Holland America's longest upcoming itinerary is a 133-day 'pole-to-pole' cruise starting at $26,400 — see what it'll be like

Brittany ChangJun 2, 2023, 20:55 IST

Holland America Line's Volendam vessel will bring travelers on 133-day cruise designed to hit both Antarctica and the Arctic Circle.Holland America Line

Holland America Line's longest upcoming itinerary is its 133-day "pole-to-pole" cruise starting at about $26,400 per person.
The cruise line's Volendam vessel will sail to both Antarctica and the Arctic Circle in 2025.

Holland America Line's longest upcoming cruise isn't the typical extended around-the-world itinerary that have been a hit with other major cruise brands. Instead, it's a monthslong "pole-to-pole" sailing.

The Carnival Corp cruise brand's Volendam vessel is set to embark on this 133-day cruise roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2025. Starting at $26,400 per person, Holland America says travelers will get to stop at ports along the coast of Canada, New England, South America, Africa, Europe, Iceland, and Greenland. But the itinerary's biggest sell isn't these destinations — it's the opportunity to see both Antarctica and the Arctic Circle.

Most long-haul sailings are either around-the-world cruises, which have been a hit for brands like Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises ...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

… or repositioning cruises sold as slower transoceanic itineraries.

Carnival Cruise Line

But this "pole-to-pole" itinerary is neither.

Holland America Line

Instead, Holland America is touting this upcoming journey as a unique chance to see both "poles" in one trip.

Holland America Line

The 1,430-person Volendam vessel will serve as the travelers' home base during this 133-day, five-continent journey from January 2025 to June.

Holland America Line

According to Holland America's itinerary, the ship will start in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and sail along what it calls a "south-north-south route" shown below.

Holland America Line

From Florida, the ship will head down the Panama Canal and the western half of South America to Antarctica, checking off the first "pole" in this itinerary.

Holland America Line

Then, its back up along the eastern part of South America and the Amazon River before sailing across the Atlantic Ocean to destinations along the coast of Africa and Europe.

Holland America Line

Then, its back up along the eastern part of South America and the Amazon River before sailing across the Atlantic Ocean to destinations along the coast of Africa and Europe.

From there, the Volendam is set to continue its journey up north to the final "pole," Norway's North Cape within the Arctic Circle.

Holland America Line

After a day of scenic cruising there, the plan is to travel back west to Iceland, Greenland, and some destinations in Canada and New England before the trip concludes back in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida in June 2025.

Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland.Boyloso / Getty Images

After a day of scenic cruising there, the plan is to travel back west to Iceland, Greenland, and some destinations in Canada and New England before the trip concludes back in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida in June 2025.

In total, Holland America promises the ship will stop in 68 ports across 28 countries, including eight overnights in destinations like Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Reykjavik, Iceland.

Fabian Schmiedlechner/EyeEm/Getty Images

In total, Holland America promises the ship will stop in 68 ports across 28 countries, including eight overnights in destinations like Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Reykjavik, Iceland.

Four of the 133 days will be spent sailing in Antarctica.

Holland America Line

However, the ship's venture into the North Cape will only be a "scenic cruise" with no planned stop.

Holland America Line

In total, the ship will spend over 40 days sailing with no planned ports of call, although several of these days have been designated as scenic sailing days.

Holland America Line

To help pass the time, the 781-foot-long ship will have amenities like a pickleball court, six dining venues, and a movie theater.

Holland America Line

The journey starts at about $26,400 per person for an interior stateroom or about $200 per person per day.

The waves and snow heading through the Drake Passage.Taylor Rains/Insider

This price then jumps to $91,200 for the most luxurious suites.

Day two of sailing through the Drake Passage on the way to Antarctica.Taylor Rains/Insider

Monthslong itineraries like Holland America's have been seeing historic success over the last few years …

Holland America Line

… prompting cruise lines like Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival to release some of their longest itineraries yet.

Adonis Skordilis/Reuters

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Holland America's longest upcoming itinerary is a 133-day 'pole-to-pole' cruise starting at $26,400 &mdash; see what it'll be like

Most long-haul sailings are either around-the-world cruises, which have been a hit for brands like Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises ...

… or repositioning cruises sold as slower transoceanic itineraries.

But this "pole-to-pole" itinerary is neither.

Instead, Holland America is touting this upcoming journey as a unique chance to see both "poles" in one trip.

The 1,430-person Volendam vessel will serve as the travelers' home base during this 133-day, five-continent journey from January 2025 to June.

According to Holland America's itinerary, the ship will start in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and sail along what it calls a "south-north-south route" shown below.

From Florida, the ship will head down the Panama Canal and the western half of South America to Antarctica, checking off the first "pole" in this itinerary.

Then, its back up along the eastern part of South America and the Amazon River before sailing across the Atlantic Ocean to destinations along the coast of Africa and Europe.

From there, the Volendam is set to continue its journey up north to the final "pole," Norway's North Cape within the Arctic Circle.

After a day of scenic cruising there, the plan is to travel back west to Iceland, Greenland, and some destinations in Canada and New England before the trip concludes back in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida in June 2025.

In total, Holland America promises the ship will stop in 68 ports across 28 countries, including eight overnights in destinations like Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Reykjavik, Iceland.

Four of the 133 days will be spent sailing in Antarctica.

However, the ship's venture into the North Cape will only be a "scenic cruise" with no planned stop.

In total, the ship will spend over 40 days sailing with no planned ports of call, although several of these days have been designated as scenic sailing days.

To help pass the time, the 781-foot-long ship will have amenities like a pickleball court, six dining venues, and a movie theater.

The journey starts at about $26,400 per person for an interior stateroom or about $200 per person per day.

This price then jumps to $91,200 for the most luxurious suites.

Monthslong itineraries like Holland America's have been seeing historic success over the last few years …

… prompting cruise lines like Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival to release some of their longest itineraries yet.

Holland America's longest upcoming itinerary is a 133-day 'pole-to-pole' cruise starting at $26,400 — see what it'll be like