Ultimate Guide to World Cruising

Ultimate Guide to World Cruising

Contemplating a world cruise? A trip of this magnitude requires a lot of thought and preparation, not to mention a significant investment of time and money. However, it can truly be the most eye-opening experience of your life. Here are some things to consider as you plan for the trip of a lifetime.

Itineraries

Oceania’s Four Corners Cruise

One of the newest 180-day cruises being planned is Oceania’s Four Corners cruise that will embark from Miami in early 2026. This magnificent cruise begins with an in-depth six-week expedition in South America, rounding Cape Horn, and continuing up the west coast to Mexico and California before island hopping in Polynesia. It then makes its way to Australia’s iconic port towns of Cairns and Darwin. On to the Far East for visits in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, India, and the Arabian Peninsula. After visiting several historic ports in the Mediterranean, you’ll visit the British Isles and Scandinavia before crossing the Atlantic back to the USA.

Silverseas Three Oceans Cruise

Slightly shorter is the 149-day Silverseas Three Oceans cruise aboard the Silver Dawn, departing early 2027. As its name suggests, this cruise focuses on three oceans, beginning in Los Angeles and cruising the Pacific, hitting the high points of several Pacific islands, including Hawaii, Fiji, and the Whitsundays, and continuing to Australia. Cruising the Indian Ocean, you’ll visit Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Seychelles before beginning a seven-day immersive adventure along the coast of Africa. A few days of cruising the Mediterranean is a bonus as the Atlantic leg continues along the European coast to your final destination, Copenhagen.

Princess Cruise Line’s World Cruise

If you prefer a larger ship with more shipboard amenities, consider Princess Cruise Line’s World Cruise, a 114-day cruise round trip from Los Angeles departing in early 2026 aboard the Coral Princess. The first stop is Hawaii, followed by visits to Western Samoa and Fiji before arriving for several days’ exploration of New Zealand, including a visit to Fiordland National Park. From New Zealand, you’ll head to Australia, visiting Sydney and Brisbane before heading to New Guinea and the Philippines. On to Hong Kong for an overnight stay in the ultimate shopper’s paradise. Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Sri Lanka are next on the agenda before several days at sea ending in the transit of the Suez Canal. Several days will be spent cruising the Greek Isles, including a visit to Croatia, bordered by the crystal clear deep blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. As you continue east, you’ll visit Mediterranean ports in Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal for some historical perspective and wonderful ethnic cuisine and wine! The Atlantic crossing requires six days at sea, so you’ll have plenty of time to socialize with other guests and enjoy some of the Coral Princess’ amenities. Book a spa treatment, take an exercise class or play some hoops, attend an art auction or try your luck at the casino – you won’t have to worry about being bored. Evening entertainment? You bet! Broadway shows, nightly movies, cabaret-style bars, and dance parties make the evenings fly by. You’ll be in the USA briefly at Ft. Lauderdale and can opt for a tour of the Everglades before heading out again to Cartagena, Colombia, and the beginning of the two-day Panama Canal crossing. Back on the Pacific Ocean, you’ll visit Costa Rica and several resort communities in Mexico before arriving in Los Angeles just in time for spring!

Some itineraries have many more days at sea than others, which some folks enjoy, especially if they’ve chosen a larger ship with more shipboard amenities and activities to keep them occupied. Those who like to be in port seeing the sights, experiencing local culture, and participating in shore excursions would most likely prefer less time at sea, so make sure to consider the number of days at sea as you plan your itinerary.

Cost

Planning a world cruise? You know it’s going to be expensive, especially if you choose one of the luxury lines like Seabourn, Silverseas, or Oceania. Depending on the cruise line, there can be a number of benefits to booking a luxury cruise beyond the obvious emphasis on customer service and comfort. Some lines include airfare to and from the ship. Onboard amenities like valet services, most shore excursions, roomy staterooms with stocked mini-bars, unlimited restaurant options, and no-tipping policies make the cost of a luxury cruise a bit less painful.

Cutting Costs

One way to cut the cost is to book “segments” of a world cruise. This permits you to book just a portion of the cruise at a fraction of the cost. For example, you could choose just the South American portion of Oceania’s cruise out of Miami and get off the ship when it docks in California. Or choose the Indian Ocean destinations of the Silverseas cruise. If you were sailing on the Coral Princess, you could join the cruise in Cartagena at the beginning of the Panama Canal crossing and disembark in LA. While this option definitely cuts down on the cruise cost, it can present some transportation challenges for returning home, requiring a one-way plane ticket. This is where your Travel Leaders specialist comes in to help you navigate the options and solve potential logistical problems. Aside from cost-cutting, booking a cruise segment can give you a taste of the world cruise experience to help you decide if the world cruise experience is for you. It’s also the answer to the time commitment question. Instead of spending months, you can still see much of the world in a few weeks. 

Size of the Ship

Because of long days at sea crossing the oceans of the world, all ships are sufficiently large to weather rough seas, although the larger ships are equipped with better stabilizers that ensure smooth sailing in almost any situation. Smaller ships may be forced to extend port stays or change itineraries to keep their passengers comfortable during bad weather. On the upside, the smaller ships on lines like Azamara, Oceania, and Seabourn allow passengers access to ports that can’t accommodate the larger vessels. The smaller ships also tend to have more personalized service and an intimate atmosphere that allows travelers to bond and form friendships more easily. Balance those benefits with the capacity of larger ships like Costa, Cunard, and Princess lines to offer more in terms of dining options, entertainment venues, onboard activities, and shore excursions.

Simplify Your Planning with Travel Leaders

Does all this sound like too much hassle? Are you asking yourself, “Do I really want to juggle all these facts, worry about passports, immunizations, and airline connections, to say nothing of global health and political situations?” Fear not! Travel Leaders global specialists have plenty of experience in arranging worldwide travel, getting their clients the most up-to-date information and recommendations for the locations you will be visiting. We will see to it that your preferences are considered and honored whenever possible and will make planning this personal odyssey a pleasure rather than a dreaded chore. Give us a call!