around the world cruise 100 days

11 epic around-the-world cruises that will check off all your bucket list travel destinations

Imagine the joys of traveling seamlessly from one bucket list country to another without packing and unpacking, switching hotels, boarding countless flights or even doing laundry.

Think it's a fantasy? It's actually a world cruise, the nirvana of many ocean-going devotees. As a bonus, most of these around-the-world voyages include enviable perks, like pre-cruise hotel stays, alcohol, shipboard credit, exclusive-access shore excursions — and, yes, laundry service.

Retired, taking a job hiatus or working remotely? A world cruise is a safe, easy and exhilarating way to score a global adventure beyond compare. You might even make new lifelong friends sharing similar interests.

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So, pull out your travel wish list and find an itinerary for those coveted destinations.

Here, you can learn more about what's involved in an around-the-world cruise and drool over 11 terrific choices across a range of fares for an incredible monthslong voyage at sea.

What is a world cruise?

Never mind the moniker, a world cruise may visit several continents but not circumnavigate the globe. Cruise lines usually designate one ship (a few offer two) to sail about 100 days or longer — some even sail more than 200 days — without repeating ports.

World cruises traditionally start in January and end around April or May. They sail round-trip from one American city, such as San Francisco or Miami, or offer a choice of starting points on both coasts, making access easy.

What to know about world cruises

With so few world cruises available, book far in advance. Bookings open roughly two years in advance, and some small-ship cruises sell out within hours. You'll need the extra time to make arrangements to leave your home for months. For that reason, this story will focus on 2025 world cruises.

Related: Hot cruises you'll need to book at least 1 year in advance — maybe even 2!

Around-the-world cruise cost

Such lengthy sailings cost plenty. The bigger ship lines offer the lowest fares, although extra fees for what's not included (such as shore excursions and alcohol) can add up quickly. If contemplating a big-ship voyage, read the inclusions carefully, as they vary among lines.

Luxury vessels bundle many costly amenities into the fare, like business- or first-class plane tickets and luxury hotel stays, and charge the most. They also deliver fine dining, pampering service, glam surroundings and impressive special events. (Silversea Cruises has previously rented out an entire island to entertain its world cruise guests.)

Thus, expect considerable price differences. Count on spending about $20,000 per person minimum to score an entry-level accommodation on the bigger ships and approximately $80,000 to $90,000 per person for an ultraluxury vessel.

Note that for the poshest lines, "entry-level" may mean a spacious, elegant suite with a veranda. For other lines, the most basic cabin is a small, windowless room.

Read on to discover where you can sail to in 2025 on a world cruise.

World Voyage

Thanks to an overwhelming response to its 2024 world cruise (which is currently waitlisted), Azamara announced itineraries for both 2025 and 2026, both aboard the 684-passenger Azamara Onward.

Azamara Onward is the newest ship to join the Miami-based line's four-vessel fleet. The ship's size provides an intimate experience and allows it to call on small towns bigger ships can't access.

For 2025, the 155-night, 37-country voyage begins in San Diego and ends in Southampton, England, with visits to exciting locales in French Polynesia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Italy, France and others.

Along the way, world cruisers can sample authentic Hawaiian cuisine; explore the unspoiled beaches and the lush rainforest on Stewart Island, New Zealand; and visit the world's largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia.

The itinerary will include a pre-sailing welcome party, exclusive cultural events, concierge service and other upscale perks.

The 2026 world cruise sets sail from Miami and concludes in Barcelona. The itinerary for this 155-night expedition features some of the world's most iconic landmarks and sites.

Cruisers will have the opportunity to explore the great pyramid of Kukulcan and other ancient Mayan sites in Chichen Itza, Mexico; wander among Rio de Janeiro's architectural gems and experience the awe of Iguazu Falls in Brazil; sample Peruvian cuisine and soak in the landscape of Machu Picchu in Cusco; scale the Great Wall of China; and enjoy other bucket-list worthy adventures.

The 2025 world cruise departs Jan. 6, 2025. Prices start from $89,001 per person.

The 2026 world cruise departs Jan. 6, 2026. Prices start from $85,141 per person.

World Cruise

If luxury and unparalleled personal service are important to you, consider Crystal 's 2025 world cruise aboard Crystal Serenity .

The beloved upscale line went bankrupt and stopped sailing in 2022. However, luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent acquired it and brought it back to life with a $150 million glow-up, starting with 740-passenger Crystal Serenity.

With newly renovated expansive suites, an array of social areas and nearly one staff member per guest, Crystal Serenity offers ultimate comfort, quality and personalization. Every cabin comes with a butler ready to assist with reservations, laundry and any other needs you have during your global odyssey.

Beginning in Fort Lauderdale and concluding in Barcelona, the sailing spans 123 nights with visits to 31 countries. The cruise kicks off with a welcome celebration, and guests can enjoy themed onboard and shoreside events and gala dinners throughout the sailing.

Exciting destinations along the way include Belize, Honduras, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Jordan. Passengers can get a close-up look at Argentine tango through performances, enjoy street food in Sri Lanka's capital city and celebrate like a Greek god on Mount Olympus, among other events.

Custom excursions and pre- and post-cruise tours organized by Abercrombie & Kent are available along the way (for an additional cost).

Departs Jan. 7, 2025. Prices start from $66,200 per person.

Cunard Line

Be among the first to explore the world aboard Queen Anne, the line's first new ship in 12 years. Scheduled to launch in May 2024, the 2,996-passenger ship will take over Cunard 's world cruise duties in January 2025.

Queen Anne's maiden World Voyage in 2025 will span 111 nights, beginning and ending in Hamburg, Germany. Along the way, guests can explore historic churches in the Old Town of Lubeck, Germany, a UNESCO World Heritage site; visit the historic city of Antigua, Guatemala's original capital; and indulge in retail therapy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's bustling shopping hub.

Passengers will enjoy spectacular new elements on this ship. The vessel's main pool area, The Pavilion, is topped with a gorgeous retractable glass roof that will act as a showpiece and also a functional structure to keep poolgoers dry on rainy days.

If you're seeking the most luxurious accommodations and exclusive experiences on board, book Princess or Queens Grill suites. Fares include outstanding amenities such as private dining rooms, coffee and specialty tea service, priority boarding, and a private outdoor lounge area.

Queens Grill suite passengers receive butler service, too. However, many lovely inclusions, such as white-gloved servers presenting complimentary daily tea, are available for all guests.

Departs Jan. 7, 2025. Prices start from $17,799 per person.

Holland America

Grand World Voyage

Holland America 's 124-day Grand World Voyage on the 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam cruises round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. The enticing itinerary ventures far from Florida to must-visit cities such as Tokyo, Mumbai, Singapore and Istanbul. The ship will also traverse the Panama Canal.

Many included overnights allow opportunities to dive deep into local cultures and experiences. Spend extra time in Kobe, Japan; Hong Kong and Shanghai, China; and Singapore. As a bonus, Zuiderdam will take guests to incredibly remote locales, such as the Amazon.

On board, relish music venues like Billboard Onboard and BBC Earth in Concert, where a live orchestra plays before a huge backdrop of spectacular wildlife footage. Step One Dance Company presents works by noted choreographers. Count on a buzzy casino, fine dining at specialty restaurants and a professionally staffed fitness center.

Departs Jan. 4, 2025. Prices start from $24,999 per person.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is doing something a little different with its 2025 world cruise. It's offering a choice of four embarkation ports — Rome and Genoa in Italy; Marseille, France; and Barcelona. Passengers will return to the same port they left from.

The 2,550-passenger MSC Magnifica is the home base for the 116-night journey. The itinerary features port calls at 50 destinations across 21 countries in the Mediterranean, South America, the South Pacific, Australia and Asia. Among the cities you'll explore are Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro; Casablanca, Morocco; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Phuket, Thailand; Broome, Australia; and Auckland.

Spend your port days ogling at Genoa's majestic Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Lawrence and Doge's Palace; exploring the peaceful mountaintop monastery in Montserrat, Spain; and wandering through the restored ceremonial village of Orongo, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), a World Heritage Site.

Departs Jan. 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2025 (depending on your embarkation port). Prices start from $14,469 per person.

Oceania Cruises

Around the World Cruise

The lovely 656-passenger Insignia sails a whopping 200 days from Miami to New York for Oceania Cruises ' 2025 world cruise. It might seem a long way away, but inside cabins and some suites are already waitlisted for the sailing.

Prepare to tear up any bucket list on a cruise this long. The ship begins in the balmy Caribbean islands, ventures to the Brazilian Amazon, explores more of South America and then heads off to Africa and Asia. Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii and Latin America round out the itinerary before Insignia circles back to the Caribbean (different ports on this end) and sails triumphantly back to Miami.

Oceania Cruises is renowned for fine dining. Expect to eat and drink exceptionally well on board.

Departs Jan. 5, 2025. Prices start from $54,099 per person.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises promises an unforgettable journey on its 116-day world cruise sailing from Fort Lauderdale (or Los Angeles, as an alternative embarkation port) on the 2,200-passenger Island Princess.

This ship delivers many onboard activities like cooking and dance classes, trivia contests, enrichment programs and games of basketball, volleyball and tennis on the sports court. A putting green ensures golf games stay sharp.

You can also expect outdoor movies, original musical productions and onboard wellness features such as a spa and fitness center.

World cruisers can visit 26 countries with 51 destinations across six continents; the exciting port of call include Lisbon; Bali; Naples, Italy; Milan; and Haifa, Israel. With late-night stays in 11 ports of call and a Dubai overnight, you can relish multiple opportunities to wine, dine and enjoy the nightlife ashore.

For 2025, Princess offers two 116-day world cruise itinerary options on Island Princess, one round-trip from Fort Lauderdale and the other round-trip from Los Angeles.

From Fort Lauderdale: Departs Jan. 5, 2025. Prices start from $16,225 per person.

From Los Angeles: Departs Jan. 20, 2025. Prices start from $16,298 per person.

Related: Big vs. small cruise ships: Which will I like better?

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Navigate the World

World cruises prove perpetually popular on this ultraluxe line. They often sell out in the blink of an eye.

Availability is limited on the 2025 150-night world cruise on the 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner, sailing round-trip from Miami to San Francisco. This itinerary includes cruising in Antarctica, the Chilean fjords, French Polynesia, Taipei and Bali.

Perhaps because its 2025 sailing is nearly sold out, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is one of the first cruise lines to announce its 2026 world voyage, also on Seven Seas Mariner.

This journey will be the line's longest, sailing for 154 nights and visiting 77 ports in 41 countries across six continents. The itinerary includes three new ports of call for Regent, including Lifou Island and Mare of the Loyalty Islands in the New Caledonia archipelago. Count on visiting 47 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Australia's Great Barrier Reef and Robben Island in South Africa.

For all its around-the-world cruises, Regent piles on primo inclusions — first-class flights, unlimited shore excursions, luggage service, an open bar and a visa package are among countless amenities.

The 2025 world cruise departs Jan. 7, 2025. Prices start from $87,999 per person.

The 2026 world cruise departs Jan. 10, 2026. Prices start from $94,999 per person.

Related: The 9 best luxury cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

Grand Africa Voyage

Wander the majestic Grandmaster's Palace in Malta. Snorkel the pristine waters along the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Ogle the tropical beauty of the 115-island archipelago of the Seychelles. Soak up the beauty of Cape Town from atop Table Mountain.

You'll find many pinch-me moments on Seabourn 's 90-day, 26-country Grand Africa cruise in late 2024 and early 2025. It takes place onboard the 450-passenger all-suite Seabourn Sojourn and sails round-trip from Barcelona. (The line is not currently offering a more traditional world cruise in 2025.)

On the ultraluxurious vessel, you can expect exclusive VIP celebrations, like a Caviar in the Surf party. (Note that complimentary Champagne and caviar flow freely on board, too, adding to the happy vibe.)

There's much to love about Seabourn Sojourn. Its intimate size allows truly personalized service from a polished, attentive crew. Seabourn Square, a living room-like venue, is a magnet for affable passengers who quickly make new friends. Count on superb dining and 24-hour room service among a slew of upscale amenities.

Departs Nov. 30, 2024. Prices start from $38,999 per person.

Related: 7 extremely decadent things you can do on a luxury cruise vacation

Silversea Cruises

Controtempo

Silversea Cruises ' 2025 world cruise aboard the ultraluxurious, 596-passenger Silver Dawn looks amazing. The around-the-world cruise is designed to visit far-flung and more remote ports, often out of season, to avoid the touristy crowds.

This 136-day voyage sails from Tokyo to New York and explores 59 ports in 30 countries. Count on visiting enchanting cities, including Istanbul, Naples and Stockholm. Wonderfully remote ports, like Cochin, India; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Nuuk, Greenland, tempt travelers to come aboard for the long haul.

Silversea's world cruises are known for showcasing exceptional special-access events, and this sailing is no different. On this cruise, applause goes to a private tour of Cairo's 500-room Abdeen Palace and an inimitable evening at Versailles in lavish Marie Antoinette style (pre-guillotine, of course).

Silver Dawn is a wowser with a game-changer spa , all-suite accommodations, tux-clad butlers for all passengers and complimentary caviar service anytime, anywhere. Expect many fare inclusions, such as business-class flights, shore excursions and private transfers.

Departs Jan. 13, 2025. Prices start from $81,900 per person.

Viking World Voyage II

Imagine the joy of ticking many bucket list boxes on Viking World Voyage II, Viking 's 163-day world cruise on board the 930-passenger Viking Sky in 2025. Book quickly; availability is extremely limited, with many suites and penthouses already sold out.

The Los Angeles-to-New York voyage visits 29 countries and 78 ports.

Palm-tree ports are plentiful, including Moorea, French Polynesia; Bay of Islands, New Zealand; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. You'll cross many seas, such as the Tasman, Arafura and Arabian, and take your pick of a plethora of possible excursions, including a visit to a Balinese Hindu temple in Indonesia and a tour of the ancient Elephanta Caves in India. You can pretty much do it all on this world cruise.

Departs Jan. 5, 2025. Prices start from $74,995 per person.

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• Around the World Cruise

The journey of a lifetime — best world cruise

Embark on a Princess World Cruise and experience the globe’s marquis ports and hidden gems. With carefully crafted itineraries to the most sought-after destinations, there’s no better escort to guide you through your travel bucket list than Princess Cruises – the cruise line voted "Best Cruise Itineraries" 12-times by Recommend Magazine .

Now Available: 2025 World Cruises. Learn more

• Why Take a World Cruise?

Explore the far corners of the globe without the hassle of airport travel, constant unpacking, and expensive meals. Enjoy all this and more on a Princess World Cruise.

2024 World Cruise From Los Angeles or Ft. Lauderdale

Take a roundtrip 111-day world cruise from Fort Lauderdale or Los Angeles on Island Princess and experience the journey of a lifetime. With 51 destinations in 27 countries across six continents there is so much to explore. Enjoy More Ashore Late-Night stays in 11 ports and an overnight stay in Dubai. We've added 12 new ports including popular Galilee/Nazareth (Haifa), Bali (Benoa), Naples (for Capri & Pompeii), Genoa (for Milan), and Lisbon to expand the adventure.

View 2024 World Cruise on Island Princess®

2024 World Cruise From Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland

Sail aboard the Coral Princess for our longest ever Australia-based World Cruise! This six-continent and 110-day world adventure visits popular destinations including Scandinavia & Russia, Iceland, South America and transits the historic Panama Canal. Make seven maiden calls including Aarhus, Crete (Heraklion) and Edinburgh (South Queensferry, visit 47 destinations in 32 countries including overnight stays in New York and Lima (Callao), and spend more time ashore with eight late night stays including Barcelona, Berlin (Warnemunde), Boston, Copenhagen and Tahiti (Papeete).

View 2024 World Cruise on Coral Princess®

2025 World Cruise From Los Angeles or Ft. Lauderdale

Our longest voyage ever sets sails in January 2025 as Island Princess embarks on an epic 116-day roundtrip World Cruise from both Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles, visiting 51 destinations in 26 countries across 6 continents. This adventure includes our first ever visits to historic Bar, Montenegro, and Taranto, Italy. Also maiden for our North American World Cruises are stops to the idyllic Greek islands of Patmos and Volos – for the Monasteries of Meteora.

View 2025 World Cruise on Island Princess®

2025 World Cruise From Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney

Crown Princess® – our largest ship to ever host a World Cruise – will be your escort on a wondrous 113-day adventure, visiting 49 destinations in 28 countries across six continents. Explore Asia, Indonesia, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe – including two ports in Greenland – the Americas and South Pacific. The 2025 itinerary travels over 33,500 miles and features countless UNESCO World Heritage sites plus other bucket-list attractions.

View 2025 World Cruise on Crown Princess

World Cruises

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What To Expect From Ultimate World Cruise

Get ready to visit all seven continents, 65 countries, over 150 ports of call, and 11 world wonders..

By Robert Schrader | Published on October 18, 2023

1. Are You The Ideal World Cruise Traveler?

Looking at Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise℠ itinerary, you might be surprised by the sheer volume of bucket-list sites, even if you consider yourself a seasoned traveler. The great explorers of history spent this long — the full cruise lasts 274 days — on a single sailing across the sea, never mind going to all corners of the globe.

Your epic journey around the world, of course, is sure to come with plenty of new-to-you destinations. From world wonders such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Wall of China to sun-dappled islands from French Polynesia to Greece, the array and diversity of horizons you sail to is unparalleled. This isn't a cruise — it's the  cruise to top all other cruises.

2. Do You Want To Minimize Flights?

3. Is This Trip Too Good To Be True?

It might sound unbelievable that you'll be able to spread your arms out under Argentina's Christ the Redeemer statue and sip cocktails beneath the Sydney Opera House on the same sailing, but on this epic journey around the world, you can. The key to making the most of each port is to pace yourself — this is a long trip, in the best way possible.

Some stops along the Ultimate World Cruise℠ will invite more hiking and exploration (Jordan's ruins of Petra, for example), while the colorful waterfronts of European idylls like Bergen, Norway, are better for sitting down for a meal or drink. What makes this vacation unique is the luxury of time and space, which allow you to truly relax and explore many sides of yourself. You might consider yourself a total beach bum as you reach the sandy shores of Oahu but feel like a history buff as you take in the Taj Mahal. You might feel like an explorer as you explore the ruins of Chichén Itzá in Mexico on foot, then opt to take a camel when you reach the Pyramids of Giza.

4. How Much Does It Cost?

As you can imagine, this once-in-a-lifetime epic journey around the world is highly customizable. The ticket price for the 274-night journey ranges from $59,999 per person for an interior stateroom to $117,599 for a junior suite on the 2,476-passenger Serenade of the Seas® .

You might think that if you travel the world for almost a year, you'll need to bring your whole home with you, but this isn't necessarily the case. In fact, you'll want to err on the side of bringing less rather than more. You'll have laundry services (among other complimentary treats)  included in your fare, and can buy almost anything you need at ports. Focus on bringing a basic wardrobe built for laying in different climates, and any special items you know you can't easily buy, as well as medications and other need-to-haves. You won't want forget to pack bathing suits for Mexico, for example, or a coat for colder destinations.

So, is this the best way to travel the world? That's somewhat a matter of personal preference. Sailing the world with many of the same passengers offers an unprecendented bonding experience with like-minded travelers. The guests and crew become very much like a family on a world cruise, which can be a real joy to watch unfold — especially if you follow cruise etiquette and are considerate of others during the voyage. And the itinerary of the Ultimate World Cruise℠ 2023 is so extensive it's almost impossible to imagine. Certainly, if you love cruising and want to see much of the world as possible in one fell swoop, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to check many travel icons off your bucket list.

5. Do You Really Set Sail For ... Everywhere?

It's important to note that you can opt for the whole cruise, or stay onboard for however long you want. Each of four Ultimate World Cruise℠ segments — Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Med and Europe & Beyond — can be booked a la carte, with business class airfare between your home and wherever you start and end included in the price. Or, pick one of the 17 sailings (ranging from nine to 29 nights) that make up the cruise and visit the sites that are most exciting to you.

Then again, if you can find the time, it's tempting to complete most of your bucket list in a single, epic trip when you circumnavigate the globe onboard a cruise ship. The iconic world wonders you'll see are only the beginning on this epic adventure.

Want to learn more? Check out the thrilling itinerary of the Ultimate World Cruise℠ .

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Grand World Voyages

There’s no trip in the world like an around the world cruise. Holland America Line Grand Voyages invite passengers to deeply connect with every destination. Guests of these superb world voyages will luxuriate in exceptional cuisine from renowned chefs, an enhanced enrichment program, and exclusive entertainment. Come see why travelers vote these expeditions as the best around-the-world cruises.

Coming Soon: 2026 Grand World Voyage

Early Booking Benefits Promotion

Download 2025 Grand World Voyage Planner  (PDF)

Grand World Voyage Featured Ports

Reykjavik, Iceland

Komodo Island, Indonesia

Antarctic Experience

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Featured shore excursions.

Around-the-World Cruise Guide: Everything You Need to Know About These Far-Reaching Voyages

By Mark Ellwood and Scott Laird

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

An around-the-world cruise is often thought of as the pinnacle of a sailing vacation . Some cruisers embark on it as a single trip of a lifetime, while others are frequent repeat guests, working a world cruise into their annual travel plans. There are also enduring urban legends about older travelers who elect for extended world voyages as a retirement plan .  

Whatever the reason, the allure is strong. Why not unpack once, enjoying fairy godmother-like service, exemplary amenities, and always changing views for months on end? Plenty of retired cruisers with time and money on their hands do exactly that, choosing an extended at-sea lifestyle for at least a portion of the year (around-the-world cruises often run from December or early January through March or April). 

Here's everything travelers need to know about taking an around-the-world cruise, including tricks from veteran world cruisers, booking tips, and some of the best itineraries in 2023 and beyond. 

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Advice from frequent world cruisers

Roger Foenander and his partner David Mutton—loyalists to Viking Cruises—note the lack of pressure to see and do things on longer journeys, which provides plenty of freedom to relax. That might mean attending onboard enrichment lectures, spending the afternoon playing cards with fellow passengers, or dipping into the onboard spa and sauna before cocktail hour.

Linda Wiseman, who’s traveled with Cunard, suggests new faces can help get ahead of any monotony: “In the dining room, we tell the maître d’ not to seat us with another couple who is sailing the whole thing—that way, our seat mates switch every few weeks, and we can meet different people.”

New Orleans-based philanthropist Phyllis Taylor observes that world cruises are a class set apart, without the frenzied pace of shorter sailings: 

"The difference between a short cruise and a  world cruise  is night and day, storm and calm, fleeting thought and thoughtfulness. I enter the bar in the evening, in no time my favorite song is being played, my favorite drinks sit before me. I go to dinner and my favorite table is waiting for me, and my waiter has already served the iced water with lemon just as I like it."

But the real value of a world cruise, she says, is the chance to fully immerse in and savor the experience: “With an extended cruise you absorb the lifestyle of life at sea; with the great advantage of having a crew and staff that treats you like royalty.”

Cunard's Queen Mary 2 sailing from New York 

The best around-the-world cruises to book in 2023 and 2024

An homage to the first world cruise with cunard.

This year marked the centennial of what is generally regarded as the first World Cruise: a 1922 roundtrip New York sailing lasting 130 days by the Cunarder  Laconia . The sailing was actually a full ship charter to American Express, who took full responsibility for marketing and selling the voyage. 

Since the original world cruise departed in November 1922 and sailed through the winter season, Cunard is celebrating the milestone in 2023 with several Centenary World Voyages, with departures on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria that will call at many of the same ports as the first world voyages a hundred years ago.

While the 2023 itineraries are nearly sold out, there are similar options to book in 2024 as well. Queen Mary 2 departs New York January 3, 2024 for a 123-night sailing to Australia, traveling eastbound via Portugal and the Canary Islands, Namibia , South Africa, Mauritius, Reunion, Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore , Malaysia, and Thailand, returning via the Persian Gulf, Greece, and Spain, before reaching New York via a second Transatlantic crossing.

Queen Victoria departs Southampton, England, on January 11, 2024, for a 107-night sailing with calls at Bermuda, Florida, and the Caribbean before transiting the Panama Canal and visiting Guatemala, Mexico, the U.S. West Coast, Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia, the Canary Islands, and Portugal , returning to Southampton in late April. 

Travelers not wishing to undertake the full voyage can book segments of the World Voyages, such as Southampton to Sydney on Queen Victoria (60 nights) or Sydney to New York on Queen Mary 2 (49 nights), although Cunard throws in extra perks like free gratuities, cocktail receptions, and a gala dinner ashore for guests taking the full World Cruise. 

Cunard advertises Britannia Inside cabins on the 123-night Queen Mary 2 sailing from just under $21,000 before taxes and port fees, or just under $180 per person per night (based on double occupancy). 

Cross the Panama and Suez canals with Holland America

Holland America Line’s 2024 Grand World Voyage is a 128-day roundtrip sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, departing January 3, 2024, onboard the Zuiderdam . Passengers will visit several islands in the Caribbean, and cross the Amazon River to navigate through several ports in Brazil before exiting via the Panama Canal. Then it's off to Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Hawaiian Islands. From there, the ship crosses the International Dateline and calls upon Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands before stopping at several ports in Japan—including Kobe and Tokyo—as well as Hong Kong, mainland China, Vietnam, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and India. A tour through the Persian Gulf is followed by a Suez Canal crossing and visits to Israel and Turkey. On the final leg of the trip passengers will visit Greece, Italy, Spain, and the Azores, before crossing the Atlantic back to Fort Lauderdale in mid-May.

Fares start at $23,000 before taxes and port fees—also just under $180 per person per night. Holland America offers full-cruise guests additional amenities such as complimentary laundry, dry cleaning and pressing, plus in-suite bottled water and soft drinks. 

Silversea operates smaller ships than other world cruises 

Book even farther ahead for a mid-size or smaller ship

Smaller ships like those operated by Viking and Silversea have a devoted following and require further advance booking. Silversea’s World Cruises are currently waitlisted through 2024, and the January 2025 sailing has a few suites remaining. 

Arati Menon

Hannah Towey

Maya Silver

Viking’s December 2023 cruises still have limited space. The 138-day itinerary from Fort Lauderdale to London transits the Panama Canal, calls in Hawaii French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, India, and the Mediterranean. Fares start just under $60,000 per person before taxes and port fees and include special World Cruise exclusives like Business Class air, onboard gratuities, virtually all drinks on board, and free luggage shipping to embarkation.

Booking tips for around-the-world cruises

How much is a cruise to go around the world.

World cruises, which may not actually circumnavigate the globe entirely, but are generally in a category that covers at least three continents and lasts from 90 to 150 days generally start around $180 per passenger per night based on double occupancy.

Is an around the world cruise worth it?

That’s certainly subjective, but travelers already accustomed to cruising who appreciate the amenities of a ship and the lifestyle of a new port to view through the window every few days will likely consider world cruises a good value.

How much does a 180 day cruise around the world cost?

The longest world voyages we found generally lasted up to 140 to 150 days at their upper limits, although it’s not uncommon for devoted cruise fans to string together several voyages to remain onboard as long as they wish—but they'll need to book each concurrent voyage before one of them sells out.

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Visit 33 Countries and 96 Ports on This 180-day Around the World Cruise Sailing in 2023

Want to see the world in luxury? Here's you chance.

Spending half the year sailing around the world sounds like the dream life, and one cruise company can make it happen in 2023.

Oceania Cruises has just announced its 2023 Around the World in 180 Days voyage is officially open for booking.

The voyage departs from San Francisco on Jan. 15, 2023 and takes travelers on a whirlwind, around-the-world tour of 96 destinations within 33 countries, spread across four continents. In addition to spending nearly six months on a luxury cruise ship and experiencing many fascinating places, guests will also be able to access over 60 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

"We now know how irreplaceable these experiences are and cherish the privilege of travel more than ever," stated Bob Binder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oceania Cruises, in a statement. "Travel connects us through shared experiences, creates lifelong bonds, and enriches us in ways we never would have imagined. That was the mindset that guided us in crafting this epic around the world voyage for our guests."

Destinations span across South America, Asia, Africa, and North America, as well as opportunities to see Antarctica while cruising Admiralty Bay, Paradise Bay, and Half Moon Island for three full days during the voyage. Over 20 ports-of-call include multi-day stays where guests can enjoy many on-shore excursions as well as five exclusive on-shore events: the Argentinian Cultural Exposition in Buenos Aires; an afternoon at the Boschendal Winery in Cape Town; an evening at Al Maha Desert Dune in the Arabian Desert outside of Dubai where guests take part in the ultimate Bedouin experience featuring tribal music, dance, and falcon show; a Burmese Monk Donation Ceremony in Yangon, Myanmar; and an evening at Vung Duc Cave in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay outside of Hanoi.

All guests on the voyage will receive their choice of the following options: 64 free shore excursions, a free beverage package, or a $6,400 shipboard credit. In addition, all guests will receive free first-class roundtrip airfare in North America, pre-paid gratuities, onboard medical care, unlimited internet, laundry services, visa package, luggage delivery for guests from the U.S. and Canada, a 1-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay in the port of embarkation, roundtrip transfers for all guests and for residents within 50 miles from the cruise departure port

Travelers also have the ability to extend their voyage up to a total of 218 days, embarking from San Francisco and Miami and disembarking at either San Francisco, New York, or Miami. Some of these longer voyages begin on Dec. 28, 2022. Fares begin at $41,599 per guest.

For more information on the 2023 Around The World Voyage, visit the Oceania Cruises website .

Andrea Romano is a freelance writer in New York City. Follow her on Twitter @theandrearomano.

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12 Around-The-World Cruises You Won’t Believe… Starting at Just $13,999

Around-the-world cruises offer one of the most unique “bucket list” vacations you can imagine. Over the course of months, you literally travel the entire planet, visiting exotic locations, cultural wonders, and stunning landscapes.

Nowhere else can you visit as many places in such a short period of time, and do it all while traveling in the comfort of your own cabin.

So how epic can a world cruise be? Consider one of these trips can last upwards of 130 nights (4.5 months!) with some extending to almost 300 nights. Depending on the route, they can visit every continent, dozens of countries, and make close to one hundred call on ports. For those that have ever wanted to see the entire world, there’s simply no easier way.

If you’re one of those people — or simply like to daydream about what it would be like to see the world on one of these cruises — you might be surprised at how many options there are. While the trip may be once-in-a-lifetime, your choices on which cruise to take are far from limited.

Here’s a look at a dozen around-the-world cruises coming up in the next year.

Royal Caribbean Ultimate World Cruise (274 Nights)

When it comes to worldwide sailings, it’s hard to top the aptly-named Ultimate World Cruise from Royal Caribbean. This trip comes in at a staggering 274 nights — or more than nine months at sea. Like many world cruises, you can book shorter segments if that’s too long a trip for you.

All told, the full cruise takes you to more than 60 countries with 160 destinations over the course of the journey. Along the way, you’ll go from Antarctica to Iceland and from Norway to New Zealand. Name a famous landmark on the planet, and chances are high this cruise will be visiting, including Egyptian Pyramids, the Great Barrier Reef, Iguazu Falls, and even the lost city of Petra.

The cruise kicks off starting December 10, 2023 from Miami. Prices start at $59,999 per person for an interior cabin, plus nearly $5,000 in taxes, fees, and port expenses. With that price, a drink package, internet, gratuities, and laundry service are included.

• Ship: Serenade of the Seas
• Dates: December 10, 2023 – September 10, 2024
• Starting Cost: $59,999 (plus taxes and fees)
• Departure Port: Miami
• More details  

MSC World Cruise (127 Nights)

Is 274 nights and $60,000 a bit too much for you? You’re in luck as there are a number of other cruises that offer trips around the globe but for shorter lengths and more manageable price tags. For instance, this 127-night world cruise from MSC starts at just over $21,000 per person.

Along the way of the roughly four-month cruise, you’ll have 59 ports of call as you cruise the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Africa. The ship will then cross the Atlantic to South America, followed by cruising the Caribbean and the United States before heading to Canada, Greenland, and then northern Europe.

This will be one of the more affordable world cruises you’ll find, though the route does leave out eastern Asia, Australia, and the western half of the Americas. If it is still too long, a number of smaller segments are available. There is also another cruise leaving in 2025.

• Ship: MSC Poesia
• Dates: January 7, 2024 – May 13, 2024
• Starting Cost: $21,329 (plus taxes and fees)
• Departure Port: Barcelona

Princess World Cruise (111 Nights)

Princess is known for offering a number of longer and culturally-enriching cruises, so it only fits they’d be a leader in world cruises as well. In fact, in 2024, the line offers two of them.

This cruise departs Fort Lauderdale on January 4, and heads southwest. You’ll circumnavigate the globe, passing through the Panama Canal, with stops in Central America and Los Angeles before Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia. From there, it stops in Asia and the Middle East before a heavy dose of the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic back to Florida.

With this cruise you won’t go too far north or south, so spots like South America, Asia, and northern Europe are left out. Still, it’s among the cheapest world cruises, starting at $16,399 per person. Less expensive segments of this cruise are also available.

• Ship: Island Princess
• Dates: January 4, 2024 – April 24 2024
• Starting Cost: $16,399 (plus taxes and fees)
• Departure Port: Fort Lauderdale
• More details

Princess World Cruise (110 Nights)

In addition to the around-the-world cruise mentioned above that departs Fort Lauderdale, Princess has another option that departs Auckland, Sydney, or Brisbane for 110 days aboard the Coral Princess in April.

The difference? In addition to the departure port and date, the route is slightly different. Some of the same areas are visited, but this trip also visits northern Europe/Scandinavia, Iceland, and the eastern coast of North America, as well as the western coast of South America.

Given the two Princess cruises are around the same price and length, it comes down to which itinerary interests you more.

• Ship: Coral Princess
• Dates: April 26, 2024 – August 15, 2024
• Starting Cost: $17,538 (plus taxes and fees)
• Departure Port: Auckland (Sydney and Brisbane available)

Cunard Full World Voyage (123 Nights)

The name Cunard is synonymous with luxury ocean cruising. It’s no surprise, then, they offer a global cruise departing round trip from New York. This 123-night voyage will take you to Europe, Africa, Mauritius, Australia, as well as Asia (China, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand). Beyond that there are visits to the Middle East, and a trip through the Suez Canal before back to Europe and then New York.

Our impression of this trip is that given the two transatlantic crossings, there is a lot of time at sea. In fact, about two-thirds of the days are spent at sea transiting between ports. However, it also offers an affordable price and the focus on Asia is a marked difference from many trips on our list.

• Ship: Queen Mary 2
• Dates: January 3, 2024 – May 5, 2024
• Starting Cost: $13,999 (plus taxes and fees)
• Departure Port: New York

Cunard Full World Voyage (111 Nights)

Similar to Princess, Cunard offers a couple of options for global voyages. Their second option is a 111-night cruise that departs Hamburg, Germany.

Leaving Germany, there’s a quick stop in England before Bermuda and the United States. You’ll pass through the Panama Canal, up to San Francisco and then over to Hawaii. There are stops in the South Pacific, followed by New Zealand, and Australia before spots like the Philippines, China, and Vietnam. From there you’ll head to Africa, up to Portugal and return home.

One thing to note is that the lowest price for this cruise is about $68,000. That’s because the only rooms available at this time are suites and above as the lower-tier cabins show as sold out.

• Ship: Queen Victoria
• Dates: January 9, 2024 – April 20, 2024
• Starting Cost: $67,699 (plus taxes and fees) (Interior-balcony rooms sold out)
• Departure Port: Hamburg

Oceania Global Horizons (196 Days)

If you’re looking for a global cruise, one spot to search is with luxury cruise lines. They tend to appeal to affluent passengers with the means — and the time — to travel on lengthy and expensive trips like these.

Case in point: Luxury line Oceania offers this monster 196-day cruise round trip from Miami… starting at $52,199 per passenger.

During your six-and-a-half months, you’ll sail from Miami through the Panama Canal before making a swing up western Mexico. From there, it’s a visit to Hawaii before island-hopping through the Pacific to New Zealand. With multiple New Zealand and Australia stops, you’ll then head to Japan, China and southeast Asia before hugging the cost to India and then the Middle East. Finally, you’ll cover the Mediterranean, around northern Europe and then over to Iceland before crossing the Atlantic to end the trip in New York.

• Ship: Insignia
• Dates: December 29, 2023 – July 12, 2024
• Starting Cost: $52,199 (plus taxes and fees)

Holland America Grand World Voyage (128 Days)

Departing Fort Lauderdale aboard Holland America’s Zuiderdam, this cruise spans roughly four months and visits just as many continents. And you can get aboard starting at roughly $25,000 per person.

Within days of boarding in Fort Lauderdale, you’ll be cruising the Amazon and visiting South America. Then you’ll pass through the Panama Canal, stopping in Central America and Mexico before reaching Hawaii. You’ll then head to Japan via Guam, followed by China, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. The Grand World Voyage also takes you to the Middle East and through the Suez on your way to Israel and Turkey.

Finally, you’ll have stops in Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal before crossing the Atlantic back to Florida.

• Ship: Zuiderdam
• Dates: January 3, 2024 – May 11, 2024
• Starting Cost: $23,599 (plus taxes and fees)

Regent Seven Seas Navigate the World (132 Nights)

High-end cruise brand Regent Seven Seas is ideal for those who enjoy luxury when they sail and don’t mind paying for it. In this case, its ‘Navigate the World’ journey starts at $90,999, but that’s for a ‘2-for-1 All Inclusive Fare’ in a veranda suite. This includes first-class airfare, shore excursions, gratuities, wi-fi, drinks, and much more for two people.

Departing Miami, the trip takes a familiar route with several other cruises, through the Panama Canal, the west coast of North America and then to Hawaii. From there, it’s island hopping the South Pacific before reaching New Zealand and Australia. You’ll then journey Singapore, Thailand and Myanmar before India, the Middle East and through the Suez. That’s followed by the Mediterranean before returning home to Miami.

It’s the sort of trip that lasts a few months but the memories will be a lifetime. Note that Africa, South America and northern Europe are notably absent from the itinerary.

• Ship: Seven Seas Mariner
• Dates: January 6, 2024 – May 17, 2024
• Starting Cost: $90,999 (plus taxes and fees)

Seabourn 2024 World Cruise (145 Days)

This trip from Seabourn is a bit unique in that it doesn’t offer a round trip. Instead, it departs Los Angeles and ends in Greece. That might seem inconvenient, but not having to make the full circle around the world means it can pack in a lot more in roughly the same amount of time.

In 145 days, there are 72 ports with 20 overnight stays while visiting 28 different countries. So you get a lot of time in port instead of at sea. In fact, days at sea are packed heavily at the start of the cruise as it travels from LA to Hawaii and then moving down Pacific Islands to New Zealand.

From there, however, it’s a steady stream of ports, including a large number in Asia including the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand and Vietnam. Your cruise then heads west including Sri Lanka, Oman, Egypt and Israel before wrapping up in Greece.

• Ship: Seabourn Sojourn
• Dates: January 11, 2024 – June 5, 2024
• Starting Cost: $79,399 (plus taxes and fees)
• Departure Port: Los Angeles

Silversea Far East-West (132 Days)

Sailing aboard Silver Shadow with just 392 guests, this is definitely a small ship experience for going around the world. But we’ll be honest that this isn’t truly a global cruise. Instead, its more of a Pacific ring tour.

Departing San Francisco, you’ll head to Hawaii, the South Pacific, and then 10 different stops in New Zealand. Then it’s across the Tasman Sea and stops throughout Australia before heading to Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam. You’ll continue on to China and numerous stops in Japan before heading back to North America.

In a unique twist, this cruise leaves Japan and sails to Alaska, offering an Alaskan leg with more than a dozen stops before returning to San Francisco.

• Ship: Silver Shadow
• Dates: January 15, 2024 – May 26, 2024
• Starting Cost: $87,300 (plus taxes and fees)
• Departure Port: San Francisco

Viking World Cruise (138 days)

Viking has made a name for itself in river cruises, but it also offers ocean sailings with itineraries that are some of the most impressive on the planet. In this case, the Viking World Cruise takes you to 28 countries over 138 days.

It follows a path of a number of other world cruises, but it’s not a circumnavigation. In this case, it begins in Fort Lauderdale and ends in Greenwich, England. Without having to do the Atlantic crossing, it means more packed into the multi-month cruise.

First, you’ll take the trip south and sail the Panama Canal and then the west coast of Mexico to California before Hawaii. Then, it’s through French Polynesia, New Zealand and Australia before Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar. There are multiple stops in India and the Middle East. A tour of the Mediterranean including Greece, Italy, France, and Spain follows, before wrapping up in England.

Current booking offers include free airfare, a drink package, and wi-fi for those who book.

• Ship: Viking Sky
• Dates: December 20, 2023 – May 6, 2024
• Starting Cost: $59,995 (plus taxes and fees)

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The Ultimate Voyage: Cruising Around the World

At the end of the year, Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas will set sail from Miami toward the sunbaked beaches of the Bahamas and the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao). But instead of being content splashing around the Caribbean for a week or two, the ship will dip down to Brazil for a peek at Rio de Janeiro’s scintillating sand and iconic Christ the Redeemer statue – and then keep cruising around the world for 274 days! Yes, that’s nearly nine months. Along the way, passengers get to check off one bucket-list travel experience after another on an amazingly seamless journey dubbed the “Ultimate World Cruise.”

Plan your cruise around the world with a AAA travel advisor .

This roundtrip voyage spans all seven continents and completely circumnavigates the globe. A parade of world wonders appears – Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Wall of China, Petra, the Pyramids of Giza, the Colosseum, the Taj Mahal and more, as the ship morphs into a waterborne fairy godmother, making mind-blowing travel dreams come true in effortless style.

Royal Caribbean offers the longest world cruise, but it’s not the only line casting a broad spell over the high seas. Its inaugural world cruise signals the growing popularity of these cruises, which date back a century to Cunard Line’s pioneering round-the-world voyage on RMS Laconia. In fact, earlier this year Cunard celebrated that milestone with a 118-day Centenary World Voyage aboard its flagship, Queen Mary 2. The ship sailed roundtrip from its Northeast homeport in New York and promises another convenient world cruise from our area in 2024.

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Most cruises around the world span at least 100 days and depart in January, adding a winter getaway element. Although countless port calls on multiple continents are always part of the deal, it’s worth noting not all of these globe-trotting cruises complete a full circumnavigation. Also, as a rule, smaller ships have an edge when it comes to slipping into off-beat ports that can’t accommodate bigger boats. Exclusive shoreside and shipboard events for world cruise passengers are a nice touch to expect, but they will differ as well. So, research pays off when picking an itinerary.

In between Royal Caribbean’s sporty adventurous vibe and Cunard’s refined traditional sensibility, you’ll find a range of cruise lines to consider. And while choosing the right “godmother” is an important decision, don’t take too long. World cruises can sell out fast, especially on smaller luxury ships, where waitlists are common. Plus, last-minute bargains rarely materialize. Instead, perks for booking early are the norm with world cruises. Those extras can include everything from pre- and post-cruise hotel stays to airfare credits, luggage transfers or onboard bonuses such as gratuities, beverage packages, internet and even laundry services.

Aside from seeing the world in one fell swoop sans all the logistical hassles, such as hotel-hopping, repetitive packing and jarring time-zone adjustments , these epic voyages have the benefit of fostering real comradery. The ship becomes a second home to like-minded passengers with a shared curiosity for what lies beyond the horizon. People who have waited a lifetime to travel and those who have logged lots of nautical miles come together. Retirees and solo travelers traditionally flock to world cruises, but the appeal has spread to digital nomads, families with home-schooled children and people prompted by a post-pandemic urge to explore.

“Older clients are drawn to world cruises, because they have the time and the money to invest in the experience,” says AAA travel advisor Wendy Marley. “But lots of people are working from home now, remotely, and that has opened up this option to a larger group. Technology also makes it easy to stay connected. I was cruising in Antarctica recently and was able to FaceTime with my children.”   

The cost of cruising around the world varies significantly – think $20,000 to $100,000 as an entry point – depending on itinerary, ship size, level of service, inclusions, etc. Still, the experience delivers something consistent. It’s a beautifully balanced approach to discovering our planet, with a familiar ship delivering foreign places, relaxing sea days juxtaposed with active port calls, cosmopolitan cities mixed with quaint outposts. And, don’t be surprised if it fills you up, yet leaves you wanting more.

Cruising can be addictive, and repeat “worlders” are not uncommon!  Segment sampling is a thing, too. So if you can’t commit to a full cruise, consider a shorter leg of an exotic world journey.   

Ready to sail away? Here are some more lines to look at if you want to see the world.

Holland America : Another line with traditional maritime roots, Holland America offers a 128-day Grand World Voyage roundtrip from Florida next year aboard its 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam. A 124-day voyage in 2025 is scheduled, too.

Oceania : Known for its upscale, perennially popular Around the World in 180 Days voyages (a play on Jules Verne’s classic – plus 100!), Oceania’s 2024 itinerary sold out in one day. In 2025, the 656-passenger Insignia sails a rare east-to-west route from Miami to San Diego, but has a roundtrip option back to Miami as well as a 200-day Miami to New York version.

Princess : The 2,200-passenger Island Princess promises big-ship entertainment and offers 111-day world cruises roundtrip from Florida and California in 2024. Its 2025 cruise, on the same ship with the same roundtrip service, lasts 116 days.

Regent : World cruises on this super-inclusive luxury line sell out in a snap, with 2024 and 2025 waitlisted. The 2026 itinerary, 155 days roundtrip from Miami on the all-balcony 696-passenger Mariner, set a record as Regent’s longest.

Seabourn : The 2024 world cruise from this intimate luxury line travels from Los Angeles to Athens, spanning 145 days on the 450-passenger Sojourn.

Silversea : Butler-laden luxury accents three world cruises, including a 132-day roundtrip voyage from San Francisco aboard the 388-guest Silver Shadow in 2024. The 2025 and 2026 cruises, aboard 596-guest Silver Dawn, sail from Tokyo to New York in 136 days and from Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon in 140 days, respectively.

Viking : This river cruise line sails identical 930-passenger, all-balcony ships and offers world cruises departing in December, rather than January, so expect to spend Christmas and New Year’s Day afloat. Despite offering two departures this year, both are waitlisted. A 2024, 180-day circumnavigation starts in Florida and ends in New York.

Explore cruise options with AAA Travel .

Would you think about cruising around the world? Is it something you would like to do? Tell us in the comments.

Featured image: Emerald Princess in Santorini, Greece. (Courtesy of Princess Cruises)

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4 Thoughts on “ The Ultimate Voyage: Cruising Around the World ”

I’d be interested in leaving from and returning to NY after an all-inclusive world cruise but as a solo traveler, I’m wondering if any of the lines that offer such a cruise would waive the single supplement.

Yes, I would like to cruise around the world. Options are confusing and did I miss prices?

Hi Carolyn, I’ve forwarded your comment to the AAA Travel team and someone should be reaching out soon to assist you. If you’d like, you can also click here or visit your nearest AAA branch to connect with a travel advisor. 🙂

A world cruise has been on my bucket list for a while, but I’m searching for an affordable trip.

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8 Top World Cruises

Dream big and set sail on the monthslong trip of a lifetime.

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Sailing for months on a luxurious cruise ship is an exciting way to travel the world.

If your ideal vacation involves spending months sailing around the world – exploring storied, faraway lands and learning the mysteries of ancient civilizations and cultures – then you should consider booking a world cruise. These epic voyages transport guests around the globe to some of the world's top historical and cultural attractions. You'll sample locally inspired cuisines from Asia, Europe and other diverse regions, plus enjoy special events on the ship and in port, including expert guest lectures, cultural programs and memorable themed nights. And best of all: You'll only have to pack and unpack once. Read on to learn why a world cruise may check all the boxes for your dream getaway – and get started on planning your next vacation.

When do world cruises depart, and how long do they last?

World cruises typically begin in January and end in April or May, but some lines, like Viking Ocean Cruises , offer voyages that embark in December. Therefore, full itineraries often last anywhere from around 100 to 150 days, though Royal Caribbean International recently launched the world's longest world cruise at 274 days. If you're not able to set sail for three to five months (or longer), some cruise providers also offer select, shorter segments of their full world cruise itineraries.

Are world cruises in high demand?

Before setting your sights on a particular itinerary, you should know that world cruises are very popular and usually sell out quickly. Post-COVID-19 shutdown, there's been even more pent-up demand for these cruises in the 2022 and 2023 cruising seasons. In fact, many 2022, 2023 and even 2024 world cruises sold out within an unprecedented amount of time this year. Oceania Cruises ' 2024 voyage sold out within 30 minutes of the line announcing the itinerary, and its 2023 cruise was completely booked within one week. Similarly, Viking's world voyages are sold out until the line's 138-day sailing on Dec. 20, 2023.

With so many world cruises booking up in record time, you may wonder what other options are available for travelers seeking a lengthy voyage. Howard Sherman, president and CEO of Oceania Cruises, advises, "In 2024, we are providing guests more extended voyage options to deeply and meaningfully rediscover the world." He adds, "While a globe-circling journey is the pinnacle of life-changing travel experiences, we have specially curated a set of Grand Voyages for seasoned and time-rich travelers to navigate storied seas, straits and oceans that boldly connect diverse and exotic corners of the globe." The line's grand voyages range from 72 to 82 days long.

Torstein Hagan, chairman of Viking, has this to say about Viking's world cruises: "We are delighted to once again offer explorers the opportunity to circumnavigate the world in comfort. Our previous world cruises sold out in a matter of weeks, and we are now seeing more interest in these extended voyages than ever before. Like me, our guests are curious people; we view travel as an opportunity to discover, learn and grow. With that Viking spirit of exploration, our seamless world cruises are possibly the greatest of all adventures."

President of Azamara , Carol Cabezas, agrees that travelers are excited and ready to set sail on a world cruise. She states, "Azamara is thrilled to offer its new World Voyage launching in 2024. As self-described curious travelers, our guests are eager to explore destinations further and make meaningful connections to each destinations' culture and people, spending more time in a given port." Cabezas adds, "Departing from our backyard in Fort Lauderdale , this once-in-a-lifetime World Voyage will take our curious guests to over 40 countries across six continents, giving them the time and opportunity to making these connections and explore the hidden gems and mystical wonders of the world, including the Great Wall of China , Great Pyramids of Giza , Chichén Itzá , Taj Mahal and more."

Anne Scully, a partner at Embark Beyond, a luxury travel agency in New York City, says, "World cruises are always sought after as clients make lifelong friends and travel year after year together. World cruises are the ultimate dream trip, especially for great celebrations such as retirements, special anniversaries and getting out of the cold for the winter!" She notes that some lines' upcoming world cruises may highlight new and unique events. For example, Silversea Cruises ' 2024 world voyage offers an overnight visit to the Buddhist and Hindu temples in Borobudur, Indonesia, two of the country's nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

How does pricing work on a world cruise?

When planning a world cruise, it's important to note that fares can vary significantly between cruise lines. Some lines advertise cruise-only fares, which do not include meals at specialty restaurants, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, excursions, some entertainment or other expenses. On top of that, many cruise lines' base prices exclude port fees and taxes. Given the length of a world cruise, even small expenses can add up after several months on the ship and in ports around the globe. Typically, travelers can expect to spend a base fare of between $15,000 and $95,000 for their world cruise.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' all-inclusive fares include almost everything you could need, including door-to-door luggage service, first- and business-class airfare, pre-cruise gala events, unlimited dry cleaning and laundry, prepaid gratuities, meals, open bars and lounges, unlimited Wi-Fi access and more. Other lines may use a mostly all-inclusive payment plan and include additional perks, like Viking's Silver Spirits beverage package. Still, others – like MSC Cruises – may include wine and beer at dinner, but charge extra for select beverages, some excursions and other items throughout the voyage.

Picking your world cruise

To help you choose which world cruise is right for you, U.S. News has compiled a list of some of the best sailings that are still available to book for 2023. Keep in mind, if you're interested in a world cruise that is fully booked, you shouldn't lose hope. Scully advises that there are usually cancellations when trips are booked this far in advance, and you may be able to get on a waitlist through a travel adviser or by contacting the cruise line directly. Otherwise, if you're ready to book your tickets and set sail on the trip of a lifetime, consider one of these eight upcoming world voyages.

Ready to plan a cruise? Find the best value sailings on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Navigate the World

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Date: Jan. 7 to May 30, 2023 Length: 143 nights Price: Starts at $94,599 per person (deluxe veranda suite, double occupancy)

Starting on Jan. 7, 2023, 684 guests will call Regent's Seven Seas Mariner home for its 143-night Navigate the World cruise. The ship sails from Miami to Barcelona, with stops in enchanting destinations across South America and idyllic islands like Bora Bora in French Polynesia. There are also stops in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, India, South Africa, the Canary Islands and more.

The cruise fare includes up to 356 complimentary excursions, meals, open bars and other amenities and perks. Guests will also have access to exclusive shoreside experiences in several ports, such as the Moonscapes & Moonlight event in Namibia.

Seabourn Cruise Line: Extraordinary Discoveries

Courtesy of Seabourn

Date: Jan. 6 to May 27, 2023 Length: 140 days Prices: Starts at $71,299 per person (ocean-view suite, double occupancy)

Seabourn Cruise Line 's 140-day itinerary departs from Miami on Jan. 6, 2023. Guests aboard the 448-passenger Seabourn Sojourn will visit 61 faraway destinations in 32 countries across six continents. Highlights of the Extraordinary Discoveries voyage include stops in cities like Lima, Peru ; Sydney and Melbourne , Australia; and Casablanca, Morocco. There are also exotic ports of call in Seychelles and West Africa.

In the South Pacific, you'll visit magical locales like French Polynesia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Easter Island and Papua New Guinea. While here, travelers can also experience an intensive exploration with a team of experts known as Ventures by Seabourn. These skilled professionals host optional Zodiac, snorkeling and trekking excursions in South Pacific destinations like Tonga and the Cook and Solomon Islands.

Other notable features of this itinerary include cruising the Panama Canal, crossing the equator and the international dateline and passing the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. This incredible journey ends in Barcelona, Spain . Travelers who are interested in a shorter journey can also opt to sail certain segments of the full world cruise ranging from 21 to 30 days; abbreviated sailings travel through Australia, Indonesia, South Africa and more.

Holland America Line: Grand World Voyage

Date: Jan. 3 to May 12, 2023 Length: 128 days Price: Starts at $37,199 per person (veranda cabin, double occupancy)

Holland America Line 's 128-day Grand World Voyage departs on Jan. 3, 2023, and sails round trip from Fort Lauderdale. The extensive itinerary on the 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam features a Panama Canal transit and stops in exotic locales like Papeete, Moorea, Bora Bora and Raiatea, the Society Islands in French Polynesia. Travelers will also visit ports of call in New Zealand and Australia, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Spain, Morocco, France, Northern Europe and more stunning places in the world.

Princess Cruises: World Cruise

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Dates: Jan. 5 to April 27, 2023; Jan. 19 to April 27, 2023; Jan. 19 to May 11, 2023 Lengths: 97 to 111 days Prices: Starts at $21,499 to $23,171 per person (interior cabin, double occupancy), depending on route

Princess Cruises offers a 111-day world cruise that sails round trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan. 5, 2023, aboard the 2,200-passenger Island Princess . The itinerary includes 50 exotic ports of call, from Cartagena, Columbia, to destinations in Hawaii, French Polynesia and New Zealand. Guests on the world cruise will also visit the United Arab Emirates, transit the Suez Canal in Egypt and tour European cities like Venice, Italy , and towns in Croatia and Slovenia. You'll also enjoy the magical beauty of Provence in the South of France.

Other options for the 2023 world cruise on Island Princess include a 97-day sailing from Los Angeles on Jan. 19, 2023, that returns to Fort Lauderdale. This itinerary features 43 ports of call. Travelers can also hop aboard the ship on the same date in Los Angeles for a longer 111-day round-trip voyage.

If you'd like to sail a shorter section of this world cruise, keep in mind a one 14-day segment is available. This itinerary embarks from Fort Lauderdale and ends in Los Angeles, visiting the Panama Canal, Columbia, Costa Rica , Nicaragua and Mexico along the way.

MSC Cruises: World Cruise

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Date: Jan. 4 to April 30, 2023; Jan. 5 to May 1, 2023; Jan. 6 to May 2, 2023; Jan. 7 to May 3, 2023 Length: 116 nights Price: Starts at $15,549 per person (interior cabin, double occupancy)

This Jan. 4, 2023, world cruise sailing on the 3,013-passenger MSC Magnifica departs from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, for a 116-night voyage around the globe. Other possible departure ports include Genoa, Italy (Jan. 5); Marseille, France (Jan. 6); or Barcelona, Spain (Jan. 7). The transatlantic itinerary boasts 43 incredible destinations, including cities in South America like Ushuaia, Argentina; Punta Arenas, Chile; and Lima, Peru. Guests will also cross the South Pacific Ocean, visiting locales along the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea. The ship will then transit through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea before returning to Genoa.

Cruise fares include 15 complimentary shore excursions, as well as a Dine & Drink package that features a selection of wines, draught beer, sparkling water and other nonalcoholic beverages in the main restaurants during lunch and dinner. There is also a 30% discount on laundry services. Guests can enjoy themed evenings, guest speakers and language classes while on board.

If you're interested in a shorter voyage along this route, consider booking a 22- to 94-day segment in a region of your choosing. Options include Rome to Sydney, Genoa to Singapore, Barcelona to Sydney and more.

Planning a Mediterranean getaway? See the top  Mediterranean cruises on GoToSea .

Cunard Line: The Centenary World Voyages (Queen Mary 2)

Dates: Jan. 3 to April 30, 2023; Jan. 11 to April 23, 2023 Lengths: 102 or 117 nights Prices: Starts at $20,029 to $21,299 per person (Britannia inside cabins, double occupancy), depending on route

Cunard Line 's Queen Mary 2 departs round trip from Southampton, England, for a 102-night voyage on Jan. 11, 2023. This world voyage travels to Asia, Australia and Africa, while paying homage to the 100th anniversary of Cunard's maiden world sailing. Highlights of this voyage include transiting the Suez Canal and visiting Luxor, Egypt . The ship will also call on Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, plus Muscat, Oman, before heading to Asia, Australia, South Africa, Namibia and Spain.

Cruisers can also opt to depart round trip from New York City on a 117-night voyage from Jan. 3 to April 30, 2023. Or, if you'd rather sail a select segment of this world cruise itinerary, opt for a 9- to 67-day sailing in a region of your choosing. Options include New York City to Southampton, England; Dubai to Singapore; Hong Kong to New York City; Cape Town to Southampton and more.

Cunard Line: The Centenary World Voyages (Queen Victoria)

Dates: Jan. 9 to April 25, 2023; Jan. 11 to April 23, 2023; Jan. 20 to April 23, 2023 Lengths: 92 to 105 nights Prices: Starts at $18,499 to $21,699 per person (Britannia inside stateroom, double occupancy), depending on route

Cunard Line's 105-night Centenary World Voyage aboard the 2,061-passenger Queen Victoria departs round trip from Hamburg, Germany, on Jan. 9, 2023. Other embarkation ports include Southampton, England, on Jan. 11 for a 101-night voyage or New York City on Jan. 20 for 92 nights. Highlights of the journey include spectacular beaches and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with stops across Hawaii, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, the Middle East, Europe and more.

Meals in the main dining room, most onboard entertainment, gala evenings, afternoon tea and other activities are included in the cruise fare. Special wine events and tastings, as well as extras like exercise classes, are an additional cost. Travelers who are interested in booking a portion of this world cruise can opt for a voyage lasting between 12 and 75 days. These segments include routes like San Francisco to Southampton, England; Sydney to Dubai; Dubai to Hamburg and more.

P&O Cruises: World Cruise

Courtesy of P&O Cruises

Date: Jan. 3 to April 13, 2023 Length: 99 nights Price: Starts at $16,388 per person (ocean-view cabin, double occupancy)

P&O Cruises' world cruise departs round trip from Southampton, England, on Jan. 3, 2023. The 99-night sailing on the 2,094-passenger, adults-only Arcadia features international cities, exotic islands, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and stunning coastlines. Ports of call include stops in the Caribbean and Mexico, Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia, before heading to Asia and the Middle East. All meals and some nonalcoholic beverages are included in the fare.

Travelers can opt to sail on one segment of the longer itinerary, ranging from 11 to 60 days. Shorter route offerings include Hong Kong to Dubai; Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Fort Lauderdale to Sydney and more.

Looking for a Caribbean escape? See the top  Caribbean cruises on GoToSea .

You might also be interested in:

• The Most Anticipated New Cruise Ships
• The Top Cruises on Small Ships
• The Biggest Cruise Ships
• Bucket List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees
• The Top Transatlantic Cruises

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Europe Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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35 Around-the-World Cruises You Can Take Through 2026

W hile Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise , a nine-month voyage that started in December 2023, made a lot of noise on social media, it’s certainly not the only around-the-world cruise on the market right now. Far from it. There are 35 world cruises departing in 2024, 2025, and 2026 across 11 cruise lines, all with varying itineraries, durations, and prices, allowing you to take your pick. Because if you want to take a very long vacation, or travel while working remotely, there are few better ways than boarding a ship that circumnavigates the globe and stops in dozens of destinations, sometimes even covering all seven continents.

Holland America’s Grand World Voyages

Holland America has two around-the-world cruises (known as Grand World Voyages) scheduled for the next two years:

• A 124-day sailing on board the Zuiderdam that will start on January 4, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and end on May 9, 2025, in the same location. The cruise will include stops in 32 countries and will include 10 overnight stays. This around-the-world cruise starts at $24,999.
• A 132-day voyage on board the Volendam that will depart on January 4, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and end in the same port. The cruise will include stops in 39 countries across all seven continents, including four days in Antarctica. The starting price is currently unavailable. Bookings for this cruise will open in May 2024.

Viking’s World Cruises

Map: Viking

Viking has no less than five world cruises scheduled for the next two years: two departing in December 2024, two in January 2025, and one in January 2026. The longest of the five is the 180-day (nearly six months) V iking World Voyage I which will start on December 19, 2024, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and end on June 17, 2025, in New York City. This voyage will cover 37 countries and include stops in the Arctic, namely in Greenland, Svalbard, and along the coast of Norway. This around-the-world cruise starts at $111,999.

Oceania Cruises’ World Cruises

Map: Oceania

Oceania Cruises currently has a total of six around-the-world cruises scheduled for 2025 and 2026, ranging from 120-day to 200-day sailings. Of those six cruises, three will take place on Insignia, and three will take place on Vista, the cruise line’s newest and most luxurious ship. Both these vessels are small ships: Insignia, refurbished in 2018 can carry up to 670 passengers, while Vista, built in 2023, can carry up to 1,200 passengers. The longest of the world cruises offered by Oceania is a 200-day voyage starting in Miami on January 5, 2025, and ending in New York City on July 23, 2025. The trip will cover 38 countries, make 103 stops, and include sailing around the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas, to reach the Indian Ocean from the Atlantic Ocean, as well as two days in the magical island of Madagascar. This around-the-world cruise starts at $49,799.

Cunard’s Full World Voyages

Map: Cunard

Cunard, the cruise line operating the famous Queen Mary II, the last transatlantic ocean liner in service, offers seven around-the-world cruises scheduled in the next two years. Six of the seven world cruises currently listed will be taking place on board the cruise line’s newest ship, the Queen Anne, launching in May 2024, and one will take place on board the Queen Mary II. The longest of the world cruises (called Full World Voyages by Cunard) is a 116-day sailing on board the Queen Anne that will depart on January 6, 2026, from Hamburg, Germany, and end in the same port on May 2, 2026. The trip will cover 26 countries, make 37 port calls, include several stops in the Middle East, and will take passengers around the southernmost tip of Africa. This around-the-world cruise starts at $20,118.

Silversea’s World Cruises

Ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea currently has two around-the-world cruises scheduled:

• Controtempo , a 136-day sailing on board the Silver Dawn departing from Tokyo, Japan, on January 13, 2025, and arriving in New York City on May 29, 2025. This cruise will cover 30 countries, make stops in 59 ports, and include port calls in Saudi Arabia and Greenland. The all-inclusive, door-to-door price of this around-the-world cruise starts at $81,900
• The Curious and the Sea , a 140-day sailing also on board the Silver Dawn, departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 6, 2026, and ending in Lisbon, Portugal, on May 27, 2026. This cruise will cover 37 countries, make a total of 70 port calls, and include a multitude of stops throughout the Mediterranean, in the South Pacific, and on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The all-inclusive, door-to-door price of this around-the-world cruise starts at $89,900

MSC’s World Cruises

MSC Cruises will take adventurous passengers on two world cruise in the next two years, both of which will take place on MSC Magnifica:

• A 116-night sailing departing from Civitavecchia (Rome) on January 4, 2025, and ending in the same port. This around-the-world cruise will cover 21 countries on five continents, make 50 port calls, and take passengers across the Atlantic with one stop in Cabo Verde on the way, as well as across the Pacific with multiple stops, including one on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). This around-the-world cruise starts at $11,989.
• A 119-day sailing from January to May 2026 departing from Civitavecchia (Rome). This around-the-world cruise will cover 32 countries, include a crossing of the Panama Canal, as well as the Suez Canal, and make overnight stops in Honolulu, Auckland, Sydney, Dubai, and Tokyo, among others. This around-the-world cruise starts at $13,439.

Princess’ Around-the-World Cruises

Princess Cruises has five world cruises scheduled, including two in 2024, two in 2025, and one in 2026, the longest of them being a 116-day sailing on board the Island Princess departing in January 2025. This around-the-world cruise will depart and end from both Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Los Angeles, California (you take your pick), making 48 port calls in 26 countries across six continents. Passengers will get to cross both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans during this trip, and will make stops in dreamy destinations like Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and more. This around-the-world cruise starts at $24,298.

Azamara’s World Cruises

There are two world cruises currently on Azamara Cruises’ schedule: One in 2025 and one in 2026, and both of them are 155-night voyages.

• The 2025 Azamara World Cruise will start in San Diego, California, on January 6, 2025, and end in Southampton, England, on June 11, 2025. Passengers on board this world cruise will visit 37 countries and spend 46 late nights or overnights in the destinations visited. Port calls include four days in Hawaii, five days in French Polynesia, 10 days in New Zealand, and more. This around-the-world cruise starts at $39,999.
• The 2026 Azamara World Cruise will start in Miami, Florida, on January 6, 2026, and end in Barcelona, Spain, on June 11, 2026. This sailing covers 36 countries and includes 55 late nights or overnights in the port calls. This voyage includes once-in-a-lifetime destinations such as Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Pitcairn Island, Tasmania, Papua New Guinea, and more. This around-the-world cruise starts at $38,999.

Crystal’s World Cruise

Map: Crystal Cruises

Crystal Cruises has only one world cruise planned for the next few years, but it’s an extraordinary voyage full of bucket-list destinations and events. The 124-day sailing on board the Crystal Serenity will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 7, 2025, and end in Barcelona, Spain, on May 10, 2025. Passengers on board this around-the-world cruise will get to visit 63 destinations in 31 countries, go through both the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal, visit Rio de Janeiro during Carnival, stop in the remote Atlantic island of St. Helena, and visit Petra, Jordan. The starting price of this around-the-world cruise is not available on Crystal Cruises’ website. We have reached out to Crystal Cruises for more details and will update the piece if we obtain a response.

Fred. Olsen’s World Cruise

Map: Fred. Olsen Cruises

UK-based cruise line Fred. Olsen Cruises has planned an epic 106-night around-the-world cruise for 2025. The Bolette (the largest ship in the fleet, able to accommodate 1,338 guests) will leave the port of Southampton, England, on January 6, 2025, and circumnavigate the globe westward via Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America, and Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, until it reaches England again on April 22, 2025. During this trip, passengers will be able to visit remote islands such as Robinson Crusoe Island, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Pitcairn Island, and St. Helena. This around-the-world cruise starts at $20,493 for an Ocean View cabin with two portholes. The price for the interior cabins are not currently available.

P&O’ World Cruise Holidays

British cruise line P&O has two around-the-world cruises (known as World Cruise Holidays) on their schedule for 2025 and 2026, both of which are complete circumnavigation of the globe on board Arcadia.

• Western Circumnavigation , a 99-night sailing that will depart from Southampton, England, on January 3, 2025 and return to the same port on April 13, 2025. The cruise will include stops in the Caribbean, in Hawaii, in islands of the South Pacific, and throughout Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This around-the-world cruise starts at $12,295.

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Home » Cruise Tips » The Expert’s Guide to World Cruises – Costs, Itineraries, Ships, Tips, and More

The Expert’s Guide to World Cruises – Costs, Itineraries, Ships, Tips, and More

In our expert's guide to world cruises, we discuss the costs, itineraries, ships, tips, and more to help you decide if one is right for you.

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World cruises have long been a huge bucket-list item for travelers who want to visit many cities and countries in a seamless and comfortable way. Visiting multiple continents and dozens of ports while only unpacking once sounds like a far-fetched idea, but that’s exactly the opportunity that a world cruise affords.

Here, we have a full guide to world cruises including how long they are, where they go, how much they cost, and lists of world cruises departing in 2024 and 2025.

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What is a world cruise?

When you think about a traditional cruise, you would typically think of a week-long voyage to a specific region like the Caribbean , Alaska , or Mediterranean . Maybe a short weekend getaway to a place like the Bahamas , or perhaps a 10+ day adventure through the Panama Canal or to Hawaii.

The vast majority of cruises are two weeks or less — getaways that most people with typical careers can easily take with some of their designated vacation time.

But what if you want to go all-out with your top bucket list trip, sailing on the sea and visiting dozens of ports for months on end? This is where world cruises come in. A world cruise is a months-long sailing that visits dozens of ports across multiple continents. Certainly not for everyone, world cruises tend to attract mostly retired travelers and those who can work remotely via the ship’s wifi.

Cruise lines usually deploy their smaller, older vessels for the task because these types of voyages are much more about the itinerary than the ship (therefore not as many flashy, new amenities on the ship are needed). And a smaller vessel means fewer guests and an easier time getting around — very helpful for a sailing that skews much older than the typical cruise passenger demographic.

Plus, these smaller ships can also visit more remote ports of call that can not accommodate larger vessels.

How long are world cruises?

A cruise typically isn’t billed as a full “world cruise” unless it’s at least a couple months long. The majority of world cruises range from 90 to 150 days. Though, it’s common to find some that are shorter or longer as well.

When searching for a world cruise, you may notice that there are many itineraries that are shorter than two months… and some that may even be shorter than one month. This brings us to a great option for sampling a world cruise without the full time and cost commitment: world cruise segments.

These shorter segments offer a portion of the world cruise itinerary and experience to more people and often attract a bit more of a diverse crowd . You won’t find every world cruise divided into segments, but many do have them as a booking option.

These segments typically focus on one region/continent. For example, if a 100+ day world cruise is traversing northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the South Pacific, there may also be segmented booking options for each of those regions.

If you really want to visit lots of ports in Asia and spend many weeks on a cruise ship doing so, you can look into boarding the ship just for the Asia segment of the world cruise.

This is a great option for those who want a taste of a world cruise without committing to the entire trip.

Where do world cruises go?

Where cruise ships can go, world cruises can (and pretty much will) go. Each world cruise is different. The exact itinerary is dependent entirely on the cruise line operating it, with considerations including the ship, its size, and environmental limitations; which destinations the cruise line’s guests most desire; costs and time constraints; as well as other factors.

To put it simply, if there’s a region you want to visit where there are facilities for cruise ships, chances are you’ll be able to find a world cruise that includes it. Some of the most popular places featured on world cruises are the Mediterranean, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia, Australia, South America, Northern Europe, and the Panama Canal. Some also include visits to Antarctica .

EXCLUSIVE RATES: Get Deals on World Cruises Now!

Which cruise lines offer world cruises?

You may be surprised to learn that there are actually quite a few cruise lines that operate world cruises. If you’re loyal to a specific line, it’s worth keeping an eye out if you’re interested in their longest sailings.

Mainstream cruise lines that offer world cruises include Princess Cruises , Holland America Line , MSC Cruises , P&O Cruises, Costa Cruises, and AIDA Cruises. Even Royal Caribbean has gotten into the game, as it’s currently operating its first-ever world cruise aboard Serenade of the Seas.

More premium and luxury lines tend to offer world cruises than mainstream ones. These include Azamara, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Viking, Silversea Cruises, and Seabourn.

British line Cunard also offers world cruises, including a 111-night one in 2025 that breaks the mold with its newest upcoming ship, Queen Anne, embarking on the adventure rather than an older ship.

How much does a world cruise cost?

The cost of a world cruise depends heavily on a few main factors: the cruise line, the length of the voyage, and the type of accommodation you choose. For the cheapest cabin on a mainstream or premium cruise line, expect to pay somewhere between $10,000 and $30,000 for the base fare per person. This means an interior stateroom with no windows or balcony. For an oceanview, balcony, or suite, the price goes up from there.

For a luxury cruise line, expect to pay between $30,000 and $125,000 per person for the cheapest cabin. This could be an interior, but many luxury ships are balcony or suite-only, so that would be the cheapest/lowest option.

Here’s a tip: if you’re looking for the best deal on a world cruise, go to a cruise aggregate website that allows you to search for a cruise from many different cruise lines. You’ll be able to sort based on your preferences and see options from mainstream to luxury all in one place.

Once there, narrow your preferences to ‘world cruise’ and then sort by ‘price per night, low to high.’ Cruiseline.com is a great place to do this. Keep in mind, though, that different cruise lines include different extras and amenities on their world cruises, so look into what’s included in the fare to help determine the value.

What’s included on world cruises?

Since we’re on the topic, you may be wondering what’s usually included in the base fare on a world cruise. It might be a pleasant surprise to learn that pretty much all world cruises include more in the fare than you’d get taking a regular cruise with the same company.

Each line varies slightly in their inclusions, but in general you can expect your world cruise fare to include these extras on top of what’s usually included in a mainstream cruise:

• Airfare to and from the cruise homeport (often in business class)
• A pre-cruise hotel stay and gala
• Transfers between the airport, hotel, and ship
• Laundry service and/or free use of self-service launderettes
• WiFi package
• Beverage package

Some world cruises even include shore excursions , which can be an enormous added value for those who like to take tours and do organized activities while in port.

Are world cruises worth it?

Asking whether a world cruise is worth it is highly subjective. First of all, you’re likely asking whether it’s worth the cost and/or time commitment. And like with most vacation bookings and extras, whether or not it’s worth it is entirely up to you.

The majority of people — and even many die-hard cruisers — are not willing to part with such a large amount of money at once for a trip. Although it is the adventure of a lifetime, it’s certainly not necessary to see different parts of the world. Along the same lines, many people flat-out can’t quit their jobs or work remotely, and not many have enough vacation time to take off work for several months in a row.

But if your situation is such that you can afford it both in terms of money and time, sit down with a digital spreadsheet or piece of paper and do the math to determine the price per night for the world cruises you’re interested in. Also, think about your everyday situation and determine if it would be feasible for you to leave your home, family/friends, etc. for an extended period of time.

If it doesn’t work now, consider whether you could do a world cruise a few years down the road. There are lots of considerations to be made when it comes to taking a very extended trip that could easily cost a good chunk of a year’s salary (or more!).

If the time commitment isn’t an issue and you see the value for the cost, it’s worth it to you… and that’s what matters most.

BOOK NOW: Get Discounts When Booking a World Cruise!

World Cruises Sailing in 2024

Here’s a list of world cruises that are departing in 2024:

Holland America

• 43-night Grand World Voyage on Zuiderdam from Honolulu to Singapore departing February 8th

Princess Cruises

• Roundtrip from Auckland on April 26th
• Roundtrip from Sydney on April 30th
• Roundtrip from Brisbane on May 2nd

Costa Cruises

• 130 nights roundtrip from Trieste on December 7th
• 122 nights roundtrip from Rome on December 11th
• 120 nights roundtrip from Savona on December 12th
• 118 nights roundtrip from Marseille on December 13th
• 116 nights roundtrip from Barcelona on December 14th

AIDA Cruises

• 117-night World Cruise on AIDAsol roundtrip from Hamburg departing on October 23rd (with segments available)

Crystal Cruises

• 125 nights from San Diego to Miami on February 3rd
• 141 nights roundtrip from San Diego on February 3rd
• 42-night Grand Journey on Crystal Serenity from Vancouver to Quebec City departing August 13th

• 123-night World Voyage on Queen Mary 2 roundtrip from New York City, departed on January 3rd (with segments available)
• 107-night World Voyage on Queen Victoria roundtrip from Southampton, departed on January 11th (with segments available)

Oceania Cruises

• 51-night Epic Northern Hemisphere on Insignia roundtrip from New York City departing July 12th
• 79-night Ultimate Pacific Traveler on Regatta from Los Angeles to Sydney departing October 3rd

P&O Cruises

• 99-night Western Circumnavigation on Arcadia roundtrip from Southampton, departed January 6th
• 116-night World Cruise on Seabourn Sojourn from Auckland to Piraeus (Athens) departing February 10th (with segments available)

• 137 nights from Fort Lauderdale to Greenwich
• 179 nights from Fort Lauderdale to New York City
• 61-night Longitudinal World Cruise on Viking Polaris from Milwaukee to Ushuaia departing October 1st

World Cruises Sailing in 2025

Here’s a list of world cruises that are departing in 2025:

• 124-night Grand World Voyage on Zuiderdam roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale departing January 4th
• 133-night Grand Voyage 2025: Pole to Pole on Volendam roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale departing on January 25th

MSC Cruises

• Roundtrip from Rome on January 4th
• Roundtrip from Genoa on January 5th
• Roundtrip from Marseille on January 6th
• Roundtrip from Barcelona on January 7th

• Roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on January 5th
• Roundtrip from Los Angeles on January 20th
• Roundtrip from Auckland on May 31st
• Roundtrip from Sydney on June 4th
• Roundtrip from Brisbane on June 6th
• 155-night World Voyage on Azamara Onward from San Diego to Southampton departing January 6th
• 123-night World Voyage on Crystal Serenity from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona departing January 7th
• 111 nights roundtrip from Hamburg on January 7th
• 107 nights roundtrip from Southampton on January 9th
• 196-night Global Horizons roundtrip from Miami
• 180-night Around the World in 180 Days from Miami to San Diego
• 200-night Kaleidoscope of Your World from Miami to New York City
• 111-night Epic Continental Explorer on Nautica from Papeete to Barcelona departing on February 25th

• 99-night Western Circumnavigation on Arcadia roundtrip from Southampton departing January 3rd

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

• 150 nights from Miami to San Francisco
• 168 nights roundtrip from Miami
• 116-night Grand Cultural Quest on Seven Seas Mariner from New York City to Barcelona departing July 10th (with a segment available)
• 84-night Grand Continental Sojourn on Seven Seas Navigator from Barcelona to Sydney departing October 31st

Silversea Cruises

• 136-night Controtrempo World Voyage on Silver Dawn from Tokyo to New York City departing January 13th
• 83-night Grand North Atlantic & Northern Europe on Silver Shadow roundtrip from New York City departing June 11th
• 120-night Viking World Journeys from Los Angeles to Greenwich
• 162-night Viking World Voyage from Los Angeles to New York City
• 68-night Longitudinal World Cruise on Viking Octantis from Buenos Aires to Mikwaukee departing on February 20th
• 61-night Longitudinal World Cruise on Viking Polaris from Milwaukee to Ushuaia departing September 15th

What’s your take on world cruises? If time and finances allowed, would you book one of these extended voyages? Drop us an anchor below to share your bucket list cruise destinations.

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DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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The Oceania World Cruise: 2024, 2025 and Beyond

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Oceania Around The World In 180 Days

Oceania Cruises has long been a favorite for discerning travelers seeking intimate, destination-immersive voyages. Now the upscale cruise line invites you to embark on the ultimate journey – an Oceania World Cruise. These epic, globe-spanning itineraries visit all seven continents over 100+ unforgettable days at sea. From the Great Wall of China to the cherry blossoms of Japan, and the wildlife of Africa to majestic fjords of Norway, an Oceania World Cruise immerses you in the diversity of our world. With Oceania’s signature midsize ships, acclaimed cuisine and impeccable service, you’ll traverse the planet in style.

Table of Contents

An overview of oceania world cruises – 2024, 2025 and beyond.

Oceania World Cruises typically run between 110 to 180 days in length. The world voyage visits around 50 to 70 ports across Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, the South Pacific, and more. Fares begin around $22,000 per person, but the luxurious experience and breadth of destinations included make these voyages an extraordinary value.

The ships Marina and Insignia each offer an annual 180-day “Around the World in 180 Days” cruise departing in January. This Grand Voyage sails westbound from Miami through the Panama Canal or eastbound starting in San Francisco via the Suez Canal. Guests can also book segments of the full world cruise.

No matter the specific itinerary, Oceania World Cruises let you wake up in a new exotic locale nearly every day while unpacking just once, often with wonderful overnight stays. The midsize vessels access intimate ports larger ships cannot. An Oceania world cruise literally offers the trip of a lifetime.

Why Book With Us?

Why oceania cruises is ideal for circumnavigating the globe.

Several key attributes make Oceania Cruises a perfect fit for extended world cruises:

• Intimate, club-like ambiance:  With just 670 to 1,250 guests, Oceania ships feel like private yacht clubs. There’s no crowded anonymity.
• Impressive staff-to-guest ratio:  Oceania boasts one of the best ratios at sea with 400 crew for 1,000 passengers. Service is exceedingly personalized.
• World-class dining:  From fine French fare at Jacques to signature steaks at Polo Grill, the culinary experience rivals the world’s best restaurants.
• Lavish amenities:  From a spa and fitness center to poolside service, Oceania pampers its world cruisers in style. The living is easy.
• Spacious suites:  Nearly all staterooms and suites measure an expansive 300 square feet, with all suites at 400+ square feet.

For all these reasons and more, Oceania Cruises has perfected the art of circumnavigating in uncompromising luxury.

Destinations and Itineraries Spanning the Globe

Oceania works to curate some of the most perfect itineraries. Recent World Cruise itineraries have sailed everywhere imaginable. From verdant New Zealand to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, you’ll cross both hemispheres visiting iconic ports and hidden gems.  In addition that host many shoreside events.

Most routes traverse either the Panama or Suez Canals. Transit through Egypt lets you explore the pyramids and Valley of the Kings. Crossing through Panama provides a chance to discover ancient Mayan ruins and remote South Pacific isles.

As you set sail, each leg brings new natural and cultural wonders. You may ride elephants in India one day and go dog-sledding in Norway the next. Oceania’s broad range of excursions and shoreside experiences ensures something incredible awaits at every port.

Highlights from Past Oceania World Cruises

To spotlight the immense diversity showcased on an Oceania World Cruise, here are just some of the phenomenal destinations and experiences offered on recent Extended Voyages:

• Australia & New Zealand:  From the Sydney Opera House to Tasmania’s wild interior, these lands enchant.
• The Americas:  Exploring Incan culture in Peru, admiring Alaskan glaciers, and transiting the Panama Canal thrill.
• French Polynesia:  Here you can swim with manta rays in Bora Bora, encounter Moai statues on Easter Island, and delight in Tahiti’s tropical beauty.
• Asia:  Wat Arun’s ornate spires in Bangkok, the ethereal Taj Mahal, and bustling Hong Kong capture Asia’s contrasts.
• Middle East & Holy Lands:  Petra’s ancient carvings in Jordan and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt astound.
• Mediterranean:  Stand in awe before Stonehenge, tour the Colosseum and Pompeii, and live la dolce vita along sunny Mediterranean shores.
• Northern Europe:  Explore the fjords of Norway, marvel at the Northern Lights, and absorb Russia’s imperial grandeur.
• Africa:  Safari through the Serengeti, observe gorillas in the wild, and sail the Cape of Good Hope for timeless adventures.

The range of natural beauty, ancient cultures, and modern marvels, and unesco world heritage sites is simply unmatched. An Oceania World Cruise offers the ultimate global odyssey.

The Best Prices

The best service, no added fees, life onboard an oceania world cruise.

While the destinations provide plenty of excitement, days at sea are equally memorable. Oceania’s world cruisers enjoy:

• Engaging enrichment activities:  Guest lectures, cooking demos, dance lessons, and more onboard diversions inspire and educate.
• Rejuvenating wellness:  The spa, fitness center, yoga classes, and healthy cuisine promote continued vitality.
• Tantalizing culinary experiences:  From fine dining to master classes with Jacques Pepin, the culinary joys never end.
• Nightly entertainment:  Musical shows, comedy, dancing, Vegas-style revues, casino gaming, and more nightlife cap each incredible day.

With spacious suites boasting Savoir beds and marble bathrooms, Oceania provides a glorious home away from home for all those days crossing the seas.

Signature Dining Onboard

Oceania is truly a culinary- and destination-focused cruise line.  So one of the greatest joys of an Oceania World Cruise is the amazing culinary experiences that await at every meal. Their multiple restaurants and tasting menus ensure you need never eat the same thing twice over months at sea.

Highlights of Oceania’s dining include:

• Jacques Bistro:  Savor classic French cuisine from legendary Chef Jacques Pépin in a Parisian-style bistro.
• Polo Grill:  Indulge in steaks, chops and seafood, masterfully prepared with rich sauces.
• Toscana:  Sample the essence of Italian cuisine and wines from each unique region.
• La Reserve:  This intimate venue pairs a 7-course tasting menu with elite wine selections.
• Terrace Café:  The buffet restaurant presents cooked-to-order pastas, lavish salad bar, juicy rotisseries and more.
• Waves Grill:  For casual poolside dining of burgers, sandwiches and seafood by day; grill specialties at night.
• Baristas:  Start your day with custom-brewed coffees, teas and pastries at this coffee bar.

With free specialty dining at venues like Jacques and Polo Grill that feature the finest cuisine, plus included fine wines and spirits, Oceania Cruises culinary program stands above the rest.

Start Planning Your Own Oceania World Cruise

If you crave the adventure of seeing the globe by sea, an Oceania World Cruise is one of the greatest travel experiences you can have, as it truly offers the pinnacle of luxury travel. Early booking reaps the best benefits, incentives, and suite selection. Many months of anticipation lie ahead! But crossing off bucket-list destinations and creating lifelong memories more than rewards the patience.

Oceania World Cruises sell out years in advance , so consulting a knowledgeable cruise agency ensures you secure your preferred dates and routes. We can advise you on:

• Ideal cabin selection for your needs and budget
• Fine-tuning the itinerary based on your travel wish list
• Related air travel arrangements and hotel stays
• Booking epic pre- and post-cruise land tours to extend your adventure
• Special incentives, upgrades and price protection options

Contact us to learn about available Grand Voyages and segments. Or browse our live booking engine to compare options on your own for  this voyage of a lifetime.

A world of wonder awaits. The only question is: eastbound or westbound? Let the dream cruise take shape.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oceania World Cruises:

Oceania World Cruises are usually 110-180 days in length, with the Around the World cruises being 180 days.

World Cruises are the 180-day journeys circumnavigating the globe. Extended Voyages are shorter global itineraries ranging from 30-100+ days.

The ships Marina and Insignia operate the annual 180-day Around the World cruises. Other ships like Sirena and Nautica may do shorter Extended Voyages.

Yes, Oceania offers the option to book portions or segments of their full World Cruise itineraries lasting 30-90 days.

Fares start around $22,000 per person double occupancy. Main dining, WiFi, gratuities, water, coffee and more are included. Airfare is additional.

Itineraries call on marquee ports across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and more. A wide mix of modern cities, ancient sites, cultures and natural scenery is featured.

World Cruises alternate sea days with port days. You’ll typically have 2-4 days at sea in a row as the ship transitions between regions.  Sometimes more when large oceans are crossed.

Amenities include multiple dining venues, pool/spa, casino, shows, culinary classes, guest lectures and more entertainment.

Your route preference (Suez vs. Panama Canal), timing, departure port, destinations and length of voyage should guide your decision.

Booking 18-24 months in advance ensures best availability, incentives and prices. These sought-after cruises sell out years in advance.

The definition of safe is always relative to each person’s comfort level.  The ports the ship stops at are considered to be widely safe place, but always check with the  State Department  or  CDC  for more information about each destination

Each cruise line has different policies.  For Oceania, we suggest you consult their policies

We offer more services and reasons to book with us than anyone else…

World Cruises by Year

• Wolrd Cruises 2024
• Wolrd Cruises 2025
• Wolrd Cruises 2026
• Wolrd Cruises 2027

World Cruises by Cruise Line & Year

• Azamara Wolrd Cruise
• Azamara World Cruise 2024 (Sold Out)
• Azamara World Cruise 2025
• Azamara World Cruise 2026
• Holland America World Cruise
• Holland America World Cruise 2024
• Holland America World Cruise 2025
• Holland America World Cruise 2026
• MSC Wolrd Cruise
• MSC World Cruise 2024
• MSC World Cruise 2025
• MSC World Cruise 2026
• Oceania Wolrd Cruise
• Oceania World Cruise 2024
• Oceania World Cruise 2025
• Oceania World Cruise 2026
• Princess Wolrd Cruise
• Princess World Cruise 2024
• Princess World Cruise 2025
• Princess World Cruise 2026
• Regent Seven Seas Wolrd Cruise
• Regent Seven Seas World Cruise 2024
• Regent Seven Seas World Cruise 2025
• Regent Seven Seas World Cruise 2026
• Seabourn Wolrd Cruise
• Seabourn World Cruise 2024
• Seabourn World Cruise 2025
• Seabourn World Cruise 2026
• Viking Wolrd Cruise
• Viking World Cruise 2024
• Viking World Cruise 2025
• Viking World Cruise 2026

General World Cruise Information

• Around the World Cruise Reviews
• Best Value World Cruise
• Cheapest World Cruise
• Travel and Cruise World
• World Cruise Blog
• World Cruise Deals
• World Cruise Reviews
• World Cruise Sale

Why Always Book with CDV:

Book cruises with CDV and you can get a credit of up to $10,000 for each cruise to use toward any CDV land vacation!  Click here for more info.

The special and exclusive CDV offers can almost always be combined all with current qualifying national promotions offered by the cruise line, as well as full credit toward cruise line status.

We believe in the concept of Luxury of experience.  This means that our guests are not just looking for bucket list places, but life-changing experiences.  Our passion is making that happen, and to do so, we need to think of each person we deal with as friends and family.  We are not just planning a trip or event or you, but rather a life experience you will talk about long into the future.

Our secret sauce is a mixture of people that truly care about you above the “product,” leading-edge technology, and our carefully cultivated relationships with vendors that have become dear friends.  For us, it is always personal.  Click here to learn more about us and why we are in no way a typical travel agency.

Culture Discovery Reviews:

Peace of mind, always....

• We will always find you the most for what you pay.
• We arrange the best shore excursions with special providers.
• We save dozens of hours of your time, or more.
• Access to special perks on countless Sailings.
• If the price drops, we represent you for price-protection.
• We work with the cruise line to assure everything you need is always taken care of.
• We have first-hand destination experience like no other.
• We fully support you before, during and long after.
• We have direct on-ground support in the USA and Europe.

Get up to $10,000 credit or more when you book with CDV

Book cruises with CDV and you can get credit of up to $10,000 for each cruise to use toward any CDV land vacation!

11 Around-The-World Cruises For An Epic Getaway

"Sailing around the world" sounds so romantic, doesn't it? You're sailing to remote islands with like-minded people while chasing sunsets on a distant horizon. Sure, you can just board a plane to, say, New Zealand, but there's something so pure and patient about maritime journeys. Cruises are like floating resorts, which ease their way over the waves. It's the definition of "slow travel." 

Amazingly, in the modern world of jet-setting travel, round-the-world cruises do exist. Voyagers visit dozens of ports over the course of their odyssey, each with its own landscape, climate, and personality. There are lots of ways travelers can experience "the trip of a lifetime," but this kind of circumnavigation outmatches just about all of them -- and in style. However, there are a few things to consider before investigating such cruises. First, what does it actually mean to sail "around the world?"

Many companies use this phrase — and sail thousands of nautical miles — but only around a single ocean or hemisphere. Even when ships do sail a distance equivalent to the equator (or more), they rarely return to their precise port of origin. Also, these epic  cruise vacations can be pricey ; the kind of dream that merits cashing in a 401K, and the time commitment is also substantial, meaning months on the water. But for diehard cruisers, crisscrossing the planet could easily be worth the time and money, and if this sounds like you, these 11 cruise lines are scheduled to sail around the world.

Read more: The Prettiest Waters Around The World

Viking: World Cruise

For 138 days, passengers frog-hop through the Caribbean, pass through the Panama Canal, make their way to the islands of Polynesia, and skirt Australia, Asia, and Europe before finally dropping their anchor in London. On Viking's World Cruise, you can step ashore in 28 different nations and pick from 57 guided tours. Viking has been a prolific, respected cruise line since its founding in 1997, and this three-quarter circumnavigation sets sail in December 2024, so there's still time to book.

Ships are equipped with spas, luxury dining options, and cabin beds that can be separated or combined, among many other touches. Long before stepping aboard, the Viking website has a virtual 360-degree tour, acquainting future travelers with the ship's staterooms. Viking has thoughtfully put together a reading list to help travelers get a deeper understanding of the countries they will visit, which is especially helpful in little-understood destinations like Moorea and Indonesia. The ship also has a sizable library onboard for further research. This, plus its sophisticated tours and dining options that reflect the culture of each port, may explain Viking's moniker, "the thinking person's cruise." Quality does come at a price, with full passage starting at $59,995.

Ambassador: Grand Round The World Cruise

The Ambiance sets off from London, crosses the Atlantic, passes through Panama, and hits Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America before pinging back to the United Kingdom. Not only do you cross all the major oceans, but you actually cross the Atlantic three times. Most of these destinations are warm-weather ports, including Sydney at the height of summer. Sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats are recommended on this largely equatorial route.

Ambassador is new to the cruise scene, having been established in the United Kingdom in 2021, and Ambiance is its flagship vessel. Passengers will spend their 120-night voyage in extreme comfort, traveling to 24 countries and 34 ports of call, with top-notch dining, live entertainment, and about 35,000 nautical miles in between. If you can live without a porthole, opting for an  inside cabin on the cruise , then passage starts at the budget-friendly price of $8,500 per person, making this Ambassador cruise one of the most economical on this list. You can also add on drink packages and arrange tours in advance or onboard through an agent or the Ambassador app. You can also explore the ship before you travel, thanks to a 360-degree virtual tour. The 2024 voyage sets sail on June 6.

Regent: World Cruise

The 2026 Regent World Cruise starts in Miami and ends in Miami, which makes it convenient to coordinate, especially if you're already based in the United States. Regent Seven Seas Cruises was founded in 1992 and is a respected brand in the industry.

The ship, the Seven Seas Mariner, also lives up to its name with a formidable 154-night itinerary: the Panama Canal, points along Central America, a dozen Pacific islands, Australia, South Asia, East Africa, and two Atlantic islands before returning to Florida. The Mariner arrives in many well-trod ports like Cape Town and Acapulco, but the route also includes locations that most travelers would have trouble pinpointing on a map: Lautoka, Abidjan, and Male are all names cruisers will become familiar with. To really explore these places, Regent organizes a whopping 431 free shore excursions across six continents, 77 ports, and 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sailing nearly 40,000 nautical miles with world-class spas, dining, and entertainment aboard doesn't come cheap. While you'll need to contact Regent to request specific prices, passengers can expect to pay nearly $100,000 for passage. Regent's World Cruise is considered a luxury-level experience with first-class airfare, gratuities, and 24-hour room service included. If this is your tax bracket, just wait until you see the suites.

Royal Caribbean: Ultimate World Cruise

Royal Caribbean has been taking tourists to far-flung destinations since the late 1960s, and it's now one of the most recognizable cruise companies in the world, so naturally Royal Caribbean would host a round-the-world voyage. But even for seasoned travelers, the Ultimate World Cruise is pretty, well, ultimate. Royal Caribbean's world cruise lasts 274 nights and arrives in no fewer than 60 countries. In other words, you'll spend nine months at sea and personally visit more than a quarter of the sovereign nations on Earth. The saga starts and ends in Miami, where the Royal Caribbean is headquartered, which should make arrangements easy.

The biggest bragging right of all: This cruise touches on every single continent, including Elephant Island and Paradise Bay in Antarctica. You'll find yourself in both Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia, plus ports you've never even heard of. That said, unless your soul is fueled by pure wanderlust, this itinerary may sound like a lot of cruising, which may explain why Royal Caribbean has divided the journey into four segments. Cruisers don't have to commit to the entire itinerary; they can easily pick from the quarter that most interests them. 

By the time you read this, a segment may be the only option left, as the next Ultimate World Cruise departs in December of 2023. The segments are significantly more affordable as well. An interior stateroom for the full cruise costs at least $60,000 per person, while a segment starts at $12,500.

Cunard: Full World Voyage

When the Queen Mary 2 departs from New York City on January 3, 2024, it won't return to this same harbor for 123 nights. The itinerary isn't exactly "around the world," but rather a crossing of the Eastern Hemisphere — twice. Passengers traverse the Atlantic to the United Kingdom, then ease their way down the eastern coast of Africa before beelining for Australia. The ship boomerangs back, with many stops in Asia, a shortcut through the Suez Canal, and a tour of the Mediterranean before heading back to the U.S.

The voyage comes at the heels of Cunard's 100th anniversary, making it the second-oldest company on the list. The Queen Mary 2 has been Cunard's flagship vessel since 2004, and the company has mastered hospitality over the past century, with exceptional dining, luxury suites, and Broadway-quality performances by the Royal Court Theatre. Cunard also takes pride in its children's facilities, encouraging families to travel together, as well as the great English tradition of afternoon tea. Most of the budget cabins on the Queen Mary 2 were already booked at the time of this writing, but cabins with balconies are still available, starting at the not-ludicrous price of $16,899 per person. 

Oceania: Around The World In 180 Days

When Junes Verne wrote his novel "Around the World in Eighty Days," his Victorian goal was to travel as quickly as possible. Oceania is now advertising the opposite: This journey takes passengers the long way from Los Angeles to New York City, across the Pacific, around Australia, along the coasts of East Asia, and then up through the Middle East, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and even Greenland. The itinerary doesn't spend much time in the "global south," so you'll have to visit Africa and South America another time.

The Miami-based Oceania was founded in 2002 and specializes in long-haul cruises, so they know their system well. This cruise may be especially appealing to foodies. The company takes particular pride in its onboard meals as well as in-country Culinary Discovery Tours. Passengers can also take advantage of The Aquamar Spa & Vitality Center, which can orchestrate a special dietary regimen.

Oceania exudes "small-ship luxury" and caps its total number of passengers at 1,250. Everything about the ship is more intimate than found on its larger cousins, from the live entertainment to the duty-free boutiques. If you like a small-town feel, 180 days should be just enough time to meet all your shipmates. If you can't summon the time or (at least) $47,599 by January 2024, the next ship departs in January 2025.

Princess: 111-Day World Cruise

This Princess cruise is another true circumnavigation, starting in Los Angeles and bearing west until the ship arrives back at its original dock. The 111-day cruise starts on January 18, 2024, and includes all three major oceans, both the Suez and Panama Canals, plus 47 ports along the way. The itinerary is light on Asian and African ports and skips South America altogether, but you can still enjoy visits to Australia, the Middle East, and numerous destinations around Europe.

Princess is a hallowed name in the cruise industry. Not only have its ships been sailing the world since the 1960s, but Princess is still one of the most profitable cruise companies in the world. Passengers can expect onboard enrichment programs, award-winning live performances, and rejuvenating treatments at the Lotus Spa. Each port will also bring its own offerings of special excursions, from river rafting to art tours. 

With its dependable quality of service and nearly four-month itinerary, it's remarkable that base bookings start at only $15,498. Better yet, if you want to circle the globe with the whole family, this Princess itinerary is a family-friendly cruise and offers youth programming, which is not always the case. If you miss this one, no worries. Three more, of varying lengths, are slated for January 2025.

Holland America Line: Grand World Voyage

Fort Lauderdale is the beginning and end point for the Zuiderdam, which spends 128 days making a complete circle around the globe. Holland America's Grand World Voyage is true to its name. Passengers travel across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, making port on five continents. Most of its destinations are clustered around Asia and the Mediterranean, and it skips over Australia. But the Voyage is a rare opportunity to sail up the Amazon River, with visits to inland Brazilian cities most travelers would never think to visit.

Holland America began as a shipping and passenger line in the mid-19th Century, and its history of cruising is nearly as old as the concept. The flagship Zuiderdam is a luxury vessel with a swimming pool and sizable theater. It also boasts several diverse dining areas, including the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, the Italian-themed Canaletto, and the à la carte Lido Market. There's Billboard Onboard, a special room for trivia nights and karaoke, as well as World Stage, a presentation space with a wraparound LED screen. Bookings start at the more expensive rate of $22,499 for an inside cabin, and the 2024 voyage will set sail on January 3, 2024, but you can expect additional Grand World Voyages to be slated in the coming years.

Azamara: World Voyage

Formerly part of the Royal Caribbean fleet, Azamara is now an independent company taking its own journeys. The 2025 World Voyage begins in San Diego and sails westward, across the Pacific, to Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, before passengers disembark in Barcelona. The World Voyage doesn't quite girdle the globe, stopping just short of the Atlantic Ocean, and the only stop in Africa is Giza. But this 155-night expedition should satisfy almost any traveler, especially with its 40 countries and 22 overnights.

Unlike many world cruises, Azamara has divided its full itinerary into segments with clear geographic themes, such as "South Pacific Jewels" and "Mediterranean Icons." These titles can help turn experiences into coherent narratives. For example, "Ancient Pathways" draws a historic and economic line between Mumbai and Athens, along with all ports in between. These themes are coupled with thoughtful excursions, which are often scheduled around local holidays and festivals. The World Voyage for 2024 appears to be sold out, but the 2025 edition sets sail on January 5. Passage starts at a princely $39,999.

Freighter Cruises

Some of us want to keep it simple. No need for late-night show-stoppers, cocktail parties with hundreds of strangers, or daring bets at the roulette wheel. "Freighter cruises" have gone by many names over the years, such as "banana boats" and "cargo cruises," but passengers have hitched rides on commercial ships since the dawn of seafaring. These accommodations come in many forms, and you do have to share your vessel with stacks of massive shipping containers; still, you can expect a comfortable cabin and regular meals, along with friendly and respectful crewmembers from around the world. For travelers with a Jack London streak, the freighter cruise feels raw and adventurous.

The Freighter Travel Club was founded in 1958, and companies like Maris Freighter Cruises and Voyage en Cargo have booked passengers on commercial vessels for years. Maris has arranged round-the-world itineraries in the past, and multi-week journeys are common, as enormous loads are floated from one nation to the next. The pandemic took its toll on this niche industry, and most of these journeys do not precisely travel around the world. But when they're in operation, freighter cruises usually cost a little over $100 per day, and savvy travelers have flexibility in their bookings.

Miray Cruises: Life At Sea

Sure, cruising is fun, but what if you want to turn your ship into a semi-permanent address? Life at Sea Cruises promises three years of luxury seafaring, with stops in 140 countries across all seven continents. By the time you're done with these 382 ports, you'll have more photos to sort through and stories to share than most people will amass in a lifetime.

That sounds life-changing, but we'll have to see whether it's too good to be true. Life at Sea is a brand-new enterprise from Miray Cruises, and the maiden voyage has been fraught with delays. However, at the time of this writing, Life at Sea should get underway by the end of 2023, and most full-voyage passengers should already be sailing by 2024. If all goes well, there are four scheduled embarkation options for travelers who want to hop aboard later on, and more will likely be scheduled.

One of the problems has been the ship itself. For a while, the purchase of the ship was in limbo, pushing back the original sail date. However, the MV Lara now seems ready to sail. The medium-sized vessel has space for 1,266 passengers, with a range of cozy cabins, a wellness center, and a pool deck, among many other amenities. Travelers committed to living at sea for three years should get a lot out of their floating home. Life at Sea is a dreamy concept, so let's hope for calm waters once it finally sets sail. 

Read the original article on Explore .

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•  Experience the cultural diversity of as many as six of the world’s continents
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A TikToker Shares A Day At Sea On The Viral 9-Month World Cruise

Madison Schwetje is living the Suite Life on Deck.

It’s one thing to go on a cruise for four or five nights, but guests currently traveling on the Serenade of the Seas have committed themselves to sailing around the world for nine months straight. Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, which set sail on Dec. 10, has taken over TikTok — or CruiseTok — with users following those on board like they’re cast members in a reality show.

A fan favorite among the Ultimate World Cruise guests is Madison Schwetje ( @madisonworldtravler ), who is cruising with her entire family, including her sister Brooklyn . Not only is she seeing the world while sailing the seas, but Madison is also studying online as a full-time student at the University of Central Florida (UCF). For those with wanderlust, she’s living the dream.

I enjoy having others online share these once-in-a-lifetime experiences with me.

When the Serenade of the Seas first set sail, the 274-night itinerary included seeing 11 World Wonders and more than 60 countries. Though the ship has had to make a few schedule changes along the way, Madison tells Elite Daily, “This trip is already such an amazing experience.”

Getting to share her travels with everyone on TikTok through daily vlogs with more than 4.5 million views has only made Madison love the Ultimate World Cruise more. The Pi Beta Phi sorority sister says, “I pride myself on making positive content, and I enjoy having others online share these once-in-a-lifetime experiences with me.”

Below, Madison shares what a typical (and not-as-dramatic-as-you-may-think ) day is like on the Serenade of the Seas , from waking up to the sun rising over the Pacific Ocean to studying for classes in one of the ship’s cafes.

A Typical Sea Day Morning Filled With Working Out & Sunbathing

6 a.m.: I enjoy getting an early start to my day and catching the sunrise. My first alarm goes off at 6 a.m., and by 6:30 a.m., I am out the door and ready to start my day. I am obsessed with skin care, so I’ve been trying to add new products from around the world into my morning routine.

Every stop so far has been filled with its own experiences that have made it extremely special. The Caribbean was filled with fun days in the sea, and South America was a region of the world that I had never visited before. Experiencing the beautiful cultures, delicious food, and kind people has been priceless, but today, we aren’t stopping in any ports.

It’s a sea day, and my first stop on the ship is to head up to Deck 12 to watch the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean.

7 a.m. : About an hour after I wake up, it’s time for my daily workout, which is mainly a mix of lifting and cardio. What I love the most about exercising on the ship is the view from the gym. It is surrounded by windows, so you can see the water.

8:30 a.m.: After my workout, I fuel up at the coffee shop with a vanilla latte, then head back to my stateroom to change into my bathing suit.

Once I’m ready, I head up to Windjammer, the buffet on the ship, to eat breakfast. I normally have an omelet and yogurt with fresh juice. It’s sooo refreshing.

9 a.m.: Every sea day morning, there is a 45-minute Zumba class out on the pool deck, which is an amazing energy booster. Once I’m sufficiently warmed up and sweaty , I jump into the pool to cool off.

10 a.m.: I spend about an hour and a half reading out on the pool deck. This has easily become one of my favorite sea day activities.

As a souvenir, I will go into a bookstore when we’re in port and ask the bookseller their favorite book. I take their recommendation and ask them to sign their name along with where we are in the world. This has become a tradition for me that I love.

On one of our stops, I visited a used bookstore. I asked the bookseller for any recommendations they had. With it being a used bookstore, everything was pretty random, but the first novel she pulled off the shelf was my favorite book of all time: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin .

Over the summer, I visited the Greek island where the movie was filmed. It is a very special film for me and my family. The cover of the book was different from my original copy, so I had to get it. I am now able to reread one of my favorite stories, and I have a very special memory of finding this copy.

11:30 a.m.: Lunchtime! I eat lunch with my family and friends while we talk about all the different topics that fill our time together. Through this experience, other guests and crew have become like our new family.

Editor’s note: Meet cute alert! Through this trip, Madison and her sister frequently run into fellow creators, like Christian Hull , Little Rat Brain, and Brandee Lake .

A special moment we all shared was when we were in Rio for New Year’s Eve, and we got to experience ringing in 2024 together. Meal times have become one of my favorite times, because I spend it with the people I am closest with.

An Afternoon Spent Studying For Class In One Of The Ship’s Coffee Shops

12:30 p.m.: After lunch, it’s back to my room for a shower before getting ready for the rest of the afternoon. I love to use Glossier, Patrick Ta, and Charlotte Tilbury for my everyday makeup routine (not #sponcon).

1 p.m.: Ah, yes, another latte run at the coffee shop (the caffeine obsession is real). Then it’s full speed ahead to find one of the open tables around the ship to begin my workload. I am currently a full-time student at the University of Central Florida.

I enjoy being in school, and doing it while seeing the world has been one of the most incredible experiences.

I am majoring in health sciences, and I plan on starting nursing school in the fall; I would like to become a travel nurse. I enjoy being in school, and doing it while seeing the world has been one of the most incredible experiences. If I can use my nursing degree to help others while continuing to travel, that would be the dream.

Despite being away from campus and working remotely, I don’t have any FOMO for things going on at UCF. I am so eager and excited to be on this journey with my family, who are the closest people to me.

Plus, I can study with friends who are also in school on the ship. We handle our workload while also looking forward to our upcoming ports of call. I cannot wait to see Asia, Africa, and Europe.

2 p.m.: During this time, I can usually be found wrapping up school assignments, creating videos, or dealing with logistics back home. The Wi-Fi on board the Serenade has never failed me (so far).

4:30 p.m.: I return to my cabin to change again. Tonight is extra special because it’s a formal night on board, which calls for suits, ties, cocktail dresses, or even evening gowns if you’d prefer.

Editor’s note: On a typical three- to five-day cruise, there might be one formal night; on a seven-day cruise, there are usually two; on ~two-week cruises, there are usually three or four.

5 p.m.: Snacking before dinner is a must. My sister and I love to spend this time in the lounge chatting with other passengers on board.

One of the largest accomplishments of this trip so far was making it to Antarctica, and I will never forget going into Paradise Bay and enjoying the scenery with everyone else.

A Fun Formal Night With Dinner, Dance Parties, & Shows

6 p.m.: One of the best times on the ship is when dinner opens. There is a small dance party with a song relating to the theme for the night. One night, we had an ’ 80s-themed party , where the guests all dressed up. It is so much fun to dance with the crew and chefs before we eat dinner.

Another reason this is one of my favorite times on board is the food. It’s amazing, and I have been able to try and eat a variety of dishes every day.

7:30 p.m.: There is a Broadway-style show in the theater after dinner. As a family, we have enjoyed attending these shows throughout our voyage. We look forward to show times and love to support the cast.

8:15 p.m.: My sister and I head to the pub and a few of the other bars around the ship to enjoy the formal night festivities.

9 p.m.: There is always something going on around the ship, such as live music in the centrum, so my sister and I join our friends for yet another fun night.

11 p.m.: As the night ends, I head back to my stateroom once more and get ready for bed. I am excited to some rest in before another sea day tomorrow.

I have met so many people, experienced numerous cultures, and had the most amazing time.

This entire trip has been such a learning experience. I have met so many people, experienced numerous cultures, and had the most amazing times in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru... all the way to the end of the world in Ushuaia.

We’ve had such an enriching time so far — and we’re not even halfway through the entire experience.

This as-told-to has been condensed and edited for clarity.

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Privacy Overview

Texas mother arrested after allegedly leaving young children alone to take a cruise

A Texas woman was arrested after allegedly leaving her children at home alone to take a cruise.

Lakesha Woods Williams, 29, left her 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter by themselves in their Houston apartment to go on vacation on April 4, according to a criminal complaint.

She is charged with abandoning a child with intent to return.

Deputies with the Harris County Constable’s Office made a wellness check on Tuesday following a call for service. A witness told them that neighbors in the complex were concerned about the safety of two kids left on their own in one of the units. The witness said other residents had seen Williams leaving with bags and luggage and did not see her come back.

“The apartment was in complete disarray and had trash and left-over food all over the unit,” the document said. There was a “very potent smell of urine” inside as well.

“No adults were present supervising the juveniles, and none appeared to have been present since the Defendant’s departure,” the document continued. Deputies also found a camera in the apartment that Williams used to watch and talk to the kids during her trip, and her son had a phone he used to text her.

The document did not specify which cruise line Williams sailed with or where she went. “Deputies tried contacting the Defendant to make the scene, but she was not cooperating and was switching up her story on her whereabouts,” the document said.

The Houston Fire Department was called to ensure the children “were in good health and not malnourished,” and Child Protective Services reported to the scene before releasing the children to their aunt.

An attorney for Williams was not listed.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].