Zaandam's 35-Day Hawaii-Tahiti Cruise Drops Fanning Island, Swaps Raiatea and Bora Bora
If you are booked on Zaandam's October 15, 2026 departure, review the new port times in the email from Holland America Line. Rework any Raiatea plans for November 3 and Bora Bora plans for November 4, and check Kahului on October 24 and Moorea on November 6 for the added two hours. Remember the Tabuaeran call on October 29 is gone. Use the $100 shipboard credit at any point during the sailing.
My read is that the Raiatea and Bora Bora swap is the real winner here: Zaandam, with 1,432 guests, gets both islands without Silver Whisper's 388 travelers, and a sunset sailaway from Bora Bora is a nice bonus. The loser is anyone who wanted Fanning Island on October 29, and two extra hours at Kahului and Moorea plus a $100 credit is modest compensation. What bothers me is the cause. Holland America has not said why the operating speed must change, and the article itself points to June's propulsion problems that cost Zaandam Skagway, Ketchikan and Glacier Bay. Those guests who worry about trouble in the middle of the Pacific, over 9,400 miles from advanced shipyards, are not being irrational. I would not cancel over speculation, but I would confirm travel insurance terms and keep expectations loose on every remaining port. No port is ever guaranteed, and this itinerary is already moving.