Holland America Line (HAL) has altered the itinerary for the MS Zaandam’s 35-day Legendary Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas cruise departing San Diego on October 15, 2026. The revised route eliminates the October 29 stop at Tabuaeran (Fanning Island) in Kiribati, reducing the total number of ports from 14. Changes also include adjusted arrival and departure times at several destinations.
Modifications to French Polynesia Port Calls and Schedule
Within French Polynesia, the order of port visits has shifted, with Zaandam now scheduled to call at Raiatea on November 3 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by Bora Bora on November 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This
reverses the original sequence and avoids overlapping schedules with Silversea’s Silver Whisper cruise ship, making Zaandam the unique vessel at these ports on those dates. The time spent in Bora Bora decreases by five hours compared to the previous 11:00 p.m. departure, facilitating a sunset sailaway experience. Meanwhile, calls at Kahului, Hawaii, on October 24 and Moorea on November 6 have each been extended by two additional hours.
Background on Zaandam’s Prior Propulsion Issue
Earlier in 2026, MS Zaandam encountered a propulsion system problem during an Alaska cruise on June 3, which disrupted scheduled stops at Skagway and Ketchikan and prolonged the vessel’s stay in Juneau.
The following voyage’s departure was delayed to allow repairs. Despite this history, HAL has not officially connected these October itinerary changes to that propulsion issue. Instead, the company cites necessary adjustments to the ship’s planned operating speed as the cause.
Impacts on Passengers and Compensation
Passengers booked on the October 15, 2026 voyage should review updated schedules to note the removal of the Kiribati port and changes in port times. To offset the itinerary modifications, HAL is providing a US$100 non-refundable onboard credit, usable towards specialty dining, spa services, retail purchases, and shore excursions during the cruise.
Official Reasoning for Itinerary Alterations
According to Holland America Line, the itinerary changes
stem from adjustments needed in Zaandam’s operating speed at segments of the voyage. No official statement links the revised operating speed to any technical malfunction, leaving the specific rationale undisclosed apart from the cited speed modifications.
