New bucket-list cruises from US offer access to rare ports
If you want to see the world without worrying about travel logistics between destinations, a world cruise could be your ideal way to take an around-the-world trip. A seamless, low-stress way to travel globally, a world cruise offers you the convenience of a floating home at sea where you can explore a wide range of destinations with the ease of returning to the same room each night.
A number of premium cruise lines offer these extended sailings, which typically last 100 days or more and visit multiple continents. One of those cruise lines is Holland America Line, known for its intimate, mid-sized ships and unhurried sailings to sought-after destinations.
Holland America Line just dropped the itineraries for its two 2028 Grand Voyages - long cruises thoughtfully designed for deep discovery that conveniently sail round trip from U.S. ports. Shaped by years of guest feedback, the cruise line's latest Grand Voyage itineraries invite travelers on immersive journeys featuring bucket-list experiences, in-depth exploration, and stops in remote destinations rarely featured on cruise itineraries.
"What makes our Grand Voyage itineraries special is the opportunity to experience destinations more fully while visiting rare Mariners' Collection ports exclusive to these cruises," Holland America Line President Beth Bodensteiner said during an announcement aboard the 2026 Grand World Voyage. "In direct response to our guests, the 2028 Grand Voyages are anchored by truly unforgettable moments, from exploring Antarctica and crossing the globe on the Grand World Voyage to sailing past Null Island, where the Prime Meridian and the Equator meet at zero, and calling at legendary destinations like Easter Island and Bora Bora."
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Holland America Line's 2028 Grand World Voyage to explore six continents
A 129-day circumnavigation of the globe, Holland America Line's 2028 Grand World Voyage will sail round trip from Fort Lauderdale aboard Volendam, departing Jan. 4, 2028 on a journey to explore 45 ports in 26 countries and territories across six continents.
Highlights of the Grand World Voyage include a full Antarctic experience and an immersive tour through South America, including scenic cruising through the Chilean fjords, Glacier Alley, and the Beagle Channel. The voyage also features eight days and six ports across New Zealand, a visit to Easter Island, and a sail-past of Null Island, where the Prime Meridian and the Equator intersect at 0°N, 0°E.
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Easter Island is one of 16 Mariners' Collection ports - available only on Grand Voyages - featured on the itinerary. Other rare ports include Walvis Bay (Namibia), Reunion Island, and Cape Verde.
The voyage also offers the opportunity to visit 31 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso in Chile, Komodo National Park on Komodo Island, and India's Taj Mahal.
Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage offers deep regional exploration
Holland America Line also released the itinerary for its Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage, a 90-day deep dive into Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. The voyage will sail round trip from San Diego aboard Zaandam, departing Jan. 30, 2028 on an immersive journey to explore 41 ports in 12 countries and territories across two continents.
The voyage stands out both for its deep regional exploration and its roundtrip itinerary from San Diego - offering the chance to visit Australia and New Zealand without an international flight. The sailing will head west through Hawaii and the South Pacific, crossing the International Date Line en route to New Zealand before continuing to Australia. In Australia, travelers will have the chance to visit remote northwestern and western ports that appear on few cruise itineraries.
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The voyage will make its return to San Diego via Melanesia, Fiji, Samoa, and French Polynesia, with an extended stay in Bora Bora - the "crown jewel of the South Pacific" that's also featured on the 2028 Grand World Voyage. A location only accessible on smaller ships like Volendam and Zaandam, Bora Bora will be a highlight of the 2028 season where passengers will get the chance to sail through the Teavanui Pass into a bright blue lagoon framed by palm-fringed white-sand islets and the volcanic peak of Mount Otemanu rising above it all.
On board these intimate ships, passengers will find enough space to feel at home and opportunities to both unwind and enrich their journeys. The onboard experience will complement time spent ashore with enrichment programs, regional cultural performers, and menus that showcase local ingredients and dishes inspired by the regions visited.
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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 6:09 PM.