Holland America Opens Bookings for 2026-27 South America and Antarctica Season – Cruise Industry News

The Oosterdam and the Volendam are set to explore South America and Antarctica as part of Holland America Line’s 2026-27 winter deployment.

According to a press release, the season includes 14- to 31-day itineraries.

Now open for bookings, the cruises run between November 2026 and March 2027 and take guests to “hard-to-reach destinations” like the Amazon River, Falkland Islands and Antarctica.

New for the 2026-2027 season, Holland America is also sailing to the Pio XI Glacier, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest glacier outside of Antarctica.

“Pio XI—or the Brüggen Glacier—is the longest glacier in the Southern Hemisphere outside of Antarctica, and it is truly spectacular,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and revenue planning for the company.

“Sometimes referred to as the ‘Grandaddy of Patagonian icefields,’ it’s known for its bright blue hues and signature dark streak, and it can really only be accessed via ship. Plus, it is a very active glacier for calving, so our guests are in for a treat when they visit,” he added.

The Oosterdam is set to visit the destination as part of a series of 14- and 15-day itineraries that sail between San Antonio in Chile and Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Named “South American Pathways: Chilean Fjords and Glaciers,” the open-jaw cruises include visits to Montevideo, Uruguay; Stanley, Falkland Islands; Ushuaia, Argentina; and Punta Arenas, Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Montt, Chile.

The itinerary also features scenic cruising at the Chilean fjords, Glacier Alley and a day at the Pio XI Glacier.

Holland America is also offering its popular “Legendary Amazon Explorer” onboard the Volendam as part of its 2026-27 deployment.

For either 27 or 30 days, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale or from New York to Fort Lauderdale, guests can sail into the heart of the Amazon rainforest, taking in wildlife like pink dolphins, exotic birds, howler monkeys and more.

According to the company, an overnight call in Manaus provides an extended opportunity to see the “Meeting of the Waters” between the Amazon River and Rio Negro.