At Sea - October 19, 2026

Day 4 of 5: Settling Into the Long-Haul Cruise Life Aboard the Zaandam

We are now on Day 4 of 5 of our Pacific crossing to Hawaii, and it seems that everyone has settled into the routines of a long-haul cruise. The days are slipping by, and life at sea is beginning to feel pretty comfortable. There is something about being out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, with nothing but water in every direction, that encourages you to slow down, relax, and enjoy the journey.

Of course, on a Holland America cruise, there is always something going on if you feel like getting involved. And on a longer voyage like this one, the cruise line certainly brings out a few extra treats to keep everyone entertained, educated, and perhaps even a little more cultured!

But before we get into all the activities and happenings aboard the ship, let’s take a little detour into the history of the company and the ship that is our home for this adventure.

A Little History: Holland America Line

Holland America Line has quite a history, dating all the way back to 1873, when it was established in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, under the name Netherlands-America Steamship Company.

In those early days, the company was primarily involved in transporting passengers and cargo between Europe and North America. For generations of Europeans, these ships provided an important link to a new life across the Atlantic, carrying immigrants, travellers, and goods between the two continents.

As air travel gradually took over the business of moving people across oceans, Holland America evolved into the cruise line we know today, focusing on destination-oriented travel, comfortable ships, good food, and a more traditional style of cruising.

The company is now part of Carnival Corporation, but it has retained much of its Dutch heritage and reputation for offering a more relaxed, destination-focused cruise experience.

And that is one of the things we enjoy about Holland America. It isn’t just about getting from one port to another. The journey itself is an important part of the experience, especially when you are fortunate enough to have several days at sea.

Our Home at Sea: The Zaandam

Our home for this adventure is the Zaandam, a ship that joined the Holland America fleet in 2000.

She belongs to the line’s R-class ships and has a sister ship, the Volendam. The Zaandam takes her name from a Dutch town near Amsterdam, continuing the company’s tradition of celebrating its Dutch roots.

One of the interesting things about the ship is her music-inspired décor. Throughout the public areas, you will find musical instruments and memorabilia, reflecting the ship’s connection to music. It gives the interiors a little character and makes for some interesting things to look at as you wander around.

The Zaandam is not one of the enormous floating resorts that some cruise lines operate today. She is a more traditional-sized cruise ship, which suits us just fine. There is plenty to do, enough space to find a quiet corner, and a comfortable atmosphere for a longer voyage.

And speaking of longer voyages, that brings us to some of the extras that make this cruise a little different from your typical week-long getaway.

The Extras That Come With a Longer Cruise

One of the pleasures of a longer cruise is that Holland America has the opportunity to bring additional people aboard to enrich the experience. There is more time to learn something new, try a different activity, enjoy some entertainment, or simply sit back and watch the Pacific roll by.

We currently have two guest lecturers aboard, offering a variety of presentations. Topics include the history of Hawaii, from its days as a kingdom through to becoming a state, as well as the history and significance of the Hawaiian lei.

These talks are a nice way to prepare for our upcoming Hawaiian ports. After all, it is one thing to visit a destination and take a few photographs, but understanding a little of its history and culture can make the experience that much more meaningful.

We also have bridge instructors aboard for those who enjoy the game and would like to improve their skills. And for those looking for a little spiritual nourishment along the way, additional clergy members are on board to offer guidance and opportunities for reflection.

There really is something for just about everyone.

Music, Dancing, and a Whole New Show!

The entertainment department has also received a considerable boost.

We have an additional dance band aboard, which gives us even more opportunities to enjoy some live music and dancing. And following the ship’s turnaround in San Diego, we welcomed a whole new troupe of eight singers and dancers.

But that isn’t the entire team. They are accompanied by four additional support staff, including people responsible for costumes and alterations, choreography, and troupe leadership. It takes quite a bit of work behind the scenes to make those performances look effortless on stage!

The exciting part is that the team is here to put together eight brand-new shows for us to enjoy during the voyage.

As an added bonus, two of the singers and two of the dancers were aboard with us last year. It is always nice to see familiar faces again, especially when you have enjoyed their performances before. It makes the ship feel just a little more familiar, even when the entertainment itself is all new.

We look forward to seeing what they have in store for us over the coming weeks. With eight new productions to prepare, I suspect the backstage area will be every bit as busy as the stage itself!

Keeping Active at Sea

For those who prefer a little activity rather than spending the day lounging around, we also have event team leaders aboard who are organizing pickleball and Tai Chi lessons and instruction.

Pickleball continues to be a popular pastime on cruise ships, and Tai Chi offers a rather different way to stretch, move, and find a little balance. There is no shortage of ways to keep busy if that is what you want to do.

Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with finding a comfortable chair, looking out at the ocean, and doing precisely nothing for a while either. That is one of the great luxuries of a sea day!

Dressy Nights, Pillow Gifts, and the Tiki Bar

The little extras are beginning to appear as well.

Our dressy-night pillow gifts are back, a small touch that adds to the occasion when we get dressed up for the evening. It is always fun to see what turns up and what little surprise Holland America has arranged for us.

Another welcome addition is the opening of the Tiki Bar on the Lido Deck. It gives us another spot to enjoy a drink and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of the voyage.

And then there are the special events. On a cruise of this length, the daily schedule becomes increasingly varied, with more functions, activities, and gatherings than you might expect on a shorter sailing.

We have a Pool Party planned for the afternoon in the midship Lido area, which should add a little more life to the proceedings. With the music, the pool, and plenty of fellow passengers enjoying themselves, it is another opportunity to get together and make the most of our time aboard.

Between the lectures, music, dancing, games, special events, and entertainment, the days certainly don’t have to be dull. Of course, the trick is deciding which activities to attend and which ones to skip. There are only so many hours in a day, after all!

Our Little Corner of the Ship

And now, let’s talk about our accommodations.

For this voyage, we booked a guaranteed outside cabin, which means Holland America selected our actual cabin assignment rather than allowing us to choose a specific room when booking.

We are on Deck 1, the Dolphin Deck, right aft, in the very last cabin at the back of the ship.

This is the first time we have booked a guarantee cabin and not received an upgrade. In the past, there has sometimes been a pleasant surprise waiting for us, but not this time!

Are we disappointed? Not really.

Our cabin is larger than a standard stateroom because it is designed to accommodate guests with mobility needs. That extra space is certainly welcome, and we have room to spread out and get comfortable.

There is, however, one little giveaway when we are approaching port.

Because we are right at the stern, we can hear the stern thrusters firing up as the ship prepares to manoeuvre into position. Those powerful thrusters help move the back of the ship sideways when docking, and from our cabin, we get a rather clear reminder that something is happening!

So, if we are lying in bed and suddenly hear those familiar sounds, we know we must be getting close to port. LOL!

It is a small price to pay for the extra room, and in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn’t bother us.

As with so many things in life, it is all about trade-offs.

We didn’t get the upgrade we might have hoped for, but we did get a spacious cabin, and we are perfectly happy with that. Besides, we are spending a good deal of our time enjoying the ship and all that is happening around us.

And So, the Journey Continues

As we move through Day 4 of our Pacific crossing, we are finding our rhythm aboard the Zaandam. The routines are established, the sea days are passing comfortably, and there is plenty to look forward to as we make our way toward Hawaii.

The lectures will give us a little more insight into the places we are about to visit, the new entertainment will keep our evenings interesting, and the additional activities offer plenty of choices for those days when we feel like doing something different.

And if none of that appeals, there is always the ocean, a comfortable chair, and the simple pleasure of watching the world go by.

We have one more full day of crossing ahead before Hawaii comes into view, and we are looking forward to seeing what the next chapter of this adventure brings.

Until then, we will keep enjoying life at sea, making the most of the opportunities around us, and reminding ourselves how fortunate we are to be on this journey.

More to come as our Hawaiian adventure unfolds!

San Diego - October 16, 2026

Part Two of Our Adventure: The 35-Day Legendary Voyage Begins!

Well, here we are, continuing our cruise journey with Part Two of our adventure — the 35-Day Legendary Hawaii, French Polynesia and Marquesas Voyage aboard Holland America Line’s Zaandam!

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s rewind a little and tell you about yesterday’s activities in San Diego.

Turnover Day in San Diego

Yesterday was what the cruise lines call a turnover day. Approximately 1,300 guests left the ship, with roughly the same number embarking for their next adventure. About 100 of us were fortunate enough to remain aboard, having joined the Zaandam for either the 11-day or 7-day segment cruise.

We waited patiently as the departing guests made their way off the ship. In fact, we stayed aboard until pretty much everyone had left, waiting for that final call. Every guest needs to scan off the ship so that the crew can establish a zero count before the next group of passengers can officially begin their cruise.

And there we were, still aboard, watching the changeover unfold!

San Diego was putting on quite a show for us, with temperatures around 30°C and just a light breeze. It was an absolutely lovely day to get out and stretch our legs, so we decided to head off for a stroll through the famous Balboa Park.

What a wonderful place to spend a few hours! There was so much to see, from the beautiful architecture to the gardens, fountains and inviting little spots where you could sit for a while and simply enjoy your surroundings. It was the perfect opportunity to slow down, take it all in and enjoy a little more of San Diego before setting sail.

After a few hours exploring, we called an Uber and headed back to our floating home, the Zaandam.

All Aboard for a Legendary Sail Away!

At 5:00 pm, right on schedule, we were underway!

There’s always something special about sail-away day, but this one had all the fanfare befitting a Legendary Voyage. After all, we weren’t just heading off on another short cruise. We were beginning a 35-day adventure across the Pacific, with Hawaii, French Polynesia and the Marquesas Islands waiting for us along the way.

Following our departure, we enjoyed a complimentary drinks gathering by the pool for the ship’s 3-, 4- and 5-Star Mariner Society members. The ship’s officers, right up to the captain, were there to welcome these loyal guests.

It was a lovely way to kick off the voyage, catch up with fellow cruisers and enjoy that familiar feeling of being back at sea.

And now, of course, comes one of my favourite parts of a turnover day — watching all the new guests discover the ship!

You hear the familiar questions: “Where is the dining room?” “Oh, look, they have a library!” And, perhaps most importantly, “Don’t these chairs look comfy?”

We’ve all been there at some point, haven’t we? Everything is new, there are places to explore, and you’re already imagining where you’ll spend the next few weeks relaxing.

Of course, for those of us staying aboard, it’s rather nice to be able to point people in the right direction — or simply sit back and watch the excitement unfold.

Why We Love These Longer Voyages

Although this is considered a Legendary Voyage, at 35 days it’s actually on the shorter side of the longer cruises Holland America offers.

Personally, I think voyages like this are a terrific idea for HAL. They give people the opportunity to try something longer than the usual week or two without committing to one of those really lengthy journeys right away.

And here’s something I’ve noticed over the years: once you get to around 30 days, the whole atmosphere changes.

Think of it as the difference between staying in a hotel for a week and spending a month at your favourite holiday home or cottage.

There’s a different rhythm to life. People settle in, become familiar faces, establish their favourite routines and get to know one another. There’s less of that frantic feeling of trying to fit everything into a few precious days. Instead, it becomes about enjoying life, taking things as they come and appreciating the experience.

The pace is more relaxed, the atmosphere is easygoing, and people seem quite content simply enjoying the journey.

And that, for us, is a big part of the appeal.

We’re looking forward to getting properly settled into this next chapter, catching up with familiar faces and seeing what adventures await us over the coming weeks.

Day 1 of 5: Crossing the Pacific

Today marks Day 1 of our five-day Pacific Ocean crossing as we make our way towards Hawaii.

The captain is anticipating relatively calm seas for the crossing, which will certainly be welcome. As we head farther into the Pacific, the temperatures will gradually rise, and we’re looking forward to enjoying those wonderful Hawaiian breezes.

For now, it’s time to settle into shipboard life, enjoy the ocean views and make the most of having nowhere in particular to be.

Not a bad way to spend a few days, is it?

So, here are a few photos from our time in San Diego, including our stroll through Balboa Park and the beginning of our latest adventure aboard the Zaandam.

We’re officially underway, and Hawaii is calling!

Until next time… 

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Back to the South Pacific 2026

Back to Sea — Here We Go Again

Well, here we are again!

Apparently we enjoyed last year’s adventure a little too much because we have once again packed our bags, hauled everything down to the ship and climbed aboard the Zaandam for another rather long trip across the Pacific.

And yes, this is very similar to the Legendary Voyage we did in 2025.

Obviously, we liked it!

This time we are starting in Vancouver on October 4 and heading south. The first part of the trip is an 11-day cruise down the Pacific Coast to Mexico and then back to San Diego.

Then, on October 15, we don’t get off the ship. We continue, in the same stateroom for part two on the beautiful Zaandam.

The second cruise is the Legendary, 35-day Legendary Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas voyage, also aboard Zaandam. Holland America has put together quite a trip for this one, taking us from San Diego to Hawaii and then on across the Pacific to French Polynesia and the Marquesas before eventually bringing us back to San Diego. Holland America lists this as one of its 2026–27 Legendary Voyages.

So when we put the two cruises together, we are looking at 46 nights aboard Zaandam.

Yep.

That’s a lot of nights.

And a lot of meals.

And a LOT of laundry.

First Stop — Mexico

We left Vancouver October 4, and the first few days were all about getting into cruise mode.

There were several sea days as we head south before reaching San Diego. From there we continued toward Mexico, with scheduled stops at Cabo San Lucas, Pichilingue (La Paz) and Mazatlán, before eventually returning to San Diego on October 15.

So the first part looked something like:

Vancouver → sea days → San Diego → sea day → Cabo San Lucas → Pichilingue/La Paz → Mazatlán → sea days → San Diego.

This is where we had a bit of cruise interruption, on two fronts, front one was Hurricane Simon, the second, well, let’s just say did cause a pause in our anticipated journey. Hurricane Simon and its track prevented us from being able to visit the port in Mazatlan but for us this was okay as we needed to give ourselves a bit of a breather. As this blog main focus remains on our travel journey, we will simply say that after the four day crossing we had a week aboard the ship taking it easy and getting us ready for the Legendary portion of our trip.

So I believe with last year’s incredible weather that there maybe some adjustments need to be made to accommodate.

The weather on our 2025 Legendary trip was almost ridiculously good for much of the voyage. We kept looking at the forecasts and wondering when our luck was going to run out. The weather gods remained on our side so our luck never did run out.

This year I’m sure Mother Nature will be happy to correct us.

October can be a bit of a mixed bag as we head south from Vancouver. We could get beautiful sunshine and calm seas.

Or we could get rain.

Or wind.

Or big waves.

Or all three at once.

And then, as we get farther south, hopefully we will start seeing more of the sunshine and warmth we remember from last year.

But we aren’t making any predictions.

We learned our lesson.

We’re just going to take whatever the Pacific decides to give us.

Although we did bring our sense of adventure for whatever the Pacific will throw at us.

On October 15, we arrive back in San Diego.

Here rather than going home, like many on the ship, we stay aboard Zaandam and start 35 more nights of cruising.

This is the part we have really been looking forward to.

The Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas cruise takes us from San Diego across the Pacific to Hawaii, then south toward French Polynesia and eventually into the Marquesas.

The scheduled itinerary includes:

San Diego → Nawiliwili, Kauai → Honolulu → Kahului, Maui → Kona → sea days → French Polynesia → Rangiroa → Huahine → Bora Bora → Raiatea → Papeete → Moorea → Fakarava → Nuku Hiva → sea days → San Diego.

The itinerary has also changed since we originally booked it, so Fanning Island is no longer part of the cruise.

That’s cruising.

You make plans.

The cruise line makes plans.

The weather makes plans.

And eventually somebody decides what we’re actually doing.

We’ll just go with it.

One of the highlights of this trip will be the amount of time we have in some of these places. There is an overnight in Honolulu and an extended stay in Papeete, along with a later departure from Bora Bora. Those longer calls are one of the things that make these Legendary Voyages so interesting. (Holland America)

And, of course, there are a couple of things that make the trip even more fun.

We cross the International Date Line but only to transit through it, our clocks or in our case our date will not need to change. This is because of the funky line surrounding this arbitrary date line, lol. So we gain time, lose time, we cross the equator twice and then there is the weather. 

The Pacific is a very large ocean and October and November can produce just about anything. We could have calm seas and blue skies for days on end, or we could get a reminder that we are sitting on a relatively small piece of metal in the middle of a very large body of water.

Personally, I am voting for calm seas.

And sunshine.

Lots of sunshine.

But after last year, I’m not getting too confident.

We have packed rain gear.

We have packed warmer clothes.

We have packed summer clothes.

Basically, we’ve packed everything.

So whatever happens, we should be prepared.

Probably.

Why Are We Doing This Again?

That’s actually pretty easy to answer.

We loved the 2025 Legendary Voyage.

We enjoyed the longer stretches at sea, the smaller Zaandam, the relaxed pace and, of course, getting to places that aren’t exactly on the average vacation itinerary.

There is something very nice about unpacking once and then letting the ship do the work.

We don’t have to drive anywhere.

We don’t have to find hotels.

We don’t have to pack every few days.

Given the time changes, we just have to figure out what time dinner is.

And where we’re going tomorrow.

And what day it is.

So here we go again.

Vancouver to San Diego.

Mexico.

Back to San Diego.

Hawaii.

Across the Pacific.

French Polynesia.

The Marquesas.

And eventually, San Diego again.

Forty-six nights.

One ship.

A whole lot of ocean.

And hopefully a whole lot of sunshine.

We’re looking forward to sharing the trip with everyone who follows along with us.

We’ll see what happens.

There will undoubtedly be some great ports, some interesting people, some good meals, some not-so-good meals, plenty of sea days and, knowing us, a few adventures that weren’t actually on the itinerary.

And if the weather cooperates, we’ll be very happy.

If it doesn’t…

Well, that’s what coffee, books, trivia and a covered deck are for.

So, once again…

Welcome aboard!

Not our ship but a bow in made for a better picture. lol.

Thank you Aaron and Karen for hosting us and the Galapagos group while in San Diego.