Holland America Line Grand Voyage guests celebrate in Sydney

 

Holland America Line brought together guests from its two 2026 Grand Voyages on March 7, following a rare meetup of Zaandam and Volendam. The ship’s simultaneous calls to Sydney, Australia, were celebrated with a special Chocolate Afternoon Tea.

 

Hosted onboard Zaandam, the tea was led by Holland America Line Culinary Ambassador, Jacques Torres, who created a menu of signature chocolate treats. Guests were offered a selection that included scones and finger sandwiches, chocolate madeleines, chocolate canelé de Bordeaux, Le Lion chocolate dipped marshmallows and Gâteau de Voyage. The captains and senior officers from both ships joined the occasion.

 

Volendam is currently sailing on the 133-day Grand World Voyage, heading to Asia before crossing the Pacific Ocean and transiting the Panama Canal to end in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Zaandam will continue exploring Australia and New Zealand before sailing to French Polynesia and will then end its 93-day Grand Voyage in San Diego, California.

 

Darren Lewis, Zaandam’s hotel general manager, said: “Moments like this are what make a Grand Voyage truly unforgettable. When guests sail with us for months at a time, they become a community. Seeing that community from two ships come together in Sydney to share stories, celebrate the journey and enjoy a beautifully crafted afternoon tea was a powerful reminder of what makes Grand Voyages so special.”

 

The Chocolate Afternoon Tea was part of Holland America Line’s 2026 Grand Voyage guest engagement programme, which offers exclusive onboard and shoreside experiences.

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