Holland America Line will sail what is believed to be the first Grand Voyage “Pole-to-Pole” voyage from the United States in 2025.
President Gus Antorcha announced details of the new 133-day voyage and the simultaneous 124-day 2025 Grand World Voyage to Grand World Voyage guests presently sailing in the North Sea aboard the Zuiderdam.
With both the Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole and the Grand World Voyage departing in January 2025, Holland America Line will offer two Grand Voyages of more than 120 days simultaneously for the first time. The Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole aboard Volendam enables cruisers to visit five continents on a south-to-north route, whereas the Grand World Voyage aboard Zuiderdam covers six continents on an east-to-west route. Both voyages sail roundtrip from their respective U.S. homeports.
Antorcha told the guests that this pair of voyages would be genuinely historic. He added, “Our Grand World Voyage travels east to west and our other Grands focus on one region, so designing this first-of-its-kind route that explores south to north roundtrip from the U.S. is an incredible way to allow our guests two different choices to travel across the world.”
Holland America Line’s vice president of deployment and itinerary planning, Paul Grigsby, remarked that the Amazon River, Greenland, and Iceland, as well as Antarctica and the Arctic, were among the sought-after destinations included in this voyage. “We’ve created two voyages that linger in ports for memorable moments and several overnight stays. We even timed it so the two voyages will meet-up to share an overnight experience in Barcelona.”
Travellers interested in the 2025 Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole or 2025 Grand World Voyage can now make a Future Cruise Request by calling Holland America Line’s World Cruise Reservations Desk or a travel agent. Guests who have submitted a Future Cruise Request with a deposit will receive priority booking confirmation prior to the voyages’ public debut on May 24, 2023.
Pole-to-Pole Highlights – Volendam – 2025 Grand Voyage
133 days. Departing Jan. 25, 2025, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.
Follows a south-north-south route through the Panama Canal, down the west coast of South America to Antarctica, and then up Argentina and Brazil to the Amazon River’s centre. The ship then crosses the Atlantic Ocean to reach Africa, sails north to Europe and up to the North Cape, then heads west across the northern Atlantic Ocean via Iceland and Greenland, and ultimately down the eastern shores of North America.
Down south, the Volendam spends four days cruising in Antarctica, and up north, it traverses the Arctic Circle to reach North Cape.
68 locations in total, spanning five continents and 28 nations.
8 overnight calls: Fuerte Amador, Panama; Callao (Lima), Peru; Buenos, Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; and Reykjavik, Iceland.
Passage through the Panama Canal, Cape Horn, Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, exploration of the Amazon River, the Strait of Gibraltar, Norwegian fjords, North Cape, Iceland, and Greenland were unforgettable experiences.
2025 Grand World Voyage Highlights — Zuiderdam
124 days. Four-way flight on January 4, 2025 from Fort Lauderdale.
Passes through the Panama Canal and heads to Easter Island before crossing the South Pacific to reach Australia. Explores the Great Barrier Reef en route to Indonesia and Sri Lanka, then sails south to Cape Town, South Africa via the Seychelles, back up the eastern coast of Africa, through the Suez Canal to Portugal, and then across the Atlantic Ocean.
46 total locations across 32 nations and six continents.
Callao (two nights), Easter Island, Papeete, Tahiti, Sydney, Australia, Singapore, Cape Town, Mombasa, Kenya, Safaga, Egypt, and Barcelona are the nine overnight stops.
Manta, Ecuador; Seychelles; Cape Town and Durban, South Africa; Aqaba, Jordan; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; and Gibraltar, United Kingdom have seven late-night departures.
Moments to Remember: Panama Canal transit, two nights at Callao allowing time to visit Machu Picchu, Easter Island, scenic cruising in the Great Barrier Reef, two full days in Cape Town, the chance to visit Petra in Jordan and Luxor in Egypt from Safaga.
Grande Réunion à Barcelona
On April 24, 2025, Volendam and Zuiderdam will make a joint overnight call in Barcelona, Spain, bringing the two Grand Voyages together for a celebration. The precisely planned dual visit will be commemorated with special celebrations involving both ships.
Early Reservation Bonus Benefits
Guests who book the full 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole or 124-day Grand World Voyage by June 3, 2024 will receive up to $8,800 or $8,500 per person in onboard spending credits and amenities. All guests who book in advance will receive a complimentary Surf Wi-Fi package, a $500 air credit per person if scheduled through Flight Ease, and round-trip airport transfers to and from the Fort Lauderdale airport.
When booking certain stateroom categories, additional amenities may include complimentary luggage delivery to the Fort Lauderdale airport, pre-paid crew appreciation, and laundry and drycleaning service. There are conditions that apply. Visit hollandamerica.com for full details.
A Magnificent Aboard Experience
Holland America Line ships provide gracious service, superior amenities, and unexpected experiences on each Grand Voyage. Guests can take advantage of the additional time to participate in shipboard activities during days at sea. Evening entertainment aboard ship features local cultural performers and special guest headliners. In addition to the Captain’s Grand Voyage Dinner, gala balls and formal evenings create unforgettable moments. On each Grand Voyage, dining is elevated to a new level with menus that change daily and are rarely replicated, featuring regional ingredients and cuisine.
Guests wishing to make a Future Cruise Request for a stateroom on the 2025 Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole or 2025 Grand World Voyage should contact their travel agent or call 1-800-522-6000 for World Cruise Reservations.
For additional information on other Holland America Line voyages, contact a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425), or visit hollandamerica.com.
