Holland America Line has amended the itinerary for its Zaandam cruise ship’s 35-day ‘Legendary Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas’ voyage, departing October 15, 2026. The changes include the cancellation of the port call at Tabuaeran (Fanning Island), Kiribati, originally scheduled for October 29, 2026, swapping the order of stops at Raiatea and Bora Bora in French Polynesia, and extending port times at Kahului on October 24 and Moorea on November 6 by two hours each.
Zaandam will now visit Raiatea on November 3, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., then proceed to Bora Bora on November 4, from 8 a.m.
to 6 p.m. This reverses the original schedule, which had Bora Bora on November 3 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Raiatea on November 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. These adjustments mean Zaandam will be the only cruise ship present in port during these visits, as Silversea’s smaller Silver Whisper, which holds 388 guests compared to Zaandam’s 1,432, will not be in port on those dates.
Speed Adjustments Prompt Changes
The cruise line attributed these itinerary revisions to necessary speed adjustments during segments of the voyage. Holland America has not disclosed specific reasons for altering the operational speed. Prior propulsion issues
affected Zaandam in June 2026, causing the vessel to skip Skagway and Ketchikan ports as well as Glacier Bay cruising, which was publicly confirmed by the cruise line and involved technical problems with one propulsion system requiring repairs.
The cancellation of the Tabuaeran call and the extension of port times in Kahului and Moorea have been implemented to accommodate these speed changes. The October 15 sailing will cover more than 9,400 miles across the Pacific Ocean, reaching remote destinations in Hawaii, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Kiribati, and the Marquesas Islands. Passenger concerns about potential mechanical reliability on this long route have
been expressed on social media platforms.
Official Statements and Passenger Compensation
Holland America stated that the new port schedule ensures Zaandam will be the sole vessel at Raiatea and Bora Bora, granting passengers increased access to local transportation, shore excursions, and onshore activities. The cruise line added that the earlier departure time from Bora Bora offers guests the chance to experience a notable sunset sailaway.
To offset the changes, all guests booked on the October 15, 2026 departure will receive a $100 non-refundable credit to their shipboard accounts. This credit is redeemable throughout the voyage on amenities including retail, spa services, specialty dining, and shore
tours.
Voyage Context and Capacity Considerations
Zaandam’s adjusted itinerary avoids overlapping port visits with Silversea’s Silver Whisper, which was initially scheduled to be present concurrently at Raiatea and Bora Bora. Zaandam’s guest capacity of 1,432 is nearly four times that of Silver Whisper’s 388, potentially contributing to congestion had both ships called simultaneously at these remote destinations.
The 35-day Pacific crossing entails navigating multiple island groups and stretches far from main shipyard facilities, presenting logistical challenges particularly in the event of unresolved propulsion complications. Holland America’s decision to revise the itinerary appears aimed at maintaining service quality while managing the operational constraints identified.
