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 Fincantieri in Marghera, Italy and delivered in 2000. Zaandam is part of the Rotterdam class and a sister ship to Volendam, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam.

Design and description

The ship has a gross tonnage (GT) of 61,396, a net tonnage (NT) of 31,224 and measures 7,321 tons deadweight (DWT). The ship is 237.7 metres (780 ft) long with a beam of 32.4 metres (106 ft 5 in) and a draught of 8.3 metres (27 ft 1 in). As built the vessel had a GT of 60,906 and DWT 6,150. As built Zaandam was 237 metres (777 ft 7 in) long overall and 202.8 metres (665 ft 4 in) between perpendiculars with a beam of 32.3 metres (106 ft 0 in).

The vessel is powered by a diesel-electric system turning two propeller shafts creating 37,500 kilowatts (50,300 hp). This gives Zaandam a maximum speed of 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph). The vessel can accommodate 1,432 passengers and 607 crew. The 716 cabins range in size from in size from 10.5–104.6 m² (113–1,126 sq ft), of which 197 have a balcony. Zaandam has a musical theme, and is decorated with artefacts and memorabilia from different musical genres, such as a Baroque-style Dutch pipe organ and guitars signed by the Rolling Stones, Carlos Santana and Queen. One of the centre stairways has a saxophone signed by former United States President Bill Clinton on the mouthpiece.

Construction and career

The cruise ship was constructed by Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiana SpA at Marghera, Italy with the yard number 6036 and the keel was laid down on 26 June 1998. The vessel was launched on 29 April 1999 and completed on 6 April 2000. Zaandam was christened by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in May 2000. The ship is registered in the Netherlands and owned and operated by the Holland America Line.

Zaandam currently sails through Canada and New England during the summer and during the winter sails Mexico and Hawaii. In December and January, Zaandam cruises the Antarctic and South America.