A Guest’s Guide to Cruising on Grand World Voyages

A world cruise is the vacation of all vacations. Exploring all seven continents is an unforgettable experience that is both enriching and exhilarating. We connected with two of our guests who spend over 200 days a year cruising with Holland America Line, beginning with the Grand World Voyage. If you are new to world cruises, you may find their travel insights helpful.

Here is a guest’s guide to cruising around the world with Holland America Line on a Grand World Voyage:

The Best Things About a World Cruise

Gail and Marty Gottlieb have been on six Grand World Voyages since 2017, so they have a lot of experience when it comes to international cruise travel. Here is what they love most:

• You only have to unpack once. There is no need to gather and transport your things repeatedly as you travel the globe.
• Every morning you get to have a new experience, waking up in an incredible destination.
• You are on a cruise ship with passengers who also love traveling, so it is easy to make new friends. You will see many of them again on future Grand World Voyages.
• You receive incredible care from the crew. “The crew become family, as you spend more time with them and your cruise friends than you do with your own family on land,” they noted. For Gail and Marty, this makes the Grand World Voyage extra special due to the bonds you create with those onboard.
• Every destination is special. It is hard for them to choose a favorite, though Antarctica is near the top of their list. They also enjoy shore excursions. This year they focused on foodie tours, indulging in the rich flavors and cuisine of each region.
• They love that Holland America Line is their home away from home. “It’s always a great feeling seeing the ‘Welcome Home’ sign on the ship.”

Gail & Marty’s Top Tips for a Grand World Voyage

Make your cabin like your home.
“We bring many comforts of home: pillows and pillowcases, coffee mugs, alarm clocks, pictures of grandkids and post-its for notes.” Gail also makes a calendar highlighting the time difference from home every day, expected temperature, what port they are in, hours in the port, currency used and if it is a tender port. They bring small plastic bins to store toiletries, hairbrushes, toothbrushes and more. Collapsible cubes can be used in the closet to store shoes and miscellaneous items.

Pack for onboard events and varying weather forecasts.
“We pack two weeks’ worth of clothes plus attire for Dressy Nights, Formal Nights and the Grand Ball. We also pack for all types of weather, as it can be warm and cold depending on the itinerary, so layers are important.”

Bring your favorite toiletries.
Though there are toiletries onboard, such as shampoo, conditioner and soap, you may have favorite items from home you want to bring with you.

Prepare for embarkation.
Make sure you remember all your required travel documents. Gail and Marty also recommend guests practice using the Navigator App prior to boarding. Another tip is to enjoy the excitement of embarkation day. “Holland America does a fantastic job with embarkation. It’s like greeting fellow friends and passengers while waiting to board.”

Try new activities onboard and ashore.
One activity Gail and Marty have become very engaged in is a guest-led activity making blankets for Project Linus. It has become a tradition for passengers on the Grand World Voyage, specifically, where they assemble beautiful blankets to comfort children in need in the U.S.

Do things outside of your comfort zone.
One of the perks of travel is experiencing new things in new places. Learning new skills, exploring the history and traditions of other cultures and meeting new people can enrich your life beyond measure.

Do not hesitate to ask for tips and travel insights onboard.
People are willing to help each other and share suggestions.

Thanks for sharing your travel tips with us, Gail and Marty!

Have you traveled the world on a Grand World Voyage? Share your travel tips in the comments below.