Photo of Holland America's Volendam cruise ship. (Image courtesy of Holland America Line)
Holland America Line is shaking up traditional Antarctic cruises with a unique new voyage. Instead of starting from the usual South American ports, their latest trip will set sail from Florida, making it easier for many travellers to reach the icy continent without a long international flight.
Scheduled to depart on January 25, 2025, this 47-night adventure will be aboard the Volendam, a ship that can carry up to 1,432 passengers. This journey is part of a grander Pole-to-Pole world cruise that Holland America is offering.
For those living near Fort Lauderdale, this new route means you can avoid a lengthy flight. The cruise will begin its journey in Florida and will make a series of exciting stops before reaching Antarctica. Passengers will enjoy visits to the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Costa Rica, with a transit through the Panama Canal. The ship will continue its journey along the coasts of Central and South America, stopping in Panama, Ecuador, and Chile.
The route will then take the Volendam across the Strait of Magellan and through the notoriously rough Drake Passage to Antarctica. Although passengers won’t be able to set foot on the continent, they will have four days to cruise around the Antarctic coast and take in the breathtaking icy landscapes. The adventure continues with stops at the Falkland Islands and Puerto Madryn in Argentina.
Holland America's 2025 Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole offers a variety of options with seven different segments ranging from 20 to 100 days. Travelers can select the itinerary that best suits their schedule and interests. The segments include routes from Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires to Barcelona, Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale, and variations between these major ports.
This innovative approach to Antarctic cruises opens up new possibilities for travelers who might otherwise be deterred by the need for long-haul flights. The Florida departure point allows more people to embark on this extraordinary journey, making the dream of visiting Antarctica more accessible.
