A medical emergency aboard Holland America Line’s Zaandam cut short a cruise vacation for one guest when the US Coast Guard evacuated him for urgent care on 26th November, 2024.
The 32-year-old man, showing signs of a stroke, was assessed by the ship’s senior doctor, who notified the Coast Guard’s Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Honolulu at about 10 am the previous day.
The ship was approximately 330 miles northeast of Oahu when the call was made.
After consulting with a flight surgeon, Coast Guard crews initiated a medevac. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules aircraft were dispatched from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point.
At around 3:15 am, the helicopter reached Zaandam, then sailing about 50 miles east of Kaneohe, Oahu. The guest, accompanied by a cruise ship nurse, was hoisted aboard the helicopter and transported to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.
The guest’s identity was not disclosed, but he was reported to be in stable condition following his hospitalisation.
The 1,432-guest Zaandam, which departed San Diego on November 19, 2024, was on a 28-day Circle Hawaii & Mexican Riviera/Sea of Cortez itinerary. The medical emergency occurred after the ship’s first port call in Honolulu.
Despite the incident, the Zaandam continued her schedule, which includes stops in Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii, and several Mexican Riviera ports such as Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán.
This was the second Coast Guard evacuation in Hawaiian waters in recent weeks.
In October 2024, a 63-year-old guest aboard Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess was airlifted near the Big Island for severe abdominal pain. Days later, a 71-year-old guest aboard Carnival’s Carnival Jubilee was evacuated near Galveston, Texas.
Holland America Line’s Zaandam, launched in 2000, is part of the Rotterdam class.
Homeported in San Diego through early 2026, the ship offers a range of itineraries, including Alaska cruises in summer 2025 and a 56-night South Pacific voyage before resuming Hawaii and Mexico sailings.
The Coast Guard’s swift response highlights the importance of emergency preparedness on cruise ships, ensuring guest safety even far from port.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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