Sarah Bretz, ContributorHolland America is introducing a new range of shows that will anchor the entertainment on its Grand Voyages, which are longer sailings that allow guests to explore more ports and have more time on board than on most cruises.
The new shows will debut on the 2025 Grand World Voyage and the Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole. When the two voyages depart in January 2025 on simultaneous sailings, 15 new shows will make their debut on both ships during their months-long journeys.
Developed by acclaimed producer Blackburn International, each Grand Voyage will feature a cast of eight accomplished singers and dancers who will perform in the 15 new productions. Each show will have a distinct theme, including tributes to pop and rock greats like Carole King, the Carpenters, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and more. With titles including “The Sounds of Summer,” “Solid Gold,” and “Crossroads,” Holland America Line will offer a variety of performances over the duration of each cruise.
Grand Voyages Experiences
The 15 new shows will join an already robust entertainment and enrichment program on the Grand Voyages. Comedians, headline entertainers, and performers sourced locally are mixed in with Holland America’s production shows and resident musicians, including a classical trio and dance band on both ships.
Guest chefs who specialize in the cuisine of the region where the ship is sailing will join select segments of each Grand Voyage, offering live cooking demonstrations, participating in “coffee chats,” and having their cuisine featured at a reservation-only dinner at Pinnacle Grill. Other selections from the chefs will also be highlighted on the main dining room menu while they’re on board.
Passengers can also expand their horizons with activities on a Grand Voyage including dance classes, arts and crafts classes, pickleball lessons, tai chi on deck, and more.
Ships to Meet in Barcelona
In 2025, Zuiderdam will sail the 124-day Grand World Voyage roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale departing January 4th. The sailing will visit 49 ports in 30 countries.
Volendam will depart January 25th from Fort Lauderdale, operating the 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole itinerary. It will visit 69 ports in 26 countries.
During these sailings, the vessels will rendezvous on April 24th in Barcelona, Spain. The meetup will be commemorated with a Catalan-themed dinner on each ship and parties on deck, with guest reunion opportunities available as the ships overnight in port.
Shorter Segments
Segments on each Grand Voyage make taking a smaller portion of each itinerary possible. The Grand World Voyage has six segment options:
- 37-day Fort Lauderdale to Sydney
- 55-day Fort Lauderdale to Singapore
- 42-day Sydney to Cape Town
- 49-day Singapore to Athens
- 45-day Cape Town to Fort Lauderdale
- 20-day Athens to Fort Lauderdale
The Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole has seven segments for guests to choose from:
- 47-day Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires
- 100-day Fort Lauderdale to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam)
- 42-day Buenos Aires to Barcelona
- 53-day Buenos Aires to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam)
- 86-day Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale
- 44-day Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale
- 33-day Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) to Fort Lauderdale
Cruise fares for the full 124-day Grand World Voyage begin at $27,354. Segment fares begin at $4,529. Cruise fares for the full 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole begin at $31,199. Segment fares begin at $8,029. All fares are based on double occupancy rates and include port fees and taxes.
Grand Voyage Early Booking Bonus
Guests who book the full 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole or 124-day Grand World Voyage by August 19, 2024 receive onboard spending credits and amenities valued at up to $8,800 or $8,500 respectively, per person. New perks for all guests who book early include a free Surf wifi package, a $500 air credit per person if booked through Flight Ease, and free roundtrip airport transfers.
Additional extras can include free luggage delivery service to and from the Fort Lauderdale airport, prepaid crew gratuities, and laundry/dry cleaning service when booking certain stateroom categories.
Guests who book segments of either sailing also receive perks with this bonus: an onboard credit of up to $1,000 per cabin, a free Surf wifi package, and free laundry/dry cleaning when booking certain stateroom categories. There is also an additional discount for Mariners who have sailed on previous Grand Voyages.
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