$379/person$54/night
View DealShip comparison
Norwegian Encore vs Zaandam
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Norwegian Encore wins 6 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Norwegian Encore
Zaandam
Size
169,116 GT
63,000 GT
Passengers
3,998
1,432
Year built
2019
2000
Crew ratio
2.3 guests per crew
2.3 guests per crew
Space ratio
42.3 GT per guest
44.0 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
333 m
238 m
From price
$379 pp
$1,249 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Encore is the significantly larger vessel at 169,116 GT, 168% more than Zaandam's 63,000 GT. Built in 2019, Norwegian Encore is 19 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Encore accommodates 2,566 more guests (3,998 vs 1,432), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Zaandam trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Encore |
| Capacity | Norwegian Encore |
| Modernity | Norwegian Encore |
| Service | Norwegian Encore |
| Spaciousness | Zaandam |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Norwegian Encore |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Encore |
Bottom line: Norwegian Encore leads 6–1 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Encore for overall superiority; pick Zaandam if its strengths matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Encore if
- You want the newer ship (built 2019, 19 years newer)
- Size matters to you (169,116 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,998 guests)
- More crew per guest (2.3 guests per crew)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Norwegian Encore | Zaandam |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $379 pp | $1,249 pp |
| Per night | $54 pp | $104 pp |
| Departing | Nov 1 | Dec 7 |
| Duration | 7 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.
