There’s a moment on every great journey when the world feels impossibly vast — when a glacier looms so close you can hear it crack, or when the night sky is so clear it feels alive with stars. It’s that feeling of awe, the kind that reminds you how small you are and how extraordinary our planet can be.
For travelers who crave more than another tropical escape, that kind of wonder has become the ultimate luxury. A growing number of cruisers are trading poolside cocktails for moments that stir the soul — the hush of Antarctic ice, the pulse of the Amazon, the thrill of standing at the farthest edge of the map. They’re seeking experiences that don’t just entertain but transform.
The desire for experiential travel and adventure is exactly what Holland America Line is leaning into with its newly announced 2027–2028 cruise season. Designed for those who dream beyond the ordinary, offering routes that take travelers farther, deeper, and closer to the stories only nature can tell. It’s a return to cruising’s most timeless promise: the freedom to chase the horizon, wherever it leads.
The itineraries span two continents, six countries, and some of the most remote corners of the globe. Whether it’s tracing the icy edges of the Southern Ocean or sailing deep into the world’s greatest rainforest, these journeys turn the ship into a moving observatory — a front-row seat to the planet’s wildest places.
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Holland America sails to the ends of the Earth where you can see wildlife and nature like no other placeHolland America Cruise Line
From Glaciers to Rainforests: Holland America’s journey through wonder
Adventure travel has long captured imaginations, but cruising to destinations like Patagonia, the Galápagos, and the Amazon used to mean sacrificing comfort for exploration. Holland America Line — with its midsize ships Oosterdam and Zuiderdam — is reframing that equation.
The cruise line’s South America and Antarctica voyages build on a growing appetite for “soft adventure” cruising: experiences that blend luxury with discovery. From the deck, guests can watch whales breach near Cape Horn or glide past the Pío XI Glacier — the largest in South America. On shore, curated overland adventures unlock once-in-a-lifetime access to Machu Picchu’s ancient citadel or the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands.
Related: Holland America’s Asia cruises showcase less-traveled Japan ports
“Our South America and Antarctica itineraries are designed for travelers who want to go beyond the ordinary,” said Paul Grigsby, Holland America’s vice president of itinerary planning. “Every moment is crafted to deliver a sense of wonder and connection.”
Inside Holland America’s 2027–2028 lineup
The season runs from November 2027 through March 2028, featuring 14- to 31-day voyages that embark from Buenos Aires, Argentina; San Antonio (Santiago), Chile; and Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida. Each itinerary is steeped in scenic cruising and riveting exploration.
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28-Day Legendary Amazon Explorer (Zuiderdam, roundtrip Miami): Delve into the heart of the rainforest, including overnight stays in Manaus and trips to Parintins, Alter do Chão, and Santarém — plus cherished Caribbean destinatons like Barbados and St. Lucia.
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22-Day South America & Antarctica (Oosterdam, various departures): Enjoy four days touring Antarctica’s White Continent, sailing through the Drake Passage and the Chilean Fjords, and calling at Montevideo, Ushuaia, and Port Stanley.
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16-Day Inca & Panama Canal Discovery (Oosterdam, various departures): Journey between Fort Lauderdale and Santiago, including overnight stays in Lima and Panama City.
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14–15 Day Chilean Fjords & Glaciers: Cruise on Oosterdam between Buenos Aires and San Antonio, tracing the legendary Glacier Alley, Cape Horn and beyond.
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For the most ambitious explorers, 31-day Collectors’ Voyages combine multiple sailings for maximum immersion with few or no repeat ports.
Related: Holland America is putting the glam in cruise with curated novelties across its fleet
Holland America’s “Have It All” early booking bonus adds another incentive: premium perks such as specialty dining, shore excursions, beverage packages, Wi-Fi upgrades, and up to $400 onboard credit for loyalty members.
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Holland America embraces the boom in expedition cruising
Cruising to the world’s southernmost continent or the Amazon’s hidden heartland isn’t just about bucket-list bragging rights. It’s part of a broader shift in how travelers define luxury — less about formality and more about authentic experiences, connection, and discovery.
In recent years, expedition cruising has surged across the industry, with travelers increasingly seeking nature-rich destinations once reserved for small expedition ships. Holland America’s approach which blends comfort with curiosity taps into that same momentum while maintaining the cruise line’s reputation for refinement and service.
For the well-traveled guest, these voyages offer more than a checklist of destinations — they deliver perspective. From the stillness of Antarctica to the pulse of the Amazon, each moment is a reminder that exploration isn’t about how far you go, but how deeply you experience it.
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Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Nov 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
