Holland America Line has changed the itinerary of Zaandam’s 35-day Legendary Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas cruise, which leaves San Diego on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The ship will no longer call at Tabuaeran (Fanning Island), Kiribati, on Thursday, October 29, and guests on the sailing are getting a $100 shipboard credit.
The cruise line told booked guests that “adjustments to the ship’s planned operating speed will be required during portions of the voyage,” according to Cruise Hive. If you are booked, read the new port times before you book flights home or shore tours, and see our Zaandam ship guide for the ship’s layout and history.
- Sailing: Zaandam, 35 days, round trip from San Diego, departing Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Port dropped: Tabuaeran (Fanning Island), Kiribati, on Thursday, October 29.
- Calls swapped: Raiatea moves to Tuesday, November 3 and Bora Bora to Wednesday, November 4.
- Extra time: two more hours at Kahului on Saturday, October 24 and at Moorea on Friday, November 6.
- Compensation: a $100 non-refundable shipboard credit per guest on the October 15 departure.
What Changed on the Itinerary
The biggest loss is Fanning Island, the remote Kiribati atoll that gave the long Pacific crossing a stop between Hawaii and French Polynesia. Holland America says the ship will adjust how long it stays in certain other ports as a result.
The cruise line also reordered two French Polynesia calls, according to its statement as reported by DataPortuaria. Zaandam was due at Bora Bora on Tuesday, November 3 and Raiatea on Wednesday, November 4. It will now be at Raiatea on November 3 and Bora Bora on November 4.
New Port Times in French Polynesia
Raiatea now runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. Bora Bora runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, an earlier finish than the original 11 p.m. departure, which the line says allows a sunset sailaway.
Holland America describes the swap as a benefit, because Zaandam becomes the only ship in port at each island on those days. That means easier access to local transport and shore excursions, although the later evening at Bora Bora is gone.
Extra Hours at Kahului and Moorea
Two ports get more time to make up for Fanning Island. Zaandam gains two hours at Kahului, Maui, on Saturday, October 24 and two hours at Moorea on Friday, November 6.
Those extra hours matter most for anyone with a booked excursion. Tour start times and all-aboard times can move with the new schedule, so confirm any private or independent plans with the operator once the ship’s final times appear in the Holland America app or your booking account.
The $100 Credit and What It Covers
Guests on the October 15 departure receive a $100 shipboard credit that is non-refundable and posts to the onboard account before departure. It can be spent on dining, the spa, shops, shore excursions and the photo gallery.
The credit is not a refund of fare for the lost port. Holland America has not said whether anyone can cancel without penalty, so guests who want to change plans should ask the line directly and get the answer in writing.
Why the Speed Adjustment Is Drawing Questions
Holland America has not said why Zaandam must sail slower. Cruise Hive notes that the ship had confirmed propulsion trouble in June, which we covered in our report on Zaandam’s Alaska propulsion delay, but no source connects that problem to this change.
Booked guests have raised the question themselves. The sailing covers more than 9,400 miles, and a slower speed leaves less room to recover if weather or a technical issue costs time, so a published port schedule stays a plan rather than a guarantee.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Booked a Bora Bora or Raiatea tour | Recheck the date: Raiatea is now Tuesday, November 3 and Bora Bora is Wednesday, November 4. |
| Were counting on Fanning Island | Expect no port call on Thursday, October 29, since the stop is cancelled. |
| Have a Kahului or Moorea excursion | Ask the operator whether the extra two hours open a later or longer option. |
| Want to cancel or rebook | Contact Holland America or your travel advisor; no cancellation terms have been published. |
October 15 is the sailing date. The $100 credit should be on your onboard account before you leave San Diego, so check it at embarkation.
October 24 and October 29 are the first changed ports. Kahului gets extra time on the 24th and the Fanning Island call disappears on the 29th.
November 3 and 4 are the French Polynesia swap. Move any excursion or private tour bookings to the new days before you arrive.
Which port did Zaandam drop on the October 15 cruise?
Tabuaeran (Fanning Island), Kiribati, which was planned for Thursday, October 29, is no longer on the itinerary.
Did Raiatea and Bora Bora change days?
Yes. Raiatea is now Tuesday, November 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Bora Bora is Wednesday, November 4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
How much compensation are guests getting?
Each guest on the October 15 departure gets a $100 non-refundable shipboard credit, added to the onboard account before sailing.
Has Holland America explained the slower speed?
No. The line says only that the ship’s planned operating speed must be adjusted on parts of the voyage, and it has not named a cause. See the Holland America Hawaii and Tahiti ports page for the line’s port list.
