Zaandam’s Lost Pacific Stop Deserves a Clearer Explanation

Tabuaeran, better known as Fanning Island, has been dropped from Zaandam’s 35-night Pacific voyage because of “adjustments to the ship’s planned operating speed.” That tells booked passengers what Holland America is changing, but not why. For a sailing built around such a specific route, I’d want a fuller explanation than that.

The affected cruise is the 35-night Legendary Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas voyage, departing San Diego on October 15, 2026. The roundtrip sailing is part of Holland America’s Legendary Voyages program, with overnight visits to Honolulu and Tahiti and calls at Nuku Hiva and Huahine.

Holland America has notified guests that the October 29 visit to Tabuaeran, in Kiribati, is cancelled. Each passenger will receive a US$100 non-refundable onboard credit, usable for shore excursions, specialty dining, spa treatments and retail purchases. The revised schedule also adds two hours in Kahului on October 24 and two hours in Moorea on November 6.

Those extra hours are useful. They still leave passengers with one fewer destination.

A quieter port, but a shorter visit

Holland America has reversed the order of two French Polynesia calls. Zaandam will now visit Raiatea on November 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by Bora Bora on November 4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Bora Bora call is five hours shorter than originally scheduled.

The line says the date swap avoids overlaps with Silversea’s Silver Whisper, leaving Zaandam as the only cruise ship in port at both destinations. According to Holland America, that will give passengers greater access to local transportation and shore excursions.

I like the logic of avoiding another ship in ports where passengers want to get out and explore. But five fewer hours in Bora Bora is a meaningful concession. Being the only ship there is a benefit, not a complete answer to the shorter stay.

Zaandam’s June propulsion trouble

The operating-speed explanation also needs to be kept separate from what is known about Zaandam’s earlier trouble. A propulsion fault disrupted two Alaska departures in June, prevented the ship from maintaining its normal speed and required repairs during an extended stay in Juneau. The following voyage was delayed by more than a day.

Holland America has not disclosed why the current speed adjustments are necessary or confirmed any connection to that fault. No recurrence has been confirmed. There is no basis to declare this the same problem.

A long season of destination-heavy sailing

Zaandam is completing its Alaska season with an 18-night Great Bear Rainforest and Alaska Explorer voyage, roundtrip from Vancouver. It covers 11 destinations in Alaska and Canada, including an overnight in Anchorage, before returning in early October.

Prince Rupert and Homer, both less frequently visited by cruise ships, feature alongside Ketchikan, Juneau, Wrangell, Sitka, Kodiak and Valdez. Scenic cruising includes Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. Built in 2000, Zaandam measures 61,396 gross tons and carries 1,432 passengers at double occupancy.

The ship then repositions to San Diego for a fall and winter program covering the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii and the South Pacific. Its remaining West Coast schedule also includes a 12-night Sea of Cortez cruise visiting Guaymas, Topolobampo, Loreto and La Paz, plus Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada.

Zaandam moves to Fort Lauderdale in December. In early 2027, it is scheduled to depart Port Everglades on a 70-night roundtrip circumnavigation of South America, with Caribbean calls, scenic cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula and around Cape Horn, a visit to Belem near the Amazon’s mouth and a three-day stay in Buenos Aires.

These are itineraries with specific places and substantial time ashore at their heart. Holland America has told its Pacific passengers what they are losing and what credit they will receive. It still owes them a clearer account of why the voyage they chose has become a different one.