the world cruise ship 2023

2023: Endless Exploration Aboard The World

Sailing every ocean on Earth and exploring six continents,  The World’s  2023 Journey will be truly unforgettable. Embark on this voyage of boundless discovery and unparalleled luxury as a Resident owner aboard the only yacht of its kind. With incomparable amenities throughout the Ship and curated experiences at every destination, yours is a lifestyle unlike anything else on Earth or at sea.

Depart from Dubai, sailing throughout southern Asia for six weeks before continuing to the Middle East. Enjoy a two-month Mediterranean odyssey, then trace the European coast to its northernmost extremes. Challenge the Arctic wilds with Expeditions around Greenland and Canada’s Baffin Coast. Spend Autumn sailing southward along the Atlantic Coast of North America, and enjoy the dreamy beauty of the Caribbean. Finish the year boldly with a sojourn along the Pacific Coast of South America and into the incomparable majesty of Antarctica.

Of course, the 2023 Journey is more than just an itinerary. You will immerse yourself in authentic encounters with fascinating cultures and breathtaking natural beauty from India to Egypt and Cyprus to Scotland, from the rugged coast of Nova Scotia to the towering Andes in Peru. Savor the art, history, and cuisine in over 100 ports, from sprawling capital cities to cozy seaside villages and pristine, rarely seen shorelines. Delve into extended adventures with Expeditions in Greenland, Canada, and the Antarctic.

Truly, each day of 2023 will be an adventure aboard  The World , the most extraordinary home you will ever own.

Regional Breakdown

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Determine whether life aboard The World is the right fit for you. Talk to one of our Residential Advisors today to learn more about this unique lifestyle, details of upcoming Journeys and Expeditions, and ownership opportunities.

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Learn more about ownership opportunities and the unique travel lifestyle that can only be found aboard The World . Speak with a Residential Advisor.

A limited selection of Residences is available for resale each year. Fulfillment of The World’s net worth requirement is a precondition for ownership.

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ms The World

Cruise line ResidenSea (Small Cruise Lines)

ms The World current position

ms The World current location is at Indian Ocean (coordinates -1.60596 S / 61.92611 E) cruising at speed of 13 kn (24 km/h | 15 mph) en route to SCVIC -> MVMLE. The AIS position was reported 54 minutes ago.

Specifications of ms The World

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ms The World Review

Review of ms the world.

The 2002-built MS The World cruise ship is currently the world's largest privately-owned cruise vessel. The boat serves as a residential community and is owned by its residents. The relatively small group of very very rich passengers are from ~40 countries and most of them actually live on the ship.

The vessel (IMO number 9219331) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311213000) and registered in Nassau .

MS The World travels the globe, staying from 2 to 5 days in most ports of call. The Captain changes ports and destinations by vote. Some of the residents live full time while others board the ship periodically throughout the year. The ship's operator is ResidenSea (a company headquartered in Miramar, Florida USA).

Similar "residence cruise ship" concepts are Utopia (2022-built, managed by Utopia Residences), Narrative (2023-built, managed by Storylines Residences), Njord (2025-built, managed by Ocean Residences), Dark Island (2025-built, by Clydebuilt). You can also see CruiseMapper's articles about the residential boat Marquette (USA river cruise ship concept) and How to Buy a Cruise Ship .

MS The World cruise ship

The vessel carries between 100 and 300 residents and their guests. It is owned by 142 different families from 19 countries - approx 50% from North America, 35% from Europe, 15% from Asia-Australia-South America-South Africa. Ship residents plan the cruise itineraries and decide which destinations to visit. Since 2002, the liner is homeported in Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, FL USA) . In the period 2002-2018, it visited around 900 different ports and destinations in 140 countries - and each cruise was chosen by the residents.

The unique idea about ms The World ship belongs to Knut U. Kloster- his family has a long history in the cruise ship industry. The hull of the new vessel was built by Oresundsvarvet Shipyard (Landskrona, Sweden) and towed to Fosen Mekaniske Verksted (Rissa, Norway) for completion. Cruise ship The World was launched in the spring of 2002, and in October 2003 was delivered to the residents.

MS The World is environmentally friendly ship - the first of its size to burn marine diesel, not heavy bunker fuel, which allows the ship to call in areas banned for burning heavy fuel. The World ship is also the first to feature Scanship unique wastewater cleaning system - in it wastes are filtered by a flotation system.

In January 2016, Wartsila Corporation announced that the residential ship The World will be retrofitted with Wartsila Advanced Wastewater treatment system and Wartsila Nacos Platinum system for navigation and external communication purposes.

The Wartsila Advanced Wastewater solution replaces an existing system and keeps the vessel in full compliance with IMO's (International Maritime Organization) requirements concerning the prevention of pollution from ships.

Ship statistics

• Identification (IMO number): 9219331
• Flag-state (port of registry): Bahamas (Nassau)
• Shipowner: The World Resident Holdings Ltd (TWRH), with subsidiaries "The World of Residensea II Ltd" and "ROW Management Ltd". Since January 2022, the company's CEO is Thomas Wolber, the COO is Karl Muhlberger.
• Operator: ResidenSea (address: "14471 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL 33027, USA", tel: +1 (954) 416-3644). Original owner - Knut Kloster Jr (the former chairman of "Royal Viking Line" and NCL - "Norwegian Cruise Lines").
• Ordered in 2000
• Laid down in 2001
• Launched in March 2002
• Builder: Fosen Mek. Verksteder (Rissa, Norway)
• Cost to build: USD 266 million
• A total number of cabins : 198, with 165 apartments, types - from Studio to 3-Bedroom Suite.
• Weight/Tonnage: 43,524 GT
• Dimensions: Length: 196,35 m (644,2 ft), Width/Beam: 29,8 m (98 ft), Draft: 6,7 m (22 ft)
• Speed: 18,5 knots (34,3 kmh / 21,3 mph)
• Capacity: 150-200 passengers, 250 crew/staff

The ship has 12 decks (6 with apartments), Helideck (1x helicopter pad), 2 swimming pools, 1x Tennis Court, 2x Putting Greens (Mini-Golf Courses), 5x restaurants. The Helideck (deck 7 forward) is used in cases of emergencies and also for private helicopter landings (arrivals/departures of apartment owners and their guests).

The vessel is managed by the US company ROW Management Ltd (Fort Lauderdale FL).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The World ship has facilities that are similar to the ones onboard a regular vessel but also has some unique due to residential nature. As to its dining options, four are the main restaurants onboard: East (serving Asian delights), Marina (serving seafood, rotisserie specialities, prime steaks), Portraits (serving haute cuisine- menus reflect every culinary port flavours), Tides (serving Mediterranean cuisine, Northern Italian flair).

Six restaurants are available onboard the World cruise ship- they supplement the kitchens in most of the apartments and dining ashore. The World Ship restaurants offer different light options- these cater to special requests, vegetarian, or diabetic diets. Onboard dining is not complimentary (included in the apartment's annual fee)

Fredy's Deli (serving tea, coffee, salads, sandwiches, pastries, includes a gourmet market with fresh local products), Pool Grill (poolside venue, serving light meals, salads, burgers), The Garden (tea room and bar lounge).

The diverse selection of bars and cocktail lounges onboard ms The World includes:

Cigar Club (English-style cognac and smoking bar), Lobby Bar (serving wine and champagne, bourbons, signature cocktails), Marina Bar (full-service bar offering wines and signature cocktails), Pool Bar (serving light and fresh lunch/dinner), Quantum Night Club (offering international liquors and alcoholic beverages), Regatta Bar (with a spectacular view!).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

All you can wish onboard The World cruise ship: two swimming pools, water sports retractable marina, jogging track, full-size tennis court, paddle tennis court, golf facilities (with golf simulator), driving ranges, full-service fitness centre (exercise classes, personal trainers, saunas).

The World ship Spa "Clinique La Prairie" is spacious (7000 ft2 / 650 m2) following Asian traditions which date back centuries. The Spa offers an ambience and luxury for the ultimate escape. Guests and residents can be pampered with a menu of relaxation treatments including aqua spa, body massages and scrubs, hair treatments, aesthetics, facials, make-up services, hand-, nail- and foot treatments, tropical rain mist and waxing.

The World Ship offers countless services and amenities- expeditions and land programs, unique art gallery, chapel, library, concierge, Medical Center, theatre, night club, video-on-demand. For onboard entertainment, there are also classes offered in topics such as navigation, dance, language, cooking, music, computers, arts and crafts, photography. There is also a boutique, a small grocery store and delicatessen.

The World provides each residence with Internet access! Passengers are able to stay connected in their "Office Away From Home" with no need to interrupt exploring the Globe. The World ship residents are able to "stay connected" through phone and Internet capabilities in their shipboard home offices, to conduct business effectively from the comfort of own residences while exploring numerous cultures and destinations on the continuous global journeys. Telephone and internet services on The World cruise ship allow resident owners to go on with their businesses efficiently from wherever the World ship happens to be.

ms The World cruise ship apartments (cabins)

The World ship's 165 Residences ranging in types from Studios to 3-Bedroom Penthouses and 6-Bedroom Penthouse Suite (for up to 12 passengers). All staterooms have been sold, but there are a number of Residences which are available for resale and some for rental. In 2020 was announced that Residence 801 (3-bedroom, 3-bathroom, wraparound balcony apartment aft on deck 8 ) is for sale.

There are also additional annual maintenance fees based on apartments' square footage. The cruise ship provides 40x studios, 19x 1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom Studio Apartments, 106x 2-Bedroom and 3-Bedroom Apartments, 88x Suites. Prices vary and are based on size, deck location, decor, market conditions.

Four of the world's most renowned interior design companies have been contracted to shape styles and design The World ship's 2- and 3-bedroom apartments and public rooms. Names list includes Nina Campbell (UK), Juan Pablo Molyneux (JP Molyneux Studio), Di Pilla (TMT Design), Yran & Storbraaten (maritime design).

ms The World ship prices - apartment cost, rentals, fees

First of all, this is a modern big cruise ship you can actually live on. Well, you and me probably not, but celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Madonna, for example, own suites on it. So if you can afford the below apartment prices, you'll buy yourself the pleasure to enjoy a celebrity company - once and awhile. The choice includes 165 top-luxury apartments, ranging in category from studios to 3-bedroom suites.

Studios cost - USD 600,000 (initially sold at USD 90,000). Two-Bedroom (Ocean Residence) apartments cost - USD 2-3 million. Suites cost ~USD 12-13 million (initially sold at USD 6 million).

Short-term rentals - you can rent some of MS The World's apartments (depending on category) for between ~USD 550 Studio (per person per night, min for 5 days) and ~USD 20,000 (Suite rentals, per month). Some Ocean Residences are also available for rent - at ~USD 2100 a day. Discounts are available for repeat customers.

Future apartment owners on The World should also know that ship service fees (depending on the property) start from USD 60,000 and go up to USD 300,000 a year. These fees cover onboard service staff/crew, fuel, maintenance (including drydocking ), port charges, food and beverages. USD 8 million is the entry fee. This amount of money buys you a lease expiring in the distant 2052. As to the maintenance fees mentioned above - they are ~5-6% of the Apartment's sale price. As to the ship's occupancy - it rarely goes above 200 passengers (owners and their guests).

The ResidenSea company has the policy of not revealing who the clients/buyers are, but they assure that MS The World doesn't have residents with criminal records. Latest news confirms that all the ship's Studios and 3-Bedroom apartments are sold out. But there's always a chance some owner to decide to sell, right? And to sweeten the deal, they advertise that you can enjoy on The World ship - for absolutely free - Spa treatments at "Clinique La Prairie", to shop at the Graff's Boutique or to leisurely play at the ship's Mini-Golf Course. If you are a prospective buyer, you also must submit a list of your assets, which will be duly verified by the ResidenSea's accountants and lawyers.

The World ship is a tax haven - for everybody willing to spend most of the year at sea, away from home. Living on this vessel has tax implications because you're absent for a certain time in a year in your country (tax laws in your home country still apply).

Next table shows ResidenSea brochure (source) pricing on apartments for sale in 2016-2018 and the property's annual maintenance fee.

Nest are shown rental prices (per night in USD, rates 2018) for:

• Studio (sized 290-330 ft2 / 27-31 m2) - $1850
• Studio (sized 330-335 ft2 / 31 m2) - $1800
• Studio (sized 620-845 ft2 / 58-79 m2) - $2400
• 1-bedroom apartment (sized 580-675 ft2 / 54-63 m2) - $2,200
• 2-bedroom apartment (sized 870-1010 ft2 / 81-94 m2) - $2,800
• 2-bedroom apartment (sized 1105 ft2 / 103 m2) - $3100
• 2-bedroom apartment (sized 1135-1390 ft2 / 105-129 m2) - $3300
• Penthouse Suite (sized 2470-3240 ft2 / 229-301 m2) - $6,100

Keep in mind that the owners actually purchase a property with a finite lifetime (the projected lifespan for passenger ships is between 30-40 years) and eventually, this vessel will be dismantled ( scrapped ). This means that The World ship's apartments are in reality leased for 30-40 years.

MS The World itinerary

How is the cruise ship The World itinerary decided upon? The itinerary route is selected through a voting process by the Resident community and it is based on the personal interests of residents and the best sea routes. The World ship itinerary is usually determined two years in advance by the Captains, Resident Itinerary Committee, and the Director of Itinerary and Destination Planning.

Cruise ship The World sails to various destinations and all kinds of regions- and these are continuous and worldwide! The World cruise ship journeys focus on extended stays- of average three days in each port, thus ensuring that residents and guests have enough time to explore destinations. Unlike most cruise ships, ms The World spends twice as many days in call ports as at sea.

From the Canary Islands and Madeira, you will cross the Atlantic ocean and enjoy the Caribbean warmth, feel the excitement of passing through the Panama Canal! Then you can enjoy the way along the west coast of South America and island-hop across the Pacific to New Zealand. Papua, New Guinea and Solomon Islands are next on the expert-led expedition. The most exotic Asian spots are waiting for you to discover. The Sea of Okhotsk wildlife expedition is also rare. Another interesting experience while aboard The World cruise ship is visiting not only South Korea- you will be able to visit North Korea as well!

ms The World ship itinerary as ports, countries, destinations

• Europe, Transatlantic, Caribbean
• Funchal, Madeira - Portugal, Los Cristianos, Tenerife and Las Palmas, Canary Islands- Spain, Guadeloupe, Iles de Saintes and St. Barts- France, San Juan- Puerto Rico, New Orleans- USA.
• Caribbean, South America
• Tampa- USA, Progreso- Mexico, Belize City- Belize, Bocas del Toro- Panama, Panama Canal Transit, Flamenco Island (Panama City), Isla Saboga- Panama, Esmeraldas and Guayaquil- Ecuador.
• Pacific Islands
• Callao- Peru, Easter Island- Chile, Raivavae, Papeete, Moorea, Huahine and Bora Bora- French Polynesia.
• South Pacific
• Aitutaki and Rarotonga- Cook Islands, Norfolk Island- Australia, Bay of Islands, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Kaikoura, Lyttelton and Akaroa- New Zealand.
• Australia New England
• Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Stewart Island and Fjord Cruising- New Zealand, Sydney, Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Port Douglas andCairns- Australia.
• Solomon Islands Expedition, Port Moresby- New Guinea, Dili- East Timor, Kupang, West Timor, Benoa, Bali, Surabaya and Palau Karimunjawa- Indonesia.
• Semarang (Borobudur), Jakarta, Krakatoa- Indonesia, Singapore, Tioman Island- Malaysia, Kuching- Malaysia, Muara- Brunei, Labuan Island, Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan- Malaysia, Boracay Island and Manila- Philippines.
• Keelung (Taipei)- Taiwan, Naha, Okinawa, Amami, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Kanazawa, Hakodate and Otaru (Sapporo)- Japan, Sea of Okhotsk Expedition- Russia.
• Otaru (Sapporo)- Japan, Vladivostok- Russia, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Shingu and Kobe- Japan.
• Takamatsu and Hiroshima- Japan, Busan, Sanji, Cheju and Incheon- South Korea, Dalian and Tianjin (Beijing)- China, Nampo- North Korea, Nanjing and Shanghai- China.
• Zhenhai (Ningbo), Hong Kong and Sanya, Hainan Island- China, Ha Long bay (Hanoi), Chan May (Hue and Da Nang), Nha Trang and Saigon - Vietnam.
• Phu Quoc- Vietnam, Sihanoukville (Phnom Penh)- Cambodia, Ko Samui- Thailand, Pattaya and Bangkok- Thailand, Redang Island and Kuantan- Malaysia, Phuket and Phi Phi Island- Thailand, Malacca- Malaysia, Singapore.

ms The World - user reviews and comments

Photos of ms the world.

ms The World ship related cruise news

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MS The World cruise ship calls at Greenock/Glasgow (Scotland)

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The resort town of Port Antonio (the capital city of Jamaica's Portland Parish) on Sunday morning, November 7, received its first cruise ship in 2...

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Ocean Rebellion activists target The World cruise ship in Falmouth harbour

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In March-April 2019, the largest privately-owned residential ship on the planet, The World - Residences at Sea, completed an extensive revitalization...

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ms The World Wiki

On August 18, 2012, MS The World started a Northwest Passage cruise from the USA to Greenland ( Nome Alaska to Nuuk Greenland ). The epic voyage ended on September 12, 2012. The ship was carrying a total of 481 passengers (residents) and crew. During the 26-day cruise, the ship traveled over 5500 ml (8900 km), following the route of Roald Amundsen (link to the Hurtigruten ship), who was the first sailor completing the voyage in 1906.

On January 28, 2017, the cruise ship broke the world's record for the most southerly navigation. The vessel reached Bay of Whales (Ross Sea, Antarctica) - coordinates 78°43.997'S and 163°41•421´W. The record was for cruising the furthest south any passenger ship has ever sailed. The record was achieved at 10:41 hrs (New Zealand time). During the Antarctica itinerary, the ship carried 145 passengers (residents and their guests) and 272 crew. The ship was commanded by its Captain Dag Saevik. The itinerary's length was over 5000 nm (5755 ml / 9260 km). Among the few passenger vessels that have made the voyage to this remote part of Antarctica is Akademik Shokalskiy (1982-built Russian ice-strengthened expedition ship). The Russian Federation-owned vessel was chartered by the Heritage Expeditions company. On February 2016, it reported reaching 78°43.971'S.

In April 2016, during the scheduled drydock refurbishment , the cruise ship was retrofitted with two new-generation systems manufactured by Wartsila Marine - Advanced Wastewater (treatment plant) and Nacos Platinum (navigation and external communication). Wartsila Hamworthy Membrane BioReactor (MBR) is a sewage treatment technology facilitating the grey’ and ‘black wastewater management. It also monitors discharges to the sea. The technology is based on biological degradation and membrane separation.

The ship's last drydock refurbishment was in 2019 at Navantia Shipyard ( Cadiz Spain ). The 35-day project (March-April) was supervised by Blue Water Shipping AS - 1972-founded, Denmark-based company specializing in road and marine transport and logistics. TDoS (Tillberg Design of Sweden) was supervising the redesign of several key shipboard areas, including East Restaurant (Pan-Asian), Fredy’s Deli (Barista, Cafe, Lounge, Marketplace, Buffet Counter), The World Boutique (shop), The World Showroom, The World Spa & Wellness Center (Spa, Beauty Salon, Gym, Pilates Studio).

The new navigation and automation system Nacos Platinum (hardware and software platform) is a combination of voyage planning, monitoring and track control. It reduces the workload for navigation officers and improves safety. The system also includes Dynamic Positioning and an ice radar. The World cruise ship is powered by Wartsila marine diesel engines (both main and auxiliary), respectively, two 12-cylinder and three 8-cylinder.

The World’s Largest Cruise Ship Is Nearly 1,200 Feet Long

Scheduled to debut in January, the vessel can accommodate 5,600 guests and 2,350 crew members

Daily Correspondent

The world’s largest cruise ship is almost ready to set sail.

Royal Caribbean’s massive new ship, Icon of the Seas , passed its inaugural round of sea trials with flying colors, bringing it one step closer to hitting the open ocean with passengers, the cruise line  announced late last month. If all goes as planned, the record-breaking vessel will begin sailing in the Caribbean in January 2024.

Just how big is Icon of the Seas ? Really big. As Jalopnik ’s Ryan Erik King writes, it’s the size of five Titantics. More specifically, Icon of the Seas measures 1,198 feet long—nearly a quarter of a mile—and has a gross tonnage of 250,800. All that space means it can accommodate 5,600 guests and 2,350 crew members.

The cruise line is positioning the vessel as “the ultimate family vacation,” as CEO Michael Bayley told reporters earlier this year, per  CNN ’s Maureen O’Hare.

“When you step back and look at all the energy and time that has gone into creating this ship, it is mind-blowing,” he added.

The previous world’s largest cruise ship was also a Royal Caribbean vessel, Wonder of the Seas , which spanned 1,188 feet long and featured 18 decks.

Crews in Turku, Finland, began work on Icon of the Seas in 2021. Last month, the vessel sailed the open ocean for the first time, as staffers spent four days testing the main engines, hull, brakes, steering system and other components. They also measured noise and vibration levels. 

The vessel will undergo another round of sea trials later this year before officially launching in Miami early next year, according to Royal Caribbean. Icon of the Seas will primarily take cruisers to the islands of the eastern and western Caribbean on seven-night itineraries.

With progress on Icon of the Seas moving along, Royal Caribbean has already started building another large “icon class” ship. The cruise line expects that unnamed vessel to launch in 2025, per a  statement .

Icon of the Seas has 20 total decks, 7 swimming pools and 8 “neighborhoods,” or distinct areas with entertainment and dining. Another noteworthy feature is Category 6, which will be the largest waterpark at sea when Icon of the Seas sets sail.

The ship will be equipped with a special grooming robot that will clean the hull whenever it’s in port to help reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency by 3 to 4 percent, reports  TTG Media ’s Charlotte Cullinan.

Icon of the Seas will also be the first ship in the cruise line’s fleet to run on liquefied natural gas and  fuel cells , which are similar to batteries but do not need to be recharged. Water is the main byproduct of fuel cells—which combine oxygen and hydrogen to produce energy—which should help the ship reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Liquefied natural gas , meanwhile, is a controversial energy source that involves cooling natural gas to a liquid state to make it easier to transport. The liquid version is “actually worse than ordinary gas,” writes the  Natural Resources Defense Council . “The energy required to chill, ship and regasify the fossil fuel makes it far more carbon-intensive and increases the potential for leakage of dangerous methane,” according to the organization.

Royal Caribbean’s leaders say they view liquified natural gas as a “ transitional fue l,” and that they hope to continue to  reduce the environmental impact of their ships moving forward. 

"[Liquefied natural gas] is about 20-30 percent better for the environment [than heavy fuel oil], but it’s still not going to be the solution,” Bayley tells TTG Media . “We don’t know the answer, but the whole industry is working towards the answer.”

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Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.

See what life is like aboard Royal Caribbean's wild $60,000 nine-month around-the-world cruise sailing to 65 countries

• Royal Caribbean's 274-night Ultimate World Cruise set sail on December 10, 2023.
• The ongoing around-the-world sailing has attracted plenty of internet attention.
• Take a look at the ship these travelers will be living on for the next nine months, the Serenade of the Seas.

Imagine living on a cruise ship for nine months as it sails around the world. For travelers aboard Royal Caribbean's ongoing 274-night "Ultimate World Cruise," that's reality.

If you're even somewhat on TravelTok , you've probably heard about this wild cruise itinerary. The global voyage set sail from Miami on December 10, 2023. From then through September 10, the Serenade of the Seas will visit more than 150 destinations across 65 countries, making it one of the longest world cruises on the market, its operator touts.

If you’re curious about what life will be like for these seafaring globetrotters, let’s take a closer look at the vessel they’ll be staying on for most of the 2024.

Just don't expect a sparkly new ship like the upcoming Icon of the Seas.

The 965-foot-long Serenade of the Seas joined Royal Caribbean’s fleet in 2003.

The cruise giant refreshed the 20-year-old ship in 2022 after a previous $29 million three-week refurbishment in 2012.

Despite its operator's reputation, the Serenade of the Seas isn't massive.

The ship's 1,073 staterooms can accommodate up to 2,476 guests. The least expensive interior cabins started at $60,000.

The people calling this 13-deck ship their home for the next few months will inevitably face several sea days with no land in sight.

To help pass the time, these guests can head to leisure facilities like the pool under a retractable glass ceiling.

Active travelers might enjoy the onboard mini-golf course, sports court, or 40-foot-tall rock climbing wall.

For those who prefer the classic cruise amenities, the ship also has the obligatory spa, pool deck with hot tubs, casino, and theater.

Younger guests can spend their free time in the water play area, arcade, or teen and children clubs.

Travelers on this global expedition include a two-year-old and several teenagers who will be attending remote schools, a Royal Caribbean representative told Business Insider in 2021.

But those looking to stay far away from these youngsters can instead relax in the adults-only Solarium, a staple on many Royal Caribbean ships.

Like the Solarium, several of the Serenade's specialty dining venues may look familiar to the brand's fans.

The ship’s Italian Giovanni’s Table, steakhouse Chops Grille, and Japanese Izumi are also available across the cruise giant’s fleet.

So is Chef's Table, a more luxurious 16-guest dining room. Like any Royal Caribbean cruise , be prepared to pay extra to dine at these floating restaurants.

At least the main dining room, classic American Windjammer, and casual sandwich and salad hot spot Park Cafe are complimentary.

The cruise line says its menus will include regional dishes that reflect the itinerary's destinations.

It wouldn’t be a cruise without booze: The ship has 10 bars and lounges.

Alcohol is included in the fare.

But not everyone is sailing around the world for the full nine months.

Instead, the Ultimate World Cruise could've been booked in four segments — or shorter voyages within these segments — for those who can't stomach 274 nights at sea.

The most expensive cabins, the suites, have already been called for on the second and third segments, a representative told Business Insider.

Only interior cabins — and one ocean view — are still available in the final leg, a sign that travelers are still spending big on their vacations at sea .

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8 Top World Cruises

Dream big and set sail on the monthslong trip of a lifetime.

Getty Images

Sailing for months on a luxurious cruise ship is an exciting way to travel the world.

If your ideal vacation involves spending months sailing around the world – exploring storied, faraway lands and learning the mysteries of ancient civilizations and cultures – then you should consider booking a world cruise. These epic voyages transport guests around the globe to some of the world's top historical and cultural attractions. You'll sample locally inspired cuisines from Asia, Europe and other diverse regions, plus enjoy special events on the ship and in port, including expert guest lectures, cultural programs and memorable themed nights. And best of all: You'll only have to pack and unpack once. Read on to learn why a world cruise may check all the boxes for your dream getaway – and get started on planning your next vacation.

When do world cruises depart, and how long do they last?

World cruises typically begin in January and end in April or May, but some lines, like Viking Ocean Cruises , offer voyages that embark in December. Therefore, full itineraries often last anywhere from around 100 to 150 days, though Royal Caribbean International recently launched the world's longest world cruise at 274 days. If you're not able to set sail for three to five months (or longer), some cruise providers also offer select, shorter segments of their full world cruise itineraries.

Are world cruises in high demand?

Before setting your sights on a particular itinerary, you should know that world cruises are very popular and usually sell out quickly. Post-COVID-19 shutdown, there's been even more pent-up demand for these cruises in the 2022 and 2023 cruising seasons. In fact, many 2022, 2023 and even 2024 world cruises sold out within an unprecedented amount of time this year. Oceania Cruises ' 2024 voyage sold out within 30 minutes of the line announcing the itinerary, and its 2023 cruise was completely booked within one week. Similarly, Viking's world voyages are sold out until the line's 138-day sailing on Dec. 20, 2023.

With so many world cruises booking up in record time, you may wonder what other options are available for travelers seeking a lengthy voyage. Howard Sherman, president and CEO of Oceania Cruises, advises, "In 2024, we are providing guests more extended voyage options to deeply and meaningfully rediscover the world." He adds, "While a globe-circling journey is the pinnacle of life-changing travel experiences, we have specially curated a set of Grand Voyages for seasoned and time-rich travelers to navigate storied seas, straits and oceans that boldly connect diverse and exotic corners of the globe." The line's grand voyages range from 72 to 82 days long.

Torstein Hagan, chairman of Viking, has this to say about Viking's world cruises: "We are delighted to once again offer explorers the opportunity to circumnavigate the world in comfort. Our previous world cruises sold out in a matter of weeks, and we are now seeing more interest in these extended voyages than ever before. Like me, our guests are curious people; we view travel as an opportunity to discover, learn and grow. With that Viking spirit of exploration, our seamless world cruises are possibly the greatest of all adventures."

President of Azamara , Carol Cabezas, agrees that travelers are excited and ready to set sail on a world cruise. She states, "Azamara is thrilled to offer its new World Voyage launching in 2024. As self-described curious travelers, our guests are eager to explore destinations further and make meaningful connections to each destinations' culture and people, spending more time in a given port." Cabezas adds, "Departing from our backyard in Fort Lauderdale , this once-in-a-lifetime World Voyage will take our curious guests to over 40 countries across six continents, giving them the time and opportunity to making these connections and explore the hidden gems and mystical wonders of the world, including the Great Wall of China , Great Pyramids of Giza , Chichén Itzá , Taj Mahal and more."

Anne Scully, a partner at Embark Beyond, a luxury travel agency in New York City, says, "World cruises are always sought after as clients make lifelong friends and travel year after year together. World cruises are the ultimate dream trip, especially for great celebrations such as retirements, special anniversaries and getting out of the cold for the winter!" She notes that some lines' upcoming world cruises may highlight new and unique events. For example, Silversea Cruises ' 2024 world voyage offers an overnight visit to the Buddhist and Hindu temples in Borobudur, Indonesia, two of the country's nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

How does pricing work on a world cruise?

When planning a world cruise, it's important to note that fares can vary significantly between cruise lines. Some lines advertise cruise-only fares, which do not include meals at specialty restaurants, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, excursions, some entertainment or other expenses. On top of that, many cruise lines' base prices exclude port fees and taxes. Given the length of a world cruise, even small expenses can add up after several months on the ship and in ports around the globe. Typically, travelers can expect to spend a base fare of between $15,000 and $95,000 for their world cruise.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' all-inclusive fares include almost everything you could need, including door-to-door luggage service, first- and business-class airfare, pre-cruise gala events, unlimited dry cleaning and laundry, prepaid gratuities, meals, open bars and lounges, unlimited Wi-Fi access and more. Other lines may use a mostly all-inclusive payment plan and include additional perks, like Viking's Silver Spirits beverage package. Still, others – like MSC Cruises – may include wine and beer at dinner, but charge extra for select beverages, some excursions and other items throughout the voyage.

Picking your world cruise

To help you choose which world cruise is right for you, U.S. News has compiled a list of some of the best sailings that are still available to book for 2023. Keep in mind, if you're interested in a world cruise that is fully booked, you shouldn't lose hope. Scully advises that there are usually cancellations when trips are booked this far in advance, and you may be able to get on a waitlist through a travel adviser or by contacting the cruise line directly. Otherwise, if you're ready to book your tickets and set sail on the trip of a lifetime, consider one of these eight upcoming world voyages.

Ready to plan a cruise? Find the best value sailings on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Navigate the World

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Date: Jan. 7 to May 30, 2023 Length: 143 nights Price: Starts at $94,599 per person (deluxe veranda suite, double occupancy)

Starting on Jan. 7, 2023, 684 guests will call Regent's Seven Seas Mariner home for its 143-night Navigate the World cruise. The ship sails from Miami to Barcelona, with stops in enchanting destinations across South America and idyllic islands like Bora Bora in French Polynesia. There are also stops in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, India, South Africa, the Canary Islands and more.

The cruise fare includes up to 356 complimentary excursions, meals, open bars and other amenities and perks. Guests will also have access to exclusive shoreside experiences in several ports, such as the Moonscapes & Moonlight event in Namibia.

Seabourn Cruise Line: Extraordinary Discoveries

Courtesy of Seabourn

Date: Jan. 6 to May 27, 2023 Length: 140 days Prices: Starts at $71,299 per person (ocean-view suite, double occupancy)

Seabourn Cruise Line 's 140-day itinerary departs from Miami on Jan. 6, 2023. Guests aboard the 448-passenger Seabourn Sojourn will visit 61 faraway destinations in 32 countries across six continents. Highlights of the Extraordinary Discoveries voyage include stops in cities like Lima, Peru ; Sydney and Melbourne , Australia; and Casablanca, Morocco. There are also exotic ports of call in Seychelles and West Africa.

In the South Pacific, you'll visit magical locales like French Polynesia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Easter Island and Papua New Guinea. While here, travelers can also experience an intensive exploration with a team of experts known as Ventures by Seabourn. These skilled professionals host optional Zodiac, snorkeling and trekking excursions in South Pacific destinations like Tonga and the Cook and Solomon Islands.

Other notable features of this itinerary include cruising the Panama Canal, crossing the equator and the international dateline and passing the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. This incredible journey ends in Barcelona, Spain . Travelers who are interested in a shorter journey can also opt to sail certain segments of the full world cruise ranging from 21 to 30 days; abbreviated sailings travel through Australia, Indonesia, South Africa and more.

Holland America Line: Grand World Voyage

Date: Jan. 3 to May 12, 2023 Length: 128 days Price: Starts at $37,199 per person (veranda cabin, double occupancy)

Holland America Line 's 128-day Grand World Voyage departs on Jan. 3, 2023, and sails round trip from Fort Lauderdale. The extensive itinerary on the 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam features a Panama Canal transit and stops in exotic locales like Papeete, Moorea, Bora Bora and Raiatea, the Society Islands in French Polynesia. Travelers will also visit ports of call in New Zealand and Australia, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Spain, Morocco, France, Northern Europe and more stunning places in the world.

Princess Cruises: World Cruise

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Dates: Jan. 5 to April 27, 2023; Jan. 19 to April 27, 2023; Jan. 19 to May 11, 2023 Lengths: 97 to 111 days Prices: Starts at $21,499 to $23,171 per person (interior cabin, double occupancy), depending on route

Princess Cruises offers a 111-day world cruise that sails round trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan. 5, 2023, aboard the 2,200-passenger Island Princess . The itinerary includes 50 exotic ports of call, from Cartagena, Columbia, to destinations in Hawaii, French Polynesia and New Zealand. Guests on the world cruise will also visit the United Arab Emirates, transit the Suez Canal in Egypt and tour European cities like Venice, Italy , and towns in Croatia and Slovenia. You'll also enjoy the magical beauty of Provence in the South of France.

Other options for the 2023 world cruise on Island Princess include a 97-day sailing from Los Angeles on Jan. 19, 2023, that returns to Fort Lauderdale. This itinerary features 43 ports of call. Travelers can also hop aboard the ship on the same date in Los Angeles for a longer 111-day round-trip voyage.

If you'd like to sail a shorter section of this world cruise, keep in mind a one 14-day segment is available. This itinerary embarks from Fort Lauderdale and ends in Los Angeles, visiting the Panama Canal, Columbia, Costa Rica , Nicaragua and Mexico along the way.

MSC Cruises: World Cruise

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Date: Jan. 4 to April 30, 2023; Jan. 5 to May 1, 2023; Jan. 6 to May 2, 2023; Jan. 7 to May 3, 2023 Length: 116 nights Price: Starts at $15,549 per person (interior cabin, double occupancy)

This Jan. 4, 2023, world cruise sailing on the 3,013-passenger MSC Magnifica departs from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, for a 116-night voyage around the globe. Other possible departure ports include Genoa, Italy (Jan. 5); Marseille, France (Jan. 6); or Barcelona, Spain (Jan. 7). The transatlantic itinerary boasts 43 incredible destinations, including cities in South America like Ushuaia, Argentina; Punta Arenas, Chile; and Lima, Peru. Guests will also cross the South Pacific Ocean, visiting locales along the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea. The ship will then transit through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea before returning to Genoa.

Cruise fares include 15 complimentary shore excursions, as well as a Dine & Drink package that features a selection of wines, draught beer, sparkling water and other nonalcoholic beverages in the main restaurants during lunch and dinner. There is also a 30% discount on laundry services. Guests can enjoy themed evenings, guest speakers and language classes while on board.

If you're interested in a shorter voyage along this route, consider booking a 22- to 94-day segment in a region of your choosing. Options include Rome to Sydney, Genoa to Singapore, Barcelona to Sydney and more.

Planning a Mediterranean getaway? See the top  Mediterranean cruises on GoToSea .

Cunard Line: The Centenary World Voyages (Queen Mary 2)

Dates: Jan. 3 to April 30, 2023; Jan. 11 to April 23, 2023 Lengths: 102 or 117 nights Prices: Starts at $20,029 to $21,299 per person (Britannia inside cabins, double occupancy), depending on route

Cunard Line 's Queen Mary 2 departs round trip from Southampton, England, for a 102-night voyage on Jan. 11, 2023. This world voyage travels to Asia, Australia and Africa, while paying homage to the 100th anniversary of Cunard's maiden world sailing. Highlights of this voyage include transiting the Suez Canal and visiting Luxor, Egypt . The ship will also call on Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, plus Muscat, Oman, before heading to Asia, Australia, South Africa, Namibia and Spain.

Cruisers can also opt to depart round trip from New York City on a 117-night voyage from Jan. 3 to April 30, 2023. Or, if you'd rather sail a select segment of this world cruise itinerary, opt for a 9- to 67-day sailing in a region of your choosing. Options include New York City to Southampton, England; Dubai to Singapore; Hong Kong to New York City; Cape Town to Southampton and more.

Cunard Line: The Centenary World Voyages (Queen Victoria)

Dates: Jan. 9 to April 25, 2023; Jan. 11 to April 23, 2023; Jan. 20 to April 23, 2023 Lengths: 92 to 105 nights Prices: Starts at $18,499 to $21,699 per person (Britannia inside stateroom, double occupancy), depending on route

Cunard Line's 105-night Centenary World Voyage aboard the 2,061-passenger Queen Victoria departs round trip from Hamburg, Germany, on Jan. 9, 2023. Other embarkation ports include Southampton, England, on Jan. 11 for a 101-night voyage or New York City on Jan. 20 for 92 nights. Highlights of the journey include spectacular beaches and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with stops across Hawaii, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, the Middle East, Europe and more.

Meals in the main dining room, most onboard entertainment, gala evenings, afternoon tea and other activities are included in the cruise fare. Special wine events and tastings, as well as extras like exercise classes, are an additional cost. Travelers who are interested in booking a portion of this world cruise can opt for a voyage lasting between 12 and 75 days. These segments include routes like San Francisco to Southampton, England; Sydney to Dubai; Dubai to Hamburg and more.

P&O Cruises: World Cruise

Courtesy of P&O Cruises

Date: Jan. 3 to April 13, 2023 Length: 99 nights Price: Starts at $16,388 per person (ocean-view cabin, double occupancy)

P&O Cruises' world cruise departs round trip from Southampton, England, on Jan. 3, 2023. The 99-night sailing on the 2,094-passenger, adults-only Arcadia features international cities, exotic islands, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and stunning coastlines. Ports of call include stops in the Caribbean and Mexico, Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia, before heading to Asia and the Middle East. All meals and some nonalcoholic beverages are included in the fare.

Travelers can opt to sail on one segment of the longer itinerary, ranging from 11 to 60 days. Shorter route offerings include Hong Kong to Dubai; Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Fort Lauderdale to Sydney and more.

Looking for a Caribbean escape? See the top  Caribbean cruises on GoToSea .

You might also be interested in:

• The Most Anticipated New Cruise Ships
• The Top Cruises on Small Ships
• The Biggest Cruise Ships
• Bucket List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees
• The Top Transatlantic Cruises

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World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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The 9 most exciting new cruise ships of 2023

This year will be a big one for new cruise ships, though not as big as last year.

Perhaps the most notable new cruise ship of 2023 will be MSC World Europa , the first of a new series of megaships from MSC Cruises that is designed to go head-to-head with Royal Caribbean 's giant Oasis-class ships.

It's just one of two major new cruise ships arriving in 2023 that has a tie-in to MSC Cruises. Also on the way is Explora 1, the first vessel for an all-new luxury line that is being developed by MSC Group, the parent company of MSC Cruises.

The year will also bring the first new ship in nearly a decade from upscale line Oceania Cruises , to be called Vista, as well as the first of a new class of ship for luxury line Silversea Cruises , to be called Silver Nova.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Those four vessels — MSC World Europa, Explora 1, Vista and Silver Nova — are the four new cruise ships for 2023 that have us the most excited here at TPG. However, they're not the only major new cruise vessels arriving during the next 12 months.

Also on the way are several significant new ships from major lines that, while new, will look familiar. That's because they will be sister ships to existing vessels. That is, while they will be new builds, they'll feature designs we have seen before.

Among lines unveiling new ships that are sisters to vessels already in their fleets are Norwegian Cruise Line , Carnival Cruise Line , Regent Seven Seas Cruises , Virgin Voyages and Celebrity Cruises .

Because a large percentage of the new cruise ships arriving in 2023 belong to an existing class and therefore have a familiar look, cruise fans might not find this year's new arrivals to be as exciting as last year's debuts.

The past 12 months, notably, saw the arrival of entirely new classes of vessels for Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line , Viking , Seabourn and Emerald Cruises, as well as an entirely new cruise brand ( The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection ). It was the sort of year that gets hearts racing for fans of new cruise ships.

Note that in some cases, the new ships coming in 2023 will arrive months behind schedule due to ongoing pandemic-related construction delays at the shipyards that are building them. Thanks to these delays, the first sailings of a few ships that were expected to debut in 2023 — including Royal Caribbean's much-awaited Icon of the Seas — have been pushed to 2024.

Icon of the Seas, which will be the biggest cruise ship in the world when it debuts, is now scheduled to sail with paying passengers for the first time in January 2024.

In all cases, the new ships that are on the way for 2023 are already available for booking — and are indeed booking up fast. Cruise fans always love to be on the latest and greatest vessels.

To whet your appetite for cruising in the year ahead, take a look at our list of the nine new cruise ships arriving in 2023 that have us the most excited.

MSC World Europa

Maiden voyage: Dec. 20, 2022.

Unveiled in the final days of 2022 (so close to year's end that we consider it a new vessel for 2023), this massive new MSC Cruises ship is nearly as big as Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis-class vessels — and that's a big deal.

This is the first time in the 13-year history of the record-breaking Oasis-class series (the world's biggest cruise ships) that a vessel has come close to the Royal Caribbean ships in size. MSC World Europa offers a major new option for cruisers who love being on the biggest, most amenity-packed vessels.

Additionally, it's just the first of at least four sister vessels that MSC Cruises plans to unveil over the next few years, including one destined for deployment in Florida .

In short, it kicks off a major new battle of the megaships.

At around 215,863 tons, MSC World Europa is about 4% to 8% smaller than the five Oasis-class ships. But by one measure, it's even bigger. MSC World Europa is 21 decks high — three decks higher than the Oasis-class vessels.

Like the Oasis-class ships, it's able to hold nearly 7,000 passengers with all berths filled — 6,762, to be exact.

Related: The ultimate guide to picking the right cruise for you

As for its onboard offerings, MSC Cruises is taking a page from Royal Caribbean's playbook by breaking down the public areas of MSC World Europa into districts. They include an adults-only "Zen district" and a separate "family district" that houses as many as 10 new kids facilities. There also is a central interior promenade with entertainment, shops and bars.

Additionally, MSC World Europa has six pools and 14 hot tubs, making it one of the most pool-covered ships at sea. The watery offerings include an Aquapark with multiple waterslides that integrate virtual reality technology. There is also a family sun deck.

MSC World Europa has 13 dining venues, including the new-for-the-line Chef's Garden Kitchen (an outlet focused on microgreens) and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with alfresco seating. In a twist, the ship has three separate buffet restaurants as well, each with its own ambiance.

Drinking spots include a two-deck English-style pub dubbed Masters of the Sea Pub, which serves beer made on board. There's also a new gin bar, a first for MSC Cruises.

The line has a second new ship, the 4,810-passenger MSC Euribia, too, which will debut later in 2023 — in June, if all goes according to plan. At around 182,000 tons, it won't be quite as big as MSC World Europa but will still be one of the biggest cruise vessels in the world.

MSC World Europa is initially sailing in the Persian Gulf out of Dubai but will reposition to the Mediterranean for the summer of 2023. Fares for seven-night sailings start at $559 per person, not including taxes and fees.

Related: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises

Maiden voyage: May 13.

Upscale line Oceania Cruises is getting back into growth mode in 2023 with the unveiling of Vista — its first new vessel in more than a decade.

At 67,000 tons, Vista will be a tad bigger than Oceania's last two new ships, Marina and Riviera. However, it'll carry fewer passengers (1,200 versus 1,250), meaning its "space ratio" of space per passenger will be higher.

The space ratio of a ship is considered a measure of how upscale it is, with higher space ratios typically corresponding to more luxurious vessels.

As for decor and amenities, Oceania has promised an "evolution" of the intimate, residential-style interior venues for which its ships are known. Vista will retain such Oceania signatures as a Grand Staircase at its center and a Grand Lounge that serves as a central meeting point, as well as a martini bar, Aquamar Spa, Horizons observation lounge, a tranquil pool area and a casino with an accompanying bar.

Oceania also promises a wide range of cabin sizes for the ship, ranging from standard balcony cabins measuring 291 square feet (the largest standard balcony cabins in the industry, according to the line) to a range of super suites that measure from 1,000 square feet for an Oceania Suite to 2,400 square feet for an Owner's Suite.

Vista will also be the first Oceania vessel with built-from-scratch solo cabins — six in all. They'll measure 270 square feet and feature their own balconies, something that is relatively rare for solo cabins on ocean ships.

In fact, every cabin on Vista will be a balcony cabin, as every cabin has either a full balcony or a more limited French balcony. The ship will have no windowless inside cabins or balcony-less ocean-view cabins.

The solo cabins, notably, also are concierge-level cabins, which means they come with access to a private keycard-accessed concierge lounge and complimentary use of the ship's Spa Terrace.

Oceania long has been known as a foodie's line, and Vista won't disappoint, with 12 different culinary options for passengers — four of which will be new concepts for the brand.

The newcomers include Ember, serving "inventive American" cuisine, and wellness-focused Aquamar Kitchen (think: smoothies, organic "power bowls" and yellowfin tacos with white cabbage slaw). Also new will be the Culinary Center Dining Room, an ocean-view space offering food-and-wine pairing experiences that will tie to the ship's cooking classroom, and a new Bakery at Barista outlet that will serve fresh-baked pastries.

Classic Oceania eateries that will be on board the ship include the line's signature Polo Grill steakhouse, Italian-inspired Toscana and upscale Asian outlet Red Ginger.

Vista will be the first of two sister vessels in the line's new Allura class. The second ship in the series is scheduled to debut in 2025.

Vista will initially sail in Europe before repositioning to North America for the winter. Fares start at $1,699 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean voyage out of Miami.

Resilient Lady

Maiden voyage: May 14.

Resilient Lady will be the third ship for Virgin Voyages, the startup line backed by Sir Richard Branson — and it'll look familiar to anyone who has sailed on the brand's first two vessels ( Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady ).

Originally scheduled to debut in 2022 but delayed by nearly a year , the 2,770-passenger ship will be a nearly identical sister to the two earlier vessels, which began sailing in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Like Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady has been designed to shake up the cruise industry with a new, hipper style of cruising. The ship will have everything from a tattoo parlor to a colorful karaoke lounge where you can get your Lizzo on. To ensure a proper party vibe, it also will be a kid-free travel zone , with a minimum age to sail of 18.

Related: Is Virgin Voyages right for you? Our thoughts

Virgin is going after travelers who might think themselves too cool to cruise. To that end, Resilient Lady will have no buffets, no dress codes and no big Broadway-style theater shows. For entertainment, expect interactive dance parties, DJ sets and "microplays," plus late-night games of dodgeball. Suites will have a rock star theme .

A fourth vessel in the series, Brilliant Lady, is scheduled to debut in 2024.

Resilient Lady will initially sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to Australia for the winter (where it'll mostly cater to the Australian market). Fares start at $455 per person for a two-night voyage out of Melbourne, Australia.

Maiden voyage: July 17.

Call it the biggest new cruise ship of 2023 — not in size, but in significance. The unveiling of Explora 1 will mark the arrival of Explora Journeys, an entirely new luxury line that could quickly become one of the biggest in the world.

A creation of the deep-pocketed MSC Group, which already owns MSC Cruises, Explora Journeys plans to launch at least six superluxurious vessels by 2028, each of which is designed to hold at least 922 passengers.

In just a few years, that'll give the line a bigger capacity than such well-known luxury cruise operators as Seabourn and the soon-to-relaunch Crystal Cruises .

Explora Journeys will compete in the same upscale cruise space as Seabourn and Crystal, as well as luxury lines like Viking, Silversea Cruises and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. It'll be run completely separately from its sister brand, MSC Cruises, which caters to a mass-market audience.

Related: 1st photos of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collections' new Evrima

Like its five coming sisters, Explora 1 will offer oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences designed to be "homes at sea," and it'll be packed with upscale amenities. They will include 10 distinct culinary experiences, 10 indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, four swimming pools, outdoor deck areas with private cabanas, wellness facilities and entertainment.

MSC Group is the parent company of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, as well as the Mediterranean Shipping Company. The latter, also known simply as MSC, is the largest container shipping company in the world.

Explora 1 will initially sail in Northern Europe before repositioning to North America for the winter. Fares start at $3,600 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a three-night voyage from Hamburg, Germany, to Southampton, England.

Silver Nova

Maiden voyage: Aug. 14.

The latest ship for the luxury line Silversea Cruises will be bigger than its predecessors and feature an all-new design — one that, notably, will be asymmetrical in many areas. That is, some of the vessel's most prominent spaces, including its main pool area, will feature layouts that are off-center in a way that is unusual for cruise ships.

Silver Nova's main pool area, for instance, will have an unusual horseshoe shape with an orientation that runs from the port side of the ship to the starboard side. The pool itself will be off-center in the space, skewed far to the starboard side of the ship, with rows of lounge chairs and a grand entrance on its port side and unobstructed views through glass railings on its starboard side.

The idea is that the pool area will thus be much more orientated toward the destinations that the ship visits, or the open ocean when it is at sea, than the pool areas of other cruise vessels. Passengers will be able to float in the pool and look straight out over the water without the obstruction of more rows of lounge chairs.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Silversea ship

Silver Nova's asymmetrical design will also be evident at two new food and beverage venues at the top of the vessel.

The first, Marquee, will be an alfresco dining venue that is also off-center, with an orientation that offers commanding views of the sea from the port side of the ship. It'll be home to The Grill, Silversea's signature outdoor "hot rocks" dining venue, and also double as the ship's Spaccanapoli pizza outlet. The second new venue, The Dusk Bar, will be an open-air sky bar at the back of the vessel that, like Marquee, is positioned on the port side of the ship.

Additional dining venues on board will include versions of Silversea's main signature restaurant La Terrazza, French eatery La Dame, seafood eatery Atlantide and sushi outlet Kaiseki.

In addition to asymmetry in many areas, one thing that will be particularly noticeable about Silver Nova is its spaciousness. At 54,700 tons, the ship will be about 34% bigger than the line's last three new vessels — Silver Muse, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn. It'll only hold about 22% more passengers, though. That means the space available per passenger will increase significantly.

With every berth filled, Silver Nova will sail with 728 passengers — just 132 more than the earlier vessels.

The extra space has allowed Silversea to expand its lineup of cabin categories on the ship, with more large suites. As is always the case with Silversea ships, every cabin on the ship will be a suite. However, Silversea fans will find new premium aft suites that include a massive 1,324-square-foot complex called the Otium Suite. Inspired by Silversea's new wellness program, Otium , the Otium Suite is in a premium aft corner position of the ship (according to the cruise line) and features floor-to-ceiling windows in all living areas. It has a sprawling 431-square-foot balcony area that is the most spacious on board.

Even the smallest cabins on Silver Nova will measure at least 357 square feet, which is unusually large for a cruise ship cabin.

Silver Nova will initially sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to the Caribbean for the winter of 2023. Fares start at $4,700 per person, including a flight credit, airport transfers and shore excursions, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing out of Miami.

Norwegian Viva

Maiden voyage: Aug. 26.

The rollout of Norwegian Cruise Line's much-awaited Prima class of ships continues in 2023 with the arrival of Norwegian Viva — the second vessel in the series after the recently unveiled Norwegian Prima .

Like Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva is notably smaller than other vessels the line has added in recent years, such as the 3-year-old, 169,116-ton Norwegian Encore — a factor that will allow it to access smaller ports around the world. But, also like Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva will still pack a lot of over-the-top amenities, including a go-kart track that occupies three decks .

Related: Why I love the new Prima class

Plus, Norwegian Viva will have The Drop, a 10-story dry slide that Norwegian says offers more G-force than an accelerating Formula One race car. The vessel also will be home to a three-deck theater that converts into a Las Vegas-style nightclub and will host interactive, real-life game shows, including at-sea versions of "The Price Is Right."

Still, like Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva will be about more than flashy activities and entertainment. It'll also mark the continuation of a more upscale turn for the line that began with Norwegian Prima. Norwegian Viva will offer a wide range of suite categories (13), as well as the largest three-bedroom suites of any new cruise vessel. Inside Norwegian Viva, ocean view and balcony cabins also will be larger than has been typical for Norwegian ships in the past.

Related: My strange night out at Prima's new 'zero-waste' bar

Additionally, Norwegian Viva will offer the most outdoor deck space of any new cruise ship, according to the line, including more total pool deck space than any other ship in the brand's fleet other than Norwegian Prima.

Norwegian Viva will initially sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to the Caribbean for the winter of 2023. Fares start at $849 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing out of Miami.

Seven Seas Grandeur

Maiden voyage: Nov. 25.

Every few years, Regent Seven Seas Cruises comes out with a new ship so luxurious that it verges on the ridiculous — and that, in a nutshell, is what Seven Seas Grandeur will be.

A sister vessel to Regent's Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor (unveiled in 2015 and 2020, respectively), the 750-passenger ship will, like its sisters, be one of the most expensive cruise vessels ever built with all sorts of over-the-top luxuries.

Expect soaring ceilings, inlaid marble floors, crystal chandeliers and Picassos on the walls, for starters.

When it comes to cabins, Seven Seas Grandeur will basically offer two choices: fancy and really, really fancy. Every one of the ship's 375 rooms will be a suite. Even the smallest accommodations will measure 307 square feet, which is not too shabby for a cruise ship. Many cabins will be much bigger, though.

Related: Inside Regent's super luxurious new ship

The biggest accommodation on board, the Regent Suite , will measure an astounding 4,443 square feet — nearly twice the square footage of the average American home. It'll cost $11,000 a night.

Seven Seas Grandeur will also offer an array of elegant and high-end restaurants, all of which are included in the fare.

This is what you would expect from Regent, of course. Known for its luxury focus, the 30-year-old brand has long operated some of the world's most elegant ships. Regent is the cruising equivalent of the hotel world's Four Seasons chain — a brand promising beautiful accommodations, refined food and pampering service.

After an initial transatlantic voyage from Barcelona to Miami, Seven Seas Grandeur will operate Caribbean sailings out of Miami for the winter before returning to Europe for the summer of 2024. Fares start at $4,439 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing out of Miami.

Celebrity Ascent

Maiden voyage: Dec. 3.

Celebrity Cruises will continue the rollout of its new Edge class of ships in 2023 with the unveiling of Celebrity Ascent — the fourth of five vessels in the series.

Like the last new Edge-class ship, the 8-month-old Celebrity Beyond , it'll be a stretched version of the two initial ships in the series ( Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex ), being both 20 meters longer and a deck taller.

As was the case with Celebrity Beyond, the extra length and height will allow for new and bigger venues, including an expanded "resort-within-a-resort" area for suite passengers called The Retreat and a greatly expanded Sunset Bar at the back of the vessel.

Like Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent also will offer a redesigned Rooftop Garden area with increased seating, new private nooks and two new floating pools cantilevered over the side of the ship.

Another area that will be bigger on Celebrity Ascent than on the first two Edge-class ships is the three-deck-high Grand Plaza.

Related: The ultimate guide to Celebrity ships and itineraries

As was the case with Celebrity Beyond, Ascent will have 179 more cabins than its sister vessels, each of which has 1,467 cabins. That's about a 12% increase. As a result, Celebrity Ascent, like Celebrity Beyond, will hold 3,260 passengers at double occupancy. That's up from a 2,910-passenger capacity at double occupancy for Celebrity Apex and a 2,918-passenger capacity at double occupancy for Celebrity Edge.

Celebrity Ascent initially will sail to the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades. Fares start at $1,056 per person for a seven-night sailing.

Carnival Jubilee

Maiden voyage: Dec. 23.

Carnival Cruise Line will continue its move toward bigger ships in 2023 with the unveiling of Carnival Jubilee — the third vessel in its new Excel-class series.

Under construction at a shipyard in Germany, the 15-deck-high ship is a sister to the line's recently unveiled Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration , which have made waves in the past 18 months for their huge size and what may be the most unusual attraction ever on a cruise vessel: a deck-top roller coaster .

Like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee will measure 181,808 tons, putting it in a tie with the former ships for the position of biggest ship ever to sail for Carnival. The two earlier vessels in the series are a whopping 35% bigger than the next-biggest Carnival ships currently afloat, and they are also bigger than all but 11 other cruise vessels in the world.

Also like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee will have a roller coaster on its top deck. Dubbed Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster, it'll be similar to the roller coasters on its sister vessels, with an 800-foot-long track and vehicles that reach speeds of 40 mph — give or take.

Carnival Jubilee will also be designed to hold up to 6,630 passengers. That's just a tad below the 7,084 passengers that can fit aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — the world's largest cruise ship.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Jubilee will have a giant water park on its top deck and, like its sister, a far broader array of suites than earlier Carnival ships. However, the vessel won't be a carbon copy of the previous vessels. Carnival has said some new features are planned.

The development of ships on the scale of Carnival Jubilee and its sisters has been a big deal for Carnival. Until recently, the line had resisted the trend among major brands to build even-bigger vessels that offer a supersized megaresort-at-sea experience.

Carnival's last new vessel before the arrival of Mardi Gras in 2021, Carnival Panorama, didn't even crack the top 40 list of biggest ships when it debuted in 2019.

After an initial transatlantic voyage from Southampton, England, to Galveston, Texas, Carnival Jubilee will sail seven-night voyages to the Western Caribbean out of Galveston. Fares start at $549 per person, not including taxes and fees.

Other new ships

In addition to the above, newcomers for 2023 also include several small expedition ships and other small vessels from such cruise operators as Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Seabourn, Emerald Cruises, Vantage Travel and Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Viking also has a new ocean ship coming in 2023 that is a sister to earlier vessels.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

Dec 10th 2023 – Feb 11th 2024

Ultimate Americas Cruise

36 Destinations, 64 Nights

December 2023

Miami, Florida

Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas

Chichén Itzá, Cozumel, Mexico

Oranjestad, Aruba

Willemstad, Curaçao

Kralendijk, Bonaire

Bridgetown, Barbados

St. George's, Grenada

Devil's Island, French Guiana

Fortaleza, Brazil

Recife, Brazil

Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

January 2024

Copacabana Beach, Brazil

Montevideo, Uruguay

Iguazú Falls, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

Gerlache Strait, Antarctica

Dalhan Bay, Paradise Bay, Elephant Island, Antarctica

Cape Horn, Chile

Ushuaia, Argentina

Punta Arenas, Chile

Straits of Magellan, Chile

Fjords, Chile

Valparaiso, Chile

La Serena, Chile

Arica, Chile

Pisco, Peru

Machu Picchu, Lima, Peru

February 2024

Manta, Ecuador

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Ensenada, Mexico

Los Angeles, California

Feb 11th 2024 - May 9th 2024

Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise

40 Destinations, 87 nights

Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Mo’orea, French Polynesia

Papeete, Tahiti French Polynesia

Auckland, New Zealand

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Sydney, Australia

Newcastle, Australia

Brisbane, Australia

Airlie Beach, Australia

Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia

Lombok, Indonesia

Benoa, Bali, Indonesia

Manila, Philippines

Subic Bay, Philippines

Hong Kong, China

Taipei, Taiwan, China

Ishigaki, Japan

Okinawa, Japan

Busan, South Korea

Jeju Island, South Korea

Seoul, South Korea

Great Wall of China, Beijing, China

Beijing, China

Nagasaki, Japan

Kagoshima, Japan

Tokyo, Japan

Mt. Fuji, Japan

Osaka, Japan

Nha Trang, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Penang, Malaysia

Hambantota, Sri Lanka

Colombo, Sri Lanka

The Taj Mahal, Cochin, India

Mumbai, India

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

May 9th 2024 - July 10th 2024

Ultimate Africa & Southern Europe

38 Destinations, 62 Nights

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Mahe (Victoria), Seychelles

La Digue Island, Seychelles

Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Madagascar

Port Louis, Mauritius

Pointe Des Galets, Reunion Island

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Mossel Bay, South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa

Luderitz, Namibia

Walvia Bay, Namibia

Luanda, Angola

Takoradi, Ghana

Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Dakar, Senegal

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Gibraltar, United Kingdom

Corfu, Greece

Bari, Italy

Ravenna (Venice), Italy

Trieste, Italy

Koper, Slovenia

Zadar, Croatia

Split, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Kogar, Montenegro

Valletta, Malta

Sicily (Catania), Italy

Naples / Capri, Italy

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Florence / Pisa (Carrara), Italy

Portofino, Italy

Ajaccio, Corsica, France

Cannes, France

Nice (Villefranche), France

Provence (Toulon), France

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Barcelona, Spain

July 10th 2024 - Sept 10th 2024

Ultimate Europe &

Beyond cruise.

40 Destinations, 63 Nights

Valencia, Spain

Cartagena, Spain

Malaga, Spain

Casablanca, Morocco

Agadir, Morocco

Lisbon, Portugal

Porto (Leixoes), Portugal

Vigo, Spain

Cork (Cobh), Ireland

Cherbourg, France

Paris (Le Havre), France

Southampton, England

Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium

Skagen, Denmark

Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany

August 2024

Riga, Latvia

Tallinn, Estonia

Helsinki, Finland

Stockholm, Sweden

Visby, Sweden

Klaipeda, Lithuania

Ronne, Bornholm, Denmark

Kiel, Germany

Copenhagen, Denmark

Aarhus, Denmark

Oslo, Norway

Kristiansand, Norway

Haugesund, Norway

Olden, Norway

Alesund, Norway

Bergen, Norway

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Reykjavik, Iceland

Qaqortoq, Greenland

Nuuk, Greenland

St. John's, Newfoundland

September 2024

New York, New York

Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda

The New Cruise Ships We’re Most Excited About in 2023

This year, cruise lines that include celebrity, oceania, virgin voyages, and regent seven seas are unveiling not just some of their most impressive but also some of their most ecofriendly vessels to date..

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The forthcoming super-luxe Silver Nova from Silversea will be emissions-free while in port thanks to new hybrid power technology. Added bonus: ocean views from the bathtub.

Courtesy of Silversea

Each year, a fresh batch of cruise ships draws headlines and fanfare. The pandemic, however, slowed down ship launches to a mere trickle as cruise lines weathered the public health crisis storm. But for 2023, with cruising fully back in action, a robust new flock of vessels is being unveiled that introduces not just sleek new designs and exciting amenities but also a stronger focus on more responsible cruising than ever before.

Cruising certainly isn’t known as being the most climate friendly mode of transportation, but as technologies advance and stronger climate commitments come to fruition, cruise lines are debuting some of their most environmentally conscious ships yet. The result is that travelers can hit the high seas knowing that cruise companies are making more meaningful efforts to reduce their footprint. It’s a start at least.

Here are our picks for the most exciting cruise ship launches coming in 2023.

“Celebrity Ascent” from Celebrity Cruises

The Celebrity Ascent will debut in the Caribbean at the end of this year.

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

With a specialty restaurant by legendary chef Daniel Boulud and spaces envisioned by British designer Kelly Hoppen, the 3,260-passenger Celebrity Ascent is the fourth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ award-winning Edge class—and it’s no less impressive than its sister ships . The Retreat on top is reserved for suite guests and has its own restaurant, lounge, and multi-level sundeck with pool. If you book a splurge-worthy Edge Villa, you can take dip in your very own outdoor plunge pool. The ship debuts in December in the Caribbean.

Green notes

The Edge-class ships consume 20 percent less fuel when compared to the line’s previous generation of vessels. Like most new ships, Celebrity Ascent will also be able to reduce emissions in port by connecting to shore power, when available. And the vessel will be part of Celebrity’s fleet-wide “zero waste” goal. Currently, 85 percent of the line’s waste is “recycled, repurposed, or sent to a waste-to-energy facility,” according to Celebrity’s sustainability statement .

“Explora I” from Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys is a new luxury cruise line from the MSC Group.

Courtesy of MSC Group

The 922-passenger Explora I is the debut ship of Explora Journeys , an all-new luxury cruise line owned by MSC Group, the Geneva-based shipping container giant that also owns MSC Cruises. On a ship that’s big by luxury standards, guests will stay in oceanfront suites, penthouses, or residences, lounge around four pools, and choose from 18 food and beverage options. Unusual activities and entertainment examples will include music master classes and a monthly full-moon party. The ship debuts in northern Europe in July, with five sister ships scheduled to join it by 2029.

Explora I uses an emissions control system known as selective catalytic reduction to decrease its nitrogen oxide emissions—another extremely harmful climate pollutant—by up to 90 percent. It’s also equipped with battery storage that will allow for hybrid power generation once the new technology becomes available. Two of its sister ships will be powered by hydrogen.

“MSC Euribia” from MSC Cruises

With its #SavetheSea hashtag on its side, the MSC Euribia is a floating reminder of what’s at stake for the world’s oceans if cruise ships don’t do more and better.

MSC Cruises wants the world to know that its 6,327-passenger MSC Euribia is environmentally focused. The ship’s hull is decorated with huge underwater scenes and includes the hashtag #SaveThe Sea. Guests will lounge around five pools, one large enough for 1,000 people. For more intimate surrounds, splurge on the exclusive MSC Yacht Club section of the ship for access to a dedicated sundeck and pool, restaurants, bars, and lounges. The ship debuts in June 2023 and will sail its first season in the Norwegian fjords.

MSC Cruises recently laid out the framework for its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. In addition to running on cleaner-burning liquefied natural gas (LNG), the MSC Euribia has such features as an advanced wastewater treatment system, which the line says means no water leaves the ship without meeting the highest environmental standards.

“Norwegian Viva” from Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Viva will be a big ship but with more intimate touches like the fine Italian dining venue Onda by Scarpetta (pictured in the rendering).

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Debuting in August in the Mediterranean, the 3,219-passenger Norwegian Viva is the second in a newer class of upscale Norwegian Cruise Line ships geared toward cruisers who want a plethora of activities without huge crowds. The ship has a separate complex for suite guests, a multi-million-dollar art collection, and dining options that include a hip food hall with a solid international roster. For the kid in all of us, there’s the three-level go-kart racetrack up on top.

Norwegian Viva has integrated cutting-edge technologies that filter out up to 98 percent of sulfur oxides and up to 90 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions. It’s also equipped with an advanced treatment system that handles all wastewater produced on board and can plug into shoreside power.

“Resilient Lady” from Virgin Voyages

Adult-only line Virgin Voyages may be cheeky, but the line has has some ambitious climate goals for its vessels.

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

The trendy, adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages is debuting its third ship, the 2,770-passenger Resilient Lady , in May 2023 in the Mediterranean. Given the no-kids environment expect super-fun parties indoors and around the pool, slightly naughty entertainment, and sophisticated dining. There’s also a tattoo and piercing parlor, should you have the urge to get inked or pierced.

Virgin Voyages aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Some of the new tech that will help it get there includes Climeon, units that use heat from the ship’s engines to generate a portion of the electricity on board (which decreases fuel demand). Additionally, the company invests in carbon offsets along with emissions-reducing technology, such as a catalytic reduction system (which reduces up to 75 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions), and exploring alternative fuel options for future sailings. The smart bracelet that unlocks passengers’ cabin doors is made of recycled plastic.

“Seven Seas Grandeur” from Seven Seas Cruises

Welcome to ultimate luxury—a Regent Suite on the forthcoming Seven Seas Grandeur .

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

The latest “world’s most luxurious cruise ship” from Regent Seven Seas Cruises (each new vessel outdoes the last in terms of extreme luxury) debuts in Europe in November, before a season in North and Central America. Expect on the 750-passenger, all-suite Seven Seas Grandeur the brand’s signature extravagances such as marble floors, crystal chandeliers, gold leaf here, and expensive art there.

Technology will reduce up to 90 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions by transforming it into water and nitrogen, while a waste heat recovery system will heat auxiliary systems, such as potable water. Among shore excursions, which are included in fares, are some 150 “eco-connect tours” focused on local conservation efforts.

“Silver Nova” from Silversea

On the super-luxe Silver Nova , the restaurant S.A.L.T. will focus on culinary education and local food culture.

Deputing in August in the Mediterranean, the 728-passenger Silver Nova will be the largest ship in the fleet of ultra-luxury brand Silversea . An expanded pool area is designed for optimum views from cushy lounge chairs, and the ship will boast 10 bars and lounges and 8 restaurants—including S.A.L.T., with a focus on culinary education and local food culture. The spa, with its own pool, is inspired by Roman baths.

This ultra-luxe ship is one of the most environmentally conscious ships in the world. It’s equipped with a large-scale hybrid power source, which combines hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and dual engines that run on LNG. It can achieve emissions-free operations in ports.

“Vista” from Oceania Cruises

It’s been more than a decade since Oceania launched a new vessel. Enter: Vista .

Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises’ first new build in 11 years, the 1,200-passenger Vista, debuts in June in the Mediterranean. The ship offers an impressive 12 dining options—important on an upscale line that prides itself on its popularity with foodies. Vista will have the line’s signature cooking school and largest-in-fleet staterooms. At the top end, palatial Owner’s Suites are being styled by Ralph Lauren Home, which is also decorating the top-of-ship library.

In 2022, Oceania launched some 200 Go Green tours that look to educate travelers on ways people at ports are working to conserve their environment. In St. Lucia, you can book a tour to learn about beekeeping practices at an apiculture collective; in Norway, you can meet with a designer who upcycles to create eco-conscious clothing.

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10 Around-the-world Cruises for the Trip of a Lifetime

These world cruises offer the ultimate itineraries.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Want to island hop around French Polynesia, visit Africa's incredible cities, and cruise through Asia without ever switching hotels or repacking your bags? An around-the-world cruise provides the ultimate itinerary, packed with exciting international destinations (some even visit hard-to-reach destinations like Easter Island and Antarctica), and luxury cruise lines provide comfortable accommodations, specialty restaurants, and plenty to do on and off the ship.

There are two main things you need before booking a world cruise: plenty of time and some spare cash. Prices range from around $20,000 to upwards of $100,000 per person, and all our top picks are more than 100 days (one is even a whopping 275 days), so they're ideal for retired travelers looking for their next big adventure. Pack wisely for a range of destinations and climates, and get ready for the journey of a lifetime, filled with postcard-perfect destinations and new friends (because you're bound to meet a travel buddy or two after 100-plus days on a ship). If an around-the-world cruise is at the top of your travel list, you'll want to book sooner rather than later — these journeys frequently sell out because many cruise lines only offer a limited number of sailings.

Here are ten of the best around-the-world cruises you can take in 2023 and 2024.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking world cruise.

See 28 countries on the 138-day Viking World Cruise from Fort Lauderdale to London. After departing from Florida, the Viking Sky will sail the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, stopping in sunny destinations before crossing the Panama Canal to reach the Pacific. From there, the ship will visit destinations in Mexico and the continental United States, continuing on to Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand, and Australia. Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and India are among the ports in Asia, then it's on to the Middle East before traveling to Europe, where final destinations include Italy, Spain, and Portugal en route to London. Fares start at $59,995.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Moments in time: world cruise 2024.

Sail around the world in 132 nights aboard the Seven Seas Mariner on a round-trip journey from Miami. You'll spend the days at sea enjoying the luxury ship's amenities, including the spa and several restaurants and lounges, between stops in destinations like Costa Rica, Mexico, Hawaii, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, India, UAE, Israel, and Italy, among others. This 2024 world cruise , with fares starting at $73,499, is officially sold out , but you can join a waitlist to be notified of cancellations.

Royal Caribbean

The ultimate world cruise.

Royal Caribbean pulls out all the stops — and there are more than 150 of them — on this 274-night cruise to all seven continents. The itinerary aboard the Serenade of the Seas begins in Miami on December 10, 2023, and visits more than 60 countries, including Brazil, Ecuador, Nicaragua, French Polynesia, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Romania, and Greenland, before ending in Miami on September 10, 2024. Travelers who don't want to commit to the entire cruise can book shorter segments. Fares start at $59,999 for this cruise that gives travelers the opportunity to visit 11 of the great wonders of the world, including the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, and Chichen Itza.

World Cruise 2024

Enjoy 133 days on Silversea's Silver Shadow with this round-trip sailing from San Francisco. During that time, the ship will visit 65 ports in 14 countries, including Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Japan, and Canada. Fares start at $66,000 for this 2024 sailing, which currently has waitlist availability.

2024 World Cruise: Extraordinary Horizons

Climb aboard the Seabourn Sojourn for a 145-day world cruise from Los Angeles to Athens, visiting 72 ports in 28 countries. The cruise departs Los Angeles and goes to Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, Vietnam, Japan, and China — just to name a few places — before ending in Greece. Visit the website for booking details and shorter segments.

Oceania Cruises

Around the world in 180 days.

Travelers on Oceania's 180-day round-trip cruise from Los Angeles to New York aboard the Insignia will see some of the world's most impressive sights. Highlights include stops in stunning French Polynesia, Indonesia, Thailand, Egypt, Spain, France, and Iceland. Fares start at $48,499 for the 2024 sailing .

MSC Cruises

Msc world cruise 2024.

The MSC Poesia will take guests to 56 destinations on this 120-day cruise starting in Rome. Countries visited during this journey include Argentina, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, and Jordan. When you're not exploring each port, you can relax in the swimming pools and hot tubs, visit the many restaurants, bars, and lounges, or go to the spa. Fares start at $17,199 per person; find booking details on the MSC website.

Princess Cruises

111-day world cruise.

This round-trip cruise from Los Angeles on the Island Princess will visit 47 ports in beautiful places like New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Sri Lanka, UAE, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Bermuda, Mexico, and more. Fares for this 2024 sailing start at $19,497.

Holland America Line

128-day grand world voyage.

Explore the world on this 128-day round-trip journey from Fort Lauderdale on the Zuiderdam . This cruise's itinerary includes a trip down the Amazon River, stops in the Caribbean, a Panama Canal crossing, and stops in cities like Honolulu, Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, and more. Fares start at $23,599 for this 2024 cruise .

Azamara World Cruise

This 155-night itinerary to more than 40 countries kicks off in Fort Lauderdale and finishes in Barcelona. The itinerary features ports for experiencing some of the great wonders of the world, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, as well as Petra in Jordan and the Colosseum in Rome. Travelers can also choose to join segments of the cruise aboard the Azamara Onward for as few as 10 nights. Fares for this 2024 sailing start at $36,379.

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Around the World Cruise

The journey of a lifetime — best world cruise.

Voted “Best Cruise Itineraries” 12-Times

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Embark on a Princess World Cruise and experience the globe’s marquis ports and hidden gems. With carefully crafted itineraries to the most sought-after destinations, there’s no better escort to guide you through your travel bucket list than Princess Cruises.

2025 World Cruise From Los Angeles or Ft. Lauderdale

For a limited time, you’ll enjoy our Princess Premier package – at no extra cost when you book this World Cruise

Our longest voyage ever sets sails in January 2025 as Island Princess embarks on an epic 116-day roundtrip World Cruise from both Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles, visiting 51 destinations in 26 countries across 6 continents. This adventure includes our first ever visits to historic Bar, Montenegro, and Taranto, Italy. Also maiden for our North American World Cruises are stops to the idyllic Greek islands of Patmos and Volos – for the Monasteries of Meteora.

2024 World Cruise from Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland

Sail aboard the Coral Princess for our longest-ever Australia-based World Cruise! This six-continent and 110-day world adventure visits popular destinations including Scandinavia & Baltic, Iceland, South America and transits the historic Panama Canal. Make seven maiden calls including Aarhus and Edinburgh (South Queensferry), including overnight stays in New York and Lima (Callao), and spend more time ashore with eight late night stays including Berlin (Warnemunde), Boston, Copenhagen and Tahiti (Papeete).

2025 World Cruise from Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney

Crown Princess® – our largest ship to ever host a World Cruise – will be your escort on a wondrous 113-day adventure, visiting 49 destinations in 28 countries across six continents. Explore Asia, Indonesia, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe – including two ports in Greenland – the Americas and South Pacific. The 2025 itinerary travels over 33,500 miles and features countless UNESCO World Heritage sites plus other bucket-list attractions.

2026 World Cruise from Auckland or Sydney

On a wondrous 114-day voyage roundtrip from Auckland or Sydney, you'll visit 48 destinations in 31 countries across six continents for the adventure of a lifetime. Explore countless buck-list attractions in Asia, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, North and South America. This cruise also brings you to 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and some of the world's greatest cities as well as more remote locales, offering striking contrasts in architecture, fashion, music, culture and cuisine.

Why Take a World Cruise?

Collect a world of countless stories as you sail from continent to continent

Adventure of a lifetime

Nothing can beat the experience of a World Cruise. The camaraderie among guests, the shared experiences in fascinating ports across the globe, and the parties and celebrations on board and ashore all make this a true adventure that everyone should embark on at least once in their lifetime.

Exclusive experiences

Enjoy special activities unique to this epic voyage. Over 50 international guest entertainers keep you smiling; attend cocktail parties and themed deck parties, watch local folkloric shows, savor special officer dinners, commemorative take-home menus, cooking classes with Princess Cruises Chefs and much more.

Fresh flavors & global tastes

Cuisine is designed for fresh — prepared from scratch, using regionally sourced ingredients. In addition to the delicious signature dishes that Princess® is known for, you'll be treated to flavors and influences from the traditional cuisines of the destinations you are visiting, bringing a bit of the tantalizing tastes of the world on board.

Unforgettable ports of call

Not only will you encounter some of the world’s most revered sites and cities from Dubai to Sydney, you’ll have the opportunity to step ashore in lesser frequented ports, maiden calls and first time ever calls for Princess. Encounter some of the world’s most revered sites and cities from Kuala Lumpur and Sri Lanka to Bali, and Singapore. Volos (Meteora), and Athens.

Now Available: 2025 World Cruises . Learn more

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A Beer Lover's Guide to a World Cruise

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Travel, Airfare, & Hotels: Let Princess Get You There

Princess EZair® Flights

Stress-free airfare

Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled.

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Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative.

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20 Biggest Cruise Ships In The World As Of 2023

From opulent suites to onboard surfing, explore some of the world's biggest and most luxurious cruise ships in the world for 2023.

Read update

These Cruise Ships Just Keep Getting Bigger!

• Cruise ships are growing larger and larger, with some of the newest ships in 2022, 2023, and 2024 being the largest in the world.
• Royal Caribbean dominates the cruising sector and has recently launched Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, which are breaking size and tonnage records.
• These massive cruise ships are like floating cities, with numerous decks, amenities, and activities to accommodate thousands of passengers.

Since the first trans-Atlantic cruises launched over a century ago, cruise ships have grown steadily. It is not just about the number of passengers and the crew's quarters ( and their lives on board the ship ) but also the vessel's size. Today's cruise ships are so large that they can be considered floating cities—some even come with their own private islands!

Love the idea of starting a new adventure at every destination or just craving a relaxing getaway in the lap of luxury? While there are no disappointments on the largest cruise ships in the world as of 2022 , 2023, and 2024 promise even bigger and amenity-packed vessels.

UPDATE: 2023/11/29 10:22 EST BY NOAH STAATS

This article has been refreshed with two of the newest 'big' ships in the water this year, including two new monoliths from Royal Caribbean. Whether it's the Icon or Utopia of the Seas, remember to book a room with a view. These are mini-cities!

RELATED: Royal Caribbean Unveils Their Icon Of The Seas Cruise Ship

1 Icon of the Seas

One of the more exciting announcements from Royal Caribbean has been the creation of its largest ship ever: Icon of the Seas. This mega-ship boasts the title of largest in the world, as well as being a new flagship design from the brand. Royal Caribbean has always dominated the cruising sector, but with Icon of the Seas, they bring that title to a new extreme. The ship will have 20 decks, be 1,200 feet long, and weigh 250,800 gross tons. That makes it more of a mini city than a typical cruise liner, with Icon of the Seas breaking all records.

• Gross tons: 250,800
• Length: 1,200 ft
• Width: 213 ft

Utopia of the Seas

• Gross tons: 236,860
• Length: 1,188 ft
• Width: 211 ft

P&O Arvia

• Gross tons: 185,000
• Length: 1,132 ft
• Width: 138 ft

MSC World Europa

• Gross tons: 215,863
• Length: 1,092 ft
• Width: 154 ft

Wonder Of The Seas

• Gross tons: 235,600
• Width: 215 ft

Symphony Of The Seas

• Gross tons: 228,081
• Width: 215.5 ft

Harmony Of The Seas

• Gross tons: 226,963

Allure Of The Seas

• Gross tons: 225,282
• Length: 1,187 ft

Oasis Of The Seas

• Gross tons: 226,838
• Length: 1,180 ft
• Width: 198 ft

P&O Iona

• Gross tons: 184,700
• Length: 1,129 ft

• Gross tons: 183,900
• Length: 1,106 ft

MSC Grandiosa

• Gross tons: 181,541
• Length: 1,087 ft
• Width: 141 ft

Costa Smeralda

• Length: 1106 ft

Norwegian Bliss

• Gross tons: 168,02
• Length: 1,094 ft
• Width: 136 ft

Queen Mary 2

• Gross tons: 149,215
• Width: 134 ft

Queen Elizabeth 2

• Displacement: 49,738
• Gross tons: 70,327
• Length: 963 ft
• Width: 105 ft

Viking Octantis

• Gross tons: 30,150
• Length: 665 ft
• Width: 77 ft

Viking Polaris

Carnival Mardi Gras

• Gross tons: 180,000
• Length: 1129 ft

Spectrum Of The Seas

• Gross tons: 169,379
• Length: 1138 ft

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Father of 20-year-old man who 'jumped off' cruise ship in front of family believes he's still alive

Levion parker has now been missing for more than a week, but his dad remains hopeful.

Emily Brown

The father of a 20-year-old man thought to have jumped overboard from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship has shared his belief that he's still alive.

Levion Parker, from North Port, Florida, has been missing since he disappeared from the Liberty of the Seas ship traveling between Cuba and the Bahamas’ Grand Inagua Island on April 4.

The former high school footballer is thought to have been drunk when he went overboard, according to one passenger who'd witnessed the incident.

Speaking to The New York Post, Bryan Sims said : “He was pretty drunk. As we were walking from the hot tub back to the elevators, his dad and brother were walking towards us. His dad was fussing at him for being drunk, I guess.

“When we got to them, he said to his dad, ‘I’ll fix this right now.’ And he jumped out the window in front of us all.”

It was around 4am when Parker went missing, and another passenger, Deborah Morrison, told the Post the crew was alerted 'immediately'.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Southeast division confirmed the launch of the search and rescue mission on April 4, saying: "#Breaking @USCG crews are searching for a 20-year-old man who went overboard from the Liberty of the Seas cruise ship 57 miles from Great Inagua this morning. USCG Cutter Seneca and Air Station Miami HC-144 crews are conducting the search."

Unfortunately, the search for Parker has so far proved unsuccessful, and on Tuesday (April 9), the US Coast Guard said it had called off its search for Parker.

A spokesperson for the US Coast Guard 7th District Public Affairs Team confirmed to UNILAD that the search had been 'suspended'.

One week on from Parker's disappearance, his father, Francel Parker, told the Daily Sun that he's still holding out hope for his son.

“As soon as he went off the side, I prayed over him," he said. "I was confident the prayers I said over my son were heard. I stand on the word of God. I believe he is alive."

Francel also denied claims that he was arguing with Parker before he went overboard.

He recalled throwing six life rings off the ship in a bid to save his son, who he described as a skilled diver who works on a commercial fishing boat.

Royal Caribbean said it 'immediately' launched search boats to look for the passenger, though it wasn't until approximately 20 minutes after Parker went missing that the ship was able to come to a stop.

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson told LADbible Group: "Our hearts go out to the family, and we continue to offer them our support and assistance during this difficult time.

"Our policies strictly prohibit guests under the age of 21 from being served alcohol onboard."

Topics:  Royal Caribbean , US News

Emily Brown is UNILAD Editorial Lead at LADbible Group. She first began delivering news when she was just 11 years old - with a paper route - before graduating with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University. Emily joined UNILAD in 2018 to cover breaking news, trending stories and longer form features. She went on to become Community Desk Lead, commissioning and writing human interest stories from across the globe, before moving to the role of Editorial Lead. Emily now works alongside the UNILAD Editor to ensure the page delivers accurate, interesting and high quality content.

• Search and rescue launched after man, 20, 'jumped off' cruise ship in front of family
• Passenger recalled what happened moments before man, 20, 'jumped off' cruise ship in front of family
• Student, 19, identified as passenger who went overboard on world's largest cruise ship
• Guest on world's largest cruise ship goes overboard after trip diverted due to hurricane

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Cruise Industry Sets New Passenger Record in 2023

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The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its annual State of the Cruise Industry report, revealing robust growth in the sector still recovering from pandemic impacts. In 2023, the passenger volume reached an record 31.7 million, marking a 7% increase over 2019 levels.

The report paints a promising picture for the industry hit hard by the pandemic, highlighting an 82% intent among consumers to embark on cruise vacations.

CLIA’s projections for cruise capacity from 2024 through 2028 indicate a 10% rise.

Despite the pandemic, the cruising sector managed to generate 90% of its 2019’s economic impact in 2022, despite passenger volumes being only 70% of those in 2019.

The report underscores the significant economic contribution of the cruise industry, which constitutes just 2% of global travel. In 2022 (the latest figures available), the industry generated $138 billion globally, supporting 1.2 million jobs worldwide and contributing $43 billion in wages.

The industry anticipates an even greater economic impact in 2023, with passenger numbers expected to increase by 50% compared to 2022.

Looking at the fleet size, CLIA-member cruise lines expect eight new ships to be delivered in 2024, which will push the ocean-going fleet to more than 300 ships for the first time. Between 2024 and 2028, the industry is set to welcome 35 new ships, representing 112,000 lower berths and an orderbook value of $30.8 billion.

The report also shed light on emerging trends in cruising. Over the past two years, 27% of cruise passengers were first-timers, a 12% increase from the previous year. Cruises have also become a popular choice for multi-generational travel, with over 30% of families cruising with at least two generations and 28% traveling with three to five generations.

Expedition cruises are becoming increasingly popular, with a 71% rise in passenger numbers from 2019 to 2023. Accessible tour excursions are also gaining traction, with 45% of passengers booking an accessible tour on their most recent cruise. Additionally, 73% of cruise travelers credited travel advisors with significantly influencing their decision to cruise.

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24 Luxury Cruise Facts That Might Surprise You

Posted: November 7, 2023 | Last updated: December 10, 2023

Sumptuous escapes at sea

Some Oceania Cruises suites have walk-in closets and grand pianos

No expense has been spared when it comes to suite decor on luxury ships. For ultimate opulence, opt for the Owner’s suites which you’ll find on Oceania Cruises ' ships. These cover 1,991 square feet, have two walk-in closets and entrance foyers with a grand piano and a mahogany bar. A 15-day Svalbard & Arctic Passage cruise with accommodation in the Grand Owner’s suite costs from $23,044 per person.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Explorer had a big design budget

We’re increasingly seeing bigger budgets for ships’ decor. Huge amounts of cash are being splashed on sprucing up interiors, and one example of this decadence is Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' Seven Seas Explorer, which has 473 Swedish-designed chandeliers, 45,876 square feet of marble, Versace-designed dinnerware, crystal glasses from Eastern Europe and a $12 million art collection which includes several Picassos.

Orient Express is set to launch a seriously luxurious ship

After launching the world’s most luxurious train 140 years ago, Orient Express will launch an opulent ship to match. Orient Express Silenseas, which will take to the waves in 2026, will have 54 suites (including a 15,231-square-foot Presidential Suite), two swimming pools, two restaurants and a speakeasy bar. Oh, and a recording studio. Prices are to be confirmed (but will inevitably be eye-watering).

Windstar Cruises’ Star Legend offers themed suites

Sail on Windstar Cruises’ Star Legend and you can book a suite inspired by exotic destinations and hotels. We recommend the suite inspired by the Sea Island resort in Georgia. Expect ocean-inspired colourways and plenty of sea-glass green. A Treasures of the Greek Isles cruise with Windstar starts from $3,745 per person.

Now discover amazing facts about cruise ships you might not know

There are butlers onboard with a Silversea cruise

Book a sailing with  Silversea  and you’re guaranteed your own butler. They'll be on hand to help with everything from the unpacking of luggage to the opening of the Champagne bottles. They’re not just any butlers, either – they’ve undertaken a 108-point training programme created for the cruise line by the London-based School for Butlers. An 11-day Mediterranean Cruise in 2024 costs from $8,092 per person.

You can go beneath the ocean's surface with Scenic Cruises

An abundance of onboard kit means that luxury ships don’t just help passengers get to the world’s most remote places – they help them get below the waves and into the skies too. Take Scenic Cruises – their Scenic Eclipse ship recently became the first vessel to offer both helicopter flights and submarine dives in the Canadian Arctic. An Antarctica in Depth cruise costs from $16,310 per person.

Seven Seas Grandeur has in-suite spas

Love a session in the spa but value your personal space? Book Regent Seven Seas Cruises ’ Regent Suite, which you’ll find on Seven Seas Grandeur, due to launch in November 2023. Highlights include the two enormous bedrooms and the whirlpool bath on the balcony, although the pièce de resistance is the suite’s very own spa retreat.

North America's best river cruises and steamboat journeys

You can sleep under the stars with the SeaDream Yacht Club

Set sail on one of SeaDream Yacht Club ’s yacht-style vessels and you’ll be able to spend a night under the stars. At night, staff transform the upper deck’s huge Balinese day beds by adding luxurious bed linens and fluffy pillows, allowing you to drift off to the sound of the ocean. Expect to pay around $3,700 for a seven-day cruise.

SeaDream Yacht Club has one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios at sea

Some cruise lines offer boats on boats

Zodiacs – small, fast boats carried on ships – make it easy to explore different landscapes, whether it’s the frozen tundra or the Galapagos’ wildlife-dotted islands. Special mentions go to Quark , which uses environmentally friendly four-stroke engine zodiacs; Silversea , famous for its expert-led zodiac excursions, and AE Expeditions – the line’s new expedition ship Sylvia Earle has 15 zodiacs. A seven-day Spitsbergen sailing with Quark costs from $5,547.

Aurora Expeditions and AE Expeditions ships have science laboratories onboard

If peering at distant shorelines through binoculars doesn’t cut it, sign up for a sailing with Aurora Expeditions or AE Expeditions . AE Expeditions ships have tech-filled laboratories and lecture theaters, making it easy to gain new perspectives on the destinations in question. Guests can contribute to a wide range of research projects, including ones relating to micro-plastics and sea life. A 15-day Svalbard In Depth sailing starts from $12,137 per person.

You can have your very own Dom Perignon Experience on Oceania Cruises’ Vista ship

Is spaciousness a priority? Consider Oceania Cruises . Their newest ship Vista (which set sail in May 2023) is tipped as having the largest entry-level staterooms at sea (280 square feet, if you were wondering). We’re equally excited about the Dom Perignon Experience – during this six-course extravaganza you’ll sip Dom Perignon Champagnes chosen to suit the various dishes. A 10-day Bangkok to Singapore cruise starts from $5,335 per person.

Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Flora has a stargazing platform

Celebrity Cruises ’ Celebrity Flora, which has space for just 100 passengers and is based permanently in the Galapagos Islands, is a pint-sized ship that can effortlessly access the areas other vessels can’t reach. But our favorite feature is the stargazing platform. Head here for stargazing sessions led by the ship’s onboard astronomer. You’ll pay from $7,796 for a Galapagos Inner Loop sailing on Celebrity Flora.

The naming ceremonies are often spectacular

Simply swinging a bottle against the side of a ship is so passé. In January 2023 Viking christened new luxury ship Viking Neptune. The ship’s godmother Nicole Stott (a retired NASA astronaut) used a traditional Viking broad ax to cut the rope, which sent a bottle of fizz smashing into the ship. A 13-day Mediterranean Odyssey cruise with Viking costs $5,911.

Your Abercrombie & Kent guide might be a famous explorer

Abercrombie & Kent Luxury Expedition Cruises – previously known as Crystal Cruises – are famous for their onboard experts. The cruise line’s expedition leaders include explorer James McClintock, recipient of the Antarctica Service Medal, and former Royal Marine Commando Russ Manning, who served as base commander in the South Orkneys and earned the Polar Medal. A 14-night Arctic Cruise Adventure with Abercrombie & Kent costs from $17,922.

You no longer have to wear a ball gown to dinner

You can ride on a magic carpet with Celebrity Cruises

Okay, not the type ridden by Aladdin. We’re talking about Celebrity Cruises’ Magic Carpet – a cantilevered platform which appears to float in thin air, and which glides up and down the side of Celebrity Edge, one of the cruise line’s most luxurious ships. Depending on what level it stops at, the Magic Carpet can become a restaurant, bar or nightclub, although the one constant is breathtaking views.

Check out Spain's most stunning seaside spots

There are luxury ships you can live on

Dread disembarkation day? Why not simply stay onboard? No, we’re not suggesting claiming squatters’ rights at the end of your cruise, but splashing out on a cabin on  The World , described by its owners as a luxury private residence at sea. There are 165 residences available for purchase and the ship sails around the planet – in 2023 it will visit South Asia, the Middle East, the Iberian Peninsula, Greenland, South America and Antarctica. Some residents live on the ship full-time, while others visit throughout the year, and residences start at around $1.2m.

Luxury cruise lines can be fully all-inclusive too

You can feast on cuisine prepared by Michelin-starred chefs

You can learn firsthand about the Polar regions

Luxury cruise lines are going all out to provide fascinating insights into the explorers who first mapped these regions. In 2024, Scenic will launch several East Antarctic cruises focusing on the routes taken by explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. If you sail through the Arctic on Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot (the world’s only luxury ice breaker), a team of 23 polar experts will help you gain a whole new perspective on these remote regions.

There’s designer decor on Oceania Cruises’ Vista ship

SeaDream Yacht Club offer a ‘Champagne & Caviar Splash’

You need to book well in advance

If you’re planning on a bucket list-worthy sailing on one of the more luxurious ships, you’ll need to bag your spot early on. Take  Azamara’s World Voyage , a 155-night, 37-country sailing which takes place in 2024 and is currently sold out (there’s a waiting list of passengers hoping for cancellations). Luckily, spots on the 2025 World Voyage are still available – if you’ve got a minimum of $42,622 to spare.

The world's most beautiful ports visited by cruise ships

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