee bar, Piano Bar, a 24-seat Erasmus Library, an Internet center, shops stocked with duty-free goods, and a Casino with Casino Bar which doubles as the ship’s sports bar.

Far forward and topside is Crow’s Nest offering the finest views over the bow

Close to the Wajang Theatre, there is the wine tasting bar as well. When Holland America Cruise Line announced a U.S. $225 million program of up-scaling their cruise ships, cruise line image and passenger cruise experience called for the 'Signature of Excellence program'. This enhancement program included stateroom amenities (luxury beds and bed linens upgrades, Euro-style mattresses, waffle-weave bathrobes and Egyptian cotton towels to all cabin categories), new massage-type showerheads and professional-grade hair dryers in all bathrooms, new flat-screen LCD televisions with DVD players, make-up mirrors with halo lightning, fresh flowers and complimentary fruit baskets in all cabins, a Culinary Arts Center (inside the Wajang Theatre) presented by Food & Wine magazine, with an on-stage kitchen for gourmet cooking demonstrations and interactive classes; an Explorations Café (taking in the Erasmus Library and original internet center and adding a coffee bar); a Neptune concierge lounge for the exclusive use by Deluxe Verandah and Penthouse suite occupants; an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon offering thermal suite treatment and an excellent Fitness Center; and the ”Loft” and the “Oasis”, respectively, an interior and exterior area designed exclusively for teens (ages 13-17) Club HAL also has excelent facilities for the yunger set, a play room and other facilities! Zaandam had her new enhancements and facilities installed quite some time ago and is a wonderful ship and I hope that you will experience her in 2011 & 2012!

The Fitness Center located directly above the Bridge

Club HAL – Games Room

Club HAL – The Loft

Club HAL – The Oasis with rock pool

In addition, the ms Zaandam also has a Digital Workshop program operated by Microsoft, which offers complimentary classes led by a Microsoft-trained “techspert”. As part of the program, passengers can learn to use computers to enhance photos, produce and publish videos onto a DVD and create personal web pages or blogs. In addition, one-on-one coaching, called “Techspert Time” is available for more than 20 hours each week.

Dining.

There are a number of dinning options on ther Zaandam. 1, the magnificent two-tier Rotterdam dining room, which offers traditional first and second sitting evening meals on the upper level and Dine as you wish on the lower level. Breakfast and lunch is either a choice of a fully served meal in the Dining Room or Buffet style at the Lido Restaurant topside. The Lido buffet-style restaurant is open for Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon Tea and a more casual Dinner, and then there is the elegant alternate restaurant, the Pinnacle Grill that serving the ultimate in Pacific Northwest fare and believe me, having experienced it. It is a MUST!

There is another alternate restaurant on board, “Canaletto” that serves delicious Italian cuisine. Canaletto, is named after the famous 18th century Venetian artist, and this venue originally debuted on ms Eurodam in 2008. It comes to life for dinner nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 pm when a separate section of the ships' Lido Restaurant is transformed into a fine Italian restaurant. Canaletto's menu begins with an antipasti plate that changes nightly, followed by soup choices, salad, four pasta dishes and entrees like veal Milanese, chicken Marsala. The good news is there is no charge for this option, unlike the ultra luxury Pinnacle Grill, where there is a charge, but it is the ultimate experience! There is also a on deck BBQ and Grill during lunch located starboard forward of the Lido Pool.

The Rotterdam Restaurant

Accommodations

All Stateroom amenities include:

· Luxurious beds featuring Sealy® Premium Euro-Top mattresses and finely woven cotton linens

· Deluxe waffle weave and terry cloth bathrobes for use during your voyage

· 100% Egyptian cotton towels

· Premium massage showerheads

· 5X magnifying make-up mirrors and salon-quality hair dryers

· Fragrant soaps, lotions, shampoo and other bath amenities from Elemis Aromapure

· Complimentary fresh fruit on request

· Elegant ice bucket and serving tray for in-stateroom beverages

· Flat-panel TV and DVD player

· Ice service, shoeshine service and nightly turndown service

Therefore, regardless the grade you chose, you can be assured of a spacious room, which will be delightfully comfortable and serviced regularly and be ready for your regular evening surprisses left by your steward.

Inside Twin/Double bedded Cabin

Outside Twin/Double bedded Cabin

Verandah Twin/Double bedded cabin

De Luxe Suite

You may ask – “Why should I cruise with Holland America Line?” The fact is that this is one of the world’s leading cruise company’s and they have won more accolades than any other cruise company, and more than that they have won it for consecutive 17 years in a rom. These are just a few of the accolades given by some of the most recognosed organosation from around gthe globe!

These are some of the International awards, including the Australian AFTA Award.

“The Highest Rated Cruise Line” – Conde Nast Travellers Readers; Choice Travellers Awards; Travel & Leisure Word’s Best Awards.

“Best Overall Cruise Value” – 17 consecutive years – World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society.

“High Deluxe Five Star Rating” - World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society.

“International Five Star Diamond Award” – The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.

“Cruise Line with the Highest Client Satisfaction” – TravelAge West.

In 2010 Holland America received the following awards “Best Cruise Operator” and “World’s Leading GREEN Cruise Line.”

“Best Cruise Operator” (Internationally based) - AFTA award 2010 at the AFTA National Travel Industry Awards.

“Gold 2010 Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Environmental Protection Award” from the U.S. Coast Guard.

“World’s Leading Green Cruise Line Award” and the “Blue Circle Award” from the Port of Vancouver.

That would give you more than able ensurence of the kind of cruise experience that Holland America will provide, and I suggest that you also read my ms Volendam Cruise Review and some of the pother pages shown at the bottom of this feature, including the ms Amsterdam Ship review. Both ships are Zaandam’s sisters.

The ms Zaandam is famed for her superb multi million dollar art collection, but the art is only part of the story onboard the delightful Zaandam for you will also discover exquisite cuisine, excellent service and enticing pampering are mainstays in the Holland America cruise experience. And remember to enjoy an invigorating treatment in the greenhouse Spa & Salon. Savour a delectable feast in the Rotterdam Dining Room, which serves a magnificent five course feast that is truly delightful. And be pampered at every turn with by a staff whose commitment to excellence in service is apparent from your bar staff and dining room waiters to your room steward who will all soon know you by name. Excellence is way of life on Holland America, thus why not joiun her soon!

Book your cruise soon for the ms Zaandam is Australia bound in 2011/12

Photograph from the author’s collection

For a Holland America Line cruise brochure or for more information on their superb cruises from Australia or throughout the world, consult a cruise specialist, who is a travel professional or in Australia call Holland America Line at 1300 987 322 or visit www.hollandamerica.com.au.

-Also visit my other Holland America Pages-

Page One … “The History of Holland America Line and Today’s Modern Fleet”

1872 to 2000

Page Two … “The History of Holland America Line and Today’s Modern Fleet”

1993 to 2015

-Holland America Line Ships featured on Cruise-Australia-

ms Rotterdam - ms Volendam - ms Zaandam - ms Oosterdam & ms Nieuw Amsterdam

ms Prinsendam & ms Statendam - (A 4 page ship review)

-Cruise and Ship Reviews by the Author-

NEW - ms Oosterdam 2013 Cruise’n’Ship Review

ms Volendam Cruise Review - ms Amsterdam Ship Review

Also read our Holland America Line - Cruise News Updates - Page

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Who is the Author of Cruise-Australia & ssMaritime?

Commenced in the Passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960

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Please Note: Cruise-Australia and associated sites are a non-commercial and privately owned cruise sites. The author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the future.

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Photographs on cruise-australia.com & .net are: 1. By the author. 2. From the author’s private collection. 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are photographs provided to me without details provided regarding the photographer concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me, that due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet they either refuse to give me credit and even refuse to remove them, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show the charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due! Note: I do not credit those who send me photos as they are not the owners of the photographs concerned, unless the image is part of their private collection.

This notice covers all pages, although, I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!