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SOUTH AMERICA CRUISE REVIEWS

Holland America Line Pole to Pole Recap
We finished all our port visits and spent three days at sea before arriving in Ft Lauderdale to complete our 133-day loop. It is the longest cruise Holland America has ever sailed, covering 28 countries, 68 ports, and almost 32,000 nautical miles. Some guests are ready to go home, others are actually staying on for the next voyage that will head back up the East coast and end in Montreal. We are happy to end with the incredibly positive experience we have had. Volendam has been a wonderful home away from home for 4 plus months and we could not have asked for a more friendly, capable crew than we have had. There is a certain camaraderie aboard this ship that we appreciate. The staff clearly like each other and work as a team. We were told that there is a crew survey that is meant to measu READ MORE →

A Personal Invitation to Discover the Galápagos with Lindblad Expeditions
There are few places on Earth that can truly be described as otherworldly—but the Galápagos Islands are one of them. I’ve had the privilege of traveling extensively throughout the world, yet the Galápagos continue to hold a special place in my heart. Nowhere else can you walk alongside giant tortoises, snorkel with sea lions, and observe blue-footed boobies in their natural habitat—all in one day. It’s not just a destination; it’s a revelation. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole: Leaving South America
We’ve left the Amazon heading to the Northern Hemisphere. Our next stop is what is commonly known as Devil’s Island. We’re actually stopping on Île Royale, one of the three islands in this grouping that make up the Salvation Islands off the coast of French Guiana. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole: Brazil
One of the characteristics of a Grand Voyage is immersion into the culture of the places we visit. With 11 stops in Brazil, including a long stretch on the Amazon River, we have had a lot of time to learn about this region. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole: Montevideo and Punta del Este
Arriving in Montevideo, we had the pleasure of meeting up with coworkers who live in the area. We spent a few hours getting them acquainted with Volendam from top to bottom. This was their first time on a Holland America ship, they really loved it! We had coffee in the Library Café, toured the public spaces and our cabin, had lunch in the Lido, walked around the Promenade Deck, and shared stories about hosting in exchange for their stories about their work. It was inspiring to see our world from someone else’s fresh eyes. READ MORE →

Introducing AmaMagdalena: AmaWaterways’ Stunning New River Cruise Ship Exploring Colombia
If you've ever dreamed of exploring South America in style, the wait is over. Launching in March 2025, AmaWaterways' AmaMagdalena offers a luxurious new way to experience the culture, flavor, and spirit of Colombia, along the breathtaking Magdalena River. Be among the first to sail aboard this intimate, 60-guest river ship and discover a region rich with history and rhythm on one of two unforgettable itineraries: Wonders of Colombia and Magic of Colombia. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole: The Falkland Islands and Argentina
The Falkland Islands, also called Islas Malvinas, is a remote South Atlantic Archipelago of over 700 islands, 300 miles from the coast of Argentina. Although it is off the coast of Argentina, and Argentina believes it belongs to them, it is British in every way. The 1982 war between Argentina and Great Britain settled that ownership question in favor of the British. So British currency, driving rules, and other British customs prevail. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole: Southern Chile and Argentina
It was a very early start today as we approached the Amalia Glacier. A perfect morning offered clear skies, temps around freezing, but no wind. Lots of ice bits were all around in the water, a sign that the glacier had recently calved. Although we did not see any falling ice, the Glacier did not disappoint. Part of a massive ice field, it ends majestically down at the water line. It was awesome just taking in the sights. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole: Robinson Crusoe Island and Southern Chile
Robinson Crusoe Island is a special place. There is something about it that captures our imagination, makes us slow down, absorb the atmosphere, and not want to leave when the time comes. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole: Steve's Adventures in Machu Picchu
Our group of 16 Cruise Specialists guests met our guide and chief escort, Katty, at the gangway for the short ride to the airport. She would be with us every step of the trip until she saw us safely back to the ship. READ MORE →

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Guest Contributor

Guest contributors to Travel Leaders have diverse backgrounds in publishing, travel, and vacations. They live across the globe and bring unique, first-hand experience to their writing.
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Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer

Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their round the world journeys.
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John believes that travel creates some of the most significant memories of people’s lives and this fuels his passion and guides his work each day as the Senior Director of Marketing for Cruise Specialists.
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Lisa Vongphachanh

Her ideal travel day: visit a new place, do something unexpected and connect with locals.
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Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their journeys to destinations around the world.
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Georgina Cruz

A Cruise Specialists guest and freelance travel writer, she has been on 200+ voyages!
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Kim Jackson

Kim Jackson enjoys traveling to lesser known and iconic destinations around the world. So far, her favorite country to visit is Spain for the hospitality, the landscapes and the amazing cuisine.
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Kevin LaGraff and Susan Atkins

Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their journeys to destinations around the world.
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