Published on
January 25, 2026
From California, the cruise ship Zaandam embarks on a 93-night voyage to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. The voyage will begin in January, and the itinerary is designed for travelers who appreciate time, depth, and discovery, rather than speed. The voyage will also highlight remote island cultures and major Pacific cities, offering a leisurely travel experience to some of the world’s most remote destinations. The ship will begin her journey from the West Coast, and her guests will enjoy a nearly three-month experience at sea.
Rather than focusing on the cross-continental movement from port to port, the shipping line has designed the journey to provide a voyage that is extensive in terms of scope. The line has put together a rhythm from the vast Pacific that allows for immersion at sea. Integration is central to the anticipated experience. Alongside the Pacific, there is expected integration of the vast spaces and environments of the Pacific to reinforce the contemplation experience.
A Long-Range Pacific Itinerary
From California, the voyage will encompass 42 destinations in New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific. The voyage will highlight the Hawaiian Islands, allowing travelers to ease into the journey.
After that, the ship travels further into the Pacific, stopping at American Samoa and Fiji, and then continues on to Melanesia. Planned stops include New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea, which are all relatively uncrowded with cruise ship traffic, but they do offer cultural diversity. These stops are often mentioned in national tourism policy frameworks as important for the country’s tourism and for their cultural and environmental value.
Extended Stays and Rare Island Calls
Longer time spent in port is one of the more prominent features of the cruise. The ship is going to stay overnight in Honolulu, Fremantle, Sydney, Auckland, and Papeete. These extended stays will allow cruisers to experience the cities at night and interact with the local communities.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The itinerary also features an unusual stop at Bora Bora in French Polynesia that regional tourism administrators often promote for the conservation of their lagoons and sustainable tourism practices. These unusual stops are part of the cruise’s focus on less common ports instead of the more populated cruise ship destinations.
Arrival in Australia
Advertisement
Advertisement
In the first week of February, the ship arrives in Australia for the first time. Australia is a large country with many different geographical and cultural characteristics. The planned itinerary includes 12 stops at Australian ports-Darwin in the Northern Territory, Hobart in Tasmania, and the South Australian ports of Adelaide and Kangaroo Island. Australia is a large country with many different geographical and cultural characteristics, and these ports represent the range of Australia’s geography from tropical vai to the temperate south. The Australian government encourages ship planners to include stops in rural and less-populated tourist locations. Because the ship will spend a long time in Australian waters, travelers will be able to appreciate the full range of Australia’s attractions-the cultural, historical, and natural.
New Zealand, Tonga, and French Polynesia
After Australia, the ship will sail to New Zealand, where the planned itinerary includes stops at several ports on both the North and South Islands. The ship will then head into the central Pacific and make stops at several ports in Tonga and French Polynesia. The cultural traditions and unique biodiversity of these countries make them attractive for religious and secular tourism. The planned stops also provide an opportunity for the ship’s visitors to experience and appreciate the culture of these countries.
Onboard Experiences for a Long Journey
Understanding that the journey itself is significant, the cruise line has developed a variety of onboard programs that help celebrate this moment throughout the journey. The onboard programming has many themed nights inspired by different time periods and cultures, formal parties, and even some outdoor events, where weather permits.
This journey also has an interesting alignment, as it is synced with another voyage on the same operator. Both vessels will rendezvous in Sydney in early March. During this call, there is a special event with a culinary focus, honoring the time spent together on the journey and the importance of food.
A Ship with History
Since her debut in 2000, The Zaandam has spent a quarter of a century cruising with the same company. The ship has been fabricated in Italy and has undergone multiple refurbishments in order to keep up with the modern safety standards and guest expectations. The ship is also fully equipped for long deployments and has undergone significant repairs in recent years.
Compared to many modern cruise ships, the Zaandam is more intimate, with a capacity of roughly 1440 guests. This allows the cruise line to visit remote ports, providing guests with unique experiences. This also allows the cruise line to focus on visiting destinations that appreciate lower volumes of tourists.
What Comes After the Grand Voyage
Once the Grand Voyage ends in early April, the Zaandam will homeport in California. From there, she’s scheduled to do a series of short Mexican Riviera and Baja Peninsula cruises. Later in the summer, she will move to the Alaskan cruise ports. This will also be a series of cruises that focus on sustainable tourism, as the Alaskan cruise ports have a more environmentally focused tourism policy.
Closing Reflection
For many guests, this will be the first voyage to Japan, if not the first cruise altogether. This will be a unique opportunity to show them that travel can be enjoyed and meaningful without a quick itinerary. The cruise will include a variety of ports, some of which may not be visited on a future trip to Japan. The cruise line is providing guests with unique opportunities that will be rare in modern cruising.
