Alaska Changes, Crowded Ports, New Ships

Cruise News covers three developments across the industry. Holland America Line has revised three of its Zaandam Alaska sailings from Vancouver — departing July 15, August 19, and September 16, 2026 — adjusting departure times and dropping Tracy Arm Fjord service calls because of operating speeds and tidal constraints, including currents up to 15 knots at Seymour Narrows. In Vancouver, Canada Place projects a record cruise season, with roughly 290,000 passengers in July and an estimated 1.4 million across 360 calls in 2026, aided by facial-biometric processing that has cut U.S. Customs times to about 10 seconds. And six cruise ships remain on track for 2026 delivery, including Explora III, MSC World Asia, Adora Flora City, Seven Seas Prestige, Magellan Discoverer, and the hydrogen-powered Viking Libra.