When Royal Caribbean International’s Ultimate World
Cruise commenced in December, it created quite a buzz. At 274 nights, it was
twice as long as a typical world cruise and was a dramatic departure for a
cruise line best known for its seven-day sailings.
Once limited to only the most upscale lines, world
cruises are now found in a range of market segments, from luxury to premium to
mainstream and even expedition. In general, these world cruises operate from
January through April, often departing from an East Coast port and concluding
on the West Coast or vice versa.
However, in recent years, we've seen the
advent of unusual world cruise itineraries such as north-to-south “longitudinal”
world cruises that travel from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Another variation
in the pattern is for circumnavigations to embark outside the U.S.—in Europe or
Asia, for example.
While the average world cruise lasts well over 100
days, shorter segments are available for those who have neither the time nor
the resources for the full itinerary, fares for which can be rather steep. The
cost can also vary greatly, though, with the lowest fares starting at around $15,000
per person and ranging all the way up to almost $100,000, depending on the
line.
Nearly a dozen lines are offering these itineraries in
2025. Here’s a look at some of their highlights:
Azamara
Azamara’s 155-night world cruise—one of next year’s
lengthier circumnavigations—departs San Diego on January 6 and ends in
Southampton on June 11 aboard the 684-passenger Azamara Onward. Along the way, the
ship calls in 37 countries with 46 late-night port stays or overnights. Fares
start at $39,999 per person.
Cunard
Cunard Line’s 111-night world cruise aboard the Queen
Anne sails roundtrip from Hamburg from January 7 through April 29, calling at
more than 30 ports with nine overnights. This will be the inaugural world
cruise aboard the Queen Anne, which enters service in May as Cunard’s first new
ship in over 13 years. Fares start at $17,869 per person.
Holland America
Holland America Line offers two world cruises in 2025:
The 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam departs on January 4 roundtrip from Fort
Lauderdale on a 124-day adventure calling at 46 ports in 32 countries with nine
overnights. The 1,432-passenger Volendam sets sail on January 25 roundtrip from
Fort Lauderdale on a 133-day itinerary, visiting 68 ports in 28 countries with
eight overnights. Fares start at $24,999 and $26, 399 respectively.
MSC
MSC Cruises’ world cruise of up to 116 nights departs
from four embarkation points—Civitavecchia (Italy), Genoa (Italy), Marseille
(France) or Barcelona (Spain)—on the 2,558-passenger MSC Magnifica. The
itinerary begins on January 4 and ends on May 1, calling at 50 ports in 21
countries with seven overnights. Fares start at $15,079 per person.
The Oceania Insignia ships sails in Syndey, Australia. (Photo Credit: Oceania Cruises Media)
Oceania
Oceania Cruises’ Around the World Cruise aboard the 670-passenger
Insignia is billed as “a rare east-to-west circumnavigation.” This 180-day
odyssey, which embarks in Miami on January 5 and concludes in San Diego on July
3, includes 21 overnight stays and visits 89 ports in 32 countries. Fares start
at $48,399 per person.
Princess
Princess Cruises has two world cruises scheduled in
2025, including "our longest voyage ever.” The Island Princess sets sail
on January 5 for an epic 116-day voyage roundtrip from either Fort Lauderdale
or Los Angeles, visiting 51 destinations in 26 countries. The Crown Princess—the
largest Princess ship to ever host a world cruise—departs on June 4 from three
ports in Australia (Auckland, Brisbane or Sydney) on a 113-day adventure
visiting 49 destinations in 28 countries. Fares start at $19,998 or $15,248,
respectively.
Regent Seven Seas
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 150-night world cruise will
be the longest in the company’s history. Departing Miami on January 7 aboard
the 696-passenger Seven Seas Mariner, the itinerary calls at 97 ports in 25 countries
before disembarking in San Francisco. Two-for-one fares start at $90,699 (this
cruise is sold out and now wait-listed).
Silver Dawn. (Photo Credit: Silversea)
Silversea
Silversea Cruises’ “Controtempo” 136-day world cruise
will be the first aboard the 2022-built, 596-passenger Silver Dawn. The itinerary
begins in Tokyo on January 13 and ends in New York on May 29. Along the way, passengers
visit 59 ports in 30 countries, including 33 overnights and 23 world cruise
maiden calls. Fares start at $81,900 per person.
Viking
Viking Expedition Cruises’ 87-day longitudinal world cruise
“From the Arctic to Antarctica” (one of next year’s shorter world cruise itineraries)
departs Nuuk (Greenland) on September 3 and arrives in Ushuaia (Argentina) on
November 28. Calling at 12 countries along the way, the vessel for this unusual
route is the ice-rated, 378-passenger Viking Octantis. Fares start at $74,995
per person.
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