Zaandam will miss this week’s stop in Juneau due to ongoing mechanical issues

Cruise ship delays departure from Vancouver for at least a day as work on propulsion system continues, passengers allowed to spend night aboard docked vessel

Holland America's Zaandam at the South Franklin Street Dock late on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

The Zaandam cruise ship that had to skip some Southeast Alaska stops after departing Juneau last week will end up skipping Alaska’s capital city this week due to ongoing mechanical problems, according to officials.

A June 12 stop in Juneau by the 1,432-passenger Zaandam has been cancelled, according to an update issued Wednesday by Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska. The ship was supposed to depart Vancouver, British Columbia, on Wednesday afternoon, but Holland America sent a message to passengers stating the departure is delayed at least overnight due to problems with the propulsion system.

"To conduct repairs, we will remain in the Port of Vancouver for the first night of your cruise," the message states. "You will be able to board Zaandam as scheduled Wednesday, enjoying the amenities on board as well as exploring the Vancouver area if you desire."

The cruise line also apologized since the full itinerary of the voyage will not occur, although details of which portions will be omitted were not provided.

"We know this is disappointing to you and details regarding goodwill compensation will be confirmed once the full scope of the impact is known," the message states.

The Zaandam’s problems became evident Friday when it overnighted at the South Frankin Street Dock in Juneau instead of departing as scheduled at 10 p.m. The ship left the dock for a portion of the following day to allow other scheduled ships to dock, then picked up its passengers late in the afternoon and departed for Vancouver, skipping scheduled stops in Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan.

The ship was scheduled to be in Juneau from 1:30 to 10 p.m. Friday. It has the same weekly sailing schedule through Sept. 11, according to CLIA’s cruise calendar for this year.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.