There’s a musical theme to the interior design and artwork on this amazing ship with a host of intriguing icons, including Bill Clinton’s saxophone and signed guitars from Queen, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones, used as features throughout the ship.

A sensational sculpture depicting an elaborate Baroque pipe organ makes a striking centrepiece to the stunning main atrium, an ideal meeting place before dinner or in the morning as you plan your day on the Zaandam.

You may merely want to chill out and wander through the glitzy shops and walkways, stopping for a coffee or a read of the newspaper – or perhaps keeping in touch with the outside world at the spacious internet cafe.

Or if lounging by the pool is your thing then you have two to choose from, both with nearby bars and eateries and one including a retractable roof so you can rest and recharge your batteries there whatever the weather.

The sumptuous Greenhouse Spa offers an amazing array of specialist wellbeing therapies as well as a full hair, beauty and make-up salon service in delightfully exotic surroundings.

More active passengers can play deck sports, use the basketball and volleyball courts or keep fit in the modern fitness centre where exercise equipment is positioned to take advantage of the panoramic ocean views through floor to ceiling windows.

The programme of daytime activities include favourites like art auctions, informative talks, wine-tasting and bingo as well as the fascinating demonstrations by guest chefs at the brilliant TV-style kitchen studio in the Culinary Arts Centre.

Teenagers have their own trendy hang-out lounge, The Loft, as well as a fun open air deck space and younger children enjoy making new friends at Club HAL where activities run by experienced youth staff. There’s also a high-tech digital suite where youngsters can challenge each other to computer game contests.

As day gives way to the evening you’ll be spoilt for choice as you take your pick from the various shows and live music events at many of the Zaandam’s lounges and bars.

If you enjoy all-singing, all-dancing big stage extravaganzas then the bright and richly-coloured Mondriaan lounge is the place to be with talented performers bringing you new productions throughout your holiday

There’s more live music of all varieties, comedy and the opportunity to take to the floor for old-time or nightclub-style dancing until late at night at other popular venues like the Piano Bar, Ocean Bar and Explorer’s Lounge.

By day the wonderful Crow’s Nest offers a vista over the whole ship and beyond to the wide blue ocean – at night it becomes another great entertainment area and dance spot, with romantic views over starlit seas.

You can try your luck at the chic casino’s gaming tables and slot machines or just wind down over a drink and a chat at one of the other more tranquil bars or lounges.

Formal dining, in traditional cruising style at set-time sittings, can be enjoyed in the company of fellow passengers in the stylish main two-level Rotterdam restaurant where friendly and attentive waiters serve delicious five course meals each night.

You can also choose to turn up and be seated whenever you like between 5.30pm and 9pm as part of Holland America’s fleet-wide ‘As You Like’ dining options.

For an alternative and even more upmarket evening meal in an exclusive setting then you’ll love the plush Pinnacle Grill with its high-quality tableware and exciting a la carte selections of premium steaks and sensational seafood dishes.

It’s a much more casual arrangement at the popular Lido Restaurant where separate food stations present culinary items from all over the world in laid-back cafeteria style through the day and later at night. For dinner there’s a more informal table service as well as an area dedicated to the Canaletto Italian Restaurant.

Other eateries offer pizzas, grilled and barbecued foods, snacks and sandwiches.

*Selected restaurants on many ships require reservations and may carry an additional charge.

The smartly designed cabins on the Zaandam are all spacious with twin beds convertible to a queen-size bed, private bathroom with shower, bathrobes, flat-screen TVs and DVD players, hairdryers, complimentary fresh fruit on request, daily ice service, shoeshine and nightly turndown offered as standard.

You can choose from inside, outside and balcony cabins or various categories of suite.