Ship comparison
Noordam vs Zaandam
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Noordam wins 5 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Noordam
Zaandam
Size
82,318 GT
63,000 GT
Passengers
1,918
1,432
Year built
2006
2000
Crew ratio
2.4 guests per crew
2.3 guests per crew
Space ratio
42.9 GT per guest
44.0 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
285 m
238 m
From price
$2,299 pp
$1,249 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Noordam is the significantly larger vessel at 82,318 GT, 31% more than Zaandam's 63,000 GT. Built in 2006, Noordam is 6 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design. Noordam accommodates 486 more guests (1,918 vs 1,432), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Zaandam trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Noordam |
| Capacity | Noordam |
| Modernity | Noordam |
| Service | Zaandam |
| Spaciousness | Zaandam |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Noordam |
| Fleet Power | Noordam |
Bottom line: Noordam leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Noordam for overall superiority; pick Zaandam if its strengths matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Noordam if
- You want the newer ship (built 2006, 6 years newer)
- Size matters to you (82,318 GT)
- More onboard variety (1,918 guests)
Choose Zaandam if
- More crew per guest (2.3 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (44.0 GT per guest)
- Lower fares per night (from $104 per person per night)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Noordam | Zaandam |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $2,299 pp | $1,249 pp |
| Per night | $164 pp | $104 pp |
| Departing | Feb 28 | Dec 7 |
| Duration | 14 nights | 12 nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We score 8 categories from spec data: size, capacity, modernity, service, spaciousness, decks, length and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship. A category where either ship has no data is marked No data and left out of the score.
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, and mass-market ships often fall between 30 and 40.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
It is the number of guests for each crew member, shown as "3.0 guests per crew". Lower is better: more staff per guest usually means more attentive service. Luxury lines aim for fewer than 2 guests per crew, and large mainstream ships often carry 3 to 4.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices come from Cruisebound and are per person for the sailing shown. They change with cabin type, date and demand, so open the sailing to see the current fare.
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+ ships, and this page refreshes daily. An "Updated" date appears at the top when either ship's record changed in the last 30 days.
