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Ship comparison

Viking Star vs Volendam

Holland America Line

Volendam

Cruises
49
From
$1,234

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Viking Star is a mid-size Viking Ocean Cruises ship carrying 930 passengers, in service since 2015. Volendam is a mid-size Holland America Line ship carrying 1,432 passengers, in service since 1999.

Choose Viking Star if you want a more active cruise, a more romantic trip or a newer ship: it outscores Volendam for active (7.0 vs 4.0) and romantic (7.5 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2015 (vs 1999).

Choose Volendam if you want a lower starting fare, a more family-friendly ship or better-rated entertainment: it outscores Viking Star for family friendly (6.0 vs 4.0) and entertainment (7.1 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $1,234 (vs $2,599).

Side by side

Specifications

marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.

Viking StarVolendam
Cruise line Viking Ocean Cruises Holland America Line
Ship size Medium Medium
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2015 (better) 1999
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted — 2015
Gross tonnage 47,800 61,214
Passengers 930 1,432
Crew 465 615
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.0 (better) 2.3
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 51.4 (better) 42.7
Decks 14 10
Length 745 ft 781 ft
Beam 95 ft 106 ft
Speed 23 mph 26 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 10 / 10 (better) 8 / 10
Cruises on sale 59 49
Upcoming sailings 115 62
Cruise lengths 7 to 21 nights 7 to 129 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $2,599 $1,234 (better)

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Viking Star leads on 3 of the ten, Volendam on 4, with 3 level.

  • Active Viking Star: 7.0 Volendam: 4.0
  • Adventure & nature Viking Star: 5.0 Volendam: 5.0
  • Cultural Viking Star: 7.0 Volendam: 7.0
  • Dining Viking Star: 6.0 Volendam: 6.5
  • Entertainment Viking Star: 6.0 Volendam: 7.1
  • Family friendly Viking Star: 4.0 Volendam: 6.0
  • Party Viking Star: 4.0 Volendam: 3.0
  • Romantic Viking Star: 7.5 Volendam: 5.0
  • Spa & fitness Viking Star: 8.0 Volendam: 8.0
  • Staterooms Viking Star: 7.0 Volendam: 8.0

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking Star

Stylish, spry and quite the looker, the first ocean ship from Viking Ocean Cruises gives off the vibe of a different kind of cruise ship. Yes, like its river ship cousins, Viking Star places a big emphasis on place, with itineraries jam-packed with drool-worthy destinations and intriguing shore excursions.

Highlights

  • Understated elegance and modern Scandinavian design
  • Two pool choices featuring a main pool with a retractable dome and a glass-backed infinity pool
  • Top-flight shore excursions to fascinating destinations (included in your fare)
  • Attentive, courteous and genuinely friendly service from the crew.

Sailing now

59 cruises on sale, from $2,599.

Holland America Line

Volendam

Volendam is a comfortable medium-sized cruise ship from Holland America Line with about 1,400 passengers and an uncrowded feel.

Highlights

  • Pick a Pacific Ocean voyage and visit such Oceania, ALaska and Down Under!
  • Art deco decor delights in the main show lounge!
  • Dutch floral focus is a treasured theme on the Volendam, with artwork, fabric and fresh flowers in abundance throughout the ship.

Sailing now

49 cruises on sale, from $1,234.

Questions

Viking Star or Volendam?

Which is bigger, Viking Star or Volendam?

Volendam is bigger at 61,214 gross tons, against 47,800 gross tons for Viking Star. Viking Star carries 930 passengers and Volendam carries 1,432.

Which ship is newer, Viking Star or Volendam?

Viking Star is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2015 against 1999 for Volendam.

Which has more space per passenger?

Viking Star, with 51.4 gross tons per passenger against 42.7 on Volendam. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Viking Star, with one crew member for every 2.0 passengers against one for every 2.3 on Volendam.

Which is better for families?

Volendam scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 6.0 out of 10, against 4.0 for Viking Star.

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