HAL-Holland America Line is set to introduce a 42-day cruise exploring the Atlantic Ocean and various destinations across Europe and the Middle East.
Inspired by a journey undertaken by the cruise line nearly a century ago, this extraordinary voyage, known as the "42-day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage" cruise, will depart from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida USA) on November 9th, 2024. Over the course of the trip, travelers aboard the Volendam ship will have the opportunity to visit 16 different ports before returning back to the USA. This cruise is part of the company's Legendary Voyages, offering longer itineraries ranging from 25 to 59 days.
The journey will commence by sailing to the Azores, then proceeding to Tangier Morocco, and onwards to Italy and Greece, where passengers can explore renowned cities like Florence/from Livorno, Rome/from Civitavecchia and Athens/from Piraeus. The itinerary continues southward to Israel, allowing guests to visit Tel Aviv-Haifa and Ashdod-Jerusalem, and later includes stops in Egypt and Tunisia.
As the cruise returns back to Florida, passengers will have the chance to explore Gibraltar, Spain, and Casablanca. This luxurious European voyage pays homage to a similar trip undertaken by the company in 1925, which also visited several of the same ports.
In 2022, HAL celebrated its 150th anniversary by organizing heritage cruises, including a special transatlantic cruise that replicated the company's inaugural sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, even before its official incorporation.
Looking ahead, HAL has plans for an impressive 133-day Grand Voyage in 2025, taking travelers on an epic pole-to-pole journey that will reach as far south as Antarctica and as far north as the Arctic Circle off the coast of Norway.