133-Day Holland America Pole-to-Pole Cruise
The Holland America Pole-to-Pole Cruise is set to offer their longest Grand Voyage yet – 133 nights onboard m/s Volendam in 2025
On the Holland America Pole to Pole cruise you have a chance to explore so much of the world from the comfort of the beautiful mid-sized ship, Volendam. I’ve been lucky enough to not just sail onboard Volendam but work onboard and sail to many of the places on this incredible journey. So you can trust me when I say it’s going to be an incredible experience. A 133 night adventure of a life time roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Let’s take a look at what makes this voyage special.
The Arctic and Antarctic are on opposite sides of the earth and this voyage will take you to both and a whole lot more. You will also visit the Amazon River, a bit of Africa, the Caribbean, transit the Panama Canal and a whole bunch of other incredible places in between.
How Long is the 2025 Pole to Pole Grand Voyage?
This voyage is 133 days making it the longest of Holland America Lines 2025 sailings. It sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 25th, 2025 and will return on June 7th. That may seem like a long time (and it is – more than 4 months at sea!) it’s amazing how quickly a cruise like this goes by. Making lots of new friends and exploring so much of the world in those 4+ months at sea.
Is this cruise offered in segments?
Yes! Long voyages of multiple months such as World Cruises or Grand Voyages are sometimes offered as segments, or portions of the voyage. The Pole to Pole voyage with Holland America Line is now available in segments ranging from 33 days and up! This means if there is one part of the voyage that appeals to you – whether it be because of the region where the ship is sailing or maybe it’s the time or year – you have the opportunity to enjoy this Grand Voyage without committing a full 4 months to it!
Think a segment might be right for you?
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Holland America Line offers a variety of Grand Voyages each year. Take a look at the current Holland America Line Grand Voyage offerings as well as some of what makes a Grand Voyage special.
Where Will Holland America Line’s Pole-to-Pole Cruise itinerary?
While the name of this itinerary gives you a good guess as to where it’s going, there is so much more than meets the eye. The big draw of this voyage is that it will in fact go from pole to pole and is roundtrip from the continental United States.
The “pole to pole” is meaning the South Pole and the North Pole circumnavigating South America, going to Antarctica all the way to heading to the furthest points north in Norway and beyond into the Arctic circle – the North Pole. While the “Pole-to-Pole” part might be the name of this itinerary, there are so many incredible places along the way.
This voyage will start in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before transiting the Panama Canal, heading south along the west of South America, including overnight stops Fuerte Amador, Panama and Lima, Peru, cruising the Chilean Fjords before cruising through Antarctica. Continuing north along the west side of South America with overnight stops in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil before cruising on the Amazon River with an overnight stop in Manaus, Brazil.
Following more stops in South America and a stop at Devil’s Island, the ship will begin crossing the Atlantic ocean to make its way to Africa. A nice mix of ports along the north west of Africa await you before heading into the Mediterranean and starting the European portion of this journey with an overnight in Barcelona, as well as stops in Portugal (including an overnight in Lisbon), France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Continuing north, it’s time to head to Norway. Norwegian adventure continues all the way north into the Arctic circle to Honningsvag, Norway. Sailing in Norway is an experience that is as much about the places you visit as it is about the landscapes and fjords you will sail through and by. It is gorgeous.
After cruising through northern Norway the ship will cross the north Atlantic to Iceland including an overnight stop in Reykjavik, several stops in Greenland, before continuing west and south to Canada, New England, and then finally sailing down the coast of the United States, returning 133 days later to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
How Many Overnight Ports Are There?
One of the great things about a cruise like this or a Grand Voyage is that there is more time to explore in port. A great way that these longer voyages does that is through overnights.
An overnight is when the ship gets to a port and stays there as the name says, overnight. Sometimes it might be that the ship gets to port early in the morning and doesn’t leave until evening the next day. Sometimes it might be an afternoon arrival, other times it might a full day the first day and the second day it has a lunch time departure.
The big point is that the ship is there overnight allowing guests an opportunity to enjoy and explore the city at night. It could be to enjoy the nightlife, or maybe it’s for a private showing in a museum, or maybe having a late dinner. It gets you a chance to see a side of the city you might not see normally.
There are 8 Overnight Ports On the Holland America Pole-to-Pole cruise:
- Fuerte Amador, Panama
- Callao (Lima), Peru
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Manaus, Brazil
- Barcelona, Spain
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Reykjavik, Iceland
How Much Does the Cruise Cost?
Holland America Line’s 2025 Pole-to-Pole Grand Voyage costs $26,399 per person, double occupancy – not including port fees (up to $3230). And, while this is still a big price tag, it is half of the next cruise option offering an even somewhat comparable itinerary. And, additionally – it’s for a 133 night cruise. In just over four months this voyage will visit 68 ports in 28 countries.
There is a big range in prices though depending on cabin category. $26,399 will get you on the ship in the lowest currently available cabin – a “guaranteed” inside stateroom, meaning that your cabin will be designated for you by the cruise line. On the top end there is the Pinnacle Suite – let’s call it the Penthouse – starting at $218,899 per person.
In between this inside cabin and Pinnacle Suite options there are numerous other cabin categories, including outside, lanai, Vista Suites (verandah), and Neptune Suites.
Interested in this incredible cruise?
✅Check availability and pricing here
What’s Included on a Holland America Line Grand Voyage?
One of the fun things about a Grand Voyage is all of the “extras”. Those extras include several pillow gifts throughout the voyage (ranging from external chargers, customized plates and wall hangings, to small duffle bags, custom bowls, and luggage tags), there are also grand themed parties, specialty dinners, cultural ambassadors, and more.
Some fares with also include practical things like luggage shipping. This means that before you leave home your luggage is sent to the ship and when you leave the ship rather than bringing your luggage to the airport with you, it will be shipped through a service such as Fed Ex.
In the base fare there will dinner in the main dining room, buffet area, basic teas, coffees, and things like iced tea and lemonade. Grand Voyages will also include an afternoon tea service on days at sea and will often include a Sunday brunch when the ship is at sea.
Holland America has also announced there will be 15 new production shows coming to the theater on this Grand Voyage. You can also expect live music, games, and activities. Some of these activities are expanded from the traditional offerings on a Holland America Line cruise and may include things such as book club, choir, and Port-to-Table cooking demonstrations.
On Grand Voyages it is not uncommon to expand the activities to include additional activities provided by what is known as “supplemental staff”. These are people that come onboard for the Grand Voyage, do not work for the cruise line but do offer a specific or event or activity. This includes things like bridge instructors, arts & craft instructors, knitting clubs, a priest, and sometimes things like watercolors, dance instructors, or Tai Chi. It depends which Grand Voyage is sailing exactly which extra activities are offered but rest assured there will be plenty to do.
In addition, an effort is made to bring on local shows for the regions that the ship sails. This brings a more full cultural experience right onboard the ship with you.
Is a Grand Voyage a bit too long for you? Take a look at Cruises to the Amazon River – ranging from a few weeks to a few months.
What Ship is Holland America Line’s Pole-to-Pole Grand Voyage in 2025 On?
This Grand Voyage will take place on the charming Volendam. The Volendam is one of the smallest ships in the Holland America Line fleet, being one of two ships left in their R-Class series. This ship is known for its wide promenade decks, smaller size, and with that – less passengers and an ability to make it into some smaller ports.
The Volendam was built in 1999 in Fincantieri in Italy. It is 60,906 gross registered tons and holds around 1,400 guests at double occupancy but can hold well into the 1,500’s when all third and fourth berths are used (or even over 1,600).
She has a variety of public rooms, such as the World Stage (the main show lounge), bars and lounges featuring live music. There is also a movie theater, card room and library as well as a casino. There are a number of shops from your classic apparel to fine jewelry and liquor. Additionally there is a spa and fitness center, two pools including one underneath a retractable dome and a kids club. Please note though that during Grand Voyages the kids club is not typically open as there are not usually many kids onboard.
The Holland America Pole-to-Pole cruise in 2025 is a one of a kind itinerary – and Holland America Line’s longest itinerary in 2025
Holland America Line offers a yearly World Cruise. This Grand World Voyage begins and ends in Fort Lauderdale circumnavigating the globe in the process. Interestingly though, this pole-to-pole itinerary is actually longer than their Grand World Voyage which will only be 128 days.
This itinerary is a one of a kind gem amongst the ultra-long voyages offered really giving a new and interesting glimpse to the world. Holland America Line offers a variety of Grand Voyages – including South America and Antarctica, Africa, Australia, occasionally a Grand Asia and Australia, but this is the first of the Pole-to-Pole variety.
Interested in this incredible cruise?
✅Check availability and pricing here
