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Ship comparison

Volendam vs Westerdam

Holland America Line

Volendam

Cruises
49
From
$1,234

Holland America Line

Westerdam

Cruises
36
From
$769

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Volendam is a mid-size Holland America Line ship carrying 1,432 passengers, in service since 1999. Westerdam is a large Holland America Line ship carrying 1,916 passengers, in service since 2004.

Choose Westerdam if you want a more romantic trip, a lower starting fare or a newer ship: it outscores Volendam for romantic (6.5 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, its cruises start from $769 (vs $1,234) and its maiden voyage was in 2004 (vs 1999).

Volendam does not lead by a clear margin on any measure we track, so pick it for its itinerary or its dates.

Side by side

Specifications

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

VolendamWesterdam
Cruise line Holland America Line Holland America Line
Ship size Medium Large
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 1999 2004 (better)
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted 2015 2017 (better)
Gross tonnage 61,214 82,348
Passengers 1,432 1,916
Crew 615 817
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.3 2.3
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 42.7 43.0 (better)
Decks 10 11
Length 781 ft 936 ft
Beam 106 ft 106 ft
Speed 26 mph 25 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 8 / 10 9 / 10 (better)
Cruises on sale 49 36
Upcoming sailings 62 77
Cruise lengths 7 to 129 nights 7 to 49 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $1,234 $769 (better)

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Volendam leads on 0 of the ten, Westerdam on 1, with 9 level.

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

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.

Holland America Line

Westerdam

The ms Westerdam is the third in Holland America Line's series of Vista class ships. As such, it embraces the latest industry and environmental technologies such as its use of a diesel-electric power plant for optimal energy efficiency and an Azipod propulsion system. Most staterooms have ocean views and many have private verandas.

Highlights

  • Andy Warhol, Dutch classics and pre-Columbian and Ecuadorian art dazzle the senses on board.
  • Learn to cook or pick up some new techniques at America's Culinary Arts Center Program

Sailing now

36 cruises on sale, from $769.

Questions

Volendam or Westerdam?

Which is bigger, Volendam or Westerdam?

Westerdam is bigger at 82,348 gross tons, against 61,214 gross tons for Volendam. Volendam carries 1,432 passengers and Westerdam carries 1,916.

Which ship is newer, Volendam or Westerdam?

Westerdam is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2004 against 1999 for Volendam.

Which has more space per passenger?

Westerdam, with 43.0 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?

They are level, with one crew member for every 2.3 passengers.

Which is better for families?

They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 6.0 out of 10.

Still deciding?

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