Holland America Line is adding another one of its Legendary Voyages to its roster of lengthier cruises. The “42-day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage” aboard the Volendam will depart Nov. 9, 2024, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The itinerary was inspired by a voyage the cruise line operated nearly a century ago. Guests will experience 16 different ports across nine countries, without ever having to take an international flight.
The original voyage that provided the vision departed New York City Feb. 4, 1925, aboard Rotterdam IV. It carried 550 guests across the Atlantic Ocean to explore many of the same ports. The 2024 cruise follows in the footsteps of the 1925 journey, visiting Portugal, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Israel, Egypt, Tunisia, Gibraltar (United Kingdom) and Spain.
“Since introducing this new Legendary category of cruises that offer an in-depth focus on one region, they’ve been very popular. We’re excited to add a longer voyage that makes it easy to explore the Med in depth without a long-haul flight,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer, Holland America Line.
The itinerary first visits Horta and Ponta Delgada in the Azores after crossing the Atlantic. A call at Tangier, Morocco is followed by overnight visits to both Livorno and Civitavecchia, Italy. From Livorno, guests can explore Florence or Pisa, while Rome is easily accessed from Civitavecchia. Volendam then makes way to Naples, Italy, and Catania, Sicily, before Piraeus (Athens), Greece.
Guests will then explore the Holy Land at Haifa (Tel Aviv) and Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel, followed by Port Said and Alexandria (Cairo), in Egypt. The final ports on the voyage include La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia; Gibraltar; Cadiz (Seville), Spain: and Casablanca, Morocco. The cruise concludes Dec. 21 at Fort Lauderdale.
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