45 nightsFrom New York24 ports of call
45-Day Legendary Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage
Holland America Line · Volendam
Overview
A 45-night voyage aboard Volendam, departing New York on 8 Oct 2026 and returning to the same port, calling at 24 destinations along the way.
New YorkPonta Delgada, AzoresLisbonGibraltarCartagena, SpainBarcelonaNice (Villefranche)LivornoCivitavecchia, RomeNaplesMessina, ItalyCorfuIraklionRhodesBodrumKusadasiIstanbulAthens (Piraeus), GreeceMaltaLa GouletteMalagaSevilleFunchalNew York
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Itinerary
45 nights · 47 ports of call- 1
Day 1 ·New YorkEmbark
8 Oct 2026Depart 16:30New York was once the capital of America, but that illustrious title seems insignificant compared to the modern role of the Big Apple. Fashion, finance and fine arts—it all happens here. - 2
Day 2 ·At Sea
9 Oct 2026 - 3
Day 3 ·At Sea
10 Oct 2026 - 4
Day 4 ·At Sea
11 Oct 2026 - 5
Day 5 ·At Sea
12 Oct 2026 - 6
Day 6 ·At Sea
13 Oct 2026 - 7
Day 7 ·Ponta Delgada
14 Oct 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00You'll be astonished to see, in the depths of the huge crater at the center of the island, two lakes--one emerald green, the other sky-blue. Your guide will explain. More astonishments: a cluster of hot springs bubbling in the mist. - 8
Day 8 ·At Sea
15 Oct 2026 - 9
Day 9 ·At Sea
16 Oct 2026 - 10
Day 10 ·Lisbon
17 Oct 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00Find your way in the city that launched the Age of Discovery. Cross the River Tagus on its soaring suspension bridge, watched over by a colossal statue of Christ. Wander the maze of streets in the Alfama, the old Moorish quarter, dominated by the medieval Castle of St George where peacocks strut and shriek. Stroll the Baixa and refuse to leave without a pair of elegant shoes. - 11
Day 11 ·Strait Of Gibraltar
18 Oct 2026 - 12
Day 12 ·Cartagena, Spain
19 Oct 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 14:00There are more than two millennia of history to embrace in this port city in Spain's southeastern Murcia region. While Cartagena is famously home to the second-largest Roman amphitheater on the Iberian Peninsula, the city is much more than just spectacular ancient ruins.
In addition to Cartagena’s architecture—along with that amphitheater, there are striking Art Nouveau buildings, neoclassical churches and ultramodern edifices throughout the city—you’ll find many opportunities to shop for local and regional artisan wares. In the city, investigate the restored medieval fortress looking out on the bay from the city’s highest point. Or take a short trip by car or bus to the historic Agrupa Vicenta Mines, the remarkable palm forest at Elche and the holy city of Caravaca.
And the food of sunny Murcia! Friendly tapas bars with breezy terraces invite lingering over drinks, coffee or snacks. The local restaurants offer more than typical Spanish tapas on the menu—michirones (a spicy Murcian bean stew) and local spins on paella are widely available and worth a try. Grilled octopus, fried calamari, mussels and the freshest fish are some of the tasty benefits of the city’s perch beside the sea. - 13
Day 13 ·Barcelona
20 Oct 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00On the northeast coast of Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a vibrant port city, packed with centuries of iconic art and architecture—Gaudí and Picasso both called it home—and lined with sunny white-sand beaches. Explore the Catalan capital's tourist attractions and historic neighborhoods, Modernisme and world-renowned art museums, galleries and local crafts shops—some of which are centuries old and stock traditional Catalan wares. After you see the sights, there are lively tapas bars around every corner where you can stop for a drink, a café amb llet (Catalan for espresso with steamed milk) or a snack, no matter the hour. Green spaces for picnics, long walks and respite from the hustle and bustle are scattered throughout Barcelona's attractions: There's Gaudí's mosaic-decorated park, a neoclassical maze at the Laberint d'Horta, as well as plenty of high places (mountains, monuments and edifices) where sightseeing visitors can take in the view. A short trip from Barcelona by car or train, luxury outlets, cava wineries, a mountaintop abbey and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast await. - 14
Day 14 ·Villefranche-Sur-Mer
21 Oct 2026Arrive 11:00Depart 21:00Villefranche-sur-Mer is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region on the French Riviera and is located south-west of the Principality of Monaco, which is just west of the French-Italian border. - 15
Day 15 ·Livorno (Florence)
22 Oct 2026Arrive 07:00Depart 19:00Access to the best of Tuscany: Florence, with its magnificent art and architecture and elegant shopping; Pisa's Leaning Tower; and ancient Lucca. Sample shore excursions: Tuscan Countryside & Wine Tasting; Florence & the Academia. - 16
Day 16 ·Civitavecchia (Rome)
23 Oct 2026Arrive 07:00Depart 22:00When you embark on a cruise to Rome with Holland America Line you experience its bustling modernism along with its rich history. You can walk in the footsteps of emperors, have coffee in Renaissance piazzas and see contemporary art all in one afternoon. Your sightseeing time in Rome begins at the nearby port of Civitavecchia, a seaside town with roots that stretch back to the Etruscan era. Take note of the Forte Michelangelo (both Bramante and Michelangelo had a hand in its design), and the lungomare, a lively stretch along the sea with beach clubs, bars and restaurants.
Once in the Eternal City you can fill your day with museums, churches, archaeological sites, traditional trattorias, artisan shops and, of course, gelato. The Colosseum and the Vatican Museums are Rome's superstar attractions, but there are plenty of quieter gems to explore. For food lovers there are the markets in Campo de' Fiori or the slightly farther flung Testaccio. The hip neighborhood of Monti, next to the Colosseum, has a vibrant piazza scene and boutique shopping, while the Villa Borghese offers a green oasis with a view towards Saint Peter’s Basilica and the masterpiece-filled Galleria Borghese. Although Rome might not have been built in one day, you'll certainly be able to see its highlights on our Rome cruises along with the top things to do there in 24 hours. - 17
Day 17 ·Naples (Pompeii)
24 Oct 2026Arrive 10:00Depart 18:00Rising behind the wide curve of its bay with brooding Mount Vesuvius and the deep blue sea as a backdrop, Naples, Italy enjoys a magnificent natural setting. It is the third-largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan, and arguably the most colorful and seductive of them all: Splendor and squalor live side by side in 21st-century Naples, and the mix is intoxicating.
Cruise to Naples, home to world-class museums and attractions. Naples has something for everyone - superb restaurants, eclectic shopping, a thriving contemporary art scene and an edgy and vibrant street life. But once you’ve had enough of the pounding traffic and jostling crowds while sightseeing in Naples, there are endless opportunities for exploration further afield. The celebrated Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both victims of Vesuvius’ devastating 79 C.E. eruption, lie just south of the city. Explore Naples' history or take a short ride over to the island of Capri on a Naples shore excursion. The delightful town of Sorrento and the magnificent scenery of the Amalfi Coast are also within easy reach, and the dolce vita glamour of Capri—not to mention the healing thermal waters of Ischia—are a short hydrofoil hop from the mainland. Naples cruises offer a perfect mix of cultural and natural attractions. - 18
Day 18 ·Messina, Italy
25 Oct 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00Messina's astrological clock is as much a man-made masterpiece as the road leading to Taormina, which canitlevers out of the rocky cliff face and stands on impossibly tall pylons. Leave it to the Italians to design a road that's both a thrill-ride and a feat of engineering! Once you're safely in Taormina, walk to the sublime Greco-Roman theatre that overlooks Naxos Bay and snow-capped Mt Etna, and spend some time on the Corso Umberto with a gelato firmly in hand. - 19
Day 19 ·At Sea
26 Oct 2026 - 20
Day 20 ·Kerkira (Corfu)
27 Oct 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 21:00Fortresses flank your entrance to this most beautiful of the Ionians. Lose yourself in the Venetian old town or head north for dramatic seascapes. Sample shore excursion: Achillion Palace & Private Villa. - 21
Day 21 ·At Sea
28 Oct 2026 - 22
Day 22 ·Iraklion
29 Oct 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 23:00Iraklion is Crete's largest city, modern and busy with remnants of Byzantine and Venetian architecture. It is also the stepping off point for those who come to Crete to learn more about the fascinating and technologically advanced Minoan culture. The local museum boasts displays that span thousands of years, and the Palace of Knossos offers a window into the mysterious Minoan world - 23
Day 23 ·At Sea
30 Oct 2026 - 24
Day 24 ·Rhodes
31 Oct 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 21:00Rhodes, set behind impregnable 14th-century walls, invites you to navigate through crooked streets to shop for sea sponges and visit the gorgeous Palace of the Grand Masters from where the Knights of St John set out on the Crusades. Tour to the village of Lindos and climb to the Acropolis. Look down and you'll see where St Paul landed, as well as the rocky peninsulas where many believe the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. This 110-foot-tall statue of Helios was destroyed by an earthquake, and its remains were melted down by the Arabs for scrap metal. - 25
Day 25 ·Bodrum
1 Nov 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 21:00Stones from the Tomb of Helicarnassus, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, were used to build the castle at Bodrum. For this reason alone you must visit the impressive towers and appreciate the stunning views they offer. A truly authentic Turkish experience is a ride in a "gulet" one of the region's typical wooden boats. - 26
Day 26 ·Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
2 Nov 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 21:00Kusadasi in Turkey is the gateway to one of the most legendary cities of the ancient world: Ephesus. St. Paul preached in its Great Theater, while the facade of the Celsus Library survives as a testament to the city’s role as a center of learning and culture.
Not far from Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis (also known as the Temple of Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, once stood, drawing pilgrims from around the Mediterranean. While it no longer stands, it is possible to walk amongst its foundations and the remains of its towering columns.
Other historic sites can also be found nearby: The House of Mary is believed to be the home of Jesus’s mother at the end of her life, and the Basilica of St. John, constructed in the 6th century, marks the location of his tomb. (Like Mary, he spent his final years in Ephesus.) Nearby, the Selcuk fortress reflects the period of Byzantine and Ottoman control of the region.
From ancient wonders to holy sites, there are few ports in the Mediterranean as magical as Kusadasi, and a day here is a day spent in the company of some of antiquity's greatest figures. - 27
Day 27 ·At Sea
3 Nov 2026 - 28
Day 28 ·Cruising The Dardanelles
4 Nov 2026 - 28
Day 28 ·Istanbul
4 Nov 2026Arrive 08:00Blurring the line between east and west, Istanbul stands at the crossroads of two continents. The city's architecture is rivalled only by its spectacular natural setting on the Bosphorus Strait. See the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the Byzantine Church of St Sophia. Take time to wander through the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Market and sample baklava and shish kebabs. - 29
Day 29 ·Istanbul
5 Nov 2026Depart 23:00Blurring the line between east and west, Istanbul stands at the crossroads of two continents. The city's architecture is rivalled only by its spectacular natural setting on the Bosphorus Strait. See the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the Byzantine Church of St Sophia. Take time to wander through the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Market and sample baklava and shish kebabs. - 30
Day 30 ·At Sea
6 Nov 2026 - 31
Day 31 ·Piraeus (Athens), Greece
7 Nov 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00No modern metropolis is more steeped in myth than Athens, Greece. From the gritty port of Piraeus—gateway to Greece’s fabled isles—to the Parthenon—eternal symbol of Western civilization—Athens has attracted adventurers and classicists for centuries. This heritage is still very much alive for modern visitors sightseeing in Athens: ancient stadiums and temples dwell alongside apartment blocks, modern performances are staged in the marble amphitheaters where Greek drama was born and millennia-old monuments are scattered in the archaeological park that circles the Acropolis.
One of the world’s oldest maritime powers, Athens is blessed with a balmy climate and stunning coastline. The seaside suburbs of Athens are scalloped with sandy beaches, fancy yacht clubs and glamorous beach bars. While the Athenian lifestyle is known for late-night dinners and dancing until dawn, the city shines brightly by day in the bustling markets, lively cafés and fascinating museums that illuminate Greece's past and present. Contemplate the magnitude of all that culture and ancient tourist attractions while marveling at the sun setting into the Aegean or rising over the Acropolis. - 32
Day 32 ·At Sea
8 Nov 2026 - 33
Day 33 ·Valletta
9 Nov 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00Thick sandstone walls fortify Valletta, holding within its stone streets and glorious architecture. It fees like a travesty, walking over the detailed inlaid marble floors of the the cathedrals, but they are there to be seen and appreciated. The Silent City is Mdina, on the far side of the island, where no cars are permitted to disrupt the serene streets. Keep an eye out for the legendary, aged yellow buses of Malta which appear to be on their last legs, but are in fact a revered and flawlessly maintained piece of Maltese heritage. - 34
Day 34 ·La Goulette
10 Nov 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 16:00Stroll Tunis' spirited medina where close-packed souks offer silver, perfumes, spices, carpets and other treasures at fire sale prices. Sharpen your haggling skills here—it's anticipated! At the edge of the Sahara, the Phoenician city at Carthage now lies in windswept ruins, but once was the glorious rival of Rome. - 35
Day 35 ·At Sea
11 Nov 2026 - 37
Day 37 ·Malaga
12 Nov 2026Arrive 12:00Depart 22:00Málaga is your chance to tour to the Moorish wonders of the Alhambra with its elaborate carvings, grand columns and delicate arches. Stalagmites and stalactites reach calcite fingers into the caverns of Nerja, near Malaga. 30,000 years ago, people lived in the shadowy recesses of these caves. In nearby Mijas, shop tables are laden with hand-made ceramics, and the people live in shuttered, whitewashed cottages. - 37
Day 37 ·Cadiz (Seville)
13 Nov 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00Hanging off the southwestern edge of Spain, Cádiz is one of Andalucía’s regional capitals and a place bursting with personality. Europe’s oldest continually inhabited city, with a history stretching back 3,000 years, has fallen on hard times in recent years, but a combination of pride, good humor and stoicism keeps it on an even keel. The famous Carnival, one of Spain’s most important in the genre, is a thrilling fiesta into which Cádiz pours all its energy and ingenuity.
The city’s fond nickname, la tacita de plata ("little silver cup"), alludes to its curious geography—it juts out on a long peninsula into a sheltered bay. Old town Cádiz is a warren of cobbled streets where the houses, painted white or dusty ochre, have the weather-beaten look of a place subjected to centuries of wind and salt. This ancient city has one good example of everything that matters: a great food market, a theater (the Teatro Falla, a grand Art Nouveau Moorish gem), a gorgeous cathedral, impressive fortifications and a beach—the picturesque and famous La Caleta. - 38
Day 38 ·At Sea
14 Nov 2026 - 39
Day 39 ·Funchal, Madeira
15 Nov 2026Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00Glide down a mountainside in a giant wicker sleigh; sip a glass of Madeira wine; browse the shops for lace and colorful flowers. Funchal is anything but ordinary. - 40
Day 40 ·At Sea
16 Nov 2026 - 41
Day 41 ·At Sea
17 Nov 2026 - 42
Day 42 ·At Sea
18 Nov 2026 - 43
Day 43 ·At Sea
19 Nov 2026 - 44
Day 44 ·At Sea
20 Nov 2026 - 45
Day 45 ·At Sea
21 Nov 2026 - 46
Day 46 ·New YorkDisembark
22 Nov 2026Arrive 07:00New York was once the capital of America, but that illustrious title seems insignificant compared to the modern role of the Big Apple. Fashion, finance and fine arts—it all happens here.
Your ship: Volendam
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