Holland America Line has altered the itinerary of its Zaandam cruise ship for the 35-day Legendary Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas voyage departing San Diego on October 15, 2026. The updated plan cancels the scheduled port call at Tabuaeran (Fanning Island) in Kiribati originally set for October 29, 2026.
Revised Port Calls and Schedule Adjustments
The sequence of calls in French Polynesia has been changed, with Raiatea now scheduled on November 3 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Bora Bora the following day from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This reversal from the original itinerary avoids overlapping port visits with Silversea’s Silver Whisper. The departure time
from Bora Bora has been moved earlier, reducing time in port by five hours compared to the initial 11:00 p.m. departure.
In addition, calls at Kahului, Hawaii, on October 24 and Moorea, French Polynesia, on November 6 have each been extended by two hours. These adjustments follow the removal of Tabuaeran from the itinerary.
Passenger Compensation and Benefits
Passengers booked on the October 15 departure will receive a US$100 non-refundable onboard credit. This credit can be applied to specialty dining, spa treatments, retail purchases, and shore excursions, offering compensation for the itinerary revisions.
Operational Reasons and Past Issues
Holland America Line explained the itinerary changes are due to the
necessity of modifying Zaandam’s operating speed during certain parts of the voyage. The company emphasized these speed adjustments are not related to any ongoing technical issues.
Earlier in 2026, on June 3 during an Alaska cruise, Zaandam experienced a propulsion system failure that prevented maintaining normal speed. This issue caused an extended stay in Juneau and resulted in the cancellation of port calls at Skagway and Ketchikan, as well as scenic cruising in Glacier Bay. The following cruise departing June 10 from Vancouver was also delayed to allow additional repairs and itinerary revisions.
Official Statements and Impact on Passenger Plans
Holland America Line has not confirmed any
direct link between the June propulsion failure and the current itinerary changes. The company stated only that adjustments in planned operating speed necessitated the timetable modifications.
The revised itinerary affects passenger scheduling, including the removal of the Tabuaeran call and reduced time in Bora Bora. Travelers on the October 15 sailing are advised to review the updated itinerary details issued by the cruise line.
