Imagine living for the best part of a year aboard a cruise ship, exploring all the corners of the Earth with no work, rent or bills and every meal provided. This was the life for the passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas between December 2023 and September 2024, when they spent a whopping 274 nights – nearly 10 months – at sea.
Visiting all seven continents, over 60 countries and some 150 ports, this cruise was unlike anything else on the planet and is expected to set sail once again as early as late 2025. The Radiance-class cruise ship acts as a home away from home for its 2,100-or-so passengers and 860 crew members. Over the course of the trip, those on board could be sipping a hot coffee while gliding past the Poles’ icebergs, or enjoying an ice-cold glass of wine while staring in awe at some of Greece’s most picturesque islands.
The world cruise set off from Miami in December 2023 and visited every continent, offering passengers the opportunity to explore New York, Rio de Janeiro, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Greek islands, Lisbon, and even Reykjavik in Iceland.
For those not up for committing all 10 months to the voyage, four “Ultimate World Cruise” segments are available. Each offers a voyage of over 60 nights to explore your chosen corner of the globe. These are: the “Ultimate” Americas Cruise, Asia Pacific Cruise, Middle East & Med Cruise, and Europe & Beyond Cruise, each offering a unique itinerary and geographic focus.
Prices for the full Royal Caribbean world cruise vary depending on your budget and desired room. Interior staterooms generally start at around $59,999 (£47,800) per person. Ocean view staterooms begin at around $64,999 (£48,500), while balcony staterooms typically start at about $83,000 (£62,000) per person.
For those wanting a more luxurious offering, a Junior Suite starts at $118,000 (£88,000) per person, with larger or more exclusive suites potentially reaching over $300,000 (£224,000).
These figures, however, just cover the cruise fare. Additional taxes, fees and port expenses add roughly $4,700 (£3,500) per person. However, with the average UK house price now at around £269,000, on board you’d be getting round-trip business class airfare, pre-cruise hotel stays, Wi-Fi for two devices and laundry service.
According to reports, this epic voyage is set to happen again sometime in late 2025 or 2026, with the Royal Caribbean website offering the option to reserve your space now.
It reads: “Explore the globe on your terms with three thrill-topping options on the Ultimate World Cruise. Bond with like-minded explorers over 274 nights of global discoveries across all seven continents.
“Pick a corner of the globe and explore every inch of it on one of four segments. Or explore any part of the world that calls to you — on your choice of 16unique 2023-24 sailings. Choose your ultimate adventure today.”
