Zuiderdam Sets Sail on Holland America’s Voyage of the Vikings

Posted on 27 July, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Zuiderdam Sets Sail on Holland America’s Voyage of the Vikings

The Zuiderdam sailed from Boston recently to kick off Holland America Line’s 35-night “Voyage of the Vikings.”

The 2002-built ship is now scheduled to visit destinations in Canada, New England, Greenland, Iceland, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia before returning to its homeport in North America.

As part of Holland America’s Legendary Voyages program, the cruise is highlighted by an overnight call to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, as well as stops in off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Among the lesser-visited ports welcoming the Zuiderdam are Red Bay in Canada, Paamiut in Greenland, Husavik in Iceland and Douglas in the Isle of Man.

After visits to a total of 20 destinations, the 82,305-ton ship is scheduled to return to Boston, ending the Legendary Voyage on August 20, 2026.

Following the cruise, the Zuiderdam is scheduled to spend the remainder of the summer season offering itineraries in Canada and New England.

With cruises sailing between Boston and Quebec City, the deployment runs through late October, when the ship is scheduled to reposition to Florida.

Before the end of the year, the vessel offers a series of seven- to 10-night cruises to the Caribbean departing from PortMiami.

In early 2027, the ship repositions to the West Coast for cruises to the Mexican Riviera and Baja Peninsula regions.

Holland America recently confirmed that the Zuiderdam will be the second ship to undergo a refurbishment as part of the company’s Evolution refit program.

Following the Oosterdam, the Vista-class ship will introduce new and updated features, including a series of solo staterooms with balconies.

The 1,900-passenger ship will also welcome a Grand Dutch Café, a coffee shop inspired by the European café culture that first debuted on Pinnacle-class ships.

Described as the largest fleet investment in the company’s 153-year history, the Evolution program will also include refits for four additional vessels: the Westerdam, the Noordam, the Eurodam and the Nieuw Amsterdam.

First Two-Ship Alaska Program for Disney Sails from Vancouver

Posted on 15 June, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

First Two-Ship Alaska Program for Disney Sails from Vancouver

Disney Cruise Line’s first two-ship season in Alaska is underway. Marking the company’s largest deployment in the region, the cruise program includes the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder.

The vessels arrived in the region in May, kicking off a series of cruises departing from Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada.

The Disney Magic started its first season in the region in late May following a drydock in Victoria.

The 1998-built ship is now offering weeklong cruises that sail roundtrip from the Canada Place Cruise Terminal and include visits to Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan and Skagway.

Following a winter deployment on the West Coast, the Disney Wonder also began its season in Alaska in May.

Offering similar itineraries, the 1,750-passenger vessel is sailing roundtrip from Vancouver for seven-night cruises to Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.

Disney’s itineraries in the region are also highlighted by scenic cruising at Dawes Glacier and the Inside Passage.

The two ships are set to remain in Alaska through late September, each offering over 15 departures in the region.

Both ships are scheduled to offer fall cruises on the West Coast after the record-breaking season in the Pacific Northwest.

The Disney Magic will operate a series of itineraries to the Mexican Riviera and Baja California before embarking on a repositioning cruise to Texas.

The vessel’s season in the region runs through early November, when it is scheduled to offer a 14-night Panama Canal voyage that ends in Galveston.

Operating on the West Coast year-round, the Disney Wonder is set to offer cruises from San Diego through early 2027.

The vessel’s schedule includes both short cruises to Baja California and six- and seven-night itineraries to the Mexican Riviera.

In addition to Isla Catalina and Ensenada, the 1999-built ship is scheduled to make visits to Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán.

Saint John Welcomes Unscheduled Visit from Norwegian Aqua

Posted on 24 August, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Saint John Welcomes Unscheduled Visit from Norwegian Aqua

Saint John in Canada welcomed the new Norwegian Aqua for an unscheduled visit earlier this week.

Initially set to visit Bermuda, the Norwegian Cruise Line ship was diverted to the port due to the impact of Hurricane Erin.

“It was a beautiful sunny day, and guests were in good spirits despite not being at the port they signed up for,” Natalie Allaby, Port Saint John’s director of cruise, marketing and engagement, told Cruise Industry News.

“Days like yesterday remind us of how our cruise sector was born back in September of 1989: a hurricane diversion from an NYC cruise destined for Bermuda that came our way instead,” she continued.

The first cruise ship to visit Saint John was the Cunard Princess, which arrived at the port in Canada’s Bay of Fundy due to a diversion caused by Hurricane Gabrielle.

“We hope we can be of assistance should any additional diversions need to occur during the 2025 hurricane season,” Allaby added.

The call also marked the first visit of a Prima-class ship to Saint John, she added, noting that the port is happy to accommodate unscheduled calls.

After departing from New York City, the Norwegian Aqua made its inaugural visit to Saint John on Aug. 20, 2025.

The visit was part of a four-night cruise that also marked the ship’s debut in NYC and the Canada and New England region.

Initially set to include an overnight call at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda, the itinerary was adjusted due to Hurricane Erin.

In a statement sent to guests onboard, Norwegian said that the change was necessary to allow the ship to “steer clear” of the storm and forecasted rough weather.

While the Norwegian Aqua is not scheduled to make additional visits to Saint John, the port is set to welcome other vessels from the company, including the Norwegian Getaway and the Norwegian Gem.