MS Zaandam
October 15, 2026

San Diego, California, offers docking at San Diego Port. Travelers explore Balboa Park and Gaslamp Quarter. Excursions visit La Jolla’s sea lions. Local markets sell fish tacos. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Spanish architecture and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes carne asada, a Californian favorite. Souvenirs, like surf-themed crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kumeyaay history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance park walks. San Diego’s urban charm offers a vibrant American stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural parks and scenic coasts, making San Diego an engaging destination.

Nawiliwili, Kauai, Hawaii, offers docking at Nawiliwili Port. Travelers explore Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. Excursions include snorkeling at Tunnels Beach. Local markets sell shave ice. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures rugged cliffs and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes kalua pork, a Hawaiian favorite. Souvenirs, like kukui nut crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance canyon hikes. Nawiliwili’s natural charm offers a vibrant Hawaiian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of dramatic landscapes and marine adventures, making Nawiliwili an engaging destination.

Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, offers docking at Honolulu Port. Travelers explore Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach. Excursions include snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Local markets sell poke. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic memorials and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes loco moco, a Hawaiian favorite. Souvenirs, like aloha crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Honolulu’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Hawaiian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and scenic beaches, making Honolulu an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Honolulu — see Day 8 above for port info.

Kahului, Maui, Hawaii, offers docking at Kahului Port. Travelers explore Haleakalā National Park and Iao Valley. Excursions include snorkeling at Molokini Crater. Local markets sell poke. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures volcanic craters and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes kalua pork, a Hawaiian favorite. Souvenirs, like macadamia crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance park hikes. Kahului’s natural charm offers a vibrant Hawaiian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of volcanic landscapes and marine adventures, making Kahului an engaging destination.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, offers docking at Kailua-Kona Port. Travelers explore Hulihe‘e Palace and Kona Coffee farms. Excursions include snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay. Local markets sell poke. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures volcanic beaches and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes loco moco, a Hawaiian favorite. Souvenirs, like Kona coffee crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Kailua-Kona’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Hawaiian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural heritage and scenic beaches, making Kailua-Kona an engaging destination.

Cross International Date Line offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers experience the time shift at sea, gaining or losing a day. No excursions or facilities exist; activities are ship-based. The peak season varies by itinerary, typically warm for Pacific crossings. Photography captures vast ocean vistas. Dining onboard includes international dishes, reflecting the global journey. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover maritime history and navigation. Light clothing suits the variable climate, while comfortable shoes enhance deck walks. Crossing the Date Line offers a unique maritime stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of educational briefings and open-sea relaxation, making the Date Line an engaging destination for exploration.

Fanning Island, Kiribati, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with zodiacs to coral atolls. Travelers snorkel vibrant reefs, spotting parrotfish and rays. Excursions visit traditional Kirchbati villages, showcasing local dances. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, May to October, brings calm seas. Photography captures palm-fringed lagoons and sunsets. Dining onboard includes coconut-based dishes, reflecting island flavors. Souvenirs, like woven mats, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian culture. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Snorkeling gear enhances reef exploration. Fanning Island’s remote beauty and vibrant marine life offer a tranquil Pacific escape, immersing travelers in Kiribati’s pristine atolls and cultural traditions.

Returning to Cross International Dateline — see Day 14 above for port info.

Cross The Equator offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers celebrate the line-crossing ceremony at sea. No excursions or facilities exist; activities are ship-based. The peak season varies by itinerary, typically warm for equatorial crossings. Photography captures vast ocean vistas and festive ceremonies. Dining onboard includes international dishes, reflecting the global journey. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover maritime traditions. Light clothing suits the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance deck walks. Crossing the Equator offers a unique maritime stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ceremonial events and open-sea relaxation, making the Equator crossing an engaging destination for exploration.

Avatoru, Rangiroa, French Polynesia, anchors offshore with tenders to the pass, a village of 800. Travelers snorkel the Tiputa Pass for manta rays and reef sharks. The Gauguin’s Pearl Farm, 10 minutes east, offers tours. Local markets sell monoi oil. Excursions to the Blue Lagoon, 1 hour by boat, provide picnics. Peak season May to October; taxis 1,000 XPF. Dining includes poisson cru at beach shacks. Souvenirs feature shell necklaces.

Huahine, French Polynesia, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with tenders to coral beaches. Travelers snorkel vibrant reefs and visit Fare’s markets. Excursions explore Maroe Bay’s archaeological sites. Local markets sell vanilla. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather. Photography captures turquoise lagoons and Polynesian villages. Dining onboard includes poisson cru, a Polynesian dish. Souvenirs, like pareos, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian culture. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Snorkeling gear enhances reef exploration. Huahine’s idyllic beauty offers a serene Polynesian stop, blending marine life with cultural heritage.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia, offers docking at Vaitape Port with tenders to shore. Travelers explore Matira Beach and Mount Otemanu. Excursions include lagoon snorkeling. Local markets sell poisson cru. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures coral reefs and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes poulet fafa, a Polynesian favorite. Souvenirs, like pearl crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Bora Bora’s island charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of stunning lagoons and scenic beaches, making Bora Bora an engaging destination.

Raiatea, French Polynesia, offers docking at Uturoa Port. Travelers explore Taputapuatea’s UNESCO marae and vanilla plantations. Excursions include snorkeling at Motu Iriru. Local markets sell poisson cru. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather for island tours. Photography captures sacred sites and lagoon vistas. Dining onboard includes poulet fafa, a Polynesian favorite. Souvenirs, like black pearls, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Raiatea’s cultural allure offers a vibrant Polynesian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of sacred heritage, scenic lagoons, and island culture, making Raiatea an engaging destination for exploring French Polynesia’s beauty.

Papeete, Tahiti, offers docking at Papeete Port. Travelers explore Point Venus and Bougainville Park. Excursions include snorkeling at Moorea’s lagoon. Local markets sell poisson cru. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures black-sand beaches and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes poulet fafa, a Tahitian favorite. Souvenirs, like pearl crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Polynesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Papeete’s island charm offers a vibrant French Polynesian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic lagoons, making Papeete an engaging destination for exploration.

Bahia D’Opunoha, Moorea, French Polynesia, anchors offshore with tenders to Opunohu Bay, a 10-minute ride to the village. Travelers hike Belvedere Lookout, 20 minutes inland, for lagoon views. Snorkeling explores coral gardens with blacktip sharks. Cultural tours visit Tiki Village for Polynesian dance demos. Local markets sell vanilla beans. Peak season May to October; taxis 1,000 XPF. Dining includes poisson cru at beach shacks. Souvenirs feature pareo fabrics. Kayaking navigates calm bays.

Returning to Papeete — see Day 22 above for port info.

Fakarava, Tuamotu Archipelago, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with zodiacs to coral beaches. Travelers snorkel UNESCO-listed reefs, spotting blacktip sharks. Excursions visit pearl farms, showcasing Polynesian craftsmanship. Local markets sell fresh coconuts. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather. Photography captures turquoise lagoons and atoll sunsets. Dining onboard features poisson cru, a local delicacy. Souvenirs, like black pearls, are available in ship shops. Briefings emphasize reef conservation. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Snorkeling gear enhances underwater exploration. Fakarava’s pristine atolls offer a serene Polynesian escape, blending vibrant marine life with tranquil island beauty, inviting travelers to immerse in the Tuamotu’s unspoiled paradise.

Nuku Hiva, Marquesas, French Polynesia, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with tenders to Taiohae Bay. Travelers explore ancient tiki statues and Hatiheu’s archaeological sites. Excursions visit Taipivai Valley’s jungles. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather for exploration. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and Pacific shores. Dining onboard includes poisson cru, a Polynesian dish. Souvenirs, like carved tikis, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Marquesan culture. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance jungle hikes. Nuku Hiva’s wild beauty offers a serene Marquesas stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient heritage and tropical landscapes, making Nuku Hiva an engaging destination for exploring Polynesian history.

Returning to Cross The Equator — see Day 16 above for port info.

Returning to San Diego — see Day 1 above for port info.