longest journey by ship

The Longest Journey

Celebrity Blog

• Choosing a Cruise
• Planning / Booking A Cruise
• Preparing For Your Cruise
• Special Occasions
• What To Expect On A Cruise
• Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific
• Central America
• East Coast & Bermuda
• Mexican Riviera
• South America & Antarctica
• Destinations

What Are the Longest Cruises You Can Take?

By Sally Macmillan

Last updated: November 6th, 2023

• Find a Cruise

Our longest cruises—those with itineraries of 15 nights and more—offer a wonderful opportunity to experience a variety of destinations in one memorable vacation. Also known as repositioning, transpacific or transatlantic cruises, depending on where they are sailing, ships on these voyages cruise “one way”, from point to point, rather than starting and finishing at the same port.

You might board your ship in one continent and disembark in another, cross the world’s biggest oceans, and tick off an enviable wish list of different countries along the way. Leisurely days at sea allow plenty of time to make the most of your ship’s restaurants, spas, sporting facilities, and enrichment classes—or relax and do absolutely nothing.

Here’s a selection of our six longest cruises and where they can take you.

1: 52-Night Grand Journey on Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge’s epic Grand Journey calls at more than 20 ports in 11 countries, spanning three continents over 52 nights—the ship’s longest cruise trip.

Greek Theater of Taormina in Sicily, Italy

Sailing from Rome to New Zealand, this cruise is packed with opportunities to explore myriad cultures, historic sites, and world-famous natural attractions, with a range of exciting shore excursions at every port.

Catania , a picturesque city on Sicily’s east coast, dates to ancient Greek and Roman times. One of the island’s finest ancient sites is the Greek Theater of Taormina. Built on Mount Tauro in the third century BC, it was designed to make the most of its stunning natural surroundings, with sweeping ocean views and a backdrop of Mount Etna. The theater’s auditorium seated thousands of spectators and is still used today for concerts, operas, and ballets.

Petra, Jordan

Celebrity Edge will head south from Sicily to the north coast of Africa, transiting the Suez Canal to the Red Sea. From Aqaba in Jordan, there’s a chance to visit the exquisite city of Petra, carved out of pink sandstone and accessed via a skinny canyon, deep in the mountains. Petra, built by the Nabateans, is believed to be 2,500 years old and is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

The ship then sails east across the Indian Ocean. Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, by way of contrast to many of the ancient sites on this itinerary, is a contemporary classic.

Its three massive sculptural conservatories showcase extraordinary displays of horticulture and garden artistry. The Flower Dome houses exotic plants and flowers from around the world, while the Flower Fantasy is more like a surreal art gallery than a garden.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef, so big it’s the only living organism visible from space. From the coastal city of Cairns, you’ll have the chance to get up close to some of its spectacular underwater wonders on a thrilling day trip. Swim, snorkel or dive in colorful coral gardens among tropical fish and sea creatures—or gaze at the vivid world below from a glass-bottomed boat.

The Sydney Opera House is another must-see Australian treasure. Its distinctive design was inspired by its sublime setting on the harbor and it is the country’s foremost cultural institution. If time permits, book a show when you’re in town—world-class performances include opera, cabaret, classical concerts, comedy, and theater.

Milford Sound, New Zealand

On leaving Australia, Celebrity Edge’s longest cruise heads to New Zealand . One of the many highlights is Milford Sound on the country’s South Island. Known as the jewel of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is best experienced from the decks of a ship. You’ll spend several hours sailing quietly past sheer cliffs and dense rainforest, among awe-inspiring scenery that’s almost reminiscent of Alaska.

Read: A Guide to the Stunning New Zealand Fjords  

2: 18-Night Hawaii, Tahiti, & Bora Bora Cruise

Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii

Board your ship in Honolulu for a memorable voyage across the Pacific Ocean to Sydney in the land Down Under on our second-longest cruise itinerary. If you can spare a few hours before embarking, a visit to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is a rewarding, if sobering experience.

After five sea days, you’ll dock in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia on the idyllic island of Tahiti . Around the port, you can shop for souvenirs at the open-air market and inspect (or buy) black pearls at the Robert Wan Pearl Museum. But you’ll most likely want to head out of town for the day.

Vaipahi Water Gardens in Tahiti, French Polynesia

There are ample opportunities to snorkel and swim in unbelievably clear tropical lagoons or explore the island’s lush interior. One driving tour of the breathtaking West Coast takes in Polynesian sacred sites, Tahiti’s biggest underwater cave, and a walk through the magical Vaipahi Water Gardens.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bloody Mary’s restaurant is something of an institution on Bora Bora—check out the roll call of famous visitors over lunch when you join a full-day tour of this small but impossibly beautiful island. Highlights include a 4WD safari into the jungle, where you’ll see evidence of the GIs’ presence in World War II; snorkeling in colorful coral gardens; and swimming among rays.

One of the best things about cruising into Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island is that your ship docks right in the center of town. Many major attractions are within walking distance of the wharf, including the instantly recognizable Sky Tower. Take a trip to the top for panoramic views and, if you’re exceptionally brave, sign up for the 630-foot Sky Jump.

Haruru Falls in Bay of Islands, New Zealand

The Bay of Islands is not only a haven for wildlife lovers and adventure-seekers; it played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s history. A wonderful way to learn about Maori culture is by joining members of the Ngapuhi tribe on a river trip aboard a traditional war canoe. As you paddle the Waitangi River from the spectacular Haruru Falls, storytellers regale you with tribal tales and local legends.

This epic voyage ends in Sydney . You’ll want to be up early to enjoy the arrival in Sydney Harbour, surely one of the world’s most beautiful approaches to port. And without doubt, you should extend your stay to explore this dynamic city.

3: 15-Night Panama Canal Cruise

Bridge of the Americas, Panama

Bookended by either San Diego or Los Angeles, California and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a Panama Canal cruise is one of the most popular of our longest cruises. In between visiting five or six ports (depending on whether you’re on an eastbound or westbound cruise) and experiencing the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal, you’ll enjoy seven leisurely days at sea.

El Arco in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas , on the southernmost tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, is known both for its glamorous resort scene and abundant natural attractions. Blessed with almost year-round sunshine, it’s the perfect place for watersports, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Don’t miss El Arco (“The Arch”), a dramatic rock arch at Land’s End where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean.

Los Arcos (“The Arches”) in Puerto Vallerta’s Banderas Bay is another instantly recognizable landmark that Mexico is known for , a series of granite rock arches, caves, and tunnels, around which the snorkeling is superb. The bay’s 60-plus miles of coastline takes in Los Arcos Marine Park plus an intoxicating mix of beaches, old Spanish colonial districts, and the busy El Malecon boardwalk.

Read: Best Beaches in La Paz, Mexico

Cloud Forest Reserve in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is renowned for its exotic wildlife and eco-adventures—and rare cloud forests. A trek in Monteverde’s mist-shrouded Cloud Forest Reserve reveals an incredible diversity of lush rainforest, rare tropical plants, dramatic waterfalls, and brightly colored birds and butterflies. The cooler climate makes a refreshing change—just remember to pack a lightweight rain jacket.

Panama Canal

Visiting the Panama Canal is the centerpiece of this cruise. Connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the 50-mile, man-made canal opened in 1914 and revolutionized sea journeys by cutting hundreds of miles from the original routes, which took ships all the way around South America. The vast freshwater Gatun Lake, 85 feet above sea level, forms a major part of the canal.

Cartagena, Colombia

Your ship will dock at Colon —a great spot for duty-free shopping—for a day, before heading to Cartagena on Colombia’s north coast. This beautifully preserved walled city dates back to the 16th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best way to explore its many cultural and architectural treasures is on foot, with a guide to fill you in on its fascinating history.

Read: Best Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia

4: 15-Night Azores & Spain Transatlantic Cruise

Transatlantic cruises are among our longest cruises. This Spanish-flavored sailing departs from Tampa, Florida and sails to Barcelona, Spain over 15 nights, calling at five unforgettable destinations.

Lagoa do Fogo, Azores

Your ship spends seven days at sea before docking at Ponta Delgada in the Portuguese Azores, with plenty of time to enjoy the rhythm of life onboard. Once you’re in port, get your land legs back on one of São Miguel Island’s best hiking trails, to Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake) in the mountains.

Read: Insider’s Guide to Ponta Delgada

Two sea days later, you arrive at Cadiz, the jumping-off point for the enchanting southern Spanish city of Seville . Exploring on foot is the most rewarding way to soak up the atmosphere of the historic center. Not only will you see Seville’s most significant landmarks, you can also wander down any number of medieval alleyways and find a tapas bar where you can sample traditional Andalusian cuisine with a chilled glass of sherry.

Royal Alcazar in Seville, Spain

Once you’ve visited Seville’s impressive Alcázar, the Moorish royal palace that’s still in use today, Granada’s Alhambra Palace will be top of your must-visit list. Allow a full day from Malaga to see the romantic citadel, a complex of ornate palaces, gardens, and an ancient fortress. The Alhambra has been described as “the last sigh of the Moors” and has inspired poets, artists and followers of many faiths since the 13th century.

Following a day in Valencia , where avant-garde modern architecture mingles with the charming historic center, you’ll disembark in Barcelona. If you only have time to take in one of this vibrant Catalan city’s many attractions, make sure it is La Sagrada Familia, designed by the visionary architect Antoni Gaudí.

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

Construction of the Catholic basilica began in 1882 and it is still a work in progress. The style of architecture is described as a mix of Art Nouveau, Spanish Late Gothic, and Catalan Modernism, and there is nothing in the world comparable to the flowing organic forms and impossibly spindly spires.

Read: 12 Famous Landmarks in Spain  

5: 15-Night Mediterranean Passage Transatlantic Cruise

This eastbound transatlantic cruise sets sail from Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, and finishes 15 nights later in Tampa, Florida . The itinerary includes calls in France, Spain, the Azores, and Nassau, interspersed by nine sea days.

The first stop is Toulon, a port established in Roman times. Toulon is the gateway to sought-after destinations such as Aix-en-Provence and Cassis and is a fascinating city in its own right.

Marseille, France

However, it’s well worth taking the short trip to Marseille to visit the new MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations). Even if you only take in one exhibition, the museum’s ancient waterfront setting and bold contemporary architecture are absolutely awe-inspiring.

Palma de Mallorca’s imposing La Seu Cathedral also blends old and modern architecture, but in a completely different way. It is the grandest of dozens of historic sites you’ll discover in the Spanish island’s buzzing capital. Book a tour of the roof terraces for panoramic city and sea views.

Cartagena, Spain

Cartagena has a long and many-layered maritime history. It is dotted with Roman ruins, including the impressive 2,000-year-old theater, which was only discovered in 1988. If you’re more into culinary history, you can book a fabulous hands-on foodie tour.

A Celebrity Cruises chef escorts you to Cartagena’s Market Hall, and on to a local restaurant to learn how to cook traditional Spanish dishes. The journey continues on board the ship, where you’ll enjoy an intimate dinner based on the day’s experiences.

Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas

Having crossed the Atlantic, your last port of call before disembarking in Tampa is Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. Cool off at Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, where you can play with sea lions, meet dolphins, relax on beautiful Caribbean beaches or spend the day at the action-packed Aquaventure water park.

Read: Cruises vs Resorts: Which Is Best?

6: 15-Night Bering Sea & Japan Transpacific Cruise

Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver is a marvelous place to embark on one of our longest cruises, a 15-night transpacific adventure that takes in Alaska and Japan, ending in Yokohama, the port for Tokyo.

If you have time, spend a day or two in Vancouver before you embark. There’s lots to see and do, from the old Gastown and Chinatown districts to First Nation art galleries, craft breweries, and boundless outdoor activities.

Stanley Park, one of the city’s best-loved attractions, is about 20 minutes’ walk from Canada Place Cruise Terminal. Book a bike tour that takes you along the Seawall, across forest trails and to see the totem poles at Brockton Point.

Tongass National Forest, Alaska

First Nations and Russian cultures merge in the intriguing Alaskan town of Sitka , set within the magnificent Tongass National Forest. This is the place to see eagles, bears, whales, and sea otters in the wild, kayak across pristine waterways, or join a professional sportfishing charter. Alaska certainly earns its “Last Frontier” moniker.

Your ship crosses the international dateline during eight sea days before you arrive in Japan . Sapporo, the biggest city on Hokkaido Island, is about two hours’ drive from Muroran port. A full-day tour gives an excellent overview of Sapporo’s historic and modern landmarks, including the lovely Odori Park which runs through the heart of the city.

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse in Hakodate, Japan

Another important city on Hokkaido is Hakodate and the best place to learn about its international trading history is at the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse. The restored waterfront buildings house shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants. Make sure you sample shio ramen , a salty broth served with pork belly, hard-boiled eggs, scallions, and wakame seaweed. It’s Hakodate’s signature dish.

Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan

Vast, sprawling Tokyo is a mind-boggling mix of futuristic neon-lit buildings, tranquil gardens, high-end shopping, ancient shrines, and eateries ranging from street stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Your must-visit list will overflow with possibilities, but Sensoji Temple should be at the top. It’s Tokyo’s oldest temple, a magnet for devout Buddhists and culturally curious visitors, and also a thriving marketplace—like Tokyo itself, a feast for the senses.

Read: 11 Famous Temples to Visit in Japan  

Celebrity Eclipse

Ready to plan your escape to sea? Browse itineraries on our website and start planning your time ashore and those long, relaxing days at sea.

Sally Macmillan

Sally Macmillan is a Sydney-based cruise and travel writer. Her cruise-writing career launched in 2008, editing Cruise Passenger magazine, and in 2013 she started writing a page on all things cruise for The Sun-Herald’s weekly Traveller section (‘temporarily’ paused). She has visited all seven continents on 60-plus cruises and her work has appeared in numerous print and digital publications.

Related Itineraries

Key West & Bahamas

• 4 nights ON CELEBRITY REFLECTION
• DEPARTING FROM FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
• Starting from $501 USD

Key West & Perfect Day

• Starting from $609 USD

Key West & Mexico

• 5 nights ON CELEBRITY APEX
• Starting from $746 USD

Bahamas & Perfect Day

• 3 nights ON CELEBRITY REFLECTION
• Starting from $1192 USD
• Starting from $1234 USD

Western Caribbean & Perfect Day

• 6 nights ON CELEBRITY BEYOND
• Starting from $3743 USD

Related Articles

Top Cultural Cruise Experiences

Long Weekend Cruises: Where to Go, What to Do

Best Cruise Destinations for Kids

Top 9 Best Short Cruises

Top 10 Best Winter Cruises

How to Choose a Cruise Itinerary

15 Ways to Stay Fit On a Cruise

What Is a Transatlantic Cruise?

Everything You Need to Know About Embarkation Day

5 Best Thanksgiving Cruises From Florida

The 7 Best Cruises for Couples

9 Places to Go for New Year’s Eve to Ring in 2024

Free Vacation Planning Services

CALL US 888-751-7804

Sign Up for Special Offers

• First Name *
• Last Name *
• Email Address *
• Country * Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Greenland Grenada Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati North Korea South Korea Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Sudan, South Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

STAY IN THE KNOW

Thank you for subscribing.

See you on board soon.

Switch language:

Life at sea: the longest cruise journeys in the world

With the popularity of cruises growing, some companies are offering increasingly longer journeys to capitalise on this heightened interest. What are the longest cruises available on the market right now?

• Share on Linkedin
• Share on Facebook

The popularity of the ‘grand expedition’ genre of cruise is growing, and with the total number of passengers carried by the cruise industry projected to reach 27.6 million by 2020, several companies are capitalising on this growth by offering longer and longer voyages.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises recently announced its 117-night round-the-world journey aboard the Seven Seas Mariner , setting sail in 2021. But even this mammoth journey is dwarfed by several options already on offer through competing cruise operators.

Related Company Profiles

Oceania cruises s de rl llc, regent seven seas cruises.

Oceania Cruises, for example, dominates the market. While the company might not have the title of ‘longest cruise’, Oceania has the widest array of journeys available to travellers.

Oceania Cruises: Around the World in 180 Days (180 nights)

Announced for January 2019 aboard Oceania’s Insignia vessel, the Around the World in 180 Days cruise is set to visit 96 UNESCO World Heritage sites, stopping at 90 ports over five continents, with 14 overnight stays.

Playing off Phileas Fogg’s famous adventure contained within Jules Verne’s ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’, Oceania describes the journey as one “perfectly designed for the seasoned traveller”, which invites passengers to “discover a more profound connection with cultures spanning the globe”.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

Oceania Cruises: Connoisseur’s Collection (182 nights)

Described as for the traveller who has “seen it all”, the Connoisseur’s Collection from Oceania is designed to show off parts of the world passengers might not have thought to visit, in addition to the more traditional cruise ports.

As well as San Francisco, Cape Town, Hong Kong and Tokyo, the cruise liner is scheduled to stop at the less-well-known Japanese ports of Oarai, Aomori and Hakodate, as well as Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia – an area so remote it cannot even be reached by car. The Connoisseur Collection cruise sets sail in late January 2020.

Oceania Cruises: Global Quest (200 nights)

You can travel from Miami to New York in three hours, says Oceania, but you can also do it in 200 days. The Global Quest cruise really is just that – a round the world journey via 40 countries and over 100 unique destinations.

The cruise includes overnight stays in Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Singapore, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Kyoto and more, on top of day visits to an even wider array of destinations. Also taking place on-board Oceania’s Insignia mid-sized vessel, Global Quest is set to begin on 8 January 2020.

Viking Cruises: Ultimate World Cruise (244 nights)

Winning the prestigious title for the longest continuous cruise currently available anywhere in the world, the Ultimate World Cruise spans 113 ports in 59 countries, on six continents.

Taking place on-board the Viking Sun – Viking’s newest vessel – the trip is set to begin in London on 31 August 2019, and will mark Viking’s third voyage around the globe. The journey will nearly double the length of any cruise Viking has offered thus far. If the offering feels a touch too long, Viking does offer passengers the option for joining for specific legs of the trip – 127 days for the Viking World Treasures section, or 119 days for the Viking World Wonders leg.

Mundy Cruising: the 357 day package

Despite not being a continuous journey, the 357 World of Travel itinerary offered by speciality cruise-holiday storefront Mundy Cruising in 2017 surely deserves an honourable mention. The package deal promised travel on seven different cruise ships, featuring journeys to seven different continents.

Each leg of the journey was separate, allowing passengers to go home and re-pack, though the longest stints were across South America and Europe, which respectively took 94 and 92 nights.

Sign up for our daily news round-up!

Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.

More Relevant

Icon of the Seas installs audio aid solution

The top 10 largest container ships in the world, sea cargo charter widens membership, the top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world, sign up to the newsletter: in brief, your corporate email address, i would also like to subscribe to:.

Ship Technology In Brief

Ship Technology Global : Ship Technology Focus (monthly)

I consent to Verdict Media Limited collecting my details provided via this form in accordance with Privacy Policy

Thank you for subscribing

View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network.

Longest non-stop ocean voyage

The longest continuous sea voyage lasted 1,152 days by Reid Stowe (USA), who set sail from the 12th Street pier in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA, at 3 pm (EDT) on 21 April 2007 and returned, just over three years later, on 17 June 2010. His adventure, dubbed "1,000 Days at Sea: The Mars Ocean Odyssey", was inspired by the idea of a return trip to the planet Mars, testing the limits of human endurance.

The journey took place onboard Stowe's self-built 70-ft (21.3-m) gaff-rigged schooner Anne (formerly the Tantra Schooner ), which set sail with three-years' worth of non-perishable supplies, dried fruit and nuts, and a bean-sprout garden.

Stowe was joined at the start of his journey by his girlfriend, Soanya Ahmad; after 306 days at sea, however, suffering from "chronic seasickness", Ahmad was evacuated to a rescue boat off Rottnest Island, near Perth in Western Australia. Stowe later heard by satellite phone that Ahmad had actually been suffering from morning sickness, and in July, once back in New York, she gave birth to their son, Darshen. Stowe was reunited with Ahmad, and met his two-year son for the first time, upon arrival in New York.

Stowe and Ahmad's 306 days together represents the longest time spent on the open sea by a couple, and the longest time at sea by a woman. The remaining 846 days that Stowe spent sailing alone is also a record for the longest solo sea journey without resupplies.

In addition to her six tonnes of supplies, Anne was fitted out with solar panels, a satellite phone and GPS. On day 15, the schooner was grazed by a passing frigate that damaged the bowsprit, and on day 659 she survived being upended by a monster wave that knocked Stowe unconscious.

Stowe beat the record of 419 days at sea solo held by Jon Sanders of Australia, who coincidentally was among the rescue crew that ferried Admad to dry land on day 306 of the adventure; Sanders also held the overall record for longest time at sea (657 days) until beaten by Stowe. He also surpassed the 1,057 days logged by the Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen after his ship became stuck in ice during an attempted trip to the North Pole in 1893. His adventure has also been described as the slowest circumnavigation of the planet under sail!

Introducing the world’s longest cruise – visiting 135 countries over three years

Epic voyages have been a mainstay of cruising, but a new three-year odyssey, launching in November, really raises the bar

A record-breaking three-year world cruise costing as little as £70 a day is expected to sell out in weeks after bookings opened to a flood of inquiries.

All 400 cabins on Miray Cruises’ ship Gemini are expected to be snapped up by the end of April for the 130,000-mile voyage which starts in Istanbul on November 1 and includes stops in 135 countries.

After 385,000 website visits in the first two days, a seven-strong sales team is now following up 2,200 leads, said Mikael Petterson, managing director of Life at Sea Cruises, based in Florida.

“The response has been overwhelming – we could probably fill the ship now. There’s absolutely no doubt we’ll sell out before the end of April.”

Mr Petterson said Turkey-based Miray Cruises was inspired to offer the voyage to 135 countries on all seven continents after seeing the success of world cruises by US lines Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises, which sold out in a day. 

“There’s no secret, world cruising is growing in popularity,” he added. “Just looking at the post-Covid trends, you see people want to go on longer cruises.”

Unlike normal cruises, cabins on Gemini are being sold by the month on a residential basis. The ship – which normally cruises the Greek islands and is currently helping with earthquake aid in Turkey – will be fitted with a hospital and its casino turned into a business centre. Passenger numbers will be limited to around 600 instead of the normal 1,074.

Most inquiries so far are for the lowest-priced inside cabins which – at $29,999 (around £25,000) a year – work out at less than $85 (£70) a day to be taken to a total of 375 destinations around the world.

“A lot of the balconies are spoken for and about two-thirds of the bookings are for insides,” said Mr Petterson.

People aged between the mid-50s and mid-70s are the target audience, with most inquiries so far coming from the US and Canada – though some Europeans have shown interest too.

Mr Petterson said the big difference between Gemini and normal world voyages was the number of days spent in port. 

He regards his nearest competitor as Royal Caribbean, which is planning an epic 274-night global voyage starting in Miami in December (see below).

“Passengers [with Royal Caribbean] will often spend just a day in a port. In Beijing, for example, they only stay for 10 hours. But we’ll be in the city for six days and in most other ports for two or three days. The more there is to do in port, the longer we stay.

“Our guests will have time to rent a car and travel on their own. It’s never far to the next location so people can disembark and take a week out and join the ship at a later port.

“What’s more, we will be in the Northern Hemisphere in the summers and the Southern in the winters – so it’s always summer for us.”

The hospital on Gemini will be equipped with a range of medical equipment, including ECGs, X-rays, ultrasound and defibrillators, plus the ability to perform some minor surgeries.

“A normal onboard hospital would have one doctor and maybe two nurses – we have triple that,” said Mr Petterson. “We have our own pharmacy and we work with shoreside institutions to provide other services.”

In probably the frankest FAQ on a cruise website, one question on LifeAtSeaCruises.com states: “What happens if I die in my cabin?”. To which the answer is: “We have morgues onboard and have funeral and estate planning available. We will arrange with your next of kin to fulfill your last wishes.”

Epic voyages have been a mainstay of cruising ever since Cunard offered the first world cruise in 1923. The longest continual ocean journey with passengers is on residential ship The World, which circles the globe every three years. 

Three other epic cruises you can book for 2023 

World cruises – generally ranging from 100 to 180 days – mostly start in January but here are three mega voyages you can still book this year:

274 nights: Royal Caribbean 

Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise – the longest ever offered by a mainstream line – will start on December 10 in Miami and visit more than 150 destinations in 65 countries on all seven continents. Despite the nearly £50,000pp price tag, 70 per cent of the voyage sold out within a week. 

183 days: Nicko Cruises

German company Nicko Cruises is pushing the boat out on this six-month cruise. Starting in October, the 1,000-passenger Vasco da Gama will leave Lisbon, head to Africa and southeast Asia before crossing to Australia and New Zealand, then via Central America to the Caribbean and back across the Atlantic. From £29,995. 

101 nights: P&O Cruises

On P&O Cruises ship Aurora you can stay on for five back-to-back cruises – as long as you don’t mind returning to Southampton after each leg. First off on September 3 is a 30-night crossing to the US and Canada, followed by 19 nights in the Med, 24 in the Caribbean, 12 in Norway and finally 16 in the Canary Islands. Total cost starts from £10,175.

• Luxury travel
• Facebook Icon
• WhatsApp Icon

• PlayStation 3
• PlayStation 4
• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series
• More Systems

The Longest Journey – Guide and Walkthrough

Guide and Walkthrough (PC) by T_Hayes

Version: 1.1 | Updated: 06/19/2008 Highest Rated Guide

View in: Text Mode

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

He Made the Longest Ocean Voyage in History, and Turned It Into Art

Reid Stowe once hung out with Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. But the sea was his true passion.

By Alex Vadukul

Along a Hudson River pier in 2010, a sailor docked his battered schooner as a crowd watched in quiet anticipation. When he wearily stepped onto land, he had finished a remarkable human journey: Reid Stowe had been at sea for 1,152 days, the longest nonstop ocean voyage in recorded history.

A decade later, Mr. Stowe is raising a family in suburban North Carolina and driving a 2005 Chevy Malibu. But he has also obsessively been making giant abstract paintings, most of them using the weather-beaten sails that carried his schooner across the globe. He was recently back in New York to visit the Chelsea gallery that is showing his art.

“All this time later, I’m still trying to tell the world the story of what I went through,” said Mr. Stowe, 67, during his recent stay in Manhattan. “I’ve departed the touch of earth longer than anyone else. All my paintings carry the vibrations and significance of that journey.”

Tall and blue-eyed, Mr. Stowe has chased adventure his whole life. He crossed the Atlantic twice on a tiny catamaran when he was 21; he sailed through icebergs in Antarctica; he was kidnapped by pirates on the Amazon River.

But in the 1980s, Mr. Stowe was a striving artist in the downtown New York art scene, hanging out in the same circles as Keith Haring and Julian Schnabel. Jean-Michel Basquiat painted a portrait of him, but Mr. Stowe later sold it to fund his expedition. (He accepted $20,000 in 1993; the painting sold for $94,000 at Christie’s seven years later.)

Mr. Stowe was in a couple of small group shows in the East Village, but he was always returning to the sea. He hopes this show, at the Paul Calendrillo Gallery , might be his second chance at the art world.

“I was painting on giant canvases before Schnabel was,” he said. “Warhol’s dealer told me I could be big, but he’d say, ‘Well, Reid’s going off on another trip again.’”

Mr. Stowe became obsessed with embarking on a thousand-day journey at sea in the 1970s. His intention was to simulate a round-trip to Mars, and he spent years preparing for it.

His father was an Air Force lieutenant colonel, and he grew up on military bases around the world, but he seemed to show little interest in regimentation after that.

As a young man, he visited the South Pacific and he later carved the figureheads of Polynesian spirits into his 70-foot schooner for protection. (His ship, which he built himself, is named Anne, for his mother.) He studied Taoist philosophy, and he claims that energy harnessed from tantric sex has powered his long distance voyages.

In St. Barts, he was a pot smuggler (he spent nine months in jail), and in the 1990s he lived rent-free on a boat moored to a dock in Chelsea. His three marriages to young women — two artists and a model — all ended in divorce because they wouldn’t commit, he said, to the 1,000-day trip.

Soanya Ahmad was different. She was a 23-year-old photography student when she met Mr. Stowe, who was then 55, and one of the first things he asked her was: “How’s your health? Can you spend a long time at sea? It’s important I know.”

In 2007, they departed from Hoboken on a boat stocked with six tons of nonperishable provisions and a sprout garden. On Day 15, a freighter hit their schooner. Around Day 300, Ms. Ahmad started feeling sick, and a boat picked her up near the coast of Australia. Communicating by a satellite phone, Mr. Stowe soon learned that she was pregnant. On Day 457, Soanya gave birth to Darshen in New York. Mr. Stowe met his son for the first time when he arrived on the Hudson two years later.

Since returning to land, Mr. Stowe has embraced something close to domesticity. He now lives in the suburbs of Greensboro, N.C., at his father’s house with Darshen, who is now 11, and Soanya.

He mows the lawn, and he likes watching thrillers on television. He takes care of his father, who has Alzheimer’s. Mr. Stowe said they all get by modestly on his father’s retirement funds and from his painting sales. Soanya home-schools Darshen, and Mr. Stowe hopes to take his son sailing this winter to Haiti. “He was braver when he was younger,” Mr. Stowe said. “He used to laugh at storms. Now he doesn’t like mud. He likes playing a computer game called Fortnite.” Mr. Stowe’s schooner is moored on the North Carolina coast, and requires serious repairs.

Mr. Stowe still thinks about his trip constantly, but he doesn’t miss the spotlight.

As his voyage gained international coverage, he became the subject of derision in a corner of the sailing community. The users of a website called Sailing Anarchy , which caters to regatta racers and yacht owners, started mocking Mr. Stowe as a narcissistic hippie with a knack for self-promotion. Still, they followed Mr. Stowe’s trip obsessively, and one message board reached over 30,000 comments.

“I guess Stowe is still bobbing around, people continue to give him enough stuff to get by and he manages to lure in another young thing,” read a typically caustic comment. After Ms. Ahmad became pregnant, their scorn intensified. One commenter tracked down Mr. Stowe’s federal conviction for pot smuggling, and he also posted a report that Mr. Stowe once owed more than $11,000 in child support to the mother of his daughter from his first marriage. (Mr. Stowe insists he wasn’t behind on payments).

When the trip ended, the trolls faded away, but Mr. Stowe said he lost valuable sponsorship opportunities as a result. Since then, he’s also been trying to publish a memoir.

“They wanted to paint me as this guy who took a young woman to sea, got her pregnant, and abandoned her,” said Mr. Stowe. “The truth is I did something no one else had ever done, and I got to go do it with a beautiful girl, and they didn’t like that. They all wanted to be me, but they were stuck behind their computers.”

While Mr. Stowe made the trip to New York for the gallery opening, Ms. Ahmad, who is now 36, remained in North Carolina to take care of Mr. Stowe’s father. “People judged Reid for not being with me, but I supported him being out there,” she said over the phone. “He needed to get that trip out of his system so he could come back. All this judgment came down on us, but we’re all still together, and there’s nothing anyone can say about that.”

She said that suburban life has been an adjustment for him. “He’s had to get used to living in a house,” she said. “It’s difficult sometimes for us to relate to neighbors. They Google us and conversations can be awkward.”

But soon after settling down, Mr. Stowe felt compelled to start painting seriously. Every day, he works in a studio in his backyard and the giant sail canvases he paints on hang from trees with pulley systems. “When a storm comes through, I hear the sails flap and it makes me feel alive,” said Mr. Stowe. “When people see my art, I want them to feel the trip. I want them to walk into the unknown.”

At his gallery show in Chelsea the other day, Mr. Stowe reminisced about his days in the downtown New York scene. He was living in a loft on Broome Street, he partied with Keith Haring at Danceteria, and he got written up in a Japanese art magazine. And then there was the Jean-Michel Basquiat portrait session in 1985.

Mr. Stowe was in St. Barts on his boat, he recalled, and Basquiat joined him while he was there on vacation.

“He visited me and I showed him my studio. He asked, ‘Can I paint, too?’ I gave him some prime white plywood and he painted me standing there. You know how he leaves eyes blank? He told me we were looking at each other through those eyes.”

Mr. Stowe doesn’t regret selling his Basquiat. “I needed to cut my ties to the earth,” he said. “I had to sell my Basquiat because I wanted to merge my spirit with something as high as God.”

“Art Transformations From the Longest Sea Voyage in History,” is on display at the Paul Calendrillo Gallery , at 548 West 28th Street, until Oct. 31.

Alex Vadukul is a city correspondent for The New York Times. He writes for Metropolitan and is a two-time winner of the New York Press Club award for city writing. More about Alex Vadukul

Explore Our Style Coverage

The latest in fashion, trends, love and more..

An Unusual Path to Hollywood:  Sobhita Dhulipala has taken on risky roles in her acting career, outside of India’s blockbuster hits . Now, she’s starring in Dev Patel’s “Monkey Man.”

These Scientists Rock, Literally: The Pasteur Institute in Paris, known for its world-altering scientific research , has been making advancements in another field: the musical arts.

JoJo Siwa Grows Up:  Siwa, the child star turned children’s entertainer, who at first modeled her career on Hannah Montana, is now after her own Miley (Cyrus) moment .

Jill Biden Makes an Entrance:  The first lady was glittering in crystals — days after Melania Trump stepped out in pink at a Palm Beach fund-raiser. Together, the pictures offer a harbinger of what is to come .

Creating Works of Ephemeral Beauty:  A YouTube rabbit hole led Blanka Amezkua to a small Mexican town and the centuries-old craft of papel picado  — chiseling intricate patterns into colorful paper flags.

New York Bridal Fashion Week:  Reimagined classic silhouettes, a play on textures and interactive presentations brought fresh takes  to the spring and summer 2025 bridal collections.

Mundy Cruising Unveils World's Longest Cruise

By Jordi Lippe-McGraw

If you find yourself stuck in the uncomfortable predicament of having a bunch of extra cash, and a year’s worth of vacation days to burn, don’t worry—we've got a solution: Luxury cruise line Mundy Cruising just announced a new, 357-day itinerary that will hit all seven continents. Oh, and did we mention it sets sail in three months?

Starting in Miami on January 10, 2017, lucky passengers will begin the longest cruise ship journey in the world by heading to South America on board the award-winning Crystal Serenity. (The next longest cruise journey, in case you're wondering, is a 180-day trip from Oceania.) During this first leg you get to climb Machu Picchu , visit the Nazca Lines, head up to Christ the Redeemer, and cruise along the Amazon River.

The remaining 263 days are broken up by continents with short breaks (ranging from 13 to 39 days) in between time to go home and re-pack. “It has the appeal of a world cruise but can be done in manageable chunks,” a spokesperson for Mundy Cruising told the Telegraph . “It’s ideal for those who want the opportunity to return home and prepare for the next trip.”

The next leg begins May 4 out of Athens on Oceania Cruises’ Nautica , hitting everywhere from Turkey and Spain to the United Kingdom and Sweden. Passengers will get the chance to explore the Amalfi Coast , St. Petersburg, and the Vatican. After another short break it’s on to North America aboard the luxury Seven Seas Mariner , where you will set sail out of Vancouver to explore Alaska, San Francisco, and Costa Rica before sailing through the Panama Canal and cruising up North America’s east coast to New England and Québec. Overwhelmed yet? You’re only about halfway done with your bucket-list voyage.

The remaining seven months have you spotting carnivorous lizards on Kimodo Island, dipping your toes in the sand at the bucolic beaches in the Seychelles, and hanging with colonies of penguins in Antarctica. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Hiroshima, Cambodia’s Angkor Wat , the beaches of Thailand and the Philippines are also included, before you finally call it quits on May 15, 2018. The cost? A whopping $155,000 per person, including business-class flights and all overseas transfers. Not bad, considering you'll be ticking off nearly every bucket-list destination ever.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Longest Journey: The Exploration

Discover the highs and lows of the expedition that marked the first circumnavigation of the world., acción cultural española, ac/e.

Antonio Fernández Torres, Guillermo Morán Dauchez (General Archive of the Indies) and Braulio Vázquez Campos (General Archive of the Indies).

The Exploration by Lola Bermúdez (Tannhauser Estudio) Acción Cultural Española, AC/E

"… there are … utopias that occupy a precise and real place, a place that can be located on a map." Michel Foucault, French philosopher.

Europa and Asia by Lola Bermúdez (Tannhauser Estudio) Acción Cultural Española, AC/E

About 500 years ago in Seville, Europe's long-awaited dream of reaching the unexplored, mythical lands of the Orient and the Spice Islands became a reality. Ferdinand Magellan set off on his voyage in 1519, and three years later it became the longest voyage of the era: the first circumnavigation of the world was completed by Juan Sebastián Elcano, captain of the Victoria , and his crew in 1522.

Storm in Puerto Deseado (1769) by Alejo Berlinguero Original Source: Archivo General de Indias

Sailing South: The Time for Navigation 

Sanlúcar de Barrameda—Río de la Plata | September 20, 1519—February 10, 1520 (143 days)

The Unknown by Braulio Vázquez Acción Cultural Española, AC/E

With the ships at the ready and the crew on board, the Captain-General ordered the sails to be dropped, and the five ships sailed into the ocean. Magellan wanted to cross the Atlantic and reach the edge of the explored territories as soon as possible. However, he was a distrustful man and hid the details of the passage from his captains. Every change in direction made the other captains suspicious. The Atlantic, with its mix of calm and stormy conditions, brought out the Armada's strengths and weaknesses: they had good ships and good men, but a seed of discord had started to grow among those in command. > Take a virtual tour of the exhibition in the General Archive of the Indies.

Order by Charles I to Ferdinand Magellan and Rui Faleiro / Page 01 Archivos Estatales

In the Charters of Valladolid (Capitulaciones de Valladolid), the King had given detailed, written instructions to Magellan and Faleiro, though Faleiro never made it to sea. The structure of the activities of the expedition was laid out in 74 highly detailed articles. The articles addressed topics such as how they were to navigate and what the rules of living aboard the ships should be. The articles also stressed the importance of maintaining peace and harmony with the people native to where they landed in order to keep trade relations flowing.

Order by Charles I to Ferdinand Magellan and Rui Faleiro Order by Charles I to Ferdinand Magellan and Rui Faleiro / Page 11 Archivos Estatales

Every member of the expedition party also had the right to document the events of the voyage in order to communicate them to the Crown. This undoubtedly fostered the myriad first-hand accounts of the voyage, however, in reality, it was the Monarchy's means of exercising its control over its own representatives and commanders. If anyone could communicate directly with the King, everyone would make sure they carefully abided by his orders.

The Victoria by Antonio Fernández Torres (Tannhauser Estudio) Acción Cultural Española, AC/E

With no speed, no command, dead sails, and the ships' bows at the mercy of the currents, they did not sail in the ocean, but rather floated there. Heat and inactivity settled over the ships, the days went by, the voyage became longer, and water and food was rationed. The inactive crew thought and whispered about the impotence of the navigators and captains. This long period of unsettled calm was a breeding ground for indiscipline and rebellion.

Map of the Government of the Río de la Plata (1683) Original Source: Archivo General de Indias

Finally, the fleet reached Río de la Plata and sailed along the coast of America. For every mile they traveled south, the wind became harder, colder, and more hostile—this was the most dangerous and inhospitable coastline. Exhaustion and doubt invaded the minds of the crew. How far did they have to sail until they found a way through?

Figurative drawing of the difficulties faced by two boats at the command of frigate lieutenant Manuel de Pando (1769) by Alexo Berlinguero Original Source: Archivo General de Indias

In the bay of los Trabajos (possibly current-day Puerto Deseado, Argentina), the crew had to take shelter due to a terrible storm as the Trinidad was in danger."They at last petitioned their admiral, Magellan … to think about going home, to turn back to where the winter was not so harsh … and to be satisfied and content himself with having gone farther than either the boldness or rashness of mortals had ever dared to go as yet." Maximilianus Transylvanus.

Terra Brasilis and the South Atlantic (ca. 1519) by Lopo Homem, Pedro Reinel, Jorge Reinel Original Source: Biblioteca Nacional de Francia

Sailing Into the Unknown: The Extreme South

Río de la Plata—Strait of Magellan | February 2, 1520–November 28, 1520 (300 days)

From the Río de la Plata to the Magellan Strait by Lola Bermúdez (Tannhauser Estudio) Acción Cultural Española, AC/E

Magellan decided to sail as far south as needed, but the southern fall hit them with force and the crew were exhausted and divided. They quickly decided to take shelter in a bay which they named San Julián, and the food supplies were rationed. While there they met the Patagones people, a bloody mutiny took place, and they endured a long and harsh winter that lasted five months. The men were suffering from the cold and hunger, but above all, they feared their captain's determination and silence. This fear spread throughout the crew, and a mutiny eventually broke out.

What do explorers fear?

The scientists and explorers Pedro Duque, Tomás Mazón, Tomás Echegoyen, Kitín Múñoz, Íñigo Múñoz, Matthias Mauer, and Ignacio Orcada, among others, speak of their fears as they embarked on a voyage into the unknown.

Coat of arms of Gonzalo Gómez Espinosa (1528) Original Source: Archivo General de Indias

Coats of arms of Gonzalo Gómez de Espinosa

Many of the coats of arms bestowed upon explorers depicted events from their adventures and featured on their furniture. Such items have become important symbolic artefacts of the events. One example of this is the coat of arms bestowed upon Gonzalo Gómez de Espinosa, the chief constable who squashed the mutiny against Magellan in San Julián. This coat of arms depicts his participation in the circumnavigation of the world as well as particular events that occurred during the expedition.

Map of the Kingdom of Chile (ca. 1646) Original Source: Archivo General de Indias

The Strait: The Point of No Return

Strait of Magellan | October 21, 1520–November 28, 1520 (37 days)

The Strait by Braulio Vázquez Acción Cultural Española, AC/E

With the arrival of a southern spring, the four ships set course to the south. After only three days sailing, they found a bay, and behind it lay a maze of canals and expanses that disappeared into the mountains. Could this be the pass into the South Sea they had hoped for?

Maritime Map of the Magellan Strait (1769) by Juan de la Cruz Cano y Olmedilla Original Source: Archivo General de Indias

A map created by the cartographer Juan de la Cruz Cano y Olmedilla shows the labyrinth of the Strait of Magellan, made up of a maze of canals. The expedition party crossed dense, frozen waters in the daunting silence of the wilderness. Their solitude was only broken by bursts of flame in the night in the southerly lands Magellan named Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire). Battling a glacial ocean, successive explorations were undertaken in search of the open waters of the Pacific.

Map of the former Kingdom of Chile (1646) Original Source: Archivo General de Indias

This map of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and Chile (which is in an unusual orientation) depicts the so-called giants (large Patagones natives), who the crew were astounded by, and tailed people (known as rabudos). This gives some insight into the myths that spread throughout the continent of America.

Map of the extreme south of the American continent (1671-08-29) Original Source: Archivo General de Indias

For over a month, and with guns raised, Magellan's fleet explored and crossed the maze of tides and winds of the strait that would one day bear his name. They finally succeeded in finding a pass on November 28 and ventured into a new sea. They had achieved their first goal, but by then only three ships remained: the Trinidad , the Victoria , and the Concepción . The San Antonio had deserted them.

Information from Álvaro de la Mezquita on the takeover of the San Antonio Information from Álvaro de la Mezquita on the takeover of the San Antonio / Page 03 Archivos Estatales

The San Antonio arrived at the port of Las Muelas in Seville in May 1521 under strange circumstances: in addition to deserting the expedition, the crew had taken their captain, Antonio de Mezquita, prisoner following a mutiny against him for having refused to abandon Magellan, to whom he was related. It was clear to officials at the House of Trade that they needed to question all those involved in order to unravel the story of what lead to such an unprecedented turn of events.

Letter from Juan López de Recalde to Juan Rodríguez Fonseca Letter from Juan López de Recalde to Juan Rodríguez Fonseca / Page 01 by Juan López de Recalde Archivos Estatales

The head bookkeeper, Juan López de Recalde, undertook the arduous task of interrogating the sailors one by one, and the outcome was outlined in this letter dated May 12, 1521, which he sent to the Bishop of Burgos, Juan Rodríguez de Fonseca, who was head of the Council of the Indies. The sailors testified before López de Recalde, stating that they had decided to abandon the expedition because they believed—in error—that the passage Magellan was looking for was inviable, and they presumed the rest of the ships had been lost to their exploration into the strait. The Spanish authorities were not very optimistic about the expedition given these were the first reports they received on the fate of Magellan's voyage.

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (1588) by Abraham Ortelio Original Source: Archivo General de Indias

The Pacific: The Endless Ocean

Strait of Magellan—Mariana Islands | November 28, 1520–March 6, 1521 (a 99-day crossing)

The Pacific Ocean by Braulio Vázquez Acción Cultural Española, AC/E

Leaving the pass in their wake, the three ships entered what they knew as the South Sea. They imagined they were sailing toward India, near the Moluccas, unaware that they were crossing the largest ocean on earth. Europeans had never crossed this ocean before, and their maps were of no use to them there.

It took them 100 days to cross the Pacific Ocean. The crew suffered from hunger, disease, and confusion as they sailed. For 100 days and 100 nights, the ocean and the earth showed humans just how vast it really was. Magellan was aware of his mistake: no one would ever wish to undertake the same voyage again.

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (1588) by Abraham Ortelio Archivos Estatales

The map of the known world that was used up until the early 16th century came directly from the classical tradition of the Greek geographer and mathematician Ptolemy (2nd century AD). Spurred on by the first expeditions beyond Europe, humanists found a more accurate way to describe and map out the relief of the earth. Using astronomical calculations and observation, they discovered how to use longitude to determine the position of ships at sea in relation to a specific point.

In the 16th century, the Flemish scholar and merchant Abraham Ortelius (Amberes, 1527–98), cosmographer to King Philip II of Spain, published an atlas that brought together all the maps of the known world as well as new discoveries. In doing so, he portrayed America, the discovery of the Pacific by Vasco Núñez de Balboa in 1513, and the strait discovered by Magellan. In total, Ortelio used 87 maps which had been created by other voyagers and mapmakers.

Night Acción Cultural Española, AC/E

The night. Darkness and silence.

Through the night, the ships sailed in darkness. Watchmen manned the ships and followed the captain's lantern. To prevent any fires, only a small lantern was used to light the compass that was housed in the binnacle. A vigilant pageboy stood next to the lantern, looking after it and the only clock aboard the ship: an hourglass. The watchmen followed the sounds of the sheets, sails, and the bow of the flagship as it chopped through the waves. They could make do without light—they just needed silence, which was broken every half-hour by a child's voice shouting out the time as he turned the hourglass.

The Longest Voyage. Sea Acción Cultural Española, AC/E

Continue to the next stage of the adventure: The Longest Voyage: The Destination .

Adaptation of the exhibition " The Longest Journey: The First Around the World ". Organizers:   Spanish Cultural Action , Ministry of Culture. General Archive of the Indies Curated by:  Antonio Fernández Torres, Guillermo Morán Dauchez, Braulio Vázquez Campos Program:  Raquel Mesa Images:  Archivo General de Indias, Tannhauser Estudio > See the digital catalog > Download the digital catalog > See brochure This exhibition is part of the First Voyage Around the World project.

The Longest Voyage: The Dream

Cervantes, times of childhood and youth, archivos estatales, the longest journey: setting sail, cervantes: a life in the golden age, cervantes, the brilliant author, the longest voyage: the destination, la casa lonja de mercaderes in seville, the longest voyage: the return, paper restoration processes, the longest voyage: transformation, the road to a new era.

Record-Breaking Container Ship: Longest Routes in the World

At the core of global commerce lies maritime transport: its role is integral for international commerce. Majestic vessels traversing oceans set new benchmarks of efficiency and scale; we explore their record-breaking longest routes – uncovering both challenges and triumphs of ocean navigation on journeys that push beyond traditional boundaries of possibility.

Sailing the Pacific Horizon

The Pacific Ocean, one of Earth’s three oceanic divisions, hosts some of the longest container ship routes worldwide. Showcasing human ingenuity and technological development, ships set sail on epic voyages between significant ports from Western North American shores and East Asian economies via long open waters with strategic stopovers, showing maritime industry’s ability to connect disparate economies while guaranteeing smooth shipments across this vast oceanic body. ShipsGo can list the most popular carriers and forwarders for you.

Challenges Across the Atlantic

Container ships perform astonishing feats when traversing the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Their journey connects North America to Europe via currents, weather patterns and strategic passageways – each journey poses unique obstacles that demand precision in navigation, weather forecasting and operational logistics – yet are testaments of human resilience as they seek efficient maritime trade routes.

Navigating the Seas Beyond the Horizon

Container ships on an extraordinary journey face not just vast stretches of ocean; they must also negotiate uncertainty. Open waters present unpredictable weather patterns, complex currents and strategic challenges which must all be navigated successfully in order to succeed on these voyages. Yet it is exactly this element of uncertainty which fuels maritime industry exploration. Record-breaking voyages illustrate not only engineering and logistics excellence but also demonstrate courage when sailing into uncharted territories. Container ships transcend their utilitarian role by becoming vessels for innovation and human determination in face of endless mysteries just beyond the horizon.

The Arctic Frontier: A Growing Trend

Recently, an intriguing trend in maritime has been developing: exploring Arctic routes. As melting ice caps open up new opportunities, some container ships have taken to taking shorter, more direct paths over the Arctic Circle; although this helps significantly cut travel times while simultaneously creating unique navigation and environmental challenges – these voyages also redrawing what were once considered the limits of global connectivity.

Related Posts

Top 5 Myths of Container Shipping 2024

5 Trends Shaping the Future of Container Transportation in 2024

Updates from the Port of Baltimore- Key Bridge Collapse

Dali Container Ship Hits Baltimore Key Bridge – Breaking News

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Carnival has unveiled one of its longest cruises yet — a 31-day journey in 2024 starting at $3,450

• Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled one of its longest itineraries: a 31-day transpacific cruise.
• The Carnival Luminosa will sail from Brisbane, Australia to Seattle in 2024 starting at $3,450 per person.
• Over half of the month-long sailing will be spent at sea with no ports of call.

Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled one of its longest Carnival Journeys itineraries yet.

But if you plan to sail on this 31-day cruise, be prepared to spend most of the trip at sea with no ports of call.

Of the over 150 sailings Carnival currently has available for reservation, 70 are under this "Journeys" segment.

These vacations are designed to have more unique and longer itineraries.

The shortest of these cruises are currently 10 days long.

But this length pales in comparison to the cruise line's newest announcement.

On February 8, Carnival unveiled a 31-day cruise that will sail from Brisbane, Australia to Seattle in 2024 starting at $3,450 per person.

Source: Carnival

On April 1, 2024, the Carnival Luminosa and its travelers will begin the first leg of this sailing with a trip from Australia to Guam.

But this first journey won't be a short ride: The trip to Guam will take eight days with no ports of call.

After a day in Guam, the vessel will sail for another two days before docking in Okinawa, Japan. This will be Carnival's first time in the Japanese prefecture.

From there, the ship's tour around Japan will continue with stops in Hiroshima, Tokyo, Aomori, and Kushiro with several sailing days in between.

Then it's another five days at sea — including crossing the international dateline — before hitting the Alaska leg of the trip from day 25 to day 29 …

… which includes views of the Hubbard Glacier and stops in Anchorage, Juneau, and Ketchikan.

From Alaska, the ship will then spend its last day at sea before finally docking in Seattle on day 31, concluding the month-long journey across three continents.

Like any transoceanic cruise, the 963-foot-long Luminosa will spend over half of this itinerary at sea with no ports of call.

To help its guests pass the time, the 2,826-guest ship houses six dining venues, five bars, and a pool deck with amenities like water slides.

The Luminosa is one of Carnival's newest ships. But that doesn't mean the ship itself is new.

The vessel was originally Costa Cruises' Costa Luminosa before it transitioned to Carnival's fleet in September 2022.

The ship is currently operating itineraries from Brisbane, Australia.

This 31-day cruise will allow Carnival to reposition the Luminosa stateside to begin sailings from Seattle.

• Main content

• Weird But True
• Sex & Relationships
• Viral Trends
• Human Interest
• Fashion & Beauty
• Food & Drink

trending now in Lifestyle

I'm a doctor — here are my 4 dos and don'ts for staying in...

I'm a dietitian — eat this easy late night snack if you want...

Dear Abby: My longtime friend is accusing me of sleeping with her...

Plastic surgeons warn 'Ozempic face' has taken over Hollywood

Flight attendant reveals the move that might earn you a free drink

I was fired for retaliating against a rude customer -- is that...

World record rubber duck washes ashore 18 years later

Dear Abby: I reconnected with an old friend -- but I can't stand...

Breaking news, royal caribbean to offer 274-night cruise — the world’s longest.

• View Author Archive
• Email the Author
• Follow on Twitter
• Get author RSS feed

Contact The Author

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Want to float away from your worries for the better part of a year?

Then Royal Caribbean International has the cruise for you: a 274-night, 65-country water journey across the world, aptly titled “Ultimate World Cruise.”

Bookings for the seven-continent experience are now open — the inaugural journey of which is set to happen in 2023, and it’s being billed as the world’s longest.

For those looking to take on the full, 150-destination package, including “11 great wonders of the world,” tickets start at $60,999 per person.

If committing more than two-thirds of a year to see the world by boat isn’t for you, there’s also the option to book single legs of the four-leg trip.

The globe floating adventure will set sail from Miami on Dec. 10, 2023, and return there on Sept. 10, 2024.

“This is the world cruise of world cruises,” Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley said in a press release . “Now more than ever, people have resolved to travel the world and make up for lost time. Royal Caribbean is making that a reality with the ultimate vacation . . . to travelers asking themselves where they should go next, we say everywhere.”

The new, extreme offering comes amidst an ongoing, if ebbing, nightmare for the cruise industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with passengers testing positive for the coronavirus aboard ships as recently as this month. 

Still, executives clearly believe people are ready for the Serenade of the Seas’ ambitious expedition which touches every continent, with stops including Australia’s Great Barrier Reef; the Great Wall of China; the Taj Mahal in India; the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt; the Colosseum in Rome, Italy; Iceland’s Blue Lagoon; Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer; Peru’s Machu Picchu and more. 

Indeed, the full itinerary reveals a truly action-packed schedule of visits, with one or two cruising days consistently followed by some of humanity’s most heralded tourist attractions, one after another after another. For anyone with deep pockets, a flexible schedule and a love for nautical travel, Ultimate World Cruise is certainly an efficient way to see all the sights.

Share this article:

Advertisement

Please wait while your request is being verified...

• Southeast Asia
• North America
• Central & South America
• Australia & South Pacific
• Middle-East
• Solo Travel
• Zodiac Travels
• Wellness & Spas
• Family Travel
• The Conscious Traveller
• Accessories
• Points and Miles
• Manushi Chhillar
• Quick Style
• Rajkummar Rao
• Chefs Himanshu Saini & Neha Mishra
• Poorna Jagannathan
• Guru Randhawa
• Edition 2023-24
• Edition 2022-23
• Edition 2021-22
• T+L Experiences
• Web Stories

MV Ganga Vilas: Cost, Route And Everything Else About The World's Longest River Cruise

The entire journey of the world's longest river cruise, mv ganga vilas, is an observational voyage filled with art, culture, and luxury..

By: Shrestha Purkayastha Published: Jan 17, 2023 02:00 PM IST

India made history the day the World’s Longest River Cruise sailed India’s Ganges. The MV Ganga Vilas was inaugurated by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (January 13, 2023) through video conferencing. The luxury ship left the port from the Indian spiritual city of Varanasi and will cover 3,200 kilometres (1,988 miles) of waterway in India and Bangladesh, making it the world’s longest river cruise.

WATCH LIVE PM @narendramodi to flag off MV Ganga Vilas Cruise, the world’s longest river cruise 📹: https://t.co/1Zj6BusuAu pic.twitter.com/7C1IQZ8ZVI — MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) January 13, 2023

Ganga Vilas covers 27 rivers in 51 days

MV Ganga Vilas embarked on its journey from Varanasi  and will be covering 3,200 kilometres in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam , through Bangladesh, spanning across 27 rivers in the two countries. Dibrugarh happens to be the hometown of Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. On January 14, 2023, the luxury ship reached the Bangal Ghat in Buxar, Bihar. The maiden journey of Ganga Vilas has 32 tourists from Switzerland onboard, appreciating the Varanasi to Dibrugarh expedition. The cruise will reside in Bihar till January 22 and will lay off at 8 distinctive places including Bateshwar Sthan in Bhagalpur, Munger, Simaria in Begusarai, and Sultanganj.

Today, the world’s longest river cruise – Ganga Vilas, has embarked on a journey between Kashi and Dibrugarh. Due to this, many tourist places of Eastern India are going to benefit. pic.twitter.com/SlE4pvd2Or — PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 13, 2023

The 51-day river cruise has been curated to exhibit the best of India

The cruise has been designed to exhibit the best of India. The 51-day river cruise is indeed a one-of-a-kind chance to tie in with the nation’s traditional as well as cultural roots. A well-curated means of exploring and getting acquainted with the gorgeous aspects of the diversified country .

Related Stories

The Orient Express Will Cruise On The World's Largest Sailing Yacht — With 2 Pools,...

Soon You'll Be Able To Enjoy A Ride Around Ajmer’s Lake; Thanks To Rajasthan’s...

Mv ganga vilas: routes & tourist spots.

The luxury cruise will pass through 27 waterways in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Assam. The route further includes primary rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. The voyage is also outlined to stop by 50 tourist spots. This includes national parks and world heritage sites.

Book Your Stay In Assam Via Booking.com

What amenities are there in the world’s longest river cruise?

There are 3 decks and 18 suites on board with the ability to occupy 36 tourists and other additional luxurious amenities in the world’s longest river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas. The entire journey is curated to be more than just a usual cruise journey with an observational voyage filled with art, culture, luxury, and spiritual experiences. Tourists will have access to a spa, classic non-alcoholic beverages , and both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian cuisines. There will also be doctors on board throughout the journey in case of any unforeseen emergencies. Every little detail has been taken care of by Antara Luxury River Cruises, who are operating MV Ganga Vilas.

This World Cruise Will Travel To 37 Countries Over 155 Nights — And You Can Book Soon

This Brand-New Cruise Ship Has A 10-Storey Slide, An Escape Room And 8 Luxe Restaurants

World’s longest river cruise: booking & ticket prices.

The exceptional luxurious cruise charges nearly INR 50-55 Lakhs per person for the all-inclusive package including journeys, sightseeing, and entertainment for the time period of 51 days, according to a Mint  report. The ticket prices are the same for Indians and foreigners. One can also go for booking shorter tours instead of the complete 51-day plan. Currently, the cruise is entirely booked till March 2024. However, bookings for tours starting from April 2024 are available now. Tickets can be booked from the official website of Antara Luxury River Cruises for ‘MV Ganga Vilas.’

Book Your Stay In Bangladesh Via Agoda.com

Hero and Feature Image Credit: Courtesy of @cleanganganmcg/Facebook

Related Article:  In Pictures: Check Out MV Ganga Vilas, The World’s Longest River Cruise

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Answer: The MV Ganga Vilas is owned by Antara Luxury River Cruises.

Answer: The luxury cruise MV Ganga Vilas which began its journey from Varanasi will be covering a total of 3,200 kilometres (1,988 miles) of waterway in India and Bangladesh, making it the world’s longest voyage. Additionally, the cruise has 3 decks and 18 suites on board with the ability to occupy 36 tourists along with several other luxurious amenities. This, altogether, makes the Ganga Vilas, so famous.

Answer: MV Ganga Vilas, operated by Antara Luxury River Cruises, is the world's longest river cruise.

Answer: One can book a luxurious stay at the Ganga Vilas Cruise by booking their tickets on the official website of Antara Luxury River Cruises.

Answer: The charges for both Indian and foreign passengers would be INR 50-55 lakhs per person for the all-inclusive package including journeys, sightseeing, and entertainment for the time period of 51 days.

• antara luxury river cruise
• best cruise experiences
• best cruise ships
• Best Cruise Vacation
• Here's What You Need To Know

Shrestha Purkayastha

With a well-built background in English Honours and Mass Communication, Shrestha is a writer who holds a fair experience in understanding and creating content in terms of writing. Previously, her professional exposure counted working with Curly Tales as a content writer. Besides the routine designation, she\'s a photographer and an artist by passion, .. Read More a trained singer by heart and of course an independent writer by an incomparable zeal. The interesting disclaimer is, she’s always on the run for her comical laugh and hilarious escaping excuses. Read Less

This Expedition Cruise Line Just Made Its Sailings All-inclusive — What's Included

By Alison Fox

10 Best Greece Cruises, According To Travel Experts

By Lauren Dana Ellman

10 Best Alaska Cruises To Take This Summer, According To Experts

This Cruise Line Just Announced More Than 300 New Voyages — With A 116-Night Cruise Around The World

By Stefanie Waldek

This 45-Day Round-Trip Transatlantic Cruise Retraces A Voyage From 1925

This New, Once-In-A-lifetime Cruise Sails Along The Incredible Coast Of West Africa

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon

The World's Largest Cruise Ship Just Started Sailing

This 13-Day Greenland Cruise Is The Best Way To See The 2026 Total Solar Eclipse

By Rachel Chang

This Luxury Tour Company Is Raising The Bar On Egyptian Cruises With A New Nile Riverboat

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest on travel, stay & dining.

You’re all set

Thank you for your subscription.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

This Brand-new River Cruise Visits 15 European Countries Over 49 Nights

AmaWaterways just announced its longest-ever cruise through Europe in 2024, with two 49-night sailings.

Courtesy of AmaWaterways

River cruise company AmaWaterways just announced that reservations are now open for its 2024 cruises, including its longest journey aboard one ship yet: a 49-night sailing on the AmaMora that will cruise the complete length of the Rhine and Danube rivers.  

“Since the debut of our Seven River Journeys in 2021, we have received tremendous demand from travelers who are looking to spend extra time immersing themselves in beautiful destinations throughout Europe ,” Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways, said in a statement sent to Travel + Leisure . “We are thrilled to announce that the 2024 Spring and Summer Editions showcase enriching itineraries on board a single, award-winning ship."

The cruise visits 15 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, France, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Switzerland. Guests can take the 49-night journey in one of two directions. The first sailing is the spring 2024 trip , which departs from Amsterdam on April 22, 2024 and ends on June 10, 2024, in Giurgiu, Romania. Throughout the trip, guests will explore each country in late spring or early summer, seeing Europe in full bloom. 

Want to travel in reverse? Take the summer 2024 Seven River Journey , which begins on June 10, 2024, in Giurgiu and ends on July 29, 2024, in Amsterdam. This trip will also sail the impressive Main-Danube Canal and pass through the Danube Delta (a first for AmaWaterways' sailings) en route to the Black Sea.

The 2024 Seven River Journey itineraries include all dining, gratuities on board and ashore, laundry service, bicycles that guests can use to export the ports of call, and group excursions, including active hiking and walking trips and culinary explorations. Guest rooms onboard the ship all come with AmaWaterways’ signature twin balconies, but guests can also head to common areas for a bit of sun on the deck or in the pool, which comes with a swim-up bar.

Ready to set sail? See all the details and reserve your room here . 

10 Longest Ships In The World

The world’s longest ships are described as those having an enormous overall length measured from the fore to the aft. In terms of length, some of the biggest ships in the world are container carriers, bulk carriers, and supertankers, which are responsible for the majority of shipping trade in the world.

These superstructures are the true marvels of engineering. Constructed with great insight, they are an amalgamation of style and seamless design. Most of these vessels do not flaunt a gigantic body but also unique environmentally sustainable features, making them even more attractive and popular than others of similar size. 

In this article, let’s look at the 10 biggest ships, categorised according to their length.

Table of Contents

1. The Evergreen A Class containerships

The Evergreen A Class container ship is a series of 13 specialised vessels constructed for the Taiwanese company Evergreen Marine. 

Designated as the largest container ships in the world, they are one of a kind. Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea is constructing six such vessels, and the other seven are under construction in two Chinese shipyards by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation.

Two of this class’s biggest and most renowned ships are the Ever Alot and Ever Ace. 

The Ever Alot is titled the largest containership in terms of length and carrying capacity. Currently sailing under the flag of Panama, this behemoth measures 400 metres and has a 61.5 m breadth with a draft of 17 m. She has a 24,004 TEU carrying capacity. It is the 7th vessel of the class and the first to surpass the 24,000 TEU limit.

Ever Ace was the biggest container ship in the world until Ever Alot entered into service in 2022. Ever Ace measures 399.9 m and has a carrying capacity of 24,000 TEU. She has a cruising speed of 22.6 knots.

Other vessels of the class include- Ever Act, Ever Aim, Ever Alp, Ever Arm, Ever Art, Eve Apex, Ever Atop etc.

2. HMM Algeciras

HMM Algeciras is one of the 12 container ships belonging to the Megamax-24 container series. The number 24 refers to the number of containers placed across the ship’s width. Hence, 12 layers can be stacked below the deck and the other 12 above the deck. 

Algeciras measures 400 metres lengthwise and 61 m breadthwise. It has a carrying capacity of 23,964 TEU and is registered in Panama. The company had ordered the construction of seven such vessels from the Daewoo shipbuilding yard, and five were ordered from Samsung Heavy Industries. 

The mega-container carrier is driven by a WinGD engine with a power of 60,580 kW, which allows it to reach a speed of 22.4 knots. It is also equipped with scrubbers which eliminate sulphur emissions from the vessel’s exhaust gases, helping to implement the international emission reduction guidelines.

It was the largest container ship in the world when it was launched in 2020 and had surpassed the MSC-owned Gulsun class ships. 

3. MOL Triumph

The container ship was constructed in 2017 by Samsung Heavy Industries in Geoje, South Korea. It is 400 metres long and 59 m wide with a capacity of 20,170 TEUs. 

It broke the 20,000 TEU ceiling a few years ago and seemed impossible to break. It also has five sister ships belonging to the same class with similar physical dimensions. These include Tribute, Trust, Tradition, Truth and Treasure. 

Triumph was constructed for the shipping company Mitsui O.S.K Lines and was christened in South Korea on 15th March 2017. It was one of the biggest container ships at that time.

She has a summer draft of 16 metres and a deadweight of 192,672 tons. She is endowed with advanced energy-saving technologies such as low friction underwater paint, highly efficient rudder and propellors for reducing water resistance, and specially designed engines for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

4. MV Barzan

Constructed in 2015 by Hyundai Heavy Industries in Mokpo, South Korea, Barzan is a container carrier sailing under the flag of Malta. She is a DV GL classed vessel and the first to possess a ‘Gas Ready’ class notation. 

She has an 18,800 TEU carrying capacity and a draught of 11 m and is 400 m long and 58.6 m wide. Barzan has 199,744 tonnes DWT and a gross tonnage of 19,636 tonnes.

She is one of the six such vessels ordered by the United Arab Shipping Company. Per its builder, Barzan’s carbon emissions are less than the Maersk Triple E Class vessels, and her Energy Efficiency Design Index is around 50 per cent less than IMO Limit fixed for 2025. 

Barzan translates to high in Arabic, and she was named after the observation towers in Qatar built 100 years ago by Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani, the founder of a village in Qatar. 

5. Pioneering Spirit

Earlier known as Pieter Schelte, the Pioneering Spirit is one of the world’s largest catamaran crane vessels, owned by Allseas Group, based in Switzerland. She has a twin hull and is 382 metres long and 124 metres wide.

It was constructed at DSME shipyard in South Korea between 2011 to 2014. She came into service in 2016 and undertook her first project in Norway.

It was designed for single-lift installation, removing enormous oil and gas platforms, and installing heavy pipelines. 

Pioneering spirit can easily lift entire topsides weighing up to 48,000 tons and jackets up to 20,000 tonnes. She can also work on bridges and modules. She can perform lifts using her eight sets of lifting beams which can be rotated, making them quite flexible.

Hence, she has reduced the offshore work related to installation and decommissioning and has moved the work onshore, making it safe and cheap.

6. Euronav Oceania

Euronav Oceania is one of the biggest crude oil tankers in the world. It was constructed in 2003 by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co.Ltd for a whopping 90 million dollars. 

The behemoth is sailing under the Belgian flag and has a carrying capacity of 441585 tonnes DWT. It has an LOA of 380 metres and is 68 m broad with a 14 m draught. 

It was known by many names, like the seaways, Laura Lynn, Hellespont Fairfax, etc. However, it was named Euronav Oceania after its acquisition by the Euronav company. Its gross tonnage amounts to approximately 234006 tons. 

Its width surpasses that of the new gates of the Panama Canal. Hence it cannot pass through the canal unless on its ballast journey.

Euronav Oceania is double-hulled and can carry over 3 million barrels of oil and sails at an average speed of 16.8 knots. 

7. The Allure Of The Seas

It is an Oasis-class cruise ship owned by Royal Carribean International. It was delivered in 2010 and is the sister vessel of the Oasis of the Seas. 

The cruise liner weighs 12,000 tonnes and is 361 m or 1181 ft long and 213 ft tall from the waterline. It has a beam of 154 ft and is driven by three powerful Wartsila diesel engines with a cruising speed of 22 knots.

It has 16 decks and is spacious enough to accommodate 5400 guests in 2704 double-occupancy rooms and suites. It has a special neighbourhood with seven theme areas that can be booked per the passenger’s budget.

It has five luxurious dining rooms, theatres, a library and a business centre.

The ship boasts a vast fun and youth zone with gaming areas, theme parks, a children’s playground, spas and massage salons, a pool, outdoor bars, live music on the deck and much more.

8. Vale Brasil

MS Vale Brasil was ordered by Vale Shipping in 2009 and was launched on 31st December 2010. At that time, Vale Brasil became the biggest ship in the ‘bulk carrier’ category.

She is 362 metres long and 65 m wide with a gross tonnage of 198,980 tonnes. Her hull is 30.4 m deep, and she is one of the longest ships in the world. 

Vale Brasil has a gross volume of 219,980 m3 and has seven cargo compartments. Each one has the capacity equivalent to a small Panamax carrier and is filled by a loader with 13,500 tonnes per hour loading rate. Its DWT is 402,347 tons, and its net tonnage is 67,993 tonnes.

She has a 23 m draught when filled with iron ore equivalent to more than 11,150 trucks. Her draught restricts her to only a few European, Chinese and Brazilian ports. 

She has a single MAN B&W 7S80ME-C8 two-stroke diesel engine connected to a fixed pitch propellor. The vessel sails at an average speed of 15.4 knots. 

It was also awarded the Clean Ship Award at the 2011 Norwegian Shipping exhibition. She has 35% lower carbon emissions than older vessels of similar physical dimensions.

9. Q-Max Ships

The 14 Q-Max ships are the world’s largest LNG carriers owned by Qatar Gas and constructed by Samsung Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding, and Marine Engineering. They were ordered in 2005 and certified by Lloyd’s Register.

Their name is symbolic of the country of their operation and the maximum size of vessels that can be accommodated in Qatar’s LNG terminals.

All Q-Max ships measure 345 metres lengthwise and 53.8 m breadthwise. They are 34.7 m high and have a 12 m draft. They have a 266,000 m3 LNG capacity and are equipped with two slow-speed diesel engines burning heavy fuel oil.

Their unique onboard re-liquefaction system reduces LNG loss and provides cost-effective and environmental benefits. 

The first Q-Max ship was known as Mozah, delivered in 2008. It also has sister vessels, namely the Al Mayeda, Bu Samra, Al Samriya, Al Dafna and so on.

10. Nimitz-class aircraft carriers

The Nimitz class consists of 10 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers worldwide, owned and operated by the US Navy. These warships have an overall length of 333 metres, a width of 77 m and a displacement of more than 100,000 tons. They were the biggest aircraft carriers until the USS Gerald R.Ford became operational. 

All ten vessels have slightly different physical characteristics. They have A4W pressurised water reactors for driving four propellor shafts to produce a sailing speed of up to 30 knots. 

Due to nuclear power, the ships do not need to be refuelled and are expected to have a lifespan of more than five decades. Newport News Shipbuilding Company, Virginia, built all the ships. 

The first, USS Nimitz, was commissioned on 3rd May 1975, while the last one of the class was called USS. H.W Bush was commissioned in 2009. 

Apart from aircraft, these warships can easily carry short-range defence weapons for anti-aircraft warfare and missile defence.

You might also like to read.

• Hull of a Ship – Understanding Design and Characteristics
• 5 Biggest Oil Tankers Which Are Now Scrapped
• What is a Clipper Ship?
• 10 Famous Shipping Canals of the World
• Top 10 World’s Largest Container Ships In 2022

Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight.  Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendations on any course of action to be followed by the reader.

The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared, or used in any form without the permission of the author and Marine Insight.

Do you have info to share with us ? Suggest a correction

About Author

Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

Latest Maritime Knowledge Articles You Would Like :

5 Biggest FPSOs in the World

11 Interesting Facts About Great Australian Bight

7 Amazing Makassar Strait Facts

20 Largest Container Shipping Companies In The World In 2024

8 Amazing Facts About the Black Sea

10 Amazing Beaufort Sea Facts

Subscribe To Our Newsletters

By subscribing, you agree to our  Privacy Policy  and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Marine Insight Daily Newsletter

" * " indicates required fields

Marine Engineering

Marine Engine Air Compressor Marine Boiler Oily Water Separator Marine Electrical Ship Generator Ship Stabilizer

Nautical Science

Mooring Bridge Watchkeeping Ship Manoeuvring Nautical Charts  Anchoring Nautical Equipment Shipboard Guidelines

Explore 

Free Maritime eBooks Premium Maritime eBooks Marine Safety Financial Planning Marine Careers Maritime Law Ship Dry Dock

Shipping News Maritime Reports Videos Maritime Piracy Offshore Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) MARPOL