Holland America Line 's revamped 2025 World Cruise itinerary includes new ports and a different entry into Europe, and will avoid the Red Sea.
In order to prioritize safety and give travelers enough time to plan, Holland America Line has updated the itinerary for its 2025 World Cruise aboard the Zuiderdam.
The updated itinerary includes portions to replace the previously announced route through the Red Sea, while adding new ports in Africa and Europe, as well as a stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The changes will only affect the final 43 days of the 124-day voyage. The updated itinerary will now visit one more port than originally planned, calling at 49 unique ports in 34 countries and territories across six continents, concluding as scheduled on May 9, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“The safety of our guests and crew is of paramount importance, and we have made the decision to avoid the Red Sea after consulting with global security experts and government authorities,” said Beth Bodensteiner, Chief Commercial Officer of Holland America Line.
“Making this change now allows us to offer our guests peace of mind as they prepare for this 124-day round-the-world voyage. The new itinerary was built with guest experience in mind and retains the exciting European and African destinations with even more ports to explore in the Mediterranean.”
Following the originally planned visit to Cape Town (South Africa), the new itinerary has been updated to include a stop in Walvis Bay (Namibia), before heading north to Praia, Ilha de Santiago (Cape Verde), Holland America Line's first stop in more than three years.
Next, the ship will explore the Mediterranean, stopping at the initially planned ports of Gibraltar (Gibraltar), Alexandria (Egypt), Athens (Greece), Rome and Naples (Italy), Lisbon (Portugal) and Barcelona (Spain).
The newly added ports include Valletta, Malta; Tangier, Morocco; Arrecife, Alicante, Cartagena and Tenerife, Spain; Olbia and Sardinia, Italy; and Kusadasi, Turkey, pending final confirmation from the relevant ports.
“Guests joining us on our Grand World Voyage 2025 will be able to immerse themselves in exciting destinations around the globe. Not only will stops be added to destinations like Kusadasi to access the wonders of Ephesus, but originally scheduled destinations such as Alexandria will allow guests to enjoy views of the pyramids of Giza and Saqqara, as well as giving them the opportunity to solve the riddle of the Sphinx,” said Bodensteiner.
Highlights of the 2025 Around the World Cruise – Zuiderdam
- 124 days. Departure on January 4, 2025, round trip from Fort Lauderdale.
- 49 ports in 34 countries across six continents.
- The cruise will depart from Fort Lauderdale on January 4, 2025, and sail the original route until March 27. It will pass through the Panama Canal, Easter Island, and cross the South Pacific to Australia. Then, it will visit Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cape Town, the Seychelles, Walvis Bay (Namibia), Praia (Cape Verde), the Canary Islands, Gibraltar, the Mediterranean, Italy, Spain, Lisbon (Portugal), Tangier (Morocco), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and return to Fort Lauderdale on May 9, 2025.
- Six overnight stops: Callao, Peru (two nights); Easter Island; Papeete, Tahiti; Sydney, Australia; Cape Town; Barcelona, Spain.
- Six overnight trips: Manta (Ecuador), Seychelles, Cape Town, Alexandria (Egypt) and Valletta (Malta).
- Memorable moments: Transit through the Panama Canal, two nights in Callao to visit Machu Picchu, Easter Island, Pitcairn, scenic cruise on the Great Barrier Reef, two full days in Cape Town.
Big Event in Barcelona
When the Zuiderdam makes an overnight stop in Barcelona on April 24, 2025, it will meet the Volendam, which is sailing the 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole, for a once-in-a-lifetime “Grand Encounter.” During their stay in Barcelona, guests and crew from both ships will share a special celebration.
Guests who book the full 124-day Grand World Voyage before June 3, 2024, will receive onboard spending credits. New benefits for all early-booking guests include a complimentary Surf Wi-Fi package, one air credit per person when booking through Flight Ease, and complimentary round-trip airport transfers.
Additional extras may include complimentary luggage delivery to and from Fort Lauderdale Airport, prepaid crew thanks, and laundry and dry cleaning services when booking certain cabin categories.
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