The main Volendam cabins to avoid are the obstructed-view ocean-view rooms (categories H and HH) on the Lower Promenade Deck, where lifeboats hang outside the windows; the porthole cabins at the very front of Dolphin and Main decks; and rooms directly below the Lido Deck or above and below the big public rooms on Decks 4 and 5. For a quiet, steady cabin, book midship on Main or Dolphin Deck on a budget, or a Vista Suite midship on Verandah Deck if you want a balcony.
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Below you’ll find a quick guide to every stateroom type on Holland America’s Volendam, the specific locations worth skipping, the best cabins to book, and where the accessible rooms are. Check everything against the live deck plan when you book, because cabin numbers and categories can change after a refit.
Volendam in 2026-27: still sailing for Holland America
Volendam is one of Holland America Line’s R-class ships. It was built by Fincantieri in Italy and entered service in late 1999. At about 61,000 gross tons and with roughly 1,432 guests at double occupancy, it is one of the smallest ships in the fleet. Its identical twin is Zaandam, and we have a separate Zaandam cabin guide, but the advice there won’t always match cabin for cabin.
In 2022 the ship spent several months chartered by the City of Rotterdam to house Ukrainian refugees, then went back into regular service. It had an $8 million refit in the Bahamas in October 2024, which added an art studio and refreshed public spaces. No sale or transfer has been announced. Holland America has the ship booked well into the future:
- 2026-27 winter: long Caribbean and South America voyages from Fort Lauderdale and New York, followed by the 129-day 2027 Grand World Voyage, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale from 5 January 2027.
- 2027 summer: Canada and New England sailings from Montreal and Boston, plus a transatlantic run to Rotterdam and back.
- 2028: Holland America has confirmed Volendam for another Canada and New England season alongside Zuiderdam.
Because the ship is so often used for long Grand Voyages, your choice of cabin matters more than usual. A small annoyance on a seven-night cruise can feel much bigger after several weeks.
Volendam cabin types at a glance
Volendam has around 716 staterooms across five accommodation decks: Dolphin (1), Main (2), Lower Promenade (3), Verandah (6) and Navigation (7). Decks 4 and 5 hold the main public rooms, and the Lido and Sports decks sit above the cabins.
| Stateroom type | Approx. size (HAL) | Where you’ll find it | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | 143-225 sq ft | Decks 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 | Cheapest option; some are larger than the average modern inside cabin |
| Ocean-View (window or porthole) | About 200 sq ft | Decks 1, 2, 3 and a few on 6 | Most common cabin on board; category G and C rooms forward have portholes |
| Obstructed Ocean-View (H, HH) | About 200 sq ft | Deck 3 (Lower Promenade) | Lifeboats partly (H) or fully (HH) block the view |
| Lanai | Similar to ocean-view | Deck 3 midship | Sliding glass door straight onto the wraparound promenade, with reserved loungers |
| Vista Suite (balcony) | 260-356 sq ft | Decks 6 and 7 | The ship’s standard balcony cabin; balconies are fairly narrow |
| Neptune Suite | 465-502 sq ft | Deck 7 | Access to the Neptune Lounge and concierge; 28 on board |
| Pinnacle Suite | 1,290 sq ft | Deck 7 forward | Just one on the ship, with a large verandah |
There are no standard balcony cabins on Volendam in the way newer ships have them. If you want your own outdoor space, you are looking at a Vista Suite or higher. If you’re unsure whether a balcony is worth the jump in price on a ship like this, our guide to balcony vs inside cabins sets out the trade-offs.
Holland America Volendam cabins to avoid
1. Obstructed-view cabins on the Lower Promenade
Deck 3, the Lower Promenade, is the deck with the teak walkaround and the lifeboats. Ocean-view rooms in category H have a partly obstructed view, and category HH rooms look almost straight at a lifeboat. They are priced accordingly. If the view doesn’t matter much to you, they can still be good value. If you’re paying extra for a window, though, check the category letter before you book.
2. Promenade-facing windows if you value privacy
Every ocean-view window on Deck 3 looks out onto the public promenade. That’s great for an early-morning walk, but people strolling past can see in when your lights are on, so you’ll be closing the curtains more than you might expect. The Lower Promenade is also the muster deck, so expect activity outside during the safety drill and when the lifeboats are being tested or used as tenders.
3. Porthole cabins at the bow
The odd-shaped ocean-view cabins at the very front of Dolphin and Main decks (largely category G, with some category C rooms that have two portholes) have small, deep-set portholes rather than full picture windows. Being near the bow and low down, they also hear the most of the bow thrusters when docking, the anchor chain on tender days and waves slapping the hull in rough water.
4. Low aft cabins near machinery and tender platforms
The furthest-aft rooms on Dolphin and Main decks sit closest to the propulsion machinery and can feel more vibration, especially when the ship is manoeuvring. On tender days you may also hear the boats being loaded and unloaded. Light sleepers should move a few cabins forward.
5. Cabins under the Lido Deck
The Lido Market buffet, the pools and the spa are all on Deck 8, directly above the Navigation Deck (Deck 7) cabins and suites. Early-morning chair scraping, deck cleaning and buffet set-up can be heard in some rooms below, especially those under the pool and buffet areas. This matters most for the Neptune and Vista suites on Deck 7, so look at what sits directly overhead before choosing a specific room.
6. Rooms next to the big public spaces
The show lounge, the Dining Room and most bars, the casino and shops fill Decks 4 and 5. That means the cabins at the forward and aft ends of Deck 3 (below) and Deck 6 (above) sit next to the busiest parts of the ship. A post in Holland America’s own passenger forums asked whether rooms above the show lounge stay quiet after 10pm, and it’s a fair question. Shows and band rehearsals can carry, and so can late dining-room clean-ups. Midship rooms on these decks are usually a safer bet.
7. Cabins beside crew doors, stairwells and service areas
The deck plan won’t always label crew doors or pantries, but any cabin next to an unmarked door, a laundry room or the top of a busy staircase picks up more foot traffic and more early-morning trolley noise. If a room has a blank space beside it on the plan, ask your travel adviser or Holland America what’s there.
Motion: where Volendam feels the sea most
Volendam is a smaller ship, and it often crosses open ocean on Grand Voyages and transatlantic sailings, so motion deserves attention. The general rule is simple: the lower and more central the cabin, the less movement you’ll feel. Forward cabins on Verandah and Navigation decks feel the pitching most in a head sea, while high aft cabins can feel some roll and vibration. If you’re prone to seasickness, a midship cabin on Main or Lower Promenade Deck is the steadiest place to sleep.
Best cabins on Volendam to book
- Best budget pick: a midship ocean-view on Main Deck (Deck 2). It’s low and central, so motion is minimal, you’re well away from public-room noise, and you get a proper window rather than a porthole.
- Best value with a difference: a Lanai stateroom on Deck 3. There are only 21. You get a door straight onto the promenade and two reserved loungers outside, for less than a Vista Suite. They suit people who like being outdoors and don’t mind passers-by.
- Best balcony: a midship Vista Suite on Verandah Deck (Deck 6). It’s away from the forward motion, sits between the busy public decks below and the Lido above, and has a quieter corridor than Deck 7.
- Best for long voyages: a Neptune Suite. It has much more storage and space, plus Neptune Lounge access, which makes a big difference on a 30-night or 129-night trip. Choose one away from the area directly under the Lido pool and buffet if you can.
- Best interior: a midship inside cabin on Dolphin or Main Deck. Choose a category with a larger footprint, because inside cabins on this ship vary quite a bit in size.
If you’re still deciding which Holland America ship suits you, our Holland America ships ranked guide compares Volendam with the newer Vista and Pinnacle class ships.
Accessible staterooms on Volendam
Volendam has a little over 20 wheelchair-accessible staterooms spread across most cabin types. Published deck plans show them in these locations:
- Dolphin Deck (1): ocean-view 1804-1807, 1955 and 1964
- Main Deck (2): interior 2554, 2555 and 2700; ocean-view 2500 and 2702
- Lower Promenade (3): ocean-view 3391, 3396 and 3429; obstructed ocean-view 3430 and 3431
- Verandah Deck (6): Vista Suites 6225 and 6228; ocean-view 6104
- Navigation Deck (7): Neptune Suite 7034; Vista Suites 7087 and 7088
Some of these sit in the bow, aft or obstructed locations described above, so weigh access against noise and view. Confirm the current list and equipment, such as roll-in showers, with Holland America’s accessibility team before booking, because the line can reassign rooms after refits.
Practical tips that most cabin guides miss
- Bring a cruise-approved USB charger. Standard cabins on this older ship have very few power outlets, which can be frustrating on a long voyage with phones, tablets and CPAP machines.
- Be careful with guarantee fares on Volendam. A guarantee cabin is cheaper, but with lifeboat views, porthole bow rooms and Lido-adjacent suites all in the mix, choosing your own room is worth paying for on this ship.
- Check above and below, not just beside. On a deck plan, the decks directly above and below your cabin tell you more about noise than the cabins next door.
- Think about segment cruising. Grand Voyage segments often release cabins at different times, so a better location may open up closer to sailing.
FAQs
Which cabins have obstructed views on Volendam?
The obstructed-view ocean-view cabins are on the Lower Promenade (Deck 3). Category H has a partly blocked view and category HH a fully blocked view, both because of the lifeboats hanging outside.
Does Volendam have balcony cabins?
Yes, but only as suites. Vista Suites on Decks 6 and 7 are the standard balcony option, with Neptune Suites and the single Pinnacle Suite above them. There are no basic balcony cabins.
What is the quietest deck on Volendam?
Midship cabins on Main Deck (Deck 2) and the middle of Verandah Deck (Deck 6) tend to be the quietest, away from the bow thrusters, the aft machinery, the public rooms on Decks 4 and 5, and the Lido Deck.
Is Volendam being retired or sold?
No sale or retirement has been announced as of October 2026. Volendam is scheduled for the 2027 Grand World Voyage and Canada and New England seasons in 2027 and 2028.
What are Lanai cabins on Volendam?
Lanai cabins are 21 ocean-view staterooms midship on Deck 3, with a sliding glass door that opens straight onto the promenade deck and two reserved loungers outside.
