Holland America Line
Rotterdam
- Cruises
- 141
- From
- $799
Ship comparison
Rotterdam vs Sapphire Princess
Princess Cruises
Sapphire Princess
- Cruises
- 107
- From
- $228
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Rotterdam is a large Holland America Line ship carrying 2,668 passengers, in service since 2021. Sapphire Princess is a large Princess Cruises ship carrying 2,670 passengers, in service since 2004.
Choose Rotterdam if you want a newer ship, better-rated dining or more adventure and nature: it outscores Sapphire Princess for dining (9.0 vs 7.0) and adventure & nature (6.0 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2021 (vs 2004).
Choose Sapphire Princess if you want more culture, a lower starting fare or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Rotterdam for cultural (8.0 vs 4.0) and family friendly (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $228 (vs $799).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Rotterdam | Sapphire Princess | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Holland America Line | Princess Cruises |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2021 (better) | 2004 |
| Gross tonnage | 99,500 | 115,875 |
| Passengers | 2,668 | 2,670 |
| Crew | 1,025 | 1,238 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.6 | 2.2 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 37.3 | 43.4 (better) |
| Decks | 12 | 13 |
| Length | 984 ft | 952 ft |
| Beam | 115 ft | 121 ft |
| Speed | — | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 10 / 10 (better) | 8 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 141 | 107 |
| Upcoming sailings | 185 | 113 |
| Cruise lengths | 7–27 nights | 2–42 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $799 | $228 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Rotterdam leads on 4 of the ten, Sapphire Princess on 5, with 1 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Holland America Line
Rotterdam
Holland America Line's grand, inviting Rotterdam is more than a sister to Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, part of its Pinnacle class of ships. After its launch in July 2021, Rotterdam is now the august cruise line's flagship.
Sailing now
141 cruises on sale, from $799.
Princess Cruises
Sapphire Princess
Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises is the perfect ship for sightseeing, featuring more than 700 balconies from which passengers can step out and enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze.
Highlights
- Cooking demonstrations and photography classes via ScholarShip@Sea
- Rest and relaxation in the Lotus Spa
Sailing now
107 cruises on sale, from $228.
Questions
Rotterdam or Sapphire Princess?
Which is bigger, Rotterdam or Sapphire Princess?
Sapphire Princess is bigger at 115,875 gross tons, against 99,500 gross tons for Rotterdam. Rotterdam carries 2,668 passengers and Sapphire Princess carries 2,670.
Which ship is newer, Rotterdam or Sapphire Princess?
Rotterdam is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2021 against 2004 for Sapphire Princess.
Which has more space per passenger?
Sapphire Princess, with 43.4 gross tons per passenger against 37.3 on Rotterdam. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Sapphire Princess, with one crew member for every 2.2 passengers against one for every 2.6 on Rotterdam.
Which is better for families?
Sapphire Princess scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 6.0 for Rotterdam.
Still deciding?
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