Zuiderdam was the first of five cruise ships in this class built for the Holland America Line. Oosterdam entered service in 2003, Westerdam 2004, Noordam 2006 and Eurodam 2008. This class of cruise ship follows the two 65,000-ton Volendam class that entered service in 1999 and 2000. These five sisters are the first Holland America Line ships to be classed as large cruise ships.

Zuiderdam has 11 decks, 3 pools, 9 bars, cinema, casino, fitness center, three-story theatre, 788 outside cabins with most having balconies, 128 inside cabins, can carry 1,848 passengers and a crew of 1,000. This class of cruise ship is also fitted with gas turbine engines to back up their main diesel engines. The gas turbines will mainly be used while entering or leaving ports as they give off fewer emissions.

Zuiderdam's destinations are from Fort Lauderdale - Bahamas & Caribbean, Vancouver - Alaska & between Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles via the Panama Canal.

Oosterdam is mainly operated out of Seattle on 7 night cruises - Mexican Riviera.

Westerdam is mainly operated on a wide range of cruises such as Fort Lauderdale - Caribbean, Northwestern Europe from Rotterdam and Mediterranean cruises from Venice.

Noordam is operated on cruises out of Fort Lauderdale - Caribbean and out of Barcelona & Civitavecchia by Rome to various destinations throughout the Mediterranean.

Eurodam is operated on a wide range of cruises to the Caribbean, US East Coast, Canada, Europe and the Mediterranean.

Website: www.hollandamerica.com.