Sarah Bretz, ContributorHolland America Line has updated the itinerary for its 2026 Grand World Voyage aboard Volendam. The sailing will now provide guests an opportunity to explore east and southeast Asia, Central America, destinations in the U.S., and a transit of the Panama Canal. The new itinerary replaces a prior route through the Red Sea. Given the evolving situation in the region and in consultation with global security experts, Holland America has made the decision to reroute the planned voyage.
The changes will affect the last 54 days of the voyage which, due to a crossing of the International Dateline, will increase from 132 to 133 days. The updated sailing will now visit 51 unique ports in 23 countries and territories, spanning five continents, concluding as planned on May 17, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
New Cruise Highlights
Newly added highlights of the Grand World Voyage include:
- Following the originally planned overnight call in Singapore, Volendam will sail north to Vietnam, calling at Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Nha Trang and Halong Bay (Hanoi).
- The ship will overnight in Hong Kong before continuing northeast to Kaohsiung and Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan.
- Guests will enjoy six ports in Japan, including overnights in Nagasaki and Tokyo, before completing a transpacific crossing.
- Volendam will call at Kodiak, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska, before sailing south along the Pacific Coast of the U.S. to Seattle, Washington, and San Diego, California.
- The voyage continues southeast to Manzanillo and Puerto Chiapas, Mexico, Acajutla, El Salvador, and finally overnights in Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama, before transiting the Panama Canal.
- The ship calls at Cartagena, Colombia, before sailing north to the journey’s conclusion in Fort Lauderdale.
New bookings on the 2026 Grand World Voyage start at $30,354 per person, including taxes and fees, based on double occupancy.
Starting November 13th, travelers will be able to book 21 to 55-day segments featuring the new portion of the itinerary. Highlighted segments include:
- 55-day Singapore to Fort Lauderdale, departing March 24, 2026
- 21-day Singapore to Tokyo, departing March 24, 2026
- 34-day Tokyo to Fort Lauderdale, departing April 14, 2026
Grand World Voyage Highlights
- 133-day voyage. Departs Jan. 4, 2026, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.
- Heads south along the east coast of South America, crosses the equator and sails down to Antarctica. The ship then makes its way to Easter Island before traversing the islands of the South Pacific en route to Australia. Explores the Great Barrier Reef and Singapore before sailing to Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. Crosses the Pacific, then sails south from Alaska to Seattle and San Diego prior to calling at ports in Central America, a Panama Canal transit, and a call in Cartagena, Colombia, before returning to Fort Lauderdale.
- 51 total ports in 23 countries across five continents.
- 11 overnight and late-night calls: Bahia d’ Opunoha, French Polynesia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Papeete, Tahiti; Sydney, Australia; Bali, Indonesia; Singapore; Hong Kong, China; Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan; Nagasaki, Japan; Tokyo, Japan; and Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama.
Early Booking Benefits
Until June 16, 2025, guests who book the 133-day Grand World Voyage receive up to $2,000 in onboard credit per guest, a three percent pay-in-full discount, a free wifi Surf package, and more. Additional perks for all guests who book early include a $500 air credit per person if booked through Flight Ease and free roundtrip airport transfers to and from the Fort Lauderdale airport.
Additional extras can include complimentary luggage delivery service to and from the Fort Lauderdale airport, prepaid gratuities, and laundry and dry cleaning service when booking certain stateroom categories.
Booked Guests
Guests already booked on the full Grand World Voyage or segments impacted by the change will receive direct communication from their travel advisor or Holland America Line with more details and options.
Comments
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