Holland America Line has opened bookings for its 2028 Grand Voyages and two of the most ambitious extended cruises in modern cruising. They are designed for seasoned travelers and bucket-list adventurers because these voyages offer immersive, long-duration exploration aboard mid-sized ships that are capable of accessing remote and exclusive ports. And the itineraries are now on sale as of May 20th, 2026. So, travelers have a critical window to secure the maximum early booking benefits.
129-Day Grand World Voyage: Full Global Circumnavigation
If we had to describe The Grand World Voyage aboard Volendam, it is a true circumnavigation. It will be departing from Fort Lauderdale on January 4th, 2028, and returning April 12th, 2028. Hold your breath- This 129-day journey spans six continents!
The list includes:
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Antarctic Experience: An awe-striking four-day scenic cruise through the Chilean Fjords, Glacier Alley, and Beagle Channel, which will offer breathtaking views of icebergs, glaciers, and the wildlife there.
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South Pacific Crossing: Sailing right from Easter Island to Bora Bora, with calls in French Polynesia.
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New Zealand Immersion: Spending eight days across six ports, which are Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Milford Sound, Port Chalmers, and Timaru.
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Asia and Indian Ocean: Port stops in Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.
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Africa and Atlantic Return: The cruise will be rounding the Cape of Good Hope, visiting Walvis Bay (Namibia), Reunion Island, and Cape Verde. This will be followed by a sail-past of the fascinating Null Island (0°N, 0°E) in the Gulf of Guinea.
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Caribbean Return: And the final call in San Juan, Puerto Rico, right before returning to Fort Lauderdale.
This voyage crosses the equator twice! Yes, you read that right. And it will also include 31 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Valparaíso (Chile), Komodo National Park (Indonesia), and the Taj Mahal (India).
90-Day Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage: South Pacific Deep Dive
Next is the Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage aboard Zaandam that departs from San Diego on January 30th, 2028, and returns April 29th, 2028. Now this 90-day itinerary focuses on the South Pacific, with a full circumnavigation of Australia and an in-depth exploration of New Zealand.
Key highlights:
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Hawaii Transit: Sailing west through the wonderful Hawaiian Islands.
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New Zealand Exploration: Multiple ports that will include Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Milford Sound, and Timaru.
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Australia Circumnavigation: Visits to remote northwestern and western ports, including Broome, Darwin, Cairns, Sydney, and Fremantle (Perth).
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Extended Bora Bora Stay: An evening and overnight stay that will allow for snorkeling with sharks and rays, sunset viewing, and also lagoon excursions.
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Melanesia Return: and then sailing through Fiji, Samoa, and Vanuatu the cruise will return to San Diego.
This voyage too, includes 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Great Barrier Reef and Tongariro National Park, and also features exciting overnight calls in Hobart, Sydney, Cairns, Fremantle, Auckland, and Papeete.
Mariners’ Collection Ports and UNESCO Access
Now what sets these voyages apart is this defining feature that is access to Mariners’ Collection ports- 16 exclusive destinations only reachable by mid-sized ships like Volendam and Zaandam. What do these include?
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Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
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Walvis Bay, Namibia
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Reunion Island
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Cape Verde
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Remote Australian ports
These ports are mostly inaccessible to larger cruise vessels due to various factors like draft restrictions, narrow channels, or environmental regulations. Therefore, these voyages offer a more authentic and exclusive travel experience. Combined with 31 and 13 UNESCO sites combo, the itineraries emphasize cultural and natural heritage immersion.
Onboard Experience and Enrichment
Both voyages offer an extremely refined and destination-focused onboard experience:
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Enrichment Programs: Guest lectures, cultural performances, and regional wine tastings.
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Entertainment: Live orchestral music, stage productions, and appearances by special guest headliners.
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Signature Events: Gala balls, dressy nights, and the Captain’s Grand Voyage Dinner.
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Dining: Menus evolve daily, featuring regional dishes and local ingredients, with rare repetition over the long voyage.
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Wellness: Full-service spa with hydrotherapy, massage, and fitness programs tailored for long-haul travelers.
The mid-sized ships provide residential comfort with spacious accommodations, making extended sea days enjoyable.
Early Booking Benefits and Pricing
Holland America Line is offering a bunch of early booking incentives:
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Grand World Voyage: Book by June 14th, 2027, to receive up to $10,700 per stateroom in benefits, including:
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Up to $2,500 onboard credit
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$500 air credit per person (when booked via Flight Ease)
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Complimentary Wi-Fi for the entire voyage
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Additional savings and perks
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Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage: Up to $8,500 per stateroom in early booking benefits under similar terms.
These incentives are designed to reward the ones up for early commitment and also to offset long-term travel costs.
Why 2028 Is a Historic Season
An interesting fact is that the 2028 season marks the first time that both of Holland America Line’s Grand Voyages will call at Bora Bora in the same year. This very rare and special alignment allows two distinct global itineraries to converge on one of the world’s most iconic destinations. And in doing so, they offer unprecedented access and shared cultural moments at sea.
The 2028 Grand Voyages represent a gold standard of long-haul cruising, combining global reach, exclusive access, and refined onboard luxury. Whether circumnavigating the globe or diving deep into the South Pacific, these voyages offer transformative travel experiences for those ready to explore the world at a measured, immersive pace. With early booking benefits available until mid-2027, now is the time to plan for one of the most ambitious travel adventures of the decade.
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