History | |
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Name: | Zuiderdam |
Namesake: | Named for the southern compass point |
Operator: | Holland America Line |
Port of registry: | Rotterdam, Netherlands |
Builder: | Fincantieri |
Yard number: | Marghera 6075 |
Launched: | 14 December 2001 |
Acquired: | 15 November 2002 |
Maiden voyage: | 14 December 2002 |
In service: | 14 December 2002 |
Identification: | |
Status: | In service |
General characteristics | |
Class and type: | Vista class cruise ship |
Tonnage: | |
Length: | 291 m (954.7 ft) |
Beam: | 32 m (105.0 ft) |
Height: | 57.83 m (189.73 ft) keel to funnel top |
Draught: | 7.80 m (25.59 ft) max |
Decks: | 11 passenger decks, 15 total |
Installed power: |
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Propulsion: | Azipod |
Speed: |
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Capacity: |
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Crew: | 842 |
MS Zuiderdam /ˈzaɪdərdæm/ is a Vista class cruise ship owned and operated by Holland America Line (HAL). It is the lead ship of the Vista class vessels, so named for the extensive use of glass in their superstructure, and is sister to three other HAL ships, Oosterdam, Westerdam, and Noordam. The prefixes of the four ships' names represent the four directions of the compass in Dutch.
The ship shares similar exterior dimensions with Carnival Cruise Lines' and Costa Cruises' Spirit Class. Cunard Line's Queen Victoria is an enlarged version of the same design, as is HAL's Signature Class.
As with all Vista-class ships, Zuiderdam is equipped with a diesel-electric power plant and an Azipod propulsion system, and eighty-five percent of her staterooms have ocean views and sixty-seven percent have verandahs. Her art collection carries a Venetian theme throughout the ship; the most dazzling features figures in the time of Carnival in Venice, created by Daniel Ogier.
Zuiderdam was christened by American broadcaster Joan Lunden at Port Everglades on December 14, 2002. Between October to April, Zuiderdam largely runs a southern Caribbean itinerary which includes a half-transit of the Panama Canal through the Gatun Locks. From May to September, the vessel travels to Alaska.