October 3, 2026 — Holland America Line has reworked Zaandam’s 35-day “Legendary Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas” cruise less than two weeks before departure, cancelling the call at Fanning Island and telling guests the ship’s planned operating speed has to change.
The voyage sails round trip from San Diego, leaving on October 15, 2026 and returning on November 19, 2026. Holland America, a Carnival Corporation brand, told booked guests that speed adjustments will be needed on parts of the route. It did not say why. Cruise Hive and Cruise Mummy both note that Zaandam had propulsion trouble in June 2026 that cost port calls on Alaska sailings.
What changed on the October 15 sailing
| Date | Port | Change |
|---|---|---|
| October 24, 2026 | Kahului, Maui | Two extra hours in port |
| October 29, 2026 | Tabuaeran (Fanning Island), Kiribati | Cancelled |
| November 3, 2026 | Raiatea | Moved up a day from November 4; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| November 4, 2026 | Bora Bora | Moved back a day from November 3; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Cruise Mummy reports the earlier plan had an 11 p.m. departure) |
| November 6, 2026 | Moorea | Two extra hours in port |
Holland America said swapping Raiatea and Bora Bora means Zaandam will be the only ship in port on both days. Each guest receives a US$100 non-refundable onboard credit, applied automatically before sailing. The coverage does not mention any refund or cancellation option.
Pickleball invitational at Half Moon Cay
Separately, Holland America will host a professional pickleball invitational on March 13, 2027 at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, its private island in the Bahamas, where four new courts have been installed. The event falls during Nieuw Statendam’s seven-day “Eastern Caribbean: San Juan & St. Thomas” cruise departing March 7, 2027. Four “countdown” cruises with onboard pickleball programming come first:
- November 20, 2026 — Nieuw Amsterdam, nine-day Southern Caribbean
- December 12, 2026 — Zuiderdam, seven-day Western Caribbean
- January 2, 2027 — Eurodam, seven-day Eastern Caribbean
- January 23, 2027 — Eurodam, seven-day Eastern Caribbean
Departure ports for these sailings were not given in the coverage: TBA.
What it means for airline travelers
- Your flights do not need to change. Zaandam still leaves San Diego on October 15 and returns on November 19. San Diego International (SAN) is the airport for the cruise terminal.
- Fly in at least a day early if you are on standby. A 35-day cruise cannot be caught up at the next port in any practical way; the first call after San Diego is in Hawaii.
- Leave room on the way home. The line has said the ship will run to an adjusted speed plan, and it has not explained why. Do not count on a tight same-day standby connection on November 19; list for more than one flight.
- The onboard credit is automatic. If Fanning Island was your reason for booking, ask Holland America or your travel agent what options exist, because none were published.
- Interline and travel-industry rates: nothing in either announcement changes them.
- Pickleball sailings: confirm each cruise’s departure port before pricing flights or listing for standby.
Sources
- Cruise Hive — Holland America Makes Multiple Changes to 35-Day Zaandam Voyage
- Cruise Critic — Holland America Line Alters Zaandam’s Itinerary Amid Operating Speed Adjustments
- Cruise Mummy — Zaandam’s 35-Day South Pacific Cruise Revised Days Before Departure
- Cruise Industry News — Holland America to Host Pickleball Association Invitational on a Private Island
