MS Zaandam is a cruise ship owned and operated by Holland America Line, named for the city of Zaandam, Netherlands near Amsterdam. She was built by Italy’s Fincantieri in Venice, and delivered in 2000. Zaandam is part of the Rotterdam class (R class) and a sister ship to MS Volendam, MS Rotterdam, and MS Amsterdam.

Design

Zaandam has a musical theme and is decorated with artifacts and memorabilia from different musical genres. Items such as a Baroque-style Dutch pipe organ and guitars signed by the Rolling Stones, Carlos Santana and Queen can be seen.

One of the aft stairways also has a saxophone signed by former United States President Bill Clinton.

Name

Several earlier vessels also bear the name Zaandam: A single-funnel steam ship known as SS Zaandam (1882–1897) and MV Zaandam (1939–1942). The latter was torpedoed by the German submarine U-174 and sank.

History

MS Zaandam was christened by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, in May 2000.

Cruises

Zaandam currently sails out of Alaska during the summer and during the winter sails Mexico and Hawaii. In December and January, the Zaandam cruises the Antarctic and South America.