Holland America expands Grand Voyage entertainment, including Cape Town departure
Holland America Line is introducing a new slate of shows to anchor the entertainment on Grand Voyages, starting with the 2025 Grand World Voyage aboard Zuiderdam, which includes a separate Cape Town leg, and the Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole aboard Volendam.
When the two cruises depart in January, 2025 on simultaneous sailings, 15 new shows will make their debut on both ships throughout the months-long, globetrotting journeys, marking the most shows the cruise line has ever simultaneously introduced.
Developed by acclaimed producer Blackburn International, each Grand Voyage will feature a cast of eight accomplished singers and dancers who will perform in the 15 new productions.
Each show will feature a distinct theme, including tributes to pop and rock greats like Carole King, the Carpenters, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and more.
“Holland America Line has never introduced this many shows at one time,” said Bill Prince, Vice President of Entertainment for Holland America Line. “The Grand Voyages are the longest itineraries we offer and it’s important to keep the entertainment fresh for our returning guests. The new shows are a diverse collection of music genres to appeal to a wide variety of tastes.”
Cape Town grand voyages: Segments on each Grand Voyage make taking a smaller portion of each itinerary possible, with the 2025 Grand World Voyage aboard Zuiderdam offering six segment options, including two that feature Cape Town as a departure or destination port: 42 days, Sydney to Cape Town, South Africa, February 11th – March 25th, 2025. 45 days, Cape Town to Fort Lauderdale, March 25th – May 9th, 2025.
Other shorter segments available:
37 days, Fort Lauderdale to Sydney, Australia, January 4th – February 11th, 2025
55 days, Fort Lauderdale to Singapore, January 4th – March 1st, 2025
42 days, Sydney to Cape Town, South Africa, February 11th – March 25th, 2025
49 days, Singapore to Athens, Greece, March 1st – April 19th, 2025
45 days, Cape Town to Fort Lauderdale, March 25th – May 9th, 2025
20 days, Athens to Fort Lauderdale, April 19th – May 9th, 2025
Grand Voyage experience
The 15 new shows will join an already robust entertainment and enrichment program on the Grand Voyages. Comedians, headline entertainers, and performers sourced locally are mixed in with Holland America Line’s production shows and resident musicians, including a classical trio and dance band on both ships.
Guest chefs who specialise in the cuisine of the region where the ship is sailing will join select segments of each Grand Voyage to share their culinary expertise. The chefs will offer a live cooking demonstration for guests, participate in an informative “coffee chat” and their cuisine will be featured at an exclusive, reservation-only dinner at Pinnacle Grill. Signature appetisers and main dishes from the guest chefs also will be highlighted on the Dining Room menu while they are on board.
Guests can expand their horizons with dance classes like ballroom or beginners’ ballet; arts and crafts classes that include watercolor painting, origami and creative writing; pickleball lessons from the ship’s sports director; tai chi on deck and more.
Dining is elevated on each Grand Voyage with menus that change daily and are seldom repeated, featuring local ingredients and regional cuisine. Select theme parties, such as the Masquerade, have a matching dinner menu in the Dining Room to elevate the festivities.
Brunch on sea days in the Dining Room is a grand affair, with an extensive roster of rotating menus featuring regionally focused dishes, as well as tasting menus so guests can sample a variety of brunch favorites. Festive gala balls and dressy nights create memorable moments, along with a Captain’s Grand Voyage Dinner.
Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole has seven segments for guests to choose from: 47 days, Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires, Argentina, January 25th – March 13th, 2025 100 days, Fort Lauderdale to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam), the Netherlands, January 25th – May 5th, 2025 42 days, Buenos Aires to Barcelona, March 13th – April 24th, 2025 53 days, Buenos Aires to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam), March 13th – May 5th, 2025 86 days, Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale, March 13th – June 7th, 2025 44 days, Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, April 24th – June 7th, 2025 33 days, Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) to Fort Lauderdale, May 5th – June 7th, 2025
Cruise fares for the full 124-day Grand World Voyage begin at $27,354; segment fares begin at $4,529. Cruise fares for the full 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole begin at $31,199; segment fares begin at $8,029. All fares are based on double occupancy rates and include port fees and taxes.
