Sarah Bretz, ContributorGuests aboard Holland America’s Grand World Voyage and Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole celebrated a meetup in Barcelona on Thursday. Zuiderdam and Volendam both visited the Spanish port overnight together, and held special festivities involving both ships to commemorate the occasion.
It’s the first time that Holland America is simultaneously offering two Grand Voyages that are over 120 days long. To celebrate, the ships offered joint Spanish-themed afternoon tea, locally-inspired dinners, dueling deck parties, and a dramatic drone show.
Zuiderdam is currently operating its 124-day Grand World Voyage, which departed Fort Lauderdale on January 4th. Volendam is currently on its 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole, which set sail from Fort Lauderdale on January 25th. While in Barcelona, Holland America president Beth Bodensteiner visited both ships, spending extended time with world cruise guests to preview 2027 Grand World Voyage details.
“Having our two Grand Voyage ships meet in Barcelona was a truly special moment, symbolizing the spirit of adventure and connection that defines our cruises,” said Bodensteiner. “I enjoyed visiting both ships, meeting with guests and team members, and revealing the itinerary for our 2027 Grand World Voyage. Our crew has once again delivered on creating a home away from home for our valued Grand guests.”
In addition to the visit from Bodensteiner, a special afternoon tea was offered on Zuiderdam, which hosted guests from both ships so they could meet and mingle. In the evening, the ships’ main dining rooms featured matching menus of regionally-inspired dishes and drinks to showcase local flavors including white asparagus cream soup, fresh salmon with chanterelle mushrooms, surf and turf with saffron risotto, Catalana creme flan, tarta de queso San Sebastian, and cold brew carajillo. Following dinner, guests headed out onto the aft pool deck for dueling shipboard parties with music, complimentary drinks and culinary bites.
The night was capped off with a drone show in full view of both ships. It highlighted some of the unique destinations that guests experienced so far on their cruises including penguins in Antarctica, Carnival dancers in Brazil, the Moai statues on Easter Island, the Sydney Opera House, and the pyramids of Egypt.
“I have been a regular on the Grand Voyages for many years, and the 2025 GWV has not disappointed. The itinerary has been exciting and enriching, the staff and crew are a ‘cut above’ and the special onboard activity options are endless,” said Ellen Bethel, a President’s Club member and a Zuiderdam guest on the Grand World Voyage. “I eagerly anticipate coming on board each year to reunite with my ‘cruise family’ friends, meet new people and catch up with beloved world cruise staff and crew. I’ve taken nearly 60 cruises, with many being Grand Voyages, and I can truly say that nothing compares with the extra touches, planning and ambiance that make longer voyages truly exceptional. It has become a way of life for me!”
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