This epic world cruise just got longer but will still end on time — find out why
When you've booked a sailing that's 132 days long, what's one more day? Fun — that's what. Holland America Line has redone the back half of its 2026 Grand World Voyage, which is now a day longer than originally scheduled — but for an interesting reason.
Due to continued unrest in the Red Sea region, the cruise line recently switched up the last 54 days of its epic sailing on the 1,432-passenger Volendam, which will travel round-trip from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 4, 2026. Because the cruise has replaced the Middle East and Europe with more destinations in Asia and Central America, the ship will cross the International Date Line twice (instead of once, as originally planned) when sailing through the Pacific Ocean.
When the vessel crosses the invisible IDL — which runs from the North Pole to the South Pole — for the first time heading west, it will skip a day, making the sailing shorter than expected based on its embarkation and debarkation dates. Under the original itinerary, the voyage was 132 days, with the westbound crossing of the line.
Then, on its way back to Fort Lauderdale to end the cruise, the ship will be heading east across the line, thereby repeating a day. The date resets to the previous one when the ship crosses eastbound, in essence sending the ship back in time. That means the revised itinerary will be a day longer but will still conclude on May 17, 2026 — the voyage's originally scheduled end date.
The sailing, which will run just shy of 4 1/2 months, features calls on 51 ports across 23 countries and territories. Originally, the voyage was set to include all seven continents, but with the removal of Africa and Europe, it will now visit five of the seven.
Following the changes, booked travelers will experience overnights in popular ports like Nagasaki, Japan, Tokyo and Hong Kong, as well as previously planned late-night calls and overnights in Rio de Janeiro, Tahiti, Sydney and more. Another notable addition includes a full transit of the Panama Canal.
"We know immersive experiences in exciting destinations are always a main draw for those choosing a world cruise," Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line, said in a statement about the changes, which will be communicated to affected passengers.
The ship's new, modified route will take guests south from Fort Lauderdale along the east coast of South America. From there, the vessel will cross the equator and head down to Antarctica before sailing to Easter Island and stopping at some of the islands in the South Pacific on its way to Australia. Next are calls on Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan, followed by a second Pacific crossing to Alaska.
Volendam will then sail south from Alaska to Seattle and San Diego and then on to ports in Central America. The voyage ends with a Panama Canal transit and a visit to Colombia before returning to Fort Lauderdale.
Passengers can expect lots of sea days to relax and enjoy the ship's entertainment, which will include special offerings just for the Grand World Voyage. They include watercolor instruction, block parties, creative writing workshops, and ballroom and ballet dance classes, as well as more standard offerings like comedic performances, culinary demonstratons and enrichment lectures. At night, the ship's theater will host more than a dozen shows with odes to pop and rock greats like Carole King, the Carpenters, the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac.
Guests can take advantage of the ship's pool, spa and fitness center, too.
The least expensive inside cabins start from $30,354 per person for the full voyage. The updated itinerary will be available for booking via the Holland America website starting October 30. Cruisers not wishing to wait can book the entire journey immediately by calling 1-877-932-4259.
Segments are also available, with six options ranging in length from 21 to 61 days. Passengers can choose legs from Fort Lauderdale to Santiago, Chile, departing Jan. 4, 2026; Fort Lauderdale to Sydney, also departing Jan. 4, 2026; Santiago, Chile, to Singapore, departing Feb. 10, 2026; Singapore to Fort Lauderdale, departing March 24, 2026; Singapore to Tokyo, also departing March 24, 2026; or Tokyo to Fort Lauderdale, departing April 14, 2026.
Starting prices for the first three segments range from $9,074 to $15,934, per person, for an inside cabin. Fares for the last three segments will be available when they are released for booking on November 13.
Until June 16, 2025, guests who book the 133-day Grand World Voyage will each receive up to $2,000 in onboard credit, a 3% pay-in-full discount and a basic Wi-Fi package. Cruisers who book early and also book their flights through Holland America will receive a $500 air credit, per person, and round-trip airport transfers to and from the Fort Lauderdale airport.
Want to read more about Holland America? Check out these articles:
- Ultimate guide to Holland America
- Holland America's Mariner Society loyalty program
- All about Holland America cabins and suites
- Holland America ship classes, explained
- Holland America drink packages
- The best places to visit on a Holland America ship
- Holland America ships, biggest to smallest
- Holland America ships, newest to oldest
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