WiFi on Holland America Zuiderdam: Speed Tests & Review
Cruise ship WiFi has come a long way, and Holland America’s Zuiderdam is proof that staying connected at sea is finally practical. During my sailing, I tested the ship’s internet in real conditions to see how it performs for streaming, video calls, and work on the go.
This review is part of the Cruise Ship WiFi Guide, an ongoing series where we test WiFi performance ship by ship.
Overview
Holland America Line continues upgrading its fleet with faster, more reliable WiFi powered by Starlink. Onboard Zuiderdam, passengers can choose from multiple internet plans designed for everything from basic browsing to heavy streaming.
For this test, I used the Premium Plan, which allows up to four devices to stay connected at once. Over the course of the week, I ran three separate SpeedTest app benchmarks to see how the network performed across different parts of the ship.
WiFi Plans on Zuiderdam
Here’s an overview of the available packages during my voyage. Pricing and plan names may vary slightly depending on the cruise length and itinerary.
| Plan | Description | Best For |
|---|
| Surf Plan | Basic internet for email, news, and social media. Streaming is limited. | Casual users |
| Premium Plan | Full internet access with streaming and video call support. Up to 4 connected devices. | Remote workers, creators, families |
| Premium Plus (select sailings) | Highest speed tier with priority bandwidth and better upload consistency. | Frequent streamers and business travelers |
Tip: Buy WiFi before you board. Holland America often discounts internet plans when purchased through the online cruise manager.
Speed Test Results
Each speed test was performed using the SpeedTest by Ookla app at three distinct locations on the ship to measure consistency and range.
| Test Location | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) | Ping (ms) |
|---|
| In Stateroom | 52.7 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 68 ms |
| Lido Deck | 135 Mbps | 1.23 Mbps | 102 ms |
| Ocean Bar | 86.3 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 70 ms |
Performance in Daily Use
The Zuiderdam’s WiFi performed better than expected across the board. I was able to FaceTime, stream movies and shows, scroll through TikTok and Instagram Reels, and upload my Turks & Caicos vlog to YouTube in 4k!
The connection stayed strong even with multiple devices logged in, which makes a big difference for couples, families, or creators managing uploads. Speeds slowed slightly during peak hours on sea days, but overall, stability remained solid enough to stay productive and entertained.
Key Observations
- Connection remained steady throughout the ship, even inside the cabin.
- Streaming on Netflix and YouTube worked smoothly under the Premium Plan.
- Video calls on FaceTime and Zoom stayed clear with minimal lag.
- Uploads were slower in the evenings, likely due to higher user load.
- Social media apps performed without delay, even when posting video content.
How Zuiderdam’s WiFi Compares
Compared to other Holland America ships, the Zuiderdam’s performance lands near the top.
- Koningsdam offers slightly faster upload speeds but similar stability.
- Nieuw Statendam ranks higher overall thanks to newer onboard tech.
- Older ships without Starlink lag behind in both speed and consistency.
You can compare all ships in our master Cruise Ship WiFi Hub for the latest line-by-line breakdown.
The Holland America Zuiderdam delivers surprisingly strong WiFi for a mid-sized ship. With the Premium Plan, it’s entirely possible to stay connected for work, stream your favorite shows, and video chat with friends back home.
If you’re planning to travel with multiple devices or rely on the internet for remote work, the Premium Plan is worth the upgrade. It’s fast enough to handle just about everything short of heavy file uploads, and that’s a win for life at sea.
