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
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.