Every year, Holland America Line’s ms Amsterdam embarks on an epic Grand World Voyage that circles the globe. Sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the journey’s typically take a westwardly route through the Panama Canal and last for more than 100 days.

Holland America Line takes great pride in making each Grand World Voyage unique and interesting, so each year we strive to make it different from the one before. In 2018, Amsterdam goes west, but rather than heading through the Suez Canal after exploring the Far East, the ship will take a southern turn and head around South Africa.

Departing Fort Lauderdale January 4, 2018, Amsterdam visits a few Caribbean jewels and then transits one of the greatest man-made marvels of the modern world: the Panama Canal.

Upon crossing the Pacific Ocean and calling at incredible islands that leap out from the movies with with azure waters, golden beaches, lush landscapes and mountainous shorelines, the ship makes four calls throughout New Zealand that show off the country’s gorgeous greenery. Scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park takes our cruisers to some of the most spectacular sights in the world.

Bora Bora is paradise on earth with its gorgeous colors and crystalline waters.

In 2018, Amsterdam cruises up the west coast of Australia, with seven calls on the continent, including overnights at Sydney and Freemantle (Perth), as well as Hobart, Tasmania.

One of the favorite calls around the world for both passengers and crew is Manila, Philippines. Many of our crew members hail from this country, and getting to see their families brings joy to everyone — especially on an overnight call like this one!

Following calls at Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and Sri Lanka, the ship starts its African adventure with calls in the Seychelles, Madagascar and Mozambique before spending two nights and three days at Cape Town, South Africa. With extra time in one of the most bucket-list-worthy ports on any traveler’s to-do list, Grand World Voyage guests will have the opportunity to go overland or see the many sites of Cape Town such as Table Mountain.

With two nights and three days, guests will have plenty of time to explore Cape Town.

Cape Town isn’t the end of Africa, with more calls at Namibia, Angola, Gambia and Senegal.

There’s no sight as spectacular as an African sunset.

Cape Verde is the final call before crossing the Atlantic to San Juan, Puerto Rico, then it’s on to the final call: Fort Lauderdale.

Overnight calls play a bit part in every Grand Voyage, and the 2018 Grand World Voyage is no exception. In addition to the ones mentioned above, the ship also will make overnight calls at Fuerte Amador, Panama; Papeete, Tahiti; Benoa, Bali; Hong Kong, China; and Singapore.

Singapore is one of the many ports with an overnight call.

If you’d love to take part in the 2018 Grand World Voyage but don’t have 113 days, several segments are available ranging from 20 to 63 days. Hope to see you onboard!