115 day cruise around the world

26 countries in 116 days: Princess Cruises will sail its longest cruise ever in 2025

Many cruise lines have seen higher demand for long sailings , and now Princess Cruises is going bigger than ever. The cruise line announced a new 2025 World Cruise that will take guests to 26 countries over 116 days, the longest itinerary in its history, the line said Thursday.

The voyage will take guests to 51 destinations around the world, including the Mediterranean, Central America, Africa, Australia and more on the Island Princess ship, according to a news release .

"We're highly regarded for our World Cruises and our 2025 voyage promises to be one for the ages as our longest adventure ever offered," John Padgett, the line's president, said in the release. "Our expert itinerary planners have assembled an unmatched combination of popular ports and off-the-beaten-path locales for a global journey not found anywhere else."

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When is Island Princess' 2025 World Cruise?

Passengers can sail round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan. 5, 2025, or from Los Angeles on Jan. 20, according to Princess' website . They can also cruise from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale on a shorter 101-day itinerary.

Where will Island Princess' 2025 World Cruise cruise go?

The cruise will take guests to ports across the world, from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Bali and Barcelona, among others, including some firsts for the line. Princess will make its inaugural stops in Bar, Montenegro, and Taranto, Italy, during the sailing, and its first World Cruise visits to Patmos and Volos in Greece, according to the release.

As part of the trip, passengers can visit more than 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Croatia's Old City of Dubrovnik , and spend more time in port during an overnight stay in Dubai and more than 10 late-night calls.

How much does Island Princess' 2025 World Cruise cost?

The round-trip option from Fort Lauderdale starts at $20,539, and while the round-trip option from Los Angeles starts at $19,999 per person based on double occupancy, excluding taxes, fees and port expenses, according to the line's website .

Travelers who book the round-trip 116-day itineraries and the 101-day option by May 31 can get some perks, like free round-trip economy airfare for guests in balcony staterooms and first-class flights for those in suites, Reserve Collection or mini-suites; the line's Princess Plus package; $500 per passenger in onboard credit for the first two guests in a cabin and more.

Portions of the voyage are also available to book in shorter installments.

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

MSC World Cruise – The Ultimate 116-day 2025 Around The World Cruise

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Cruise with MSC: on the MSC Magnifica in 2025 – 50 Destinations across 21 countries

Prices start at only $15,199 per person

Experience the ultimate world cruise aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Magnifica on an unforgettable 116-day journey across five continents, 21 countries, and 50 ports of call. This around-the-world voyage is truly a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list travel experience.

Why Plan Your MSC World Cruise with Culture Discovery

With Culture Discovery Cruises, you can embark on the MSC World Cruise knowing you’ll receive excellent service and curated experiences that go far beyond just booking your travel.

We offer more services for people traveling on World Cruises than anyone you will find, all included in the price of your world cruise.  See why we are the Best Agency for MSC World Cruises .

As an award-winning tour operator since 2006, we don’t just facilitate travel – we are the driving force behind creating authentic adventures. Our own team and infrastructure allows us to deliver unparalleled cruising experiences you won’t find through a typical travel agency.

Table of Contents

Why take an msc world cruise.

An MSC World Cruise offers the ultimate way to see so many different parts of the world in unmatched comfort with destinations in 21 countries. Here are some of the major benefits of booking this cruise around the world:

Visit 5 Continents and Over 50 Ports, From Barcelona to French Polynesia

The 116-day MSC Around The World Cruise will take you to 21 different countries and 104 ports of call ranging from Buenos Aires to Sydney. Some of the major destinations include:

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Buenos Aires
• French Polynesia
• The Australian Coast, and cities like Auckland  New Zealand
• Asia with stops in Thailand and Singapore
• Italy, Spain, and France

You’ll cross between hemispheres getting to experience seasons like summer and winter in the same trip. It’s an unrivaled opportunity to see so many destinations in 21 different countries in one journey.  You will be crossing the Atlantic, the South Pacific Ocean, and The Indian Ocean.

All-Inclusive Luxury Onboard the MSC Magnifica

MSC Cruises offers outstanding amenities and service on board the MSC Magnifica. Spend your days being pampered at the spa, browsing boutique shops, swimming in pools, enjoying shows, working out, and more.

The MSC World Cruise 2025 will take place on the MSC Magnifica ship after a major $200 million renovation. You can expect excellent dining, entertainment, and newly enhanced staterooms and public areas. It’s an all-inclusive luxury experience throughout over 100 days at sea and in port.

15 Port Excursions Included In The Price

15 shore excursions are Included in the price of the world cruise in 2025 at some of the most amazing destinations in the world.  They are:

• Malaga, Spain:  MALAGA CITY TOUR
• Casablanca, Morocco:  CITY TOUR AND HASSAN II’ S MOSQUE
• Rio De Janeiro, Brazil:  SIGHTS OF RIO & SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN PANORAMA
• Buenos Aires, Argentina:  THE CHARMS OF BUENOS AIRES
• Valparaíso, Chile:  CITY TOUR VALPARAÍSO & VIÑA DEL MAR
• Papeete, French Polynesia  EAST COAST TAHITI
• Auckland, New Zealand:  AUCKLAND MUSEUM AND WATERFRONT SIGHTS 
• Sydney, Australia:  DISCOVERING SYDNEY
• Adelaide, Australia:  PANORAMIC TOUR OF ADELAIDE
• Fremantle, Australia:  FREMANTLE & PERTH ORIENTATION
• Benoa, Indonesia:  HIGHLIGHTS OF UBUD
• Port Klang, Malaysia:  HIGHLIGHTS OF KUALA LUMPUR 
• Colombo, Sri Lanka:  COLOURS OF COLOMBO TOUR WITH TRADITIONAL SHOW
• Aqaba, Jordan:  WONDERS OF PETRA
• Messina, Italy:  MESSINA CITY TOUR

Unique Overnight and Extended Stays

An advantage of the longer MSC World Cruise itinerary is that it offers overnight and extended stays in many of the most desired ports of call. This gives you more time to explore destinations like Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, The Polynesian Islands, and Sydney without having to rush back to the ship.

With extended time in port, you can take part in included shore excursions or venture out to experience places at a more leisurely pace. It’s a way to gain a deeper understanding of local cultures.

The Best Prices

The best service, no added fees, cruise while you sleep between destinations.

One of the best aspects of a world cruise is waking up in a new destination almost every day. The cruise ship handles traveling between ports as you sleep in your comfortable stateroom, and you never feel jet-lag!

You maximize time traveling around the world without having to spend days on airplanes jetting between countries. Simply board MSC Magnifica, and the cruise line takes care of transit logistics for you.

Friendly Atmosphere and Staff

MSC Cruises promotes an interactive, family-friendly ambiance with events and activities that bring passengers together. You’ll meet intriguing people from around the world on a diverse ship. The staff is warm and attentive providing top-notch service.

Flexible Booking for 2025 World Cruises

Booking the voyage with  Culture Discovery Vacations provides flexibility to modify plans while protecting your investment. We will ensure you get the best world cruise experience at an incredible value.

Overview of the MSC World Cruise Itinerary

Spanning January to May 2025, the 120-day round-the-world MSC World Cruise itinerary is truly epic. You’ll cross between hemispheres, experiencing tropical destinations along with exotic locales as you allow the ship to take you around the world.

Within this globe-spanning itinerary, MSC Cruises arranges included shore excursions at each port of call along with pre-bookable optional tours for deeper explorations. It’s the most seamless way to see so many bucket list destinations.

Booking the MSC World Cruise

Booking through Culture Discovery Vacations gives you a strong advocate for getting the best deal while providing a seamless booking experience. We’ll handle all the trip-planning details for you.

Reserve Early for Best Offer

Booking an MSC World Cruise early locks in the best cabin selection and pricing. Availability is limited on this popular world cruise itinerary.

Purchase Travel Insurance

Protect your investment by purchasing travel insurance for your cruise. Our advisors can provide recommendations for comprehensive coverage.

Arrange Airfare and Transfers

We can help arrange flights and transfers to the MSC World Cruise cruise departure and arrival ports which are convenient add-ons to complete your trip planning.

Passport and Visa Requirements

Most destinations require 6+ months of passport validity. Visa requirements vary by nationality. Culture Discovery Vacations  will provide guidance to ensure you have proper documentation.

With Culture Discovery Vacations , you benefit from the knowledge of cruise experts who create a seamless, stress-free booking experience. We’ll save you time and money while getting you on the MSC World Cruise of your dreams!

Life on Board MSC World Cruise Ships

MSC Cruises offers a relaxed sophisticated atmosphere on its ships. You’ll enjoy world-class dining, entertainment, amenities and service throughout your voyage. Here’s a glimpse of what life on board is like:

State-of-the-Art Facilities

After a $200 million makeover, the MSC Magnifica  will be ready for the 2025 MSC World Cruise, featuring newly enhanced staterooms, restaurants, lounges, shops, entertainment venues and more. She provides an intimate, elegant setting for experiencing the world.

Alluring Accommodations

From interior to oceanview to balcony, staterooms provide comfortable retreats after full days ashore. Select categories give you closer access to conveniences like lounges, restaurants and promenades.

Mouthwatering Cuisine

The ship’s buffets and main dining rooms provide diverse, made-from-scratch cuisine. Specialty restaurants like a steakhouse, teppanyaki grill, and sushi bar provide added diversity and ambiance.

Spectacular Entertainment

Catch full-scale theater productions in the main show lounge. Enjoy live music, comedy shows, cultural performances, theme parties, guest lecturers, and late night social scenes across venues.

Extensive Enrichment

Join workshops focused on digital photography, arts & crafts, cooking demos, dance classes, language lessons and port lectures to enhance your voyage.

Indulgent Relaxation

Unwind in refined comfort at the full-service spa, saunas, hot tubs, adults-only retreats, and pools lined with sun loungers. Work out in the well-equipped gym and sports areas.

Thrilling Activities

Try the F1 simulator, 4D cinema, bowling alley, F1 race car experience, virtual games, family activities, and outdoor waterpark for non-stop fun.

With so many dining, entertainment and relaxation options, you’ll never be bored on your days at sea. The ship provides the seamless transportation between incredible destinations.

Extend Your Experience with Culture Discovery Vacations

Once you’ve experienced an unforgettable MSC World Cruise, you may want to extend your exploration on a pre- or post-cruise trip. Culture Discovery Vacations provides enriching land extensions and tours to give you a deeper immersion into destinations.

Pre-Cruise Extensions

Add extra days in embarkation cities like Rome, Barcelona, Miami, San Francisco, Sydney, Auckland, and more. Absorb rich history and culture before or after your cruise.

Multi-Day Land Tours

Journey on guided excursions to places like the Pyramids of Egypt, Taj Mahal in India, ancient sites of Israel and Jordan, and the Outback of Australia.

Private Tours

Craft custom private tours and transfers for a personalized experience focused entirely on your interests. We are highly focused on designing a memorable adventure of a lifetime.

Experienced Local Guides

Our extensive connections provide local experts who share insider perspectives on culture, history, and daily life in destinations around the world.

Seamless Logistics

Leave the planning and logistics to us while you simply soak up inspiring places and people. We take care for you like family.

With Culture Discovery Vacations , your whole journey becomes more culturally immersive and meaningful. Contact us to start planning your extended pre- and post-cruise explorations.

Frequently Asked Questions About MSC World Cruises

Here are answers to some common questions travelers have about booking the MSC World Cruise:

We recommend booking an MSC World Cruise 12-18 months in advance if possible. Early booking ensures best pricing, promotions, and cabin availability on these popular sailings.

DINE & DRINK PACKAGE : This cruise includes beverages in the Main on-board restaurants during Lunch and Dinner opening hours and in the Buffet Area during assigned Lunch and Dinner Hours  only . The package includes a variety of wines served by the glass (white, red, rose & sparkling wines), draught beer, mineral water, fountain-soda & fruit juices (by the glass).  Buffet Opening Hours : lunch: 11:30h – 16:00h / dinner: 17:30h – 22:30h.

The package is not valid for use in any speciality restaurant or bars outside of the buffet area. 

LAUNDRY:  30% off All Laundry Services.

ACTIVITIES : A comprehensive activity schedule with theme evenings, language classes, cultural guest speakers and much more.

For the full voyage, starting prices are $15,199 per person double occupancy for an inside cabin. Oceanview and balcony cabins are more expensive, but still one of the world’s best values for a world cruise experience. Additional costs include airfare, excursions, gratuities, and more.

Yes, MSC Cruises offers airfare packages or you can book flights independently. Culture Discovery Vacations also provides airfare quotes and booking assistance.

MSC Cruises automatically adds gratuity charges to your onboard account to cover dining and housekeeping staff. You are welcome to adjust the amount based on level of service. Additional tips for concierge, spa, etc. are at your discretion.

The relaxed sophistication of MSC Cruises attracts more middle-aged to older travelers and fewer children. However they tend to attract a younger average than other world cruises. Their interactive atmosphere encourages mingling across generations.

Travel insurance is highly recommended to protect your investment. Coverage like trip cancellation/interruption, emergency medical and weather delay can give peace of mind.

At Culture Discovery Vacations ,  we are happy to answer all your questions and walk you through the entire booking process for an amazing voyage with MSC Cruises. Feel free to reach out anytime !

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 MSC, we suggest you consult their Terms and Conditions , Passengers Bill of Rights , and Conditions of Carriage for specific details.

MSC takes great care to cater to many special needs.  You can see their full policy here .

Start Planning Your MSC World Cruise Adventure

Embarking on an iconic round-the-world voyage with MSC Cruises is a dream trip for many travelers. With 5 continents, 21 countries, over 50 ports and unforgettable experiences, the MSC World Cruise offers an unrivaled way to see the planet in style and comfort.

Culture Discovery Vacations provides the expertise, connections and services to help you book this once-in-a-lifetime journey seamlessly. We listen to your travel vision and craft your ideal itinerary with exclusive perks and benefits you won’t find elsewhere.

We treat you like family and give your trip our full personal attention. Take advantage of special promotions, get the best value, and have an advocate in your corner every step of the booking process.

Trust Culture Discovery Vacations to create an experience that goes beyond simply booking travel. We make your MSC World Cruise dream a reality! Allow us to guide you on the exploration of a lifetime.

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

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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.

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10 Around-the-world Cruises for the Trip of a Lifetime

These world cruises offer the ultimate itineraries.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Want to island hop around French Polynesia, visit Africa's incredible cities, and cruise through Asia without ever switching hotels or repacking your bags? An around-the-world cruise provides the ultimate itinerary, packed with exciting international destinations (some even visit hard-to-reach destinations like Easter Island and Antarctica), and luxury cruise lines provide comfortable accommodations, specialty restaurants, and plenty to do on and off the ship.

There are two main things you need before booking a world cruise: plenty of time and some spare cash. Prices range from around $20,000 to upwards of $100,000 per person, and all our top picks are more than 100 days (one is even a whopping 275 days), so they're ideal for retired travelers looking for their next big adventure. Pack wisely for a range of destinations and climates, and get ready for the journey of a lifetime, filled with postcard-perfect destinations and new friends (because you're bound to meet a travel buddy or two after 100-plus days on a ship). If an around-the-world cruise is at the top of your travel list, you'll want to book sooner rather than later — these journeys frequently sell out because many cruise lines only offer a limited number of sailings.

Here are ten of the best around-the-world cruises you can take in 2023 and 2024.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking world cruise.

See 28 countries on the 138-day Viking World Cruise from Fort Lauderdale to London. After departing from Florida, the Viking Sky will sail the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, stopping in sunny destinations before crossing the Panama Canal to reach the Pacific. From there, the ship will visit destinations in Mexico and the continental United States, continuing on to Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand, and Australia. Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and India are among the ports in Asia, then it's on to the Middle East before traveling to Europe, where final destinations include Italy, Spain, and Portugal en route to London. Fares start at $59,995.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Moments in time: world cruise 2024.

Sail around the world in 132 nights aboard the Seven Seas Mariner on a round-trip journey from Miami. You'll spend the days at sea enjoying the luxury ship's amenities, including the spa and several restaurants and lounges, between stops in destinations like Costa Rica, Mexico, Hawaii, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, India, UAE, Israel, and Italy, among others. This 2024 world cruise , with fares starting at $73,499, is officially sold out , but you can join a waitlist to be notified of cancellations.

Royal Caribbean

The ultimate world cruise.

Royal Caribbean pulls out all the stops — and there are more than 150 of them — on this 274-night cruise to all seven continents. The itinerary aboard the Serenade of the Seas begins in Miami on December 10, 2023, and visits more than 60 countries, including Brazil, Ecuador, Nicaragua, French Polynesia, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Romania, and Greenland, before ending in Miami on September 10, 2024. Travelers who don't want to commit to the entire cruise can book shorter segments. Fares start at $59,999 for this cruise that gives travelers the opportunity to visit 11 of the great wonders of the world, including the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, and Chichen Itza.

World Cruise 2024

Enjoy 133 days on Silversea's Silver Shadow with this round-trip sailing from San Francisco. During that time, the ship will visit 65 ports in 14 countries, including Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Japan, and Canada. Fares start at $66,000 for this 2024 sailing, which currently has waitlist availability.

2024 World Cruise: Extraordinary Horizons

Climb aboard the Seabourn Sojourn for a 145-day world cruise from Los Angeles to Athens, visiting 72 ports in 28 countries. The cruise departs Los Angeles and goes to Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, Vietnam, Japan, and China — just to name a few places — before ending in Greece. Visit the website for booking details and shorter segments.

Oceania Cruises

Around the world in 180 days.

Travelers on Oceania's 180-day round-trip cruise from Los Angeles to New York aboard the Insignia will see some of the world's most impressive sights. Highlights include stops in stunning French Polynesia, Indonesia, Thailand, Egypt, Spain, France, and Iceland. Fares start at $48,499 for the 2024 sailing .

MSC Cruises

Msc world cruise 2024.

The MSC Poesia will take guests to 56 destinations on this 120-day cruise starting in Rome. Countries visited during this journey include Argentina, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, and Jordan. When you're not exploring each port, you can relax in the swimming pools and hot tubs, visit the many restaurants, bars, and lounges, or go to the spa. Fares start at $17,199 per person; find booking details on the MSC website.

Princess Cruises

111-day world cruise.

This round-trip cruise from Los Angeles on the Island Princess will visit 47 ports in beautiful places like New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Sri Lanka, UAE, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Bermuda, Mexico, and more. Fares for this 2024 sailing start at $19,497.

Holland America Line

128-day grand world voyage.

Explore the world on this 128-day round-trip journey from Fort Lauderdale on the Zuiderdam . This cruise's itinerary includes a trip down the Amazon River, stops in the Caribbean, a Panama Canal crossing, and stops in cities like Honolulu, Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, and more. Fares start at $23,599 for this 2024 cruise .

Azamara World Cruise

This 155-night itinerary to more than 40 countries kicks off in Fort Lauderdale and finishes in Barcelona. The itinerary features ports for experiencing some of the great wonders of the world, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, as well as Petra in Jordan and the Colosseum in Rome. Travelers can also choose to join segments of the cruise aboard the Azamara Onward for as few as 10 nights. Fares for this 2024 sailing start at $36,379.

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Princess Cruises unveils Epic 116-day World Cruise 2025

Princess Cruises has announced its longest voyage to date for 2025, a 116-day World Cruise covering over 33,500 nautical miles and visiting 51 destinations across six continents.

Guests can choose from two roundtrip options departing from Fort Lauderdale FL on January 5th or Los Angeles CA on January 20th, 2025, with stops in Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific, the Mediterranean, Central America, Africa, Asia, and more.

Scheduled for the Island Princess ship , this extraordinary journey will also visit for the first time (for the Princess brand) the popular port cities Bar Montenegro , and Taranto Italy , as well as Greece's Patmos Island and Volos (port for the Meteora Monasteries). The voyage will offer access to 27 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Alexandria for historic Cairo and the pyramids, the Singapore Botanical Gardens, the Old City of Dubrovnik , The Ancient Greek City of Ephesus , and The Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse.

Guests can enjoy an overnight stay in Dubai and 11 late-night calls to explore popular destinations like Cartagena, Casablanca , and Sydney . Optional shore excursions include the Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni, Malta’s oldest underground temple and necropolis, and walking in the footsteps of ancient Romans in Cartagena, Spain , and viewing Leonardo da Vinci’s magnificent The Last Supper in Milan (Genoa), Italy .

Early booking benefits are available for guests who book the 116-day roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale or Los Angeles voyages and the 101-day World Cruise option from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale by May 31, 2023. These benefits include first-class or economy roundtrip airfare, Princess Plus, onboard spending money, specialty dining, Captain’s Circle Benefits, and a limited-time offer on liners to or from Dubai .

Guests paying in full for the World Cruise by May 31, 2023, will also receive an additional 5% Future Cruise Credit on their cruise fare.

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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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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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2026 World Cruise: Ring of Fire

We invite you to step into a world where luxury and comfort meet adventure and enchanting exploration. This World Cruise is a masterful mosaic of moments, weaving together 63 destinations in 14 countries, featuring 7 overnights; focused on uncovering the natural treasures and hidden gems of the Ring of Fire.

What's Included

New! For 2026

A Seabourn World Cruise has an extensive list of ultra-luxury amenities and inclusions and for 2026, we're excited to add even more:

• Upgraded WiFi package, powered by Starlink
• $2,000USD Shipboard Credit Increase, up to $10,000USD per suite
• Medical Services Package
• 2-Night pre-cruise hotel stay

Full Amenities Exclusively for World Cruise guests include:

Gala Bon Voyage Dinner

Nights Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay

Ring of Fire: Hidden Gems

This voyage will explore the lush volcanic islands and atolls of the South Pacific, circumnavigate the wild coasts of Australia, and weave through the beguiling islands of Japan at the cusp of spring flowers season before crossing the North Pacific to Glacier Bay National Park to usher in the Alaskan summer.

Pearls of the South Pacific

Coral Coast & Sapphire Seas

Isle of Jade and Beyond

Golden Gardens & Glaciers

Destinations

Nautical miles

Los Angeles to Sydney

Savor a picture-perfect start as you cruise through the stunning volcanic landscapes of Hawaii and French Polynesia, before diving deep into a trove of 8 New Zealand ports. Enjoy extended stays in Honolulu, Bora Bora, and Tahiti (Papeete), and an overnight in Auckland, New Zealand before visiting the untouched Fiordland National Park, where lush, emerald forests meet pristine fjords.

Easo, Lifou, New Caledonia

The warm embrace of the Loyalty Islands awaits your exploration in this seaside settlement with breathtaking, panoramic views of jewel-toned Santal Bay. Featured Shore Excursion: Cliffs of Jokin Experience the towering Cliffs of Jokin, whose walls were once the island's barrier reef. The breathtaking 120-foot-tall cliffs consist of layers of ancient, fossilized corals and marine life -- a fascinating glimpse of pre-history.

Suva, Vitu Levu, Fiji

The vibrant heart of Viti Levu's southeastern coast, beckons with tropical allure. Suva stands as a dynamic metropolis that harmoniously blends history, culture, and commerce. Featured Shore Excursions: The Jewel Of Fiji A longboat cruise takes you past Fiji’s lush tropical rain forest and up a gorge to see cascading waterfalls. Witness a kava ceremony in an authentic village. Take advantage of the chance to swim in the "Magic Waterfall."

Seabourn Exclusive Excursion

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Russell, Bay of Islands is as historic as it is charming. It is the country's first seaport and first European settlement, and home to New Zealand's first licensed hotel and bar. Featured Shore Excursion: Glowworms, Giants & Wine Visit the magical Kawiti Glow-Worm Caves accompanied by a guide from the Kawiti family. In the Puketi kauri forest, encounter New Zealand's sleeping giants. Complete your experience with a wine tasting at an award-winning vineyard.

Coral Coast: Circumnavigation & Sapphire Seas

Sydney to hong kong.

Next, embark on unforgettable adventure as Seabourn Sojourn circumnavigates Australia; visiting all six states and the Northern Territory, before following a trail of tropical gems leading North to the vibrant destination of Hong Kong. With overnights in Sydney, and Melbourne, as well as late evening departures from Hobart, Broome, Lombok, and Bali (Benoa), this segment of the journey urges you to slow down and step off the beaten path.

Melbourne, Australia

This is Australia’s cosmopolitan heart with cutting-edge art and architecture, historic galleries, attractions and museums, plus a dizzying range of eateries, markets and bars. Featured Shore Excursion: Bruny Island Explorer This picturesque isthmus is home to elusive fairy penguins that sleep in the sand dunes, and lookout points with sweeping 360 degree views of the sea and sand. Enjoy a chance to savor an oyster straight from the sea.

Benoa, Bali, Indonesia

Once a humble fishing hamlet, Benoa has transformed into a favorite for tourists, thanks to its Its tranquil waters and pristine white sand beaches.  Featured Shore Excursions: Royal Temple, Monkey Forest & Tanah Lot Visit the former Royal Temple, and the iconic Tanah Lot, which sits perched precariously on a huge rock resting just off of the coastline. You'll also explore Alas Kedaton— It is home to Bali’s cheekiest inhabitants—macaque monkeys. 

Puerto Princesa, Philippines

This hidden gem is an unspoiled paradise in the vibrant archipelago. Bask in tropical splendor, marvel at the Underground River's natural wonders, and encounter unique wildlife. Featured Shore Excursion: Subterranean River National Park This park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river—one of the longest in the world. . Experience a full "mountain-to-sea" ecosystem, and some of the most important forests in Asia.

Isle of Jade & Beyond

Hong kong to tokyo (yokohama).

From overnights in the bustling streets of Hong Kong, Busan, and Tokyo, to the tranquil beauty of hidden Japanese ports like Ishigaki, Miyako, and Aomori, each destination tells you an exciting new tale, offering nuanced glimpses of their culture, cuisine, and crafts. You will begin with your mesmerizing circumnavigation of Japan with scenic cruises of the historic Japan Inland Sea and Kanmon Strait.  

Hong Kong is a world of contrasts. Immerse yourself in bustling streets beneath towering skyscrapers, and explore tranquil temples hidden amidst the urban landscape. Featured Shore Excursion: Evening Harbor Cruise At night, Hong Kong's skyline becomes a dazzling neon cityscape. A traditional-style Chinese floating pagoda takes you through a narrated cruise around Victoria Harbour.

Hualien, Taiwan

Often known as the gateway to the breathtaking Taroko Gorge, Hualien’s glistening lakes, pristine beaches, picturesque rice terraces, and vibrant night markets have a presence all their own. Featured Shore Excursions: Taroko Gorge & Kang-Ten Temple Explore natural and manmade wonders as you make your way through Taiwan's Pacific Coast. Witness the world's deepest marble canyon, marvel at the Swallow's Grotto, and experience the Taoist Kang-Ten Temple.

Busan, South Korea

This port city is a clash of lifestyles, where skyscrapers meet tranquil beaches. Busan is the second largest city in South Korea, and often considered a microcosm of the nation.  Featured Shore Excursion: Korean Cuisine This is your hands-on chance to help make some local Korean food. At the Cooking Institute, an instructor will guide you in the creation of several Korean dishes—you’ll learn to make Bulgogi or Kimchi.

Tokyo (Yokohama) to Vancouver

After an overnight in Tokyo, you’ll set sail on a golden transpacific voyage, transporting you from the gleaming energy of Golden Week, through the sparkling blue waters for the Pacific before greeting Alaska in all its summer glory. The world feels smaller as you discover that the cultures on both sides of the Pacific have more in common than you thought: including a gold rush, indigenous cultures, and love of seafood.

Hitachinaka, Japan

Often hailed as the “Flower & Seaside town”, this quaint village's serene atmosphere and close connection to nature create an ideal setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. Featured Shore Excursion: Local Sake Brewery & Hitachi Seaside Park Drive to Hitachi Seaside Park, covering nearly 870 acres. The colors and species of the flowers in the park beautifully reflect the changing seasons. Continue to a local Sake Brewery, originally established by samurai warriors with a mission to revitalize the economy.

Kushiro, Japan

The city is well known for Japan's largest marshland. Dedicated as a national park, the marshland is home to rare, wild Japanese red-crown cranes during the winter months. Featured Shore Excursions: Lake Mashu and Onsen (natural baths) Lake Mashu, and its transparent emerald-colored waters, has been revered since ancient time as the "lake of the gods" by the Anui people. After lunch experience Kawayu Onsen, which has numerous natural ashiyu (foot baths) where travelers can soak their tired feet.

Sitka, Alaska

Sitka is the only Inside Passage community that fronts the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its Tlingit culture and picturesque remnants of its Russian heritage. Featured Shore Excursion: Raptor Center & Native Tales Explore an open bird habitat where eagles fly free, followed by an exploration of the captivating native tales and ancient rain forest of Alaska's oldest National Park. On this tour, Sitka's Russian, Tlingit and American culture, past and present, comes alive.

Sitka is the only Inside Passage community that fronts the Pacific Ocean, hugging Baranof Island's west shore in the shadow of the impressive Mount Edgecumbe. Located on Sitka Sound, the city of about 8,500 residents is known for its Tlingit culture and picturesque remnants of its Russian heritage, including the onion-shaped domes and gold-colored crosses of the beloved Saint Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral. 

Featured Shore Excursion: Raptor Center & Native Tales Explore an open bird habitat where eagles fly free, as well as stunning examples of Russian Colonial architecture, captivating native tales and the ancient rain forest of Alaska's oldest National Park. On this tour, Sitka's Russian, Tlingit and American culture, past and present, comes alive.

Why Seabourn?

Intimate ships with a private yacht-like atmosphere.

All ocean-front suites luxuriously appointed

Intuitive, personalized service

Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines, complimentary caviar, world-class dining and culinary experiences, all dining venues are complimentary, welcome champagne and complimentary in-suite bar.

Princess Cruises has announced a 111-day, around-the-world cruise starting at $21,000 as travelers continue to demand global sailings

• Carnival's Princess Cruises has announced a 111-day world cruise that will set sail in January 2024.
• The almost four-month cruise will bring guests to 51 locations across 27 countries.
• The cruise starts at almost $21,080 per person, and suites start at about $66,000.

Around the world in 80 days? How about 111 days — by ship.

On Monday, Carnival's Princess Cruises announced a 111-day world cruise for 2024 as demand for global sailings remains high.

Passengers will cruise aboard the Island Princess, which will also be the home base for the company's upcoming 2023 world cruise itineraries.

Source: Princess Cruises

According to a press release, the ship is Princess' "largest to sail a world cruise voyage."

The almost four-month cruise will operate roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on January 4, 2024 and Los Angeles on January 19, 2024.

If 111 days seems just a bit too long, there's also the option to book a shorter 97-day itinerary from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale, which will also begin sailing on January 18, 2024.

From there, the Island Princess will bring guests to 51 locations, including 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites…

... across 27 countries and six continents.

This includes calls in Crete, Greece, Bali, Indonesia, Lisbon, Portugal, and Bermuda.

Interested in sailing around the world? Be prepared to shell out at least $21,080 per person.

And if you'd rather travel in luxury, suites start at about $66,000, a Princess Cruises spokesperson told Insider.

The 2024 sailings aren't Princess' only plans for a global cruise. The company's upcoming 2023 world cruises from Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles will set sail in January 2023. However, the cruise line canceled its 2022 global sailing.

Source: Princess Cruises , Princess Cruises

Despite this cancellation, there's no better time to unveil a months-long cruise.

Pent-up demand for cruising has resulted in successful global cruise sales throughout 2021, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises' 132-night 2024 world cruise that sold out in less than three hours …

Source: Insider

... and Oceania Cruises' "Around the World in 180 Days" cruise for 2023 that was booked out within a day.

• Main content

• The 115th Global Voyage

24 August, 2023 - 6 December, 2023 (Yokohama, Japan - Yokohama, Japan / 105 days)

Visit the Maple Road in Fall & See the Mysterious Aurora in Northern Europe

This cruise will take you to various historical World Heritage Sites that have lasted through the millennia, including Guatemala, where the Incan Empire displayed its mighty power; Egypt, where ancient civilization once flourished; and Rome, the historic center of the Roman Empire. Highlights of the cruise include viewing the autumn foliage in Canada and the aurora in Iceland. During the 5 days in the Aurora Belt near 65⁰N latitude, you will experience chances to observe the natural light show from both the ocean and the town.

Cruise Highlights

24 Amazing Destinations

About Our Ship

With 9 passenger decks and offering a spacious, relaxing environment for your around-the-world journey, Pacific World is the largest ship ever sailed in the history of Peace Boat.

Whether traveling with family or friends, there is a wide range of cabins to match every lifestyle and budget.

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• PEACE BOAT Around the world Cruise
• Pacific World

Privacy Overview

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 .

The best Africa cruises for 2025 and 2026

Nothing quite says "bucket list" like a cruise to Africa.

You get wildlife safaris, ancient wonders of the world and some of the most fascinating cultural epicenters on the globe all in one trip. Are you starting to understand why a cruise here is so unique?

Africa is a big continent, and you'll find almost as many ways to cruise as marvels to see. Whether you want to visit Africa's tropical Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean or prefer the dramatic red sands of Namibia on the Atlantic coast, you can do it on a cruise ship — even on the same itinerary.

And that's not all! You can book intimate river cruises on Botswana's Chobe River or Egypt's Nile River, a rite of passage for many a cruise fan. (We've highlighted Viking below for its vast number of sailings, but Lindblad/National Geographic, Uniworld and Avalon Waterways all offer Nile itineraries as well.)

Whether you're looking for an expedited South African highlights cruise or a multiweek African continent adventure, you can find a cruise itinerary to suit you. Here are our picks for the best Africa cruises in 2025 and 2026.

Norwegian Cruise Line: 11- to 13-night South Africa & Madagascar cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line has some of the most robust and varied Africa cruise options of all the big-ship lines, with 13 sailings ranging from 11 to 21 nights in 2025 alone.

Among the most popular offerings is the Cape Town to Mauritius (or reverse) route on Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Dawn. These 11- to 13-night cruises combine the highlights of Cape Town with the wildlife wonders of Madagascar. The latter is one of the most enthralling safari destinations in Africa; 90% of the plant and animal species on the island are endemic, including 103 varieties of lemurs. But Madagascar is also a destination that even hardcore safari enthusiasts often skip because flights and lodges are hard to book, making a cruise the perfect way to get there.

NCL's itineraries also visit Pointe de Galets, Reunion — a lush beach and rainforest area on the Indian Ocean. Norwegian Dawn's 12-night itinerary adds a stop in Maputo, Mozambique.

Who should go : The 1,944-passenger Norwegian Sky and 2,290-passenger Norwegian Dawn are some of the smallest and oldest ships in Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet. They suit cruisers looking for a more intimate experience than what you'll find on bigger ships. Africa cruises tend to draw cruisers who care more about the destinations they visit than onboard attractions, but the ships will still entertain you with multiple eateries and bars and lounges, several pools and whirlpools, a casino and a theater with nightly shows.

Related: The 9 classes of Norwegian Cruise ships, explained

Azamara: 18-night Western Africa Voyage

Azamara offers an 18-night Western Africa Voyage sailing between the Canary Islands and Cape Town. The 704-passenger Azamara Quest calls on the ports of Dakar, Senegal; Banjul, Gambia; and Luderitz and Walvis Bay, Namibia, along the African coast. The ship also stops at the British-controlled island of St. Helena.

Book excursions to seek out the elusive wild horses of Namibia, take a sightseeing flight over the massive shifting sand dunes of Sossusvlei, race through the desert in a four-wheel-drive vehicle and explore the waterways and villages of Gambia.

Azamara also partners with Micato Safaris for pre- and post-cruise Africa programs to see the "Big Five" (Cape buffaloes, lions, rhinoceroses, elephants and leopards). You can book safaris in Chobe National Park in Botswana or Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Who should go : ​​Azamara caters to affluent, well-traveled cruisers who enjoy smaller vessels, a country house ambience and itineraries that focus on destination immersion. (You won't find waterslides or roller coasters, and that's exactly how the line's fans like it.) Azamara creates an immersive African experience with its focus on longer stays in port; for example, the ship spends two full days in Walvis Bay, Namibia. Additionally, the line's complimentary AzAmazing Evenings program takes cruisers ashore to experience cultural performances in jaw-dropping locations, such as the "Desert Dinner & Fire spinners and Marimba Band" event in Namibia.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: 16-night Shores of Madagascar: Cape Town to Port Louis cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers a 16-night itinerary along the southern coast of South Africa and on to Mozambique and Madagascar, concluding in Port Louis, Mauritius. The 750-passenger Seven Seas Splendor departs Jan. 27, 2026, on this itinerary and then repeats the sailing in reverse, from Port Louis to Cape Town, on Feb. 12, 2026.

Along the way, Regent offers some unique shore excursions that set it apart from other lines. Highlights include safari game drives in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, from Richards Bay; cultural explorations of Durban, South Africa, with visits to Zulu villages in the Valley of a Thousand Hills; and birding in the remote Mayotte, French Comoros.

Who should go : Regent's all-inclusive luxury cruises — which include airfare, transfers, onboard beverages and dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi and unlimited shore excursions — have correspondingly luxurious prices. Passengers are mostly affluent professionals and retirees who enjoy the seamless ease of an all-inclusive sailing offering high-end service.

Fine dining fans will appreciate the multiple onboard dining options, including Chartreuse for fine French cuisine and Prime 7 with steakhouse menus. Other diversions on board include the sybaritic Serene Spa and a pool deck, plus boccie, a putting green and golf nets for sea day enrichment.

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

Oceania Cruises: 14-night Cape Town to Cape Town cruise

If you'd prefer a deeper exploration of southern Africa, Oceania Cruises' Cape Town to Cape Town cruise Jan. 19. to Feb. 2, 2026, explores South Africa's coast in an unusual up-and-back itinerary, first exploring the east coast up to Richards Bay, then heading to the island of Madagascar, then looping back to the mainland and stopping in Maputo, Mozambique, before returning back to Cape Town.

Highlights include Durban, with its golden beaches and enchanting Indian Market, and Port Elizabeth on the southern coast of South Africa, an area nicknamed the "Garden Route" for its verdant foliage. Port Elizabeth is also a popular migratory path for southern right whales that you might spot, along with schools of dolphins, as you sail.

Oceania offers longer Cape Town to Lisbon, Portugal, and Cape Town to Barcelona itineraries (as well as Lisbon and Barcelona to Cape Town sailings) of 25 and 26 nights, too. Ports include the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Along the way, you'll stop at Walvis Bay on the western coast of Namibia, with its iconic red sand dunes; here, you'll have a chance to see flamingos, pelicans and thousands of other migratory birds.

Who should go : Oceania Cruises offers a high-end cruising experience with a residential feel similar to staying in an elegant estate. The intimate 670-passenger Nautica features a relatively uncrowded setting, with a higher crew-to-passenger ratio than you'll find on mass-market vessels. On board, guests delight in several high-end restaurants offering gourmet cuisine and elegant accommodations.

Viking: 11-night Pharaohs and Pyramids cruise

Not all Africa cruises are on the ocean. A trip down the Nile River is a tick on many a traveler's wish list, and Viking offers one of the easiest-to-book options with seven ships sailing its Pharaohs & Pyramids cruises . In 2025 and 2026, sailings depart nearly every day in the October to March high season, though no sailings are scheduled for the second half of June through the end of July.

The round-trip Cairo sailings feel incredibly exclusive, with ships carrying just 82 passengers on board. The itinerary begins with several days in Cairo, where guests can visit the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, museums and souks before sailing down the Nile. Your ship will linger multiple days in Luxor, Egypt, home of the Valley of the Kings; spend a day in Qena, Egypt, to see the Dendera Temple complex; and stop in the ports of Esna, Aswan, Kom Ombo and Edfu, Egypt.

Who should go : Adults-only cruise line Viking appeals to travelers who appreciate a relaxed onboard experience centered around learning about a destination via guest lectures — in this case, Egyptologists — and shore excursions. The cruise line's passengers tend to be retirement age or older.

Viking's fans love the ships' uncluttered Scandinavian-inspired decor and pricing that includes wine and beer with lunch and dinner, gratuities and one free shore excursion per port. The ships do not have an onboard casino or entertainment spaces beyond the main lounge area, but a shaded pool and sundeck offer a relaxing outdoor venue to watch the river scenery.

Related: 10 hot river cruises to book this year

AmaWaterways: 9-night Discover Africa cruisetour

If you're someone who loves the equivalent of a travel buffet and appreciates having a little bit of every experience on your plate, then AmaWaterways ' incredibly unique Discover Africa cruisetour itinerary is for you. (AmaWaterways also offers Nile cruises.) For this journey, guests start with two full days of guided tours and three nights in a luxury hotel in Cape Town before flying to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and transferring to the Chobe River where you embark on the 28-passenger Zambezi Queen for a four-night cruise traversing the wildlife areas of Botswana, including safari drives into the savannah.

Then, it's back to Victoria Falls to see the thundering waterfall and explore the area by both steam train and smaller sailing vessel during your two-night stay. The adventure ends with a flight to Johannesburg, where you can continue your adventure independently or with a post-cruise extension or fly home.

Who should go : AmaWaterways attracts active guests who appreciate the multiple included excursion options at every port and the line's attention to both wellness and exceptional culinary offerings. The river cruise line's Africa sailings use a chartered ship, so you won't find its signature Wellness Host leading fitness classes or cuisine vetted by the prestigious culinary organization La Chaine des Rotisseurs. However, Zambezi Queen offers unique activities like fishing and bird-watching, as well as dining that AmaWaterways calls "five-star home-cooked cuisine." A local mother and son duo from a nearby village prepare all the meals for an authentic taste of the region.

Zambezi Queen also has a plunge pool on the sundeck, so you can soak up the African views while you take a dip. All rooms have balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows, so you're never far from a safari view.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Japan Warns of Elevated Risk of Giant Earthquake After Strong One Hits

The official warning came after a 7.1-magnitude temblor struck off the coast of southern Japan on Thursday.

Strong Earthquake Hits Southern Japan

Shake intensity.

By River Akira Davis Kiuko Notoya Hisako Ueno and Victoria Kim

River Akira Davis, Kiuko Notoya and Hisako Ueno reported from Tokyo, and Victoria Kim from Seoul.

Japan’s meteorological agency said on Thursday that there was a higher-than-usual chance that an immense earthquake could hit the country in the next few days, following a 7.1-magnitude temblor off the southern island of Kyushu.

Japan has long expected a major earthquake to occur along the Nankai Trough off its eastern coast. As of last year, researchers said there was a 60 percent chance that an earthquake of magnitude 8 to 9 — even more devastating than the one in 2011 that laid waste to the country’s northeast coast and knocked out cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant — would occur in the trough area over the next 20 years.

After the 7.1-magnitude quake on Thursday, Japan’s meteorological agency convened a group of experts to evaluate whether it could be related to the long-anticipated bigger disaster, called a “Nankai Trough megathrust earthquake.”

Experts warn that an earthquake between two tectonic plates that converge along the Nankai megathrust fault, which runs from Kyushu north through Tokyo, could cause devastation. It could extensively damage cities throughout Japan, potentially cause a tsunami and lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths.

“The possibility of a large-scale earthquake occurring in the area of ​​the Nankai Trough is relatively higher than usual,” the meteorological agency said in a statement late Thursday.

The risk that an earthquake of magnitude of 8 or higher would occur after one with a magnitude of 7 is particularly elevated for about a week after the initial temblor, the agency said.

Japan’s meteorological agency issued a “caution” level of warning on Thursday. The next step up would be an “alert,” which would advise residents to evacuate from areas deemed a tsunami risk. The agency said it was the first time Japan had issued a “caution.”

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged people to ensure that they were ready at all times in case an earthquake occurred and they had to evacuate. He told reporters that the government was on high alert.

Earlier on Thursday, a tsunami advisory was issued for coastal regions on the southern Japanese islands of Kyushu and Shikoku after the 7.1-magnitude quake. As of late Thursday evening, the maximum height of waves recorded reached about a foot and a half off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture on Kyushu.

A handful of injuries but no deaths were reported related to the earthquake. Footage showed images of strong shaking in buildings in Miyazaki Prefecture, but damage in the area appeared to be minimal. The earthquake occurred less than 20 miles off the coast of Miyazaki, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Bullet train service was temporarily halted on Kyushu, and the Miyazaki Airport suspended takeoffs and landings to inspect runways for any damage. Both bullet train and airport operations resumed later Thursday evening.

The Kyushu Electric Power Company said its nuclear power plants were operating normally.

Separate from the heightened possibility of a Nankai Trough earthquake, Japan’s meteorological agency advised being alert for aftershocks of a similar magnitude off the eastern coast of Miyazaki Prefecture over the next week. It said that landslides could also be a risk if there is rain in the coming days.

An earlier version of this article used an incorrect map showing an earthquake on Japan’s west coast. The earthquakes occurred on Japan’s east coast.

How we handle corrections

River Akira Davis covers Japan, including its economy and businesses, and is based in Tokyo. More about River Akira Davis

Kiuko Notoya is a Tokyo-based reporter and researcher, covering news and features from Japan. More about Kiuko Notoya

Hisako Ueno is a reporter and researcher based in Tokyo, writing on Japanese politics, business, labor, gender and culture. More about Hisako Ueno

Victoria Kim is a reporter based in Seoul and focuses on breaking news coverage across the world. More about Victoria Kim

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Around the World in 22 Days: Why the ‘Air Cruise’ Is Luxury Travel’s Hottest Trend

Over the course of 29,532 air miles, 24 time zones, 13 in-flight meals, and nearly 70 hours in the sky, what could possibly go wrong, by mark ellwood.

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The Idaho-based couple sold the plane and started looking for an alternative way to fulfill that globe-spanning wanderlust—which is how we’ve come to find ourselves chatting somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, relaxing in comfy armchairs on an Airbus A340 jetting toward Tahiti. Jones out-sourced his dream to Safrans du Monde , signing up with the French firm for its 22-day private-jet trip around the world. Priced from about $104,000 per person, the journey includes all transportation and activities as well as five-star hotels in roughly a dozen ports of call, plus excursions to major sites such as the Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu. 

These intrepid travelers are modern-day Phileas Foggs, tackling the gist of Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days if not the dilatory pace—this carefully plotted itinerary will shave weeks off that time frame. Such six-figure expeditions, nicknamed air cruises, are a growing niche in high-end travel. Four Seasons hotels operates its own branded 52-seat jet , while Aman has teased the launch of an 18-seat Airbus ACJ319 that will pinball between its properties on private charters in partnership with Asia specialist Remote Lands . It’s scheduled to take off on its 21-day inaugural trip in September, with a price tag of $194,888 per person. TCS World Travel and Abercrombie & Kent are rival operators behind globe-trotting charters similar to those from Safrans, while Roar Africa hires a custom-fitted Emirates Executive Jet for its Greatest Safari on Earth program, which whisks a handful of travelers around the African continent on a 12-day, $195,000-per-person jaunt; that route now runs twice a year, due to increased demand since its launch as an annual adventure in 2021. 

You can do all this on a cruise ship but it takes 134 days. – Jane Dowling

“Some people come to Dubai in their own planes and leave them there,” says Roar Africa founder and CEO Deborah Calmeyer. “If you want to do a trip in Africa, this crew knows how to do it,” she says, whereas pilots without specialized experience in the area (i.e., your own, most likely) “will be terrified for their safety, with animals on the runway and that kind of thing. We’re a concierge service.” 

A preplanned private-jet trip is certainly the easiest way to hopscotch around the globe. This Safrans itinerary, which begins and ends in Paris and focuses on classic attractions (the company also offers a more unexpected itinerary that varies its route each time), includes hard-to-reach Rapa Nui, a.k.a. Easter Island. Commercial-air connections to the scrubby territory 3,700 miles off the coast of South America are spotty and often require travelers to linger longer than they might prefer—service is solely to Santiago and sometimes just once per week. Our group, by contrast, touches down via private jet and spends Saturday night at a party, the sun setting behind an ominous, wide-eyed moai , one of the monumental figurative sculptures for which Rapa Nui is famous. The next morning, we wake early to race round the 63-square-mile island and see the major sites where these monoliths were carved and installed. From there it’s back onto the plane for takeoff to Tahiti, the ink on our passport stamps barely dry. 

“The itinerary was the clincher for me,” says Jane Dowling, who lives in Arizona and runs a research company. She’s traveling alone, as she often has since her partner died. For her, destinations such as Angkor Wat and Sydney—two other ports of call—were vital; she’d had to cancel a pandemic-era trip Down Under. The speedy convenience was also appealing. “You can do all this on a cruise ship, but it takes 134 days.” 

Still, it’s easy to understand the rise in popularity for this mode of exploration. The pandemic normalized private-jet travel as an option for a wider swath of fliers: Between 2019 and 2021, commercial carriers’ share of premium travel dropped from 90 percent to 80 percent, according to Alton Aviation Consultancy , while Hamburg-based market-intelligence firm WingX says the number of business jets in the sky has doubled from pre-pandemic levels and now accounts for a quarter of U.S. traffic. 

Canny luxury operators, spotting a freshly primed market, swung into action by offering a memorable turnkey vacation—the air cruise—to charter newbies. But while its popularity has increased as of late, the concept itself isn’t new. Charter-style trips like this debuted in the late 1980s, and Safrans founder and CEO Guy Bigiaoui ran his first such air cruises in the 1990s, which was around the same time that both TCS and Abercrombie & Kent began operating them. 

“What you’re getting for $100,000 is peace of mind. You’re paying for them to babysit you. That’s a big part of what you’re buying.” – Henry Harteveldt, an aviation analyst

Some travelers prefer an even more tailor-made option: a custom, private air cruise aboard their own jet—albeit a larger, comfier craft than Bruce Jones had planned. Take the man who has done it twice already and is now prepping for a third odyssey, each planned by Cookson Adventures . That client is also a VistaJet customer, and so used one of its planes for both journeys, each around 40 days long. The first followed the Tropic of Cancer, while the second traced the equator; next he’ll follow the Tropic of Capricorn, stopping off in Madagascar and the Kimberley wilderness in Australia, among other destinations. According to Cookson managing director Nick Davies, such trips can cost anywhere between $500,000 and $10 million. He often designs them so that clients sleep on the plane, then land in the morning in a far-flung location—say, the Fijian island of Laucala, once owned by Malcolm Forbes—to spend the day exploring, perhaps incorporating a luxury picnic with a jaw-dropping view, before sleeping on the plane en route to the next stop. Expedition doctors, videographers, and hosts on the ground to coordinate logistics are typical additions to the entourage. 

Safrans’s Bigiaoui insists that such solo flights miss a key point of this type of trip. “Every year, we have a mix of people on the aircraft who would never meet—that’s part of the richness of the tour,” he says. “I had a billionaire on board who told me, ‘I could buy the aircraft or the airline, but traveling here, I’ll meet people I won’t in everyday life.’ ” 

A doctor and a videographer are on this Safrans trip, too. Meanwhile, to Bigiaoui’s assertion, two couples have bonded so well that they’ve already planned another joint holiday, albeit a more conventional villa rental. Bigiaoui says this isn’t uncommon—indeed, clients who met onboard and book again together are one of his best sources of repeat customers. 

The sheer distance covered makes air cruises something of a philosophical anomaly in the industry today, where slow travel (spending substantial time in one place, with a more mindful, eco-friendly perspective) is the buzzword. But Bigiaoui bats away concerns over sustainability by noting, somewhat bizarrely, that the average air time for his plane is three hours per day—far less than were it working a commercial route. “We are saving the planet thousands of tons of carbon. This is mathematical,” he says, with a Gallic shrug. 

Harteveldt raises another issue. Uniquely among operators of this kind, Safrans flies one plane but provides two different experiences simultaneously: Alongside my group, known as Première, there’s another, less-expensive option dubbed Club, in which a ticket costs about $74,000. (At the time of writing, prices for 2025 had risen to about $108,000 for the Club experience and $152,000 for Première.) The groups are kept largely separate from one another, sitting apart on the aircraft and eating different meals. They don’t even stay in the same hotels. The Première group enjoys extra perks, such as expedited immigration in Peru. The Club touring groups can be larger, too, at up to 25 people each. On the rare occasions when everyone is together outside the plane, as with that party on Rapa Nui, the groups don’t mingle, and staying with the Club group in a tired, soulless Hilton hotel on Moorea, in French Polynesia , is a markedly less-lavish experience than the five-star glad-handing enjoyed by Première passengers at the Conrad hotel on Bora Bora . 

Harteveldt is flummoxed by this two-tier approach. “I’m shocked they do that, because one of the premises of these luxury air cruises is that everyone is a VIP,” he says. “It’s anathema to what these trips are supposed to be.” 

That stop in French Polynesia was particularly poignant for Canadian Larry Wheeler, whose wife died unexpectedly last year. Keen travelers, they’d planned to visit Tahiti together, and he brought some of her ashes to scatter there when he finally touched down. And it’s impressive to see the Safrans team spring into action when Wheeler’s passport proves problematic: Thanks to diplomatic spats between Canada and India, he’s alone in being barred from India and won’t make the final two stops, in Agra and Jaipur . But within 24 hours, he has been rerouted (all at Safrans’s expense) on a custom private jaunt to Bangkok and Oman. “Would I do it again? Absolutely,” he says by phone after returning home. 

Arnold Weil has no reservations in recommending it. “Everyone on the trip was a veteran traveler, but it’s arguably the most incredible trip I’ve ever taken in my life. It was unequivocally excellent in almost every way,” he says from his home in Miami. Weil is a youthful 62-year-old retired orthopedist who lives there with his wife, Glenda. “Our group had fun, we were always laughing, and we just clicked. When I think about it, I’m almost in tears: We flew in a seaplane over Sydney, rode in rickshaws in Vietnam, and took old classic cars through town in Jaipur. It’s one of those experiences you can’t even really explain to someone.”

Mark Ellwood

British-born, NYC-based Mark Ellwood is Robb Report's editor-at-large. He has lived out of a suitcase for most of his life, covering luxury in all its forms across the world. Among his favorite…

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