If you’ve ever reached the end of a magnificent cruise and wished it could last forever, a full circumnavigation of the globe is the ultimate way to extend that feeling. These voyages require significant time and resources—expect fares to range widely depending on the line and stateroom, and plan for a minimum of roughly four months at sea—but for devoted cruisers, an around-the-world trip is the pinnacle of luxury travel.
World cruises commonly depart in January and remain in high demand despite long itineraries. For example, Holland America Line’s annual Grand World Voyage on the ms Amsterdam, a lengthy 113-day itinerary that previously departed from Fort Lauderdale, often fills well in advance.
Many travelers find it practical to plan a circumnavigation for the following year. Cunard Line, which helped establish the modern tradition of extended ocean voyages, is a natural choice: its contemporary liners continue to offer classic, indulgent world journeys. The Queen Victoria runs a 107-night, Southampton-to-Southampton itinerary that includes an Atlantic crossing and a Panama Canal transit on its way to destinations in Australia, Indonesia, China and Africa. Simultaneously, the Queen Mary 2 sails eastward on round-the-world itineraries from both New York City and Southampton, featuring a mix of iconic and exotic ports across the Far East and beyond.
Oceania Cruises also presents an impressive 2019 circumnavigation: a Miami-to-Miami, 177-day roundtrip that visits a broad array of destinations, including Caribbean ports like Cuba and Bermuda, transit through Panama, stops in Australia and Polynesia, and calls in China, Egypt, Israel and several European and North American ports. Voyagers can join that nearly six-month itinerary from alternate embarkation points such as New York or Los Angeles aboard the mid-size ship Insignia.
Fully complete circumnavigations are becoming less common as lines introduce longer voyages that cover many regions without necessarily closing the global loop. Silversea Cruises, for instance, offers an all-inclusive world cruise that visits dozens of ports and spans roughly four months; it departs from San Francisco and reaches as far as London, with business-class air arrangements included to finalize the circumnavigation for passengers. Small, intimate ships on that itinerary also host notable guest speakers and authors, providing enrichment alongside the voyage.
Other luxury lines plan long, varied world or near-world voyages as well. Crystal Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises operate extended itineraries that sail from major embarkation cities and visit an array of remarkable destinations; some cover much of the globe but conclude before completing a full circumnavigation. These alternatives appeal to travelers who want an extended, immersive ocean experience without committing to the longest possible route.
Whether you choose a full circumnavigation or an extended world voyage that focuses on particular regions, these trips remain among the most exceptional ways to see the world. With a carefully chosen ship and an itinerary that matches your interests—culture, cuisine, remote islands, historic ports—a long world cruise offers an unparalleled chance to travel widely and deeply in one continuous journey across the seas.