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7th Oct 2026 | 8 nights | Holland America Line | Zaandam
Why do we love this cruise holiday? Including flights and an overnight stay in San Diego, this holiday is planned to make travelling feel straightforward from the very beginning. After a chance to explore the city, Zaandam sets sail for a week along Mexico's Pacific coast, with calls at Cabo San Lucas, Pichilingue and Loreto bringing a different feel to each day ashore. Time at sea gives the itinerary a relaxed rhythm, so there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the journey between ports. Visiting several destinations in one holiday adds real variety, while returning to San Diego before the flight home keeps everything nicely connected. It is a well put together escape that makes good use of every day away.
What's included?
Cruise Circle Collection packages adhere to our 7 point charter:
Start your holiday with a flight out today.
Stay overnight in a lovely 4* central hotel. We can of course extend the stay if you like.
Cabo San Lucas is an anchor port for all cruises sailing on Mexico's Riviera and Sea of Cortez itineraries, but passengers are a small minority of the tourists who flock there. The heavily Americanized party town serves as one of the most popular beach escapes for Californians and other West Coasters who come here to let loose (spring break festivities are intense and not a proposition for the faint of heart). One of Cabo's major attractions is Cabo Wabo, a cantina owned by rocker Sammy Hagar, most famously of Van Halen. Rocks of a different sort -- El Arco, with its jagged points protruding from the Sea of Cortez, make more impressive photos. Yet for those passing on the beer-pong tournaments and temporary tattoos, Cabo has a lot to offer. Located at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas -- together with its more elegant and much quieter sister town of San Jose del Cabo -- is an ideal spot for adventure-oriented pursuits. If conditions are right, the clear waters make for great snorkeling kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, parasailing, sailing and Jet Skiing. The Sea of Cortez is among the biologically richest areas in the world, with pods of whales that winter offshore; if you're here in season (late December through late March), a whale-watching trip is a must. Cabo also has some of the best sportfishing in the world, and it is the quest for marlin that put the town on the map. After World War II and the advent of private planes, Hollywood royalty such as Bing Crosby and John Wayne arrived to fish. In the 1970s, a highway was built to connect California to Baja, and the travel industry began in earnest. Now, it's hard to open a celebrity magazine without seeing photos of A-listers lounging at the six-star resorts that have sprung up in "The Corridor," as the coastal stretch between the two cities is known. One of the downsides for most cruise travelers: There's no cruise pier, so all ships must anchor and tender passengers to the port. That means you'll need to factor in extra time getting to and from your ship. Even odder is the fact that some ships only stop for half-day visits, which means that actual on-land time can be extremely limited (although excursion providers usually time their tours to meet the needs of cruisers). However, other ships spend two days in Cabo, allowing passengers to stay out until 9 p.m. before the ship maneuvers offshore to open casinos. If you're one of the lucky ones with a longer port time, greater Baja, including daytrips to Todos Santos, are within reach -- but can be expensive to coordinate independently.
As your ship docks back, please make your way back to the airport.
Holland America Line's Zaandam cruise ship is ideal for those who love traditional cruise holidays with a twist. Designed to carry fewer guests whilst providing more space and comfort there are all the indoor and outdoor deck spaces you would expect to find aboard a premium cruise ship, such as outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a main atrium with the cruise ship's main offices and a wide range of public rooms for use throughout cruise holidays.
However, guests will be surprised and delighted by some of the more unique features onboard Zaandam. These include an extensive collection of rock and pop music memorabilia, an internet café, a dedicated cinema and excellent children’s facilities. So you can be sure that cruise holidays aboard Zaandam will always be exciting, enjoyable and memorable.
One of the main benefits of cruise holidays with Holland America Line is that once you step aboard the Zaandam cruise ship, everything is organised for you. So, all you have to do to enjoy evenings during cruise holidays is decide where you want to go!
The Mainstage Showlounge is Zaandam's main entertainment venue featuring talented vocalists, dancers, illusionists, comedians and variety acts throughout cruise holidays. Plus, the Crow's Nest transforms from an observation lounge by day into a lively nightclub in the evenings, where guests can dance the night away in style.
Head to the Mix where you can explore a lively mix of three speciality bars — Champagne, Martinis, and Spirits and Ales. Or enjoy cocktails and ocean views while listening to live string music in the Ocean Bar.
From perennially popular slot machines and blackjack tables to the latest in sophisticated gaming, the onboard Casino offers games for all levels, staffed with professionals eager to help you learn new skills.
The dining experience aboard Zaandam offers something for everyone. For fun meals during family cruise holidays or simply more relaxed occasions in general, the Lido Buffet offers tasty food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s also the poolside Terrace Grill for fast food items, coffees and soft drinks throughout cruise holidays.
Special occasions during cruise holidays aboard Zaandam are best suited to the Pinnacle Grill, the cruise ship's 88-seat speciality restaurant. Here, guests will enjoy top-quality cuisine in intimate and sophisticated surroundings, being served by attentive and helpful staff.
Canaletto, an authentic Italian restaurant offering a menu that celebrates spartire (Italian for "sharing"). Try Braised Chicken Cacciatore "al Forno," Branzino ai Ferri or a classic Italian pasta: spaghetti pomodoro or garlic shrimp-infused ravioli…
Dive in to a grilled burger on brioche or a Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dog. For alfresco dining by the pool, Dive-In has it all, including lighter fare like our grilled chicken breast sandwich and vegetarian-friendly portabella mushroom stack.
Of course, Zaandam has a traditional cruise ship dining room, which is the grand and very traditional Rotterdam Dining Room. With excellent food served throughout cruise holidays, live music to accompany dinner each evening and special meals such as the Dutch Dinner, the Rotterdam Dining Room is very popular with both first time cruisers and returning guests.
The accommodation options for cruise holidays aboard Holland America Line's Zaandam offer something for everyone, with the majority of cabins and suites having outside views and many with private balconies.
Onboard Zaandam you can expect to find Interior, Ocean-view, Vista Suites, Neptune Suites and Pinnacle Suites.
With Zaandam being a premium cruise ship, it excels at providing premium accommodation for guests looking for luxury cruise holidays. The onboard suites are larger, spacious, incredibly comfortable and include a plethora of extra benefits and amenities to enjoy.
All suites and staterooms aboard Zaandam include the following features as standard: telephone, private bathroom, hairdryer, wardrobe and drawer space, vanity area, flat screen TV and DVD player.
Easygoing yet inquisitive travellers who venture out during the day and delight in culinary experiences and live music during the evenings.
Adventure enthusiasts who yearn for a range of onboard attractions and non-stop nightlife...
Holland America Line cruisers typically average 50 years old or above and are evenly divided between retirees and those still employed. The demographic skews older on longer cruises, attracting more retired passengers. HAL passengers value travel experiences, and many boast a wealth of cruise expertise. They have a penchant for gourmet cuisine and are aficionados of music – two areas in which HAL takes pride. The majority hail from the United States and Canada, although around 20 percent of travellers come from international destinations, with the United Kingdom and Australia leading the pack. Throughout summer and holiday periods, the average age on board decreases as families, particularly multi-generational groups involving grandparents and grandchildren, embark on voyages. This trend is especially noticeable on the line's Alaska and Canada/New England routes.
During the day, there isn't a strict dress code, but for most evenings aboard a Holland America Line cruise, smart-casual attire is expected. Therefore, swimwear, flip-flops, shorts, and tank tops are not allowed in any of the restaurants. The cruise does hold formal evenings (the number depends on the duration of the voyage) known as Gala Nights, where formal attire is required. Typically, men wear suits and ties (or jackets without ties, particularly in the Caribbean), while women often choose cocktail dresses, gowns, or dressy trousers paired with elegant blouses.
It is a full-board cruise experience with a choice of dining venues and a wide range of entertainment venues. You can upgrade to the "Have it All" fare, which incorporates various amenities like drinks, shore excursions, speciality dining, and Wi-Fi, making the cruise experience more inclusive. However, some services or experiences can incur additional charges, like speciality dining options, spa treatments, shopping, and exclusive shore excursions.
Passengers on Holland America Line's ships appreciate the company's commitment to traditional cruise activities, such as afternoon tea and ballroom dancing. However, they also gravitate towards the newer options available. Specifically, the live music performances, such as BB King's Blues Club, Billboard Onboard, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Lincoln Center Stage, attract a significant audience most evenings. Additionally, the culinary demonstrations by the line are usually packed, and culinary classes (including some specifically designed for children), wine tastings and blendings (available on select ships), and complimentary computer classes are in high demand. Equally favoured by many Holland America Line passengers is unwinding in the top-deck Crow's Nest. It's common to see people there engrossed in a book, solving a jigsaw puzzle, or playing cards or board games.
