Ship comparison
Vasco da Gama vs Zaandam
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Zaandam wins 7 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Vasco da Gama
Zaandam
Size
55,877 GT
63,000 GT
Passengers
1,400
1,432
Year built
1993
2000
Crew ratio
2.5 guests per crew
2.3 guests per crew
Space ratio
39.9 GT per guest
44.0 GT per guest
Decks
10
No data
Length
219 m
238 m
From price
No data
$1,249 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Zaandam is the larger vessel at 63,000 GT, 13% more than Vasco da Gama's 55,877 GT. Zaandam offers more personal space with a space ratio of 44.0 GT per passenger versus 39.9. Built in 2000, Zaandam is 7 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Zaandam |
| Capacity | Zaandam |
| Modernity | Zaandam |
| Service | Zaandam |
| Spaciousness | Zaandam |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Zaandam |
| Fleet Power | Zaandam |
Bottom line: Zaandam leads 7–0 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Zaandam for overall superiority; pick Vasco da Gama if its strengths matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Zaandam if
- You want the newer ship (built 2000, 7 years newer)
- Size matters to you (63,000 GT)
- More onboard variety (1,432 guests)
- More crew per guest (2.3 guests per crew)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Vasco da Gama | Zaandam |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | No sailings | $1,249 pp |
| Per night | No data | $104 pp |
| Departing | No data | Dec 7 |
| Duration | No data | 12 nights |
| View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
Go deeper
Deep Dive
Sailings
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Zaandam
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.
