With hassle persevering with to brew within the Pink Sea, Holland America Line has determined to skip the area throughout its 2026 World Voyage. Consequently, the cruise line can be eradicating Europe and Africa from its 133-night voyage.
As a substitute, the cruise line’s 61,396-gross-ton Volendam will now concentrate on 5 continents and go to Asia, the US, and Central America.
Citing the necessity for warning and safety as a part of the change, the cruise line has adjusted the voyage’s final 54 days, visiting 51 ports in 23 international locations. The ship will not journey from the Maldives to Egypt by way of the Suez Canal, as initially scheduled for early April 2026, and also will remove its European calls that comply with.
Gone are 19 ports within the Maldives, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway, and England. Phuket, Thailand, and Colombo, Sri Lanka, have additionally been eliminated with a view to create a greater route again to North America by way of the Pacific.
New ports in Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan have been added throughout its season in Asia, which now takes place from March 24 to April 12, 2026.
Key additions embrace a trio of Vietnamese ports: Ho Chi Minh Metropolis (Phu My), Nha Trang, and Halong Bay close to Hanoi, in addition to in a single day calls in Hong Kong, and Nagasaki and Tokyo, Japan. In Taiwan, the ship will name at Kaohsiung and Keelung (Taipei).
“The dozen ports we’ve added in Asia will deliver that a part of the world to life for our company,” mentioned Holland America Line’s Chief Industrial Officer Beth Bodensteiner.
Because the ship will now cross the Worldwide Date Line, the World Cruise additionally receives an additional day, making it one of many longest around-the-world voyages.
Departing from Fort Lauderdale on January 4, 2026, Volendam initially averted North American ports. Now, from April 20 to Could 7, it’s going to sail to Alaska, Mexico, and Central America.
In Alaska, stops embrace Kodiak, Sitka, and Ketchikan, whereas calls in Seattle and San Diego now seem alongside the Pacific Coast.
South of the border, new locations embrace Manzanillo and Puerto Chiapas, Mexico, adopted by Acajutla, El Salvador. An in a single day in Fuerte Amador (Panama Metropolis) has additionally been added on Could 6 earlier than persevering with to the brand new addition in Cartagena, Colombia, on Could 14.
It is going to skip what had been schedule to be a ultimate name in Puerto Rico because of the changes.
The brand new roundtrip cruise’s journey will head south from Fort Lauderdale to South America, make its approach to Antarctica, after which cross the Pacific to Australia with stops within the South Pacific.
It is going to then discover Asia earlier than a second transpacific crossing to Alaska, working its means down the coast of North and Central America earlier than returning on Could 17, 2026, following a Panama Canal transit.
Cancellation Particulars Lacking Whereas New Reserving Perks Added
The choice to forgo the Pink Sea comes amid ongoing regional instability that has affected the world since January 2024. With militants persevering with to focus on cargo and cruise ships, Holland America needed to redraw its world map to securely present passengers extra alternatives at fascinating ports.
No particulars have been revealed as to what the cruise line is providing to passengers already booked on the complete Grand World Voyage, in addition to its cancelled segments.
As a substitute, Holland America says company “will obtain direct communication from their journey advisor or Holland America Line with additional particulars and choices.”
In the meantime, anybody fascinated with crusing a phase of this new Grand Voyage will discover 21- to 55-day choices. Those that e book the complete itinerary by June 16, 2025, will obtain $2,000 onboard credit score per visitor, $500 air credit score per particular person for these reserving by means of Flight Ease, complimentary Wi-Fi, and airport transfers to and from Fort Lauderdale airport.
Relying on the stateroom class booked, passengers may additionally obtain free baggage supply service to and from Fort Lauderdale airport, pay as you go suggestions, and laundry service.
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