Holland America Line’s 2023 Grand World Voyage is now open for reservations! It’s sure to be exhilarating, with the elegant Zuiderdam taking inquisitive travelers to South Pacific islands, Australia, Africa and Europe. Departing Fort Lauderdale on January 3, 2023, the 128-day cruise will visit more than 60 ports of call and feature eight overnights in some of the world’s most tantalizing destinations. The 128-day World Cruise sails roundtrip Fort Lauderdale, offering the unique opportunity to completely circle the globe without a single overseas flight.
2023 will mark the 33rd hosted world voyage with Cruise Specialists, The World Leader in World Cruising. Cruise Specialists clients will enjoy a bon voyage celebration and dinner the night before the cruise departs, plus receive the benefits of an experienced Voyage Host, invitations to special onboard events and more. Details on the hosted aspect of the program are explained further below.
The Itinerary: A Journey Like No Other
After departing Fort Lauderdale, the 1,964-guest Zuiderdam will make a couple of port calls in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, then will transit the iconic Panama Canal. With more than a full week at sea as the ship travels southwest, travelers will enjoy getting to know the ship and participating in a wide variety of onboard programming. Sea days become treasured times for guests to reflect on the ports they have just experienced, plan for the destinations they’ll see in the coming weeks and relish all the ship has to offer. Indulge in a spa retreat, attend a lecture series, meet friends for coffee or tea, take a computer class and more. One of the biggest surprises World Cruisers share with us at Cruise Specialists is that there is not enough time to do it all!
After truly settling into a relaxed pace, there will be nothing more special than the ship’s arrival in French Polynesia, where tranquility abounds, and the mystical islands of Nuku Hiva, Tahiti and Bora Bora await. World Cruisers will also get to explore Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
The 2023 World Cruise will spend four days in New Zealand, calling on Auckland, Tauranga, Gisborne and Wellington. Guests will be treated to an extensive menu of sights and tour possibilities in Sydney, Australia, when Zuiderdam spends an overnight there. Additional ports of call in Australia include Port Arthur and Hobart (Tasmania), Adelaide, Penneshaw (Kangaroo Island) and Fremantle (Perth).
The Grand World Voyage progresses west across the Indian Ocean to Port Louis, Mauritius, then opens up a world of discovery with more than two dozen thrilling port calls in Africa. Countries visited include Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Senegal and Morocco. While in South Africa, an overnight in Cape Town speaks to the ongoing popularity of this world-class city as a tourism mecca.
2023 will offer a more in-depth exploration of western and northern Europe than many past World Cruises. From Morocco, the route goes to Spain, Portugal, France, and England. The itinerary then takes travelers to Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway—including its stunning fjords—Scotland, Ireland and the Azores.
With a full week to round out the voyage as Zuiderdam follows the sun west to Fort Lauderdale, cruisers will revel in more enrichment activities and have a chance to begin packing, exchanging contact information with new friends and thinking about their plans for their next cruise! The ship makes its triumphant return to Fort Lauderdale on May 12, 2023.
Overnights on the 2023 World Cruise
As previously mentioned, the 2023 Grand World Voyage features eight overnights. They will take place in:
- Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama
- Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands, French Polynesia
- Sydney, Australia
- Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Adelaide, Australia
- Fremantle (Perth), Australia
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Overnights are often a coveted opportunity to take longer, organized “overland tours”—called that because they venture further inland than a typical shore excursion. Cruise Specialists’ shore excursion department develops an exclusive shore tour program with overlands for each Holland America Line World Cruise. Details for 2023 will be announced at a later date.
What Else Makes a Grand Voyage Special?
In addition to the incredible collection of ports on this cruise, a Grand Voyage is an indulgent experience. Grand Voyage menus boast an exquisite variety of regional cuisines, local ingredients and fine wines that reflect the ports of call being visited. Many crew members are Grand Voyage veterans, the best in their field. With the length of a Grand Voyage, the crew’s warmly attentive service often creates a special bond with guests. The crew are also eager to share personal insights into the destinations. Enrichment activities are further enhanced on a Grand Voyage. Learn to cook a regional specialty, try a new craft or keep up with your fitness routine in the gym. Attend on board lectures to deepen your appreciation of the places being visited. Passengers enjoy special pillow gifts, an elegant Captain’s Grand Voyage Dinner and more special treats along the way.
Exclusively for Cruise Specialists Guests
As is tradition for the Holland America Line Grand World Voyage, Cruise Specialists guests notice the distinct quality of service they receive from our World Cruise Consultants, many of whom have worked on board ships and who have a wealth of experience booking World Cruises. Cruise Specialists guests receive generous shipboard credit, special gifts and amenities. Our Voyage Hosts sail with our group to share their abundant knowledge and insight of the itinerary and ship, to confidently and consistently ensure you have an exceptional experience. All of our full World Cruise guests enjoy:
- Dedicated Cruise Specialists Voyage Host
- Private Onboard Events and Gatherings
- Custom Keepsake Gifts
- …and more
These special gifts and discreet attention paid to Cruise Specialists guests help build a sense of camaraderie that is truly appreciated by our clients.
Our services are complimentary, and you’ll receive the one-on-one attention you deserve when reserving a cruise of this magnitude.
Holland America Line provides additional benefits that add up to an incredibly valuable Grand World Voyage experience.
Go here to see the complete 2023 Grand World Voyage itinerary and special amenities!
