The Inside Cabin

Join me for unique insights and adventures aboard grand voyages around the world.

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

On January 4, 2026, I set sail from Fort Lauderdale on Holland America Line’s Volendam for a 133-day Grand World Cruise

I’ll be sharing ports, planning tips, logistics, and real life at sea — from Antarctica and the South Pacific to Asia, Australia, Alaska, and back home again.

Follow along here at @theinsidecabin as the journey unfolds.

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

Benjamin Sack brings the 2026 Grand World Voyage to life—one impossibly detailed line at a time. His work blends cartography, architecture, and imagination into a visual map of the journey that feels almost infinite.
From shipboard moments to global ports, this piece captures the spirit of a world cruise in a way photos never could.
If you look closely, every line tells a story

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

Departing Pier 66 Seattle Cruise Terminal after the first-ever Grand World Voyage call in Seattle for Holland America Line. ms Volendam @HALcruises

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

Over 400 handmade blankets. One incredible mission.

During the 2026 Grand World Voyage, guests aboard the ms Volendam came together to create and display more than 400 blankets for children in need through Project Linus at Sea. @HALcruises #grandworldvoyage #hollandamericaline #projectlinus

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

We arrived in Hong Kong around 7 am. Here is the time lapse starting at 5:50 am.

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

Emer Barry rocked the World Stage with her amazing performance of "Sparkling Diamonds" 2026 Grand World Voyage

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

𝗖𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 - 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

We just moved our first clock forward by 1 hour - from Noon to 1 PM.

Not the first time HAL has done a midday change, but it is a first for me. Even Captain Frank said at his noon talk that it was a first for him, too.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗨𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗲

My experience has always been the classic 2 AM switch, no matter the direction.

Erin mentioned that doing it midday should be less disruptive to sleep and overall rest... we’ll see.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝘁

When traveling east, your body clock has to advance (go to sleep earlier), which is actually harder than staying up later.

A midday change nudges your schedule forward while you’re awake, instead of losing an hour of sleep overnight. In theory, that should make the adjustment easier.

𝗢𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

They also shifted MDR lunch to 11:30-1:30 (normally Noon-1 PM), which helps smooth things out a bit.

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲

My initial reaction - I still prefer the early AM change. But I’m open to giving this a try.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸?

When heading east, do you prefer the overnight 2 AM switch or a midday adjustment?

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

Captain Rens van Eerten and his wife, Sandra, opened the Captain's Ball with the first dance on the World Stage during the 2026 Grand World Voyage. Michaela Groth and the Dam Band entertained the packed house for the rest of the evening. @HALcruises

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

Nyree Huyser performed "The Power of Celine" on the World Stage as we left Darwin, NT. She wowed the crowd with her powerful vocals and earned a standing ovation! Great show!!!

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

Robert Bannon dazzled the World Stage with the best performance of the 2026 Grand World Voyage with "The Evolution of Rock"

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

A quick walk from the Cairns cruise port brings you to the Cairns Lagoon, a beautiful waterfront swimming area right in the middle of town.

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

We left Sydney and enjoyed our wine-and-cheese sail-away under the dome due to the rainy weather.

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

Here is a one Here is a 1 minute video showing our arrival in Sydney - note we spin around and back into White Bay Cruise Terminal

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

Afternoon chocolate tea on another ship isn’t something you do every day. 🍫☕

While in Sydney we hopped over from MS Volendam to MS Zaandam for Afternoon Tea with Jacques Torres.

Three-tier stand of chocolate pastries, scones, and savory bites — plus great conversation with friends.

Two ships. One afternoon. Lots of chocolate.

#HollandAmericaLine #GrandWorldVoyage #SydneyAustralia #CruiseLife

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

@letsgomtnrs Pretty sure this is Dutch orange, not Tennessee orange. 🇳🇱 On the Volendam that’s the only shade that matters

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

🍊 I entered the Orange Party Best Dressed contest on the Volendam last night… and somehow won.

About 10 contestants had to strut their stuff on the dance floor for 30 seconds, with the audience voting by applause.

Thread 👇

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

Prize: a winner’s medallion and a bottle of sparkling wine.

I suspect the flashing orange glasses may have helped.

Lewis the bear remained unimpressed.

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

We started the evening with dinner, then the “Sounds of Summer” cast show before heading to the Crow’s Nest Orange Party.

The Dam Band had the place packed, and the contest started at 9:45.

The audience picked two co-winners, so I shared the title with another couple.

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝗲 – 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 🎲

We enjoyed a formal night a few nights ago with a Casino Royale theme. Decorations greeted us at the entrance to the Main Dining Room and again outside the casino, setting the mood for the evening. It definitely felt like a little Monte Carlo at sea.

At 6:30, we headed to the casino for “Room Number Roulette.” The table was full, and we played until 7:30 before heading to dinner. Judy and I each started with $100. I managed to lose all of mine, while Judy broke even. I stuck with the same numbers all night, hoping for that big payoff that never came. Judy mixed in more of the 3-to-1 bets and did much better. Even so, it was a fun hour and a lively way to kick off formal night.

At 8:30 in the Casino, they opened up some games for free play where you can win vouchers for prizes - we didn't play so I don't have the exact details

———

🎰 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 – 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀

• Bring $50 (or whatever amount you’d like), which covers 10 spins.
• If you prefer to risk less than $50, that’s fine — but each spin requires a minimum $5 bet, which can be spread across any combination of numbers.
• You can exchange cash for roulette chips or simply use cash or regular casino chips.
• Most players choose meaningful numbers — room numbers, birthdays, anniversaries — but any number is fair game.

It’s an informal gathering around the roulette wheel, so you can stay and play as long as you like.

A little luck, a little strategy, and a lot of fun. 🎉

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

We enjoyed Mardi Gras on the Grand World Voyage

[The Inside Cabin @TheInsideCabin]

Michael "Big Mike" Lynche sings It's A Man's Man's Man's Man's World on the 2026 Grand World Voyage