HAL Sets 2027-28 South America, Antarctica Season

Holland America Line unveiled its 2027-2028 South America and Antarctica program, confirming late-2027 through early-2028 departures on Zuiderdam and Oosterdam that pair classic fjords and glaciers with a four-day Antarctic Experience and, separately, a deep-dive Amazon itinerary. The season adds embarkation flexibility, longer voyage lengths, and early-booking incentives aimed at travelers who want a single trip covering multiple marquee sights across the region from Buenos Aires, San Antonio near Santiago, Fort Lauderdale, or Miami.

The new season runs November 2027 to March 2028 with voyages from 14 to 31 days, highlighted by scenic cruising at Pío XI Glacier and Glacier Alley, plus a 28-day roundtrip Miami Legendary Amazon Explorer on February 5, 2028, and limited-time booking perks.

Holland America's 2027-28 lineup, at a glance

Holland America frames the program around two ship platforms and a set of longer itineraries that stack scenic cruising with overland options. According to the line, Zuiderdam and Oosterdam will operate between November 2027 and March 2028 with embarkation choices that include Buenos Aires, Argentina, San Antonio (Santiago), Chile, and South Florida ports. Most sailings stretch beyond two weeks, and several "Collectors' Voyages" link back-to-back segments to minimize repeat ports.

Key features the line is promoting include four days of Antarctic scenic cruising and passes through Glacier Alley, the Beagle Channel, and the Chilean Fjords, along with time at the Pío XI Glacier. Overland modules add marquee options like Machu Picchu and, on select itineraries, Galápagos add-ons.

On the river side, the 28-day Legendary Amazon Explorer sails roundtrip Miami on February 5, 2028, with overnight Manaus and calls such as Parintins, Alter do Chão, Santarém, and Boca da Valeria, plus Caribbean stops on either side of the river segment.

Latest developments

Holland America is pairing the rollout with a Have It All early-booking bonus that, for a limited time, layers in free prepaid crew appreciation and upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi, on top of the package's standard inclusions. Mariner Society loyalty members can access an early-booking onboard credit up to $400 per stateroom. Availability and terms depend on the fare booked.

Analysis

For travelers, the practical appeal here is longer, one-ticket itineraries that reduce intra-South America flights while covering high-value sights in one go. The 22-day South America & Antarctica routing typically moves between Buenos Aires and San Antonio, aligning the Antarctica window with the austral summer and stacking multiple scenic segments in one voyage. If you want the most ice time, target departures explicitly listing the four-day Antarctic Experience; Holland America's planning brochures and itinerary pages call this out.

On the Amazon side, roundtrip Miami simplifies air, and the overnight in Manaus gives enough runway for beyond-the-pier experiences. That itinerary also splits the long river days with Caribbean ports at the front and back ends, helpful if you prefer variety over a pure expedition format.

Background Mainstream Antarctica cruises from large-ship brands rarely land passengers; instead, they emphasize scenic cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby channels, where weather and sea state dictate the daily plan. Expect variable conditions, potential retimings, and occasional missed passes when winds or visibility do not cooperate. Longer itineraries provide more chances to catch good windows in the Drake Passage and around the Peninsula, which is why four programmed days can reduce weather risk compared with single-day plans. Holland America's materials underscore these scenic days and the cumulative fjord, channel, and glacier transits elsewhere in the season.

Who should book what If your priority is Antarctica, chase the 22-day South America & Antarctica voyages that call out four scenic days; if you want breadth with less cold-weather gear, the Inca & Panama Canal Discovery segments and Chilean Fjords routes keep you largely within temperate zones while still delivering glaciers and narrow-channel scenery. For loyalty maximizers, the Mariner Society credit plus Have It All upgrades can offset the higher fares typical of long-haul seasons, especially when combined with Collectors' combinations.

Booking notes Embarkation city matters. Buenos Aires offers strong airlift from the U.S. and Europe and serves as a forgiving start point for pre-cruise nights. San Antonio (for Santiago) requires a transfer from Chile's capital and benefits from at least one buffer night. Fort Lauderdale and Miami simplify U.S. connections, especially for the Amazon Explorer. Always check your fare's cancellation and change rules and consider travel insurance that covers weather-related delays in Antarctic waters. Cross-check details on HAL's 2027-2028 digital brochure hub and the individual itinerary pages as they post throughout the season.

Final thoughts

Holland America's 2027-28 South America and Antarctica season leans into longer itineraries, more scenic cruising, and flexible embarkation, giving travelers multiple ways to combine Antarctica, Chilean fjords, and the Amazon under one brand. If these are on your list, early planning is smart, since the best cabins on longer sailings tend to go first, and perks are richest near launch.

Sources

• Amazon River Exploration and Antarctica's Frozen Frontiers Highlight Holland America Line's 2027-2028 South America and Antarctica Cruise Season
• Digital Brochures: 2027-2028 South America & Antarctica
• 22-Day South America & Antarctica, Oosterdam
• 70-Day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage
• Holland America Adds Capacity in South America for 2027-28 Season