Explore five continents in one cruise with Holland America Line

Holland America Line’s one-of-a-kind ‘Pole to Pole’ grand voyage showcases what grand voyages are all about. This enthralling five-continent extravaganza channels the spirit of those pioneering explorers who first conquered Earth’s legendary poles.

And, in-keeping with the adage that it’s not the destination, rather the journey, that counts, on the way to Antarctica you’ll explore the vibrant west coast of South America, and on the journey back north, you’ll cross the equator in the Amazon River. The onward journey to the Arctic Circle includes highlights in Africa and Europe, while the trip is capped out with time in Iceland and Greenland before following the east coast of North America back to Fort Lauderdale.

The entire journey is 133 days, and yes, most people onboard will be sailing the entire journey, though there are smaller segments for those who want to experience an element of the grand voyage but perhaps don’t have the time to take the whole trip.

Just be warned, if you take a segment this year, there’s a very high chance of booking a full grand voyage the following year. As Holland America Line says, grand voyages are ‘another level of cruising’ – and they’re right.

A grand voyage with Holland America Line means more ports, longer stays and luxurious overnights ashore.

Shore excursions help you see more

With hundreds of shore excursions available during the voyage, there’s a perfect excursion for all tastes. And on a grand voyage, the ship’s shore excursions become even more helpful for seeing the best of each port – who has time to research 69 ports in advance these days?

So, start in the rainforests of central America – soar above the jungle canopy on an aerial tram in Puerto Limón, or observe playful monkeys in their natural habitat outside of Panama City.

Go big with a mega overland adventure to the Galápagos Islands to see the famous tortoises. This multi-day excursion includes all the necessary transportation and accommodation to fully experience this bucket list destination.

In Argentina, visit top regional wineries, or head out into the countryside in Uruguay to sample their delicious olive oil.

Of course, there are some landmark excursions through the voyage to world renowned hotspots, like Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer or Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia. But there are also lesser known highlights that a shore excursion can open your eyes to, like the imperial city of Rabat in Morocco, or viewing Iceland’s countless craters by helicopter while staying overnight in Reykjavík.

The best tip, whichever excursions interest you, is to book before the cruise starts. Once you’ve made your booking, you’ll have access to an online excursion booking platform, so you know your highlights are booked and ready to go.

Now to choose? The full grand or a segment?

Whether you sail for all 133 days or opt for a segment, everyone enjoys full access to everything that makes a grand voyage special; all the parties, the enhanced amenities, the expert-led enrichment and activities programmes.

The full voyage can be thought of as a world cruise, but instead of tackling the voyage horizontally, this one heads north to south. It includes 69 ports across five continents, with plenty of late night departures and even overnight stays to give you the best experience in landmark ports, like Buenos Aires, Barcelona and Reykjavik.

But perhaps it’s really South America and Antarctica that you’re yearning to explore. You’ll love the 47-day segment from Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires, which includes transiting the Panama Canal, and venturing south along the continent’s west coast (Ecuador, Peru, Chile). A four-day Antarctica experience is the pinnacle of this segment, which then heads up the coast of Argentina to Buenos Aires.

Joining the ship in Buenos Aires is also an option, if you’re dreaming of sailing the Amazon River, or exploring the west coast of Africa, before disembarking in Barcelona. The 42-day middle segment includes more days at sea than other parts of the cruise, as you’ll be crossing the Atlantic from French Guiana to Cape Verde.

Or join Volendam in Barcelona, where she’ll be docked alongside Zuiderdam (on her more traditional round-the-world world cruise). The 44-day final segment takes you from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, via the Norwegian fjords, Iceland, Greenland and northeastern Canada. Of course, it’s this part of the voyage that also sails into the Arctic Circle.