Leaves in 19 days$2,919/person$182/night
View Deal →Emerald Princess vs Zaandam
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Emerald Princess is the significantly larger vessel at 113,561 GT, 80% more than Zaandam's 63,000 GT. Zaandam offers more personal space with a space ratio of 44.0 GT per passenger versus 36.9. Built in 2007, Emerald Princess is 7 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 5 – 2
Quick Compare
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Category
Emerald Princess
Zaandam
Size
113,561 GT
63,000 GT
Passengers
3,080
1,432
Year Built
2007
2000
Crew Ratio
1:2.8
1:2.3
Space Ratio
36.9
44.0
Decks
—
—
Length
290m
238m
From Price
$1,349/pp
$329/pp
Comparison Verdict
Emerald Princess is the significantly larger vessel at 113,561 GT, 80% more than Zaandam's 63,000 GT. Zaandam offers more personal space with a space ratio of 44.0 GT per passenger versus 36.9. Built in 2007, Emerald Princess is 7 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Emerald Princess |
| Capacity | Emerald Princess |
| Modernity | Emerald Princess |
| Service | Zaandam |
| Spaciousness | Zaandam |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Emerald Princess |
| Fleet Power | Emerald Princess |
Bottom line: Emerald Princess leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Emerald Princess for overall superiority; pick Zaandam if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Emerald Princess if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2007, 7yr newer)
- Size matters to you (113,561 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,080 guests)
Choose Zaandam if...
- Better service ratio (2.3:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (44.0 GT/pax)
- Save $1,020/person on sailings
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We compute scores across 8 categories using real spec data: gross tonnage, passenger capacity, crew capacity, year built, length, deck count, space ratio, and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship.
What is the space ratio and why does it matter?
Space ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity. A higher number means more space per guest. Luxury lines typically score above 40; mass-market ships often fall in the 30-40 range.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
Passengers per crew member. Lower is better, more staff per guest means better service. Luxury lines aim below 2:1; large mainstream ships may be 3-4:1.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices are sourced from Cruisebound and reflect real-time availability. They may change based on cabin type, date, and demand. Click through to see the latest fares.
Can I compare more than two ships?
Yes, up to four ships. Use the search tool on the compare hub page to add additional ships.
How current is the ship data?
Specifications come from our database of 380+ vessels, revalidated every 5 minutes via ISR. The "Updated" timestamp shows when records were last modified.
