Holland America’s biggest World Cruise ever to stay overnight in several Middle East ports

Holland America Line has announced a new World Cruise itinerary for 2026 that is its biggest and longest to date, with 47 ports of call across 39 countries during a 132 day voyage.

Volendam will depart Fort Lauderdale, Florida and visit all seven continents, including a special four-day Antarctic Experience, along with several ports in the Middle East, providing an experience of World Wonders such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Lost City of Petra. 

The World Cruise will take guests as far south as Antarctica and as far north as Oslo, Norway based on past passenger feed back to create what Holland America calls the perfect World Cruise itinerary.

“We asked thousands of past guests and travel advisors for their opinions about the perfect Grand World Voyage, so this may be one of our most thoroughly researched routes ever for a world cruise,” said Gus Antorcha, President of Holland America Line.

“This itinerary includes destinations we know guests love, packed with memorable moments and overnight stays. We are purposefully visiting fewer ports to allow more time to explore the destinations we visit and to create a voyage that does not feel rushed,” he added.

Highlights of the 2026 Grand World Voyage include:

47 total ports in 39 countries across seven continents

Nine overnight calls: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Papeete, Tahiti; Sydney, Australia; Bali, Indonesia; Singapore; Malé, Maldives; Safaga (Luxor) and Alexandria (Cairo), Egypt; and Lisbon, Portugal.

Five late-night departures: Bahia d’ Opunoha, French Polynesia; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Oslo, Norway; San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Four-day Antarctic Experience, cruising the Chilean fjords, visiting the Easter Island and Bordeaux.

For a limited time, guests booking the voyage can take advantage of a special bonus and receive up to US $2,000 in onboard credit per guest, a free Wi-Fi Surf package and more. 

The World Cruise will take place aboard Volendam, one of the cruise line’s venerable Rotterdam-class cruise ships, which are designed for warm and cold weather cruising, as well as long ocean passages.

Volendam is a classic, old-school cruise ship with dress-up nights and Baked Alaska parades. Instead of climbing walls, ziplines and other bells and whistles, there are cooking demonstrations at America’s Test Kitchen, trivia contests, tech classes and some of the best location experts at sea.

The ship features four restaurants, 10 bars and cafes, two pools (one of which is covered by a retractable dome), as well as a gym, spa, theatre, casino, and more. A particularly popular feature of these Holland America ships is their Crow’s Nest lounge at the top forward part of the ship, providing sweeping views over the bows.