Stepping aboard Holland America Line’s Volendam in Taipei, Taiwan, felt less like joining a cruise and more like slipping into a story already in motion. The 2026 Grand World Voyage had been underway for weeks by the time I arrived in early April for my 10-day Japan segment, which concluded in Tokyo. But with both passengers and crew greeting me with the warmth of an longtime friend, I felt immediately at home.

That sense of home is a defining characteristic of HAL’s world cruises, one guests spoke of frequently: how returning to Volendam—whether after a year away or a day ashore—felt like coming home, with the crew remembering names, drink preferences, even hometowns. For a vessel circumnavigating the globe, it felt like a floating community, a world stitched together by shared meals, stories and the thrill of discovery.

An Iron Chef, a linen keeper and the ambassador for the security-blanket set

And discover I did. From a celebrated chef’s secrets to behind-the-scenes shipboard operations to a volunteer labor of love shared among passengers, I found exceptional moments from the upper decks to the heart of the hull. A few highlights:

-- The Iron Chef: Watching Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Holland America’s Global Fresh Fish Ambassador, during his cooking show was like watching a sculptor in action, with every slice of sashimi as intentional as a brushstroke. It was a culinary spectacle that mesmerized a standing-room-only crowd in Volendam’s World Stage as Morimoto sliced, carved and coaxed a 110-pound fresh-caught tuna into perfect cuts.

Of course, eating at Morimoto by Sea, a pop-up aboard Volendam that transforms the Pinnacle Grill into a showcase of Japanese gastronomy, was a real treat. As a committed non-fish-eater, I had asked the chef for his recommendation for a gateway fish dish that might lead to more adventures in seafood sampling. His secret weapon for guests who insist they don’t like fish? The Morimoto Fresh Tuna Pizza, featuring anchovy aioli, kalamata olives, red onion, jalapeño and delicate slices of raw tuna. After a few tentative bites, I decided perhaps I could be open to trying more fish dishes.

--The Linen Keeper: Down in the belly of the ship, Volendam’s laundry operation is a marvel of industrial choreography—one guests may witness on a behind-the-scenes tour. Amidst the hum of washing machines and dryers, presses and steamers, the Linen Keeper and his team ensure that the mountains of linens that arrive daily follow a precision checklist of sorting, sanitizing and smoothing so that every sheet and towel meets a standard of crisp perfection.

A fun fact shared by the Linen Keeper is that for every 1,000 passengers, there is a minimum of 3,000 bath towels in use—one in the cabin, one in the laundry and one for restocking. (The Volendam has just over 1,400 passengers.) Then there is the number of sheets and pillowcases funneling in the laundry (thousands) as well as one of the most used linens aboard ship: the cloth napkins that appear at every table for every meal in every restaurant—and there are four restaurants onboard Volendam, plus the Lido Market, casual eateries and room service—and surge in a never-ending stream into the facility.

--The Security-Blanket Set: One of the most touching highlights was the discovery of Volendam’s involvement with Project Linus. This national nonprofit organization, named after the blanket-toting Peanuts character, has a mission to provide comfort to seriously ill and traumatized children through handmade blankets—and has been part of Holland America World Cruises for over 20 years.

Grand World Voyage veterans and Project Linus volunteer coordinators Gail and Marty Gottlieb lead a community of “blanketeers,” who spend time during these cruises knitting or crocheting blankets. I found these dedicated needleworkers all over the ship, alone and in groups, with hook and yarn in hand in the library, around the pool, even in the bars before and after dinner, conversing and counting stitches as they whipped up “blankets from the heart” for this outstanding cause.

Museum marvels and (unexpected) discoveries that delight

From Shurijo Castle Park with its in-progress restoration of the 14th century Ryukyuan castle in Okinawa to Amami City Museum in Naze with its displays of the distinct lifestyle of Amami islanders to Shimizu and UNESCO World Heritage site, majestic Mount Fuji, partially veiled in clouds, Volendam’s itinerary led us to fantastic landmarks that challenged our sense of scale.

I especially enjoyed two days of discoveries in Nagasaki:

Nagasaki National Peace Park: Part of the complex comprising the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, this park features breathtaking statuary, conveying the horrors and cost of war, comfort for victims and a pledge for peace. From the massive Peace Statue with eyes closed in prayer to Joy of Life, a mother holding her baby aloft, and Hat of Peace, depicting children sitting side by side and surrounded by doves, the sculptures are thought-provoking and profoundly moving.

Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum: I never pass up a chance to explore an art museum and was captivated by the special Miniature World Mitate Life exhibit taking place during my visit. This whimsical, intricate universe of tiny scenes created by renowned artist and photographer, Tatsuya Tanaka, made you look twice at the colorful and intricate dioramas constructed of everything from tape dispensers standing in as ocean waves to a doughnut acting as an MRI machine.

Inori no Oka Children’s Picture Book Museum: I stumbled upon this hidden treasure on the way to Glover Garden. Tucked off the main road, with a turreted tower rising above a tangle of flowering trees and a waterfall meandering through the gardens, the setting was enchantment itself. Inside, the first floor is the Fairy Tale Hall Bookstore and the second and third floors are dedicated to galleries for exhibitions, including original works by Aya Omichi, the artist famous for Gongon the Cat. I don’t speak Japanese, but the power of storytelling through beautifully drawn illustrations transcends the barrier and needs no translation.

Sensory overload, in a good way

The ship’s daily rhythm was equally compelling. Mornings might begin with a lecture on Japanese history or a workshop in origami folding. The afternoons could be filled with any number of activities: a watercolor class, cooking demo, lounging by the pool. Evenings moved from live music in the Ocean Bar or a quiet drink in the Crow’s Nest to a magic show or game show.

From game meetups for Mahjong and bridge—and the ever-popular pickleball—to Tai Chi, evening stretch workouts, ballroom and line dancing, crafts workshops (button ornaments were a hit on this cruise), wine tastings and trivia, the variety of activities ensured guests could shape their own day. And, while the Grand World Voyage brings out an older crowd, make no mistake: These adventurers know how to have a good time. (Hello, karaoke night!)

The food was a delicious nod to the itinerary, from nightly regional inspirations in the dining room to the specialty seafood influenced by Chef Morimoto. For me, dining during this Japan segment felt like an extension of the ports themselves. One night featured Japanese Pork Katsu served with delicate jasmine rice, bok choy and Japanese curry sauce. Another evening brought Japanese-style teriyaki flank steak, tender and lacquered with a sauce that struck the perfect chord between sweet and savory. One of my favorite dishes was the Indian-spiced Cauliflower Biryani with its aromatic layers of flavor.

My 10 days aboard Volendam were just a sliver of the Grand World Voyage, yet they offered a vivid glimpse into why guests return year after year. It’s the combination of thoughtful itineraries, elevated dining, meaningful traditions and a shipboard culture that values connection as much as exploration.

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PLAN YOUR TRAVELS

Holland America’s Grand World Voyages are a tapestry of cultural richness, seasonal timing and storytelling that surprises, delights and deepens travelers’ understanding of the world — like the 2027 voyage, which departs Jan. 25 from Fort Lauderdale for a 129-day journey across six continents, visiting 28 countries.

Paul Grigsby, HAL vice president of deployment and itinerary planning, is the visionary who dreams up the itineraries.

“There’s an art and a science to itinerary planning,” says Grigsby. “For 2027, we focused on creating a route that feels immersive while still flowing naturally, balancing sea days with standout ports like Lisbon, Bilbao, Rotterdam, Oslo, Dover and San Juan.”

Holland America Line offers cruises from four days to 60-plus days to destinations including Canada and New England, the Caribbean, Alaska and the Yukon, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, the Mediterranean, Iceland, Scandinavia and more. Its fleet of 11 vessels visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and is characterized by award-winning enrichment programming, entertainment and cuisine that brings each locale on board, including a revolutionary Global Fresh Fish Program.

For more information and planning: Call 1-877-724-5425 or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

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