Holland America has launched a new category of cruises that range from 25-59 days.
Holland America Line has launched a new category of cruises called Legendary Voyages which range from 25 to 59 days. Most of these voyages sail roundtrip from a North American homeport, for easy embarkation.
According to Holland America, the goal of the new category is for cruisers to see their bucket list destinations, from the ease of a cruise ship. These voyages include extended overnight stays in key ports like Anchorage, Alaska; Hobart, Tasmania; Honolulu, Hawaii; Manaus, Brazil; Moorea, French Polynesia; Papeete, Tahiti; Reykjavík, Iceland; and Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan.
Island of Moorea in the French Polynesia.
So what does a 56-day cruise look like? The “Tales of the South Pacific” departs Vancouver, Canada on September 27, 2023 and arrives in San Diego, California on November 22, 2023. During the 56-day cruise there are several stops in Hawaii including Honolulu; Kauai; Lahaina and Hilo. There are also stops in American Samoa; Somoa; Tonga and the Cook Islands. In Fiji, there are stops in Suva, Viti Levu; Dravuni Island and Lautoka. In French Polynesia there are stops in Moorea, Tahiti and Bora Bora. The cruise crosses over the international dateline and equator several times and there are a dozen or so days at sea.
Colorful buildings in Nanortalik, Greenland.
For a shorter (yet still long) cruise, there’s the 35-Day “Voyage of the Vikings” which departs July 20, 2024, and is roundtrip from Boston. There are several stops in Canada, including: Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Labrador. Stops in Greenland include Qaqortoq, Paamiut (Frederikshab), and Nanortalik. Plus, there are stops in Iceland, Norway, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
The 28-day “Amazon Explorer” itinerary.
One of the shorter Legendary Voyages is the 28-Day “Amazon Explorer” departing Feb. 17, 2024. It’s roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Alaska itinerary is popular for wildlife spotting.
Alaska lovers may be interested in the 28-day Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice cruise in 2024, roundtrip from Seattle. Unlike the standard 7-day voyage, this one includes 12 port visits that take you further north including Anchorage, Dutch Harbor, Haines, Homer, Kodiak, Nome, Seward, Valdez, and Wrangell. Holland America has been cruising in Alaska for 75 years and the destination is one of its flagship itineraries.
The 53-day “Majestic Japan” itinerary
The 53-day “Majestic Japan” itinerary departs September 1, 2024, aboard Westerdam and is roundtrip from Seattle.
Other itineraries include the 34-day “South Pacific Crossing” departing Oct. 8, 2023, aboard Noordam, which starts in San Diego and ends in Sydney, Australia. The 35-day “Australia Circumnavigation” is roundtrip from Sydney and the 28-day “Coral Triangle, Volcanoes and The Great Barrier Reef” is roundtrip from Singapore.
Why now?
Australia is a popular cruise destination.
The rollout of this new cruise category coincides with Holland America Line’s 150th Anniversary. “Holland America Line is one of the longest-operating travel companies in the world,” says Kacy Cole, Vice President of Marketing & E-commerce at Holland America Line. “Based on several surveys we’ve conducted over the past two years, results have indicated that our guests are seeking lengthier, more in-depth voyages.”
She notes that repeat cruisers are an important part of line’s success. “Our Grand World Voyage, which is 122 days, is visiting Africa this week as it circumnavigates the globe,” says Cole. “A large number of the guests on board are what we call ‘5-star Mariners’ which means they have sailed at least 71 weeks with Holland America Line.”
Iceland is another popular cruise destination.
Holland America has seen a 25% increase in cruises 25-days or more; a 117% increase in cruises 50-days or more; and in the Caribbean, a 41% increase in cruises 12 days or more. The line is a mid-sized ship experience. Its fleet visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries.. There are 11 ships in Hollan America’s fleet.
