HAL-Holland America Line has made several changes to Zaandam’s 35-day Legendary Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas voyage, including the cancellation of a port call and adjustments to arrival and departure times. The cruise line said the changes were required because the ship’s planned operating speed would need to be adjusted during parts of the voyage.
The round-trip sailing is scheduled to depart San Diego on October 15th, 2026, and originally included 14 ports across Hawaii, Kiribati and French Polynesia. The revised itinerary removes the October 29th call at Tabuaeran, also known as Fanning Island, in Kiribati.
Holland America Line has not linked the operating-speed changes to a technical problem. However, the announcement comes 4 months after Zaandam experienced a confirmed propulsion issue during its Alaska programme.
The French Polynesia schedule has also been modified. Instead of visiting Bora Bora on November 3rd and Raiatea on November 4th, Zaandam will call at Raiatea on November 3rd from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by Bora Bora on November 4th from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The revised sequence is intended to avoid an overlap with Silversea’s Silver Whisper, making Zaandam the only cruise ship scheduled in each port on those dates.
The new Bora Bora schedule reduces the ship’s time in port by 5 hours compared with the original 11:00 p.m. departure, although Holland America Line said the earlier departure would provide an opportunity for a sunset sailaway.
Some additional time has been allocated elsewhere following the cancellation of Fanning Island. The calls at Kahului, Hawaii, on October 24th and Moorea, French Polynesia, on November 6th have each been extended by 2 hours.
Passengers booked on the October 15th departure will also receive a US$100 non-refundable onboard credit, which can be used for items including specialty dining, spa services, retail purchases and shore excursions.
The latest reference to adjustments in Zaandam’s operating speed has attracted attention because of the ship’s propulsion difficulties earlier in 2026. During a June 3rd Alaska voyage, a technical problem affecting one propulsion system prevented the vessel from maintaining its normal speed. The incident resulted in an extended stay in Juneau and the cancellation of calls at Skagway and Ketchikan, as well as planned scenic cruising in Glacier Bay.
The following voyage, scheduled to depart Vancouver on June 10th, was also delayed while repairs continued, with the itinerary substantially revised.
Holland America Line has not confirmed any connection between that incident and the current itinerary changes. Its latest communication refers only to adjustments to the ship’s planned operating speed, leaving the precise operational reason for the changes unspecified.
Zaandam remains scheduled to depart San Diego on October 15th for the 35-day Pacific voyage and return to the same port following its itinerary through Hawaii and French Polynesia.
For more ms Zaandam incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.