Repeat Pitcairn Visits Make Isolated Island Feel Familiar
Days 44-48, 2026 Grand World Voyage
Monday to Friday, Feb. 16-20, 2026; Pitcairn Island and At Sea.
Technically, I guess Pitcairn Island is a sea day. This remote island doesn’t have a pier – it barely has a harbor.
But it’s always a highlight of a grand cruise (the only time Holland America calls on the island) because the majority of the island’s residents come to our ship on their longboat, bringing local goods and souvenirs to sell in the impromptu marketplace around the Lido Pool, as well as fresh fish, breadfruit and other local delicacies. In exchange, we provide them with a boatload of provisions.
Some of the islanders are of the seventh generation of the mutineers of the HMS Bounty, and one of them gave a standing-room only presentation about life on an island with, at the moment, only 38 residents. Currently the school is closed, as any children are now old enough to go to boarding school in New Zealand. She told us that in 2027, our world cruise scheduled stop will be on Jan. 23, Bounty Day, when they burn a replica of the fabled ship.
They always have a varied supply of Pitcairn t-shirts and magnets, as well as beautiful carved wooden bowls and decorative items. Their honey is so popular that they limit purchases to two jars per passenger (although I think that might be a brilliant marketing move). I bought a First Day Cover of stamps commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing to add to my childhood collection of space stamps.
Our leisurely sea days are continuing as we sail west, and for each of the five days between Easter Island and Tahiti, the clocks go back one hour overnight. The extra hour of sleep is nice at first, but eventually I’m waking up earlier and earlier.
Tuesday brought out the beads and decorations, as it was Mardi Gras. Of course we had a party. A few years ago, I spent the month leading up to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and ever since I’ve had a special place in my heart for the holiday.
It occurs to me that if I keep doing world cruises, I’ll never spend Mardi Gras in New Orleans again. It’s a sobering thought. I seldom think about what I give up for this life on the sea, and I’m certainly not complaining. I’m fortunate to have these choices.
I mentioned late last year that I had reached a milestone with Holland America – 1,400 days on these “dam” ships. It came with an invitation to the President’s Club, the top level of the cruise line’s loyalty program.
The club is not a secret, but most members don’t talk about it a lot. It’s hard to avoid sounding elitist or privileged. But during the Mariner’s ceremony on each cruise, (when passengers receive medallions for 100, 300, 500 and 700 cruise days), the cruise director introduces PC members and their total sailing days. A few have more than 3,000! I think it’s meant as an incentive, although one that probably seems unattainable to most cruisers. It certainly seemed that way to me for 20-plus years, probably until I surpassed 700 and started mostly living aboard.
Benefits of President’s Club include some extra shipboard credit based on cruise length, complimentary specialty restaurant dinners, fresh flowers or wine delivered to the cabin, and breakfast in either the Pinnacle Grill or Club Orange dining room. Lucky Elaine gets to join me there most mornings, as she is sharing my cabin.
I knew I would find priority tendering to be a favorite benefit, especially in ports where the wait can be longer than an hour. But I didn’t realize until this cruise how much I would enjoy some of our special events, such as cocktail receptions and special dinners.
Thursday’s event was an Island Dreams evening by the midship Lido pool. The organizers brilliantly declared a casual dress code, suitable for a warm tropical evening. It turned out to be a very warm tropical evening, and everyone took the dress code seriously, including a number of men who wore shorts — including Capt. Rens. He and Hotel General Manager Florin joined Elaine during the cocktail hour.
The sun was fierce as we gathered in the Lido Bar for drinks and appetizers. But a breeze kept it comfortable, and by the time we moved to tables alongside the pool, the sun had dropped.
Holland America’s guest services team knows how to add small special touches. Not only did we have place cards to mark our seats, but team members escorted us in groups to each table. The Pinnacle Grill was closed so its dining staff – all dressed in tropical shirts – could serve us. (As usual, my friend Martha had such good food photos that I “borrowed” them.)
Executive Chefs Tiffany and Ali continued to exhibit their creativity with the five-course meal, accompanied by five wines selected by Cellar Master Jobelle.
