Holland America drops Dubai from 2026 World Cruise on Red Sea security concerns

Holland America Line has announced that its ship Volendam will no longer be visiting Dubai and other ports in the Middle East on her 2026 World Cruise, due to ongoing security concerns in the Red Sea.

Volendam was due to transit the Suez Canal and visit ports in Europe before sailing a trans-Atlantic crossing bound for Fort Lauderdale, but instead the voyage will now feature a crossing of the Pacific and a transit of the Panama Canal.

Holland America said in a letter to booked guests that the cruise line had been forced to amend the itinerary due to the safety concerns associated with sailing in the Red Sea, but that the addition of new ports of call in Asia would make up for the lost time in Arabia.

“We know immersive experiences in exciting destinations are always a main draw for those choosing a world cruise. The dozen ports we’ve added in Asia will bring that part of the world to life for our guests,” said Beth Bodensteiner, Chief Commercial Officer, Holland America Line. 

“From exploring the emerald waters of Halong Bay or snorkeling in Nha Trang to overnight stays in Hong Kong, Nagasaki and Tokyo, the deep exploration of the region provides guests the opportunity to take in the culture and natural beauty of Asia as part of their world cruise,” she added

The updated itinerary will extend the last 54 days of the voyage, increasing the total length from 132 to 133 days due to a crossing of the International Dateline, and the voyage will visit 51 ports across 23 countries and territories on five continents, concluding in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 17th, 2026.

Following the overnight call in Singapore, Volendam will sail north to Vietnam, calling at Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Nha Trang, and Halong Bay (Hanoi), instead of sailing for Dubai as previously scheduled.

The ship will overnight in Hong Kong before continuing northeast to Kaohsiung and Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan, as well as six ports in Japan, including overnights in Nagasaki and Tokyo, before completing a transpacific crossing.

Volendam will then visit 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 overnight in Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama, before transiting the Panama Canal.

For those seeking to make new bookings on the 2026 Grand World Voyage, prices start at US $30,354 per person, including taxes and fees, based on double occupancy. 

Guests can book segments ranging from 21 to 55 days featuring the updated itinerary. 

Notable segments include a 55-day cruise from Singapore to Fort Lauderdale departing on March 24th, 2026, a 21-day voyage from Singapore to Tokyo on the same date, and a 34-day itinerary from Tokyo to Fort Lauderdale, departing April 14th, 2026.