Imagine clearing your calendar for months, casting lines and setting sail for distant ports across the globe with nothing but time and curiosity. Or picture an adventurous spirit that isn’t satisfied by a typical weeklong getaway—one that thrives on the flexibility to work and explore from anywhere. Both types of travelers are drawn to around-the-world cruises, extended voyages that visit destinations across multiple continents and create unforgettable experiences.
Cruising remains a growing travel trend, with industry forecasts projecting millions more passengers in the coming years. Many travelers choose cruises because they simplify visiting multiple destinations in a single trip and often deliver strong value—advantages that are especially true for world cruises. Planning such a voyage does take time, and while many 2026 world cruises are already under way, a number of major cruise lines have released ambitious itineraries for 2027 and beyond. Below are highlights of notable world and grand-voyage options to consider.
PHOTO: © AZAMARA CRUISES
AZAMARA CRUISES
Azamara is planning one of its most ambitious world cruises to date with a 2027 offering aboard Azamara Quest. Departing San Francisco in January 2027, the ship will sail for 188 nights and visit roughly 37 countries across both hemispheres, including 65 late-night and overnight port stays that let travelers experience destinations beyond daytime hours. For travelers planning further ahead, Azamara has announced a 175-night 2028 world cruise aboard Azamara Onward that departs Miami and visits ports across six continents.
CUNARD
Cunard’s Queen Victoria will embark on a 111-night World Voyage from Southampton in January 2027, calling on destinations in the Caribbean, Central America, Australia, Asia and Europe before ending in Hamburg. The itinerary includes late departures and overnight stays in marquee ports such as Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore and Cape Town. Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth is also scheduled to circumnavigate the globe on a 113-night Full World Voyage sailing roundtrip from Miami in January 2028.
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Holland America Line’s 2027 Grand World Voyage aboard Volendam is a 129-day circumnavigation departing and returning to Fort Lauderdale. The voyage visits 53 ports in 28 countries across six continents and features multiple overnight calls. Several ports on this itinerary—like Georgetown, Ascension Island, and Jamestown, St. Helena—are unique to the Grand Voyages program, offering access to remote places seldom included on standard cruise routes.
“When you sail on one of our Grand Voyages, we know you’re looking for experiences you can’t have anywhere else, and part of that is the carefully crafted itineraries featuring unique ports of call,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line.
PHOTO: © OCEANIA CRUISES
OCEANIA CRUISES
Oceania Vista, a mid-size ship accommodating about 1,200 guests, will sail a 129-day Around the World voyage on the new Kangaroo Route, departing Sydney in February 2027 and finishing in London. The itinerary spends two months exploring Asia before continuing on to the Middle East, Egypt and the Mediterranean. Oceania also offers other long voyages on Oceania Vista, including a 127-day Continental Explorer from Miami to Doha, a 180-day world journey from Miami to London, and a 244-day Epic Global Adventure from Miami to New York—each designed for travelers seeking immersive, extended exploration.
PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess Cruises will operate a 129-day World Cruise Grand Circle Pacific Voyage aboard Coral Princess, departing Fort Lauderdale in January 2027. The voyage calls on roughly 61 destinations in 20 countries and highlights access to more than 20 UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef and Ha Long Bay. The itinerary includes multiple late-night stays and an overnight in Hong Kong. Princess also offers shorter variations of the voyage departing from Los Angeles for guests seeking different departure ports or trip lengths.
SILVERSEA CRUISES
Silversea’s 2027 World Cruise, themed “The Three Oceans,” sails for 149 days aboard Silver Dawn, departing Los Angeles in January 2027. As one of the smaller ships operating world cruises, Silver Dawn enables guests to access less-visited ports—Silversea’s itinerary includes about 80 destinations across five continents, many extended stays in port, and visits to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites alongside bespoke World Cruise events curated for passengers.
VIKING
Viking’s World Voyage III aboard Viking Sky is a 170-day voyage departing Fort Lauderdale in December 2026 and scheduled to arrive in Stockholm in June 2027. The itinerary visits 39 countries across six continents and reflects Viking’s destination-focused approach: small, elegant ships paired with thoughtfully curated shore experiences. Viking also offers a West Coast variation of the world itinerary, with a 153-day departure from Los Angeles.
PHOTO: © EXPLORA JOURNEYS
EXPLORA JOURNEYS
Looking further ahead, Explora Journeys announced its first world journey, Endless Worlds, aboard EXPLORA I. Departing Dubai in January 2029 and sailing east to west to Barcelona, the voyage will visit about 63 destinations in 29 countries and territories across four continents and includes a number of overnight stays to give guests time to absorb each destination. The itinerary will mark Explora’s first visits to Australia and New Zealand as part of its world offering.
Other cruise lines with around-the-world or grand-voyage options for 2027 and beyond include Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, MSC Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Each line brings a different style—from small luxury ships to larger vessels—so travelers can choose the pace, atmosphere and level of inclusions that best fit their travel goals.
Around-the-world cruises are a distinct way to travel: they combine the convenience of unpacking once with access to diverse cultures, landscapes and historic sites. Whether you prefer a small-ship voyage to off-the-beaten-path ports or a longer, more socially focused itinerary with world-class dining and enrichment programs, there are growing options for travelers ready to trade brief vacations for an extended journey of discovery.