MS Zaandam: Elegance at sea, culture with every wave

Step into a world where refinement, comfort, and culture blend with the vast blue: the MS Zaandam by Holland America Line, launched in 2000 and refurbished in February 2025, offers an exceptional cruise experience. With redesigned spaces, modernized amenities, and a unique musical ambiance, the MS Zaandam invites guests on an elegant and intimate journey, perfect for authentic experiences and cherished moments.

Life & comfort on board: A marine way of living

Cabins & suites: Havens of serenity

On board the MS Zaandam, the cabins are a peaceful, elegant cocoon of calm and elegance. Interior rooms or ocean-view cabins feature Mariner Dream™ bedding, Euro Top mattresses, bathrooms with rain or whirlpool showers, luxurious robes, Elemis Aromapure products, and 24-hour room service. Vista and Neptune suites add panoramic light, private verandas, spacious relaxation areas, and exclusive privileges for an elevated and truly enhanced stay.

Shared spaces: Socializing & artistic relaxation

The lounges, bars, and common areas on the MS Zaandam exude refined conviviality. Always inspired by music, the décor shows items linked to famous, legendary, and iconic music icons: signed guitars, a baroque organ, and warm, cozy, inviting spaces. After the 2025 update, the Neptune Lounge for Pinnacle and Neptune suites got new floors, stylish furniture, and a friendly, welcoming, and elegant feel. All around the ship, the spaces mix style, art, comfort, charm, and sophistication naturally.

Terraces & outdoor spaces: Contemplation and freedom

On the sun deck, the MS Zaandam offers open spaces to admire the horizon, a swimming pool, loungers, and terraces on both port and starboard sides. The Lido Deck provides a bright retreat where the sea breeze caresses the skin and morning and evening panoramas become visual poems. For those who enjoy calm or meditation, these outdoor areas offer timeless, suspended moments of serenity.

Cuisine & pleasures on board the MS Zaandam

Refined dining: Gastronomy at every port

The restaurants on the MS Zaandam combine wide, bright, airy, and panoramic views with high-quality cuisine. The main Dining Room offers multi-course meals in an elegant, cozy, and stylish setting for breakfast, lunch, or a carefully prepared dinner. The Pinnacle Grill adds a prestigious steakhouse touch, Canaletto serves authentic Italian cuisine, while Morimoto by Sea delights with subtle, fresh, and creative dishes.

A lively & convivial culinary journey

On the MS Zaandam, every meal is part of the fun, warm, lively, and engaging journey: by the pool at the Lido Market, or around varied buffets with fresh, local, tasty, and seasonal ingredients inspired by the regions visited. 24-hour room service allows guests to enjoy a quiet breakfast or a late-night snack in their cabin. Menu variety follows the ports of call, offering the chance to taste local influences while keeping the signature elegance of Holland America.

Bars & lounges: Evenings, music & cocktails

The bars on the MS Zaandam invite guests to soft, calm, warm, and lively evenings, depending on mood and preference. Quiet jazz in the atrium bar, signature cocktails on the terrace, live music, or lounge vibes, every moment becomes a chance for refined, cozy, fun, and elegant relaxation or celebration, perfect for socializing. Subtle lighting, fine materials, and the ever-present musical atmosphere create a warm, elegant, and truly tasteful, inviting ambiance.

Ports & experiences: Discoveries and cherished moments

Urban journeys & cultural immersion

Each port of call on the MS Zaandam becomes a unique and exciting gateway to authenticity and exploration. Historic cities with charming streets, colorful, lively, bustling, and fragrant markets, inspiring museums, and folk art create memorable, engaging, and one-of-a-kind experiences. With passionate local guides, traditions, legends, and heritage come to life, turning each stop into a cultural journey that is both deep and truly enriching.

Moments of calm on board: Relaxation & well-being

After a day of exploration, the MS Zaandam invites guests to complete relaxation at its recently renovated Greenhouse Spa & Salon. Infrared sauna, soothing caldarium, sensory rain showers, elegant relaxation lounges, and a full range of treatments, manicures, and pedicures create a calm, serene, and welcoming wellness sanctuary. These spaces, designed to comfort both body and mind, offer a soft, gentle, and peaceful atmosphere, perfect for recharging while at sea.

Elegant entertainment & refined evenings

As night falls, the MS Zaandam offers elegant, tasteful, balanced, lively, rich, and varied entertainment that delights and engages with its richness and variety. Quality musical shows, original art classes (painting, origami, crochet…), live concerts in the lounges, or social moments in cafés and game areas—each evening maintains an intimate, inspiring, and subtly memorable atmosphere.

MS Zaandam itineraries & panoramas: Varied horizons, vibrant light

Grand landscapes: From the Amazon to the glaciers

The MS Zaandam explores fascinating and captivating regions where natural diversity is displayed in all its splendor. From the lush forests of the Amazon to the legendary Panama Canal, from sun-drenched Mexican coasts to the majestic landscapes of Alaska, each route offers a unique and unforgettable spectacle. Tropical jungles, dense forests, snowy peaks, and northern expanses form a mosaic of breathtaking and inspiring panoramas.

Local immersion at each port

Every port of call on board the MS Zaandam becomes an invitation to explore the cultural richness of the destinations. Tasting local flavors, meeting passionate artisans, discovering traditional crafts, or interacting with residents provides authentic moments. Whether at a lively market, a craft workshop, or a tasting experience, these genuine, warm, and heartfelt exchanges add a human, enriching, and memorable dimension to the journey.

Moments of light & magical atmospheres

In the early morning, a light mist settles on the deck, and at dusk, golden hues set the sea ablaze in a captivating, unforgettable, and breathtaking display. On the MS Zaandam, these moments take on their full charm thanks to large portholes, open decks, and observation areas designed for quiet contemplation. Each horizon becomes a living painting, and each play of light a poetic memory etched in the travelers’ minds.

Why choose Voyages Aqua Terra: For your most cherished desires

Personalized guidance & attentive support

With Voyages Aqua Terra, you never travel alone: before, during, and after your cruise, our team is always by your side to provide attentive, unparalleled support. Expert advice on selecting the ideal cabin, valuable help with preparations, assistance at every step, everything is designed to ensure your experience on board the MS Zaandam is smooth, calm, enriching, and perfectly tailored to your wishes.

Exclusive privileges & refined details

Thanks to our partnership, you enjoy a selection of exclusive benefits that truly enhance your journey with complete peace of mind. Elegant upgrades, special attention on board, personalized meal choices, priority access to excursions or lounges, each privilege adds valuable, meaningful, and appreciated benefits. These refined details, discreet yet essential, transform your stay on the MS Zaandam into a distinguished, memorable, and absolutely extraordinary experience.

Precious memories & timeless experiences

Every cruise on board the MS Zaandam with Voyages Aqua Terra is designed as a timeless, unforgettable, extraordinary escape. Spectacular sea views, authentic ports of call, shared moments, and absolute quiet intertwine to create a breathtaking, unforgettable mosaic of emotions. These unforgettable memories, enriched by the elegance of the journey, continue to stay with travelers long after the seas have calmed.