Embark on an extraordinary cruise that will transport you from the US to Antarctica—no airplanes required!

Dreaming of witnessing Antarctica? Holland America Line has just introduced a unique new way to reach this breathtaking destination.

The Seattle-based cruise line has revealed an incredible journey to the White Continent, starting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida—a departure point far from the usual launch locations in Argentina and Chile.

Set to commence on January 25, 2025, this 47-night adventure will take place aboard the 1,432-passenger Volendam and is part of a longer pole-to-pole world cruise that Holland America has been promoting since April 2023.

Similar to the extended voyage, this shorter segment offers Americans the chance to travel from the United States to Antarctica without the hassle of a lengthy international flight.

For those living in or around Florida who can drive to Fort Lauderdale, accessing the cruise will be possible without needing to board a plane.

However, there's one significant catch for those avoiding flights: you will still require an international flight to return to the U.S. after the cruise ends. The journey wraps up on March 13, 2025, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Traveling from Florida to Antarctica

The newly introduced cruise — part of several shorter segments of the previously announced pole-to-pole journey that Holland America is now booking — will kick off with stops in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Santa Marta, Colombia; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, as the Volendam makes its way south towards the Panama Canal.

After traversing westward through the canal, the ship will journey south along the coasts of Central and South America for over three weeks, making several stops in Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.

This segment of the journey will offer an in-depth exploration of the stunning Patagonia region and the Chilean Fjords along Chile's west coast.

Following that, the Volendam will navigate across the Strait of Magellan at South America's southern tip to reach Punta Arenas, Chile, and then Ushuaia, Argentina — the two primary gateways for Antarctic voyages.

After two additional days crossing the notoriously turbulent Drake Passage, the Volendam will finally arrive in Antarctica, where it will spend four days cruising along the breathtaking ice- and mountain-lined coastline.

Unlike an expedition cruise to Antarctica on a smaller vessel, passengers will not set foot on the continent. However, they can enjoy stunning views of the coastline from the ship's outer decks.

From Antarctica, the Volendam will travel up the eastern coast of Argentina towards Buenos Aires, with stops at the Falkland Islands and Puerto Madryn before arrival.

Montevideo, Uruguay, is also included in the itinerary as the ship continues its northern journey.

Prices for this segment begin at $9,684 per person, covering all taxes and fees — which works out to approximately $206 per person, per day.