Choosing Between Eurodam and Westerdam: Key Differences Unveiled

Choosing between two amazing cruise ships—Eurodam and Westerdam—can be challenging. Both belong to Holland America’s celebrated fleet, but each offers unique features and experiences.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned cruiser, I’ll help you weigh the options and decide which ship suits your travel style. Here’s everything you need to know, including comparisons of luxury, family-friendliness, affordability, and more.

Choosing between Eurodam and Westerdam comes down to personal preferences. The Eurodam is newer, larger, and offers more entertainment and dining options, while the Westerdam has a traditional style. Both ships provide various activities and amenities, so try to consider the ship’s class, itinerary, and destination. Ultimately, select the ship that aligns with your preferences for a memorable cruise experience.

Ship Class Overview

The Eurodam is part of Holland America’s Signature Class, while the Westerdam belongs to the Vista Class. Both classes prioritize comfort, elegance, and seamless onboard experiences, but they have subtle differences:

Feature	Eurodam (Signature Class)	Westerdam (Vista Class)
Year Built	2008	2004
Passenger Capacity	2,104	1,964
Gross Tonnage	86,273	82,348
Refurbishments	2015	2017

Eurodam, part of Holland America Line’s Signature-class ships, has a guest capacity of approximately 2,104 passengers, while Westerdam, a Vista-class ship, accommodates around 1,916 guests. These capacities reflect the slightly larger size of Eurodam, offering more space for amenities and onboard activities

Itineraries and Destinations

Both Eurodam and Westerdam operate on diverse itineraries, offering something for every traveler. Eurodam frequently sails to Alaska, providing breathtaking views of glaciers and wildlife. On the other hand, Westerdam focuses on more intimate routes, such as Asia and the Mediterranean, allowing guests to explore exotic destinations with ease.

Travelers should consider the destinations they wish to visit when choosing between these two ships.

Ship	Itinerary	Duration	Key Highlights
Eurodam	Alaska Explorer	7 days	Glacier Bay, Juneau, Ketchikan
Eurodam	Mediterranean Romance	12 days	Rome, Athens, Santorini
Westerdam	Far East Discovery	14 days	Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh
Westerdam	Australia & New Zealand	14 days	Sydney, Melbourne, Fiordland Park

Eurodam vs Westerdam: In-Depth Comparison

Given that both Eurodam and Westerdam are esteemed in their own rights, let’s consider a concise comparison between the two.

Feature	Eurodam	Westerdam
Ship Class	Signature Class	Vista Class
Dining Options	Tamarind, Silk Den	Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto
Activities	BBC Earth Experiences, Digital Workshop, Cooking, Greenhouse Spa, Photography.	America’s Test Kitchen, Explorations Central, Digital Workshop
Staterooms	Verandah, Oceanview, Interior	Verandah, Oceanview, Interior
Cabin Design	Style with bright colors and contemporary furnishings	Traditional in design with warm, rich colors and classic touches.
Entertainment	B.B. King’s Blues Club, Tamarind Restaurant, bars and lounges, Disco, Casino	Culinary Arts Center, Lincoln Center Stage, Trivia games.

Ship Class

The Eurodam and Westerdam belong to Holland America Line’s Signature Class & Vista Class ships. While they offer similar features, there are a few distinctions between them. The Signature Class ships and Vista Class ships are almost indistinguishable in terms of passenger amenities. 

Source: Juneau

The only notable distinction is that the Vista Class ships lack the Tamarind and Nami Sushi dining options available on the Signature Class ships. Additionally, the Vista Class ships do not have New York Pizza, but they do offer pizza alternatives in the Lido area. 

Another noticeable difference is the placement of the retreat cabanas, which are located differently on the two ship classes. Furthermore, the Vista Class ships do not have cabanas in the Lido area.

Pro Tip: Must take clothes according to the occasion, if the Captain’s dinner is planned on the cruise ship.

Dining Options at Eurodam vs Westerdam

Both the Eurodam and Westerdam provide a variety of dining options, encompassing main dining rooms, buffet-style restaurants, and specialty establishments. However, there are notable distinctions to consider.

Both ships are a treat for foodies, offering a variety of dining options. However, the Eurodam has the added advantage of the Tamarind restaurant, serving exquisite Pan-Asian cuisine.

Eurodam and Westerdam, both feature the Pinnacle Grill, a premium steakhouse, and Canaletto, an Italian eatery. Eurodam offers an additional dining option, Tamarind, which serves exquisite Pan-Asian cuisine—a feature that distinguishes it from Westerdam. Additionally, both ships provide casual dining options like the Lido Market and Dive-In Burgers.

Dining Venue	Eurodam	Westerdam	Cuisine Type	Extra Cost?
Main Dining Room	✔️	✔️	International	No
Lido Market	✔️	✔️	Buffet-style	No
Pinnacle Grill	✔️	✔️	Steak and Seafood	Yes
Tamarind	✔️	❌	Pan-Asian	Yes
Rudi’s Sel de Mer	❌	✔️	Seafood Brasserie	Yes

The Eurodam presents a broader selection of specialty dining options, including the Tamarind Restaurant. It serves Asian-inspired cuisine, and Canaletto, which specializes in classic Italian fare. Additionally, guests can enjoy live blues performances at the B.B. King’s Blues Club onboard.

In contrast, the Westerdam features the Culinary Arts Center, where guests can partake in cooking classes and attend culinary demonstrations. It also houses the Lincoln Center Stage, offering chamber music performances for guests’ enjoyment.

Activities-Eurodam vs Westerdam

When it comes to entertainment, both ships excel, but Eurodam’s slightly larger size allows for more venues.

In recent years, Holland America Line has updated entertainment offerings on both ships. Eurodam now boasts the Rolling Stone Lounge, where a seven-piece band performs various genres, making it a vibrant spot for live music lovers. Both ships feature the World Stage, a two-story theater hosting captivating performances ranging from musicals to cultural shows

Venue	Eurodam	Westerdam	Description
B.B. King’s Blues Club	✔️	✔️	Live blues and soul music
Billboard Onboard	✔️	✔️	Piano performances of chart-topping hits
Lincoln Center Stage	✔️	✔️	Classical music concerts
World Stage	✔️	✔️	Dynamic performances with high-tech effects
BBC Earth Experiences	✔️	✔️	Immersive nature documentaries

The Eurodam and Westerdam provide a wide array of activities for guests to enjoy during their time on board. Both ships offer a diverse range of entertainment options, including live music performances, Broadway-style shows, and comedy acts. 

There are also different Wi-Fi options available for everyone to enjoy. However, make sure to log out of the internet otherwise you will be charged a hefty penny!

Furthermore, guests can engage in various onboard activities, such as cooking classes, wine tastings, and art auctions. Additionally, both ships are equipped with amenities like swimming pools, fitness centers, and spas to ensure a well-rounded and enjoyable experience for passengers.

Staterooms differences of Eurodam vs Westerda

The accommodations on both ships cater to various budgets and preferences. Whether you want a cozy interior stateroom or an opulent suite, you’ll find options on both ships. However, Eurodam tends to have slightly larger suites, while Westerdam offers a broader range of verandah cabins.

Stateroom Category	Eurodam (sq. ft.)	Westerdam (sq. ft.)	Key Features	Starting Price (per person)
Interior	141–284	151–233	Modern design, cozy layout	$739
Ocean View	174–180	174–180	Sea views via large windows	$889
Verandah	213–379	212–359	Private balconies available	$1,159
Suites	393–1,150	297–1,159	Spacious living, priority services	$1,659

Note: Prices are approximate and may vary based on the cruise itinerary, departure date, and booking conditions.

The Eurodam and Westerdam present a variety of stateroom choices for guests. The Eurodam, being slightly larger, can accommodate up to 188 more passengers compared to the Westerdam.

Both ships offer a diverse selection of stateroom categories, including interior, ocean view, veranda, and suite cabins. The veranda cabins on both ships have a balcony of approximately 54 square feet. It makes them slightly larger than the ocean-view cabins. 

Additionally, the Eurodam features 46 Verandah Spa cabins, which are more spacious than regular veranda cabins and include spa amenities. On the Eurodam, accessible rooms are divided into two categories: Ambulatory Accessible and Fully Accessible. 

When selecting a cruise on the Eurodam, passengers can consider choosing between an AFT cabin with a large balcony or the Observation Deck + Retreat. It is available at the same cost as the AFT cabin. Overall, both the Eurodam and Westerdam offer a range of stateroom options to accommodate various preferences and budgets.

Cabin 

Both the Eurodam and Westerdam are mid-sized cruise ships that provide a diverse range of cabin categories. The Eurodam’s cabins are adorned in a modern style, featuring vibrant colors and contemporary furnishings. But the Westerdam’s cabins lean towards a more traditional aesthetic. 

With 1052 cabins and 36 cabin categories, the Eurodam, being the newer ship, offers an abundance of entertainment and dining options. On the other hand, the Westerdam boasts 961 staterooms and offers familiar cabin categories like interior, oceanview, and veranda.

Reviews indicate that some individuals prefer the Eurodam for its modern decor and additional amenities, while others favor the Westerdam for its traditional style and smaller size. Ultimately, the decision regarding cabin design between the two ships will hinge on personal preferences and priorities. NCL and Haven Cruise also provide the best cabin facilities.

Entertainment

Both Eurodam and Westerdam strive to provide a range of entertainment facilities to ensure an enjoyable cruise experience. The Eurodam surpasses the Westerdam in terms of entertainment options.

Source: cruiseguru

It provides more than 10 bars and lounges, a disco, a casino, a theater, and a HAL kids center. Furthermore, the Eurodam features a screening room with seats. It is accessible through a captivating entrance on deck 3, conveniently located near the shops. 

In contrast, Westerdam offers a slightly more limited selection of entertainment options. However, it still presents various activities such as cooking demonstrations, trivia games, and live music performances to keep guests engaged. Passengers on the Westerdam can also delight in the ship’s theater, which hosts a diverse range of shows and performances. people also like to go snorkeling at coco cay on their vacation.

Value for Money

When deciding between these ships, price often plays a big role. Here’s a look at their starting fares:

Ship	Starting Price (Per Person)	Inclusions
Eurodam	$999	Stateroom, dining, entertainment
Westerdam	$899	Stateroom, dining, entertainment

Eurodam vs Westerdam: Choosing the Ideal Cruise!

Choosing one from Eurodam or Westerdam is quite a difficult one because both are providing excellent services for their passengers. Both the Eurodam and Westerdam are excellent options for a cruise vacation, and the decision between them ultimately boils down to personal preference. 

The Eurodam is a newer and larger ship with a wider array of entertainment and dining options, making it a preferred choice for some individuals. However, Both ships belong to Holland America’s Signature and Vista Class vessels. These ships are slightly smaller than the Pinnacle Class ships and offer a more intimate atmosphere.

However, the Eurodam has undergone significant refurbishment, making it an excellent choice for cruising Alaska. Those seeking a sophisticated cruise experience will appreciate the amenities and entertainment options available on the Eurodam.

Ultimately, the decision between the Eurodam and Westerdam will depend on individual preferences and priorities.

We already have a comparison article on Holland America vs Norwegian, in case you want to know more about these cruise companies.

FAQs

What is Holland America’s Nicest Ship?

Rotterdam is now Holland America’s best ship. It has a passenger capacity of 2,650. The ship measures 99,863 gross tons, placing it alongside its slightly older sister ships. For example, the Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam were the largest vessels in the Holland America fleet.

Which Ship is Newer Eurodam or Westerdam?

Eurodam is newer than the Westerdam. It also offers more entertainment and dining options, and is somewhat larger. But the itinerary and destination of the Westerdam should also play a significant role in your decision-making process. 

Which Decks are Best on Eurodam?

The best decks on the MS Eurodam are the Verandah (Deck 5), Upper Verandah (Deck 6), and Rotterdam (Deck 7). These decks are surrounded by staterooms both above and below, providing excellent noise insulation and minimizing disruptions. 

Conclusion

Now you know which one will be better for you in between Eurodam vs Westerdam. Both ships offer exceptional cruising experiences for their passengers. Ultimately, the decision between the Eurodam and Westerdam depends on individual preferences, desired amenities, and the specific itinerary offered by each ship.