Zaandam

Zaandam entered service in 2000 as part of Holland America's Rotterdam-class (also called the S-class) — the generation that preceded the Vista ships. At 1,432 guests, she is the smallest ship currently in the HAL fleet, and that number defines almost every aspect of the experience.

The hallways feel less like a resort corridor and more like a ship. The Crow's Nest — an observation lounge at the bow of the ship, spanning the full width — is the best feature. In Alaska, watching for wildlife from that position while the ship transits through narrow channels is an experience that the larger ships' observation decks don't replicate as cleanly. The Crow's Nest has a signature pipe organ installation, which plays occasionally and serves mainly as a conversation starter.

The guitar collection in the Atrium is genuinely unusual. Four guitars hang in the atrium, signed by rock legends including Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and members of the Rolling Stones and Queen. HAL commissioned them as part of a broader arts-at-sea program and Zaandam ended up with the most-noticed collection.

The dining program runs the standard HAL format at a smaller scale. Rotterdam (main dining room), Pinnacle Grill (steakhouse), and the Lido. Specialty options are fewer than on the Signature and Pinnacle ships, but the main dining room quality is consistent.

Zaandam is the right choice for travelers who want Holland America service without the megaship scale — and specifically for Alaska sailings where the smaller ship gains access to areas larger vessels can't reach. Guests expecting the full Music Walk, Club Orange, or Grand World Stage of the newer ships will need to look at Koningsdam or Rotterdam instead.