The Royal Caribbean International cruise line has never been one to do things by halves. Not content with building the world’s biggest ships, it is now a month into a 274-night voyage around the world – an epic journey that has sent Tik-Tokers into a spin, with several pointing out that it’s long enough to have a baby.
The Serenade of the Seas is one of a dozen or more vessels – big and small, super luxurious and rather less posh – that set sail every January, taking thousands of cruisers on a voyage around the world (or a rough approximation of it). Cunard Line has also rolled out new itineraries, including two simultaneous world cruises to depart in January 2026.
Most are a more modest three or four months, which is still time to switch off and enjoy life in the slow lane, where cooking, cleaning and shopping is done for you. Better still, you skip the UK’s winter chill, returning when spring is in the air.
Whether you are a budding Phileas Fogg who has multiple cruises under their belt or you are yet to set foot on a ship, here’s our ultimate guide as to what you can expect on a voyage around the world – from how much they cost to what to pack.
Where can I go?
Most world cruises follow a westbound route, taking passengers from the UK or US to the Caribbean, South America, across the Pacific to Australia and New Zealand, then steaming through Asia and the Middle East, transiting the Suez Canal and arriving in the Mediterranean before returning to their departure port.
While ports of call vary, Honolulu and Tahiti are often in the mix, and you can expect to stay two days in A-list cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Singapore and Dubai. Ho Chi Minh City is another favourite – as is Hong Kong. Most itineraries transit the Panama Canal at the start or end of the voyage.
A few westbound cruises zigzag in order to include South Africa, Japan and the Indian Ocean, stopping at Cape Town, Yokohama and Osaka.
