This epic new cruise will take you from the US to Antarctica without ever getting on an airplane
Always wanted to see Antarctica? Holland America Line this week unveiled an unusual new option for getting there.
The Seattle-based line announced an epic sailing to the White Continent that begins in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — a port thousands of miles away from the typical jumping-off points for Antarctica cruises in Argentina and Chile.
Kicking off Jan. 25, 2025, the 47-night voyage will take place on the line's 1,432-passenger Volendam and is a segment of a longer pole-to-pole world cruise that Holland America has been selling since April 2023.
Like that longer voyage, the shortened segment is unusual in that it will allow Americans to get from the United States to Antarctica without taking a long international flight.
For people in and near Florida who can drive to Fort Lauderdale, it'll be accessible without stepping on a plane of any sort.
That said, there is one big caveat for flight-avoiders: You'll still need an international flight to return to the U.S. at the voyage's conclusion. The cruise ends March 13, 2025, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
From Florida to Antarctica
The newly announced cruise — one of several shorter segments of the previously announced pole-to-pole cruise that Holland America has opened for bookings — will begin with stops at Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic; Santa Marta, Colombia; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, as Volendam heads southward toward the Panama Canal.
After passing westward through the canal, the ship will head southward along the coasts of Central and South America for more than three weeks, with multiple stops in Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.
This portion of the trip will include an extensive exploration of the Patagonia region and Chilean Fjords on the west coast of Chile.
From there, Voledam will sail across the Strait of Magellan at the southern tip of South America to reach Punta Arenas, Chile, and then Ushuaia, Argentina — the two main jumping-off points for voyages to Antarctica.
Related: Is this the ultimate Antarctica cruise ship?
Two more days crossing the famously rough Drake Passage will finally bring Volendam to Antarctica, where it will spend four days sailing along the ice- and mountain-lined coast.
Unlike on an expedition cruise to Antarctica on a small expedition vessel, passengers will not land on the continent. But passengers will be able to view the scenic coastline from the outer decks of the ship.
From Antarctica, Volendam will head up the east coast of Argentina to Buenos Aires. The final stops before reaching Buenos Aires will include the Falkland Islands off the coast of Argentina and Puerto Madryn, Argentina.
Montevideo, Uruguay, is also on the schedule as the ship heads northward.
Fares for the segment start at $9,684 per person, including all taxes and fees — or about $206 per person, per day.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- Top ways cruisers waste money
- The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees