By
Alex Smith |
Holland America Line has unveiled its 2027–2028 Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific cruise schedule, offering itineraries ranging from 14 to 35 days.
The season will operate from September 2027 through March 2028, with three ships sailing routes that include overnight and late-night port calls. It features overnight stops in Melbourne and Cairns, Australia, and Lautoka, Fiji. In Melbourne, passengers can visit art galleries, cafés, and cultural districts. Cairns offers extra time to explore the Great Barrier Reef or travel on the Kuranda Railway, while Lautoka includes traditional kava ceremonies, thermal mud pools, and Hindu temples.
“Whether guests want to visit Milford Sound, the waters of Fiji and the South Pacific, or observe local wildlife, this season is planned to provide access to these destinations,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and revenue planning. “Overnight stays in Melbourne, Cairns and Lautoka add to the number of ports where ships remain overnight.”
Among the season’s extended itineraries is the 26-day Australia, Coral Sea & Fiji voyage onboard Westerdam, which calls at 14 ports across Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga, including overnight stays in Cairns and Lautoka. Other long-duration itineraries include the 35-day Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas voyages aboard Zaandam and Koningsdam, featuring overnight and late-night calls at Bora Bora, Honolulu, Papeete, Raiatea and Moorea.
The 34-day South Pacific Crossing sails from Seattle to Sydney onboard Westerdam, including overnight stays in Honolulu and Papeete. Shorter voyages include the 14-day Australia & New Zealand itinerary between Sydney and Auckland, the 14-day New Zealand Discovery roundtrip from Sydney, and the 16-day South Australia Discovery Holiday, which includes nine Australian ports with overnight and late-night calls at Philip Island, Hobart, and Melbourne.
The season will also offer more than 100 excursions, including visits to sheep farms, glowworm grottos, and wildlife observation opportunities, such as spotting fairy penguins. Passengers can visit 13 Unesco World Heritage sites, including the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, the Sydney Opera House, and the lagoons of New Caledonia.
Onboard, the Destination Dining program will feature regional dishes, including meat pies, pavlova, New Zealand green-lipped mussels, tropical fruits, and local mahi-mahi.