Is this really “the most epic world cruise ever set sail”?

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“The most epic world cruise ever set sail”: That’s Royal Caribbean’s claim for the 274-night voyage. sea ​​serenade. Without a doubt, this is the cruise of the 21st century that has captured the world’s attention like never before. But as I’ve closely observed the “Ultimate World Voyage,” a nine-month trip around the world may not be all about constant joy.

independent person The voyage was first reported in October 2021. It was a bold move by the cruise line, considering at the time it wasn’t even legal for British tourists to travel to the US, let alone board a ship for the trip. Calling her over 60 countries around the world. But Royal Caribbean has made the right decision when it comes to the end of the coronavirus pandemic.

That figure of more than 60 has fluctuated as Russia and Ukraine were removed from the itinerary after the Kremlin’s invasion of its southern neighbor. Ashdod, Israel’s main cruise port, was evacuated following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and subsequent events.

At this point, I have no intention of putting money into the Aqaba-Suez Canal-Alexandria section because the Houthis are still attacking ships in the Red Sea. I suggest that passengers prepare a long detour around the Cape of Good Hope.

Long “sea days” may not be very appealing to those on board. sea ​​serenade It’s far from the ultimate cruise ship. The ship is relatively old (she has been in service for more than 20 years) and small (she has a passenger capacity of about 2,000; the newer one has a passenger capacity of 7,600). sea ​​icon). A big part of the fun of cruising is the many ports of call.

The ultimate world cruise includes exactly 11 world wonders.

Some of them are traditional cruise trips, such as Petra, Jordan, about 130 miles inland from Aqaba. But some people are ambitious.

The Taj Mahal is 800 miles from the Indian coast, making it inconvenient for ocean-going ships. Instead, some passengers will fly from Kochi to Delhi on May 1 and stay in hotels there. The next morning, they take a train to Agra, then a bus to the Taj Mahal, from where they transfer again to their hotel. On the third day they fly to Goa where they join the ship. Other passengers will be joining the Goa-Taj-Mumbai tour, so you will find it somewhat empty.

It sounds exhausting, and it’s not the ideal way to contemplate an indisputable wonder of the world: India’s ultimate tribute to undying love.

The astonishing sight of Iguazu Falls, where Argentina and Brazil meet at the edge of a spectacular cliff, is not known for its proximity to Buenos Aires, which we calculate is 1,055 miles away. However, some passengers flew into the country for several days on land.

If you want to board the ship, there is plenty of space. The Ultimate World Cruise doubles as a series of short cruises. Relatively few passengers spend nine months traveling around the world. Most travelers will travel short distances, such as heading from Southampton to Belgium on July 26, then heading to the Baltic Sea and arriving in Copenhagen 15 days later. Starting price: £2,482. This matches well with her average nightly cost for the entire voyage, which is around $200 (£165) per person for an onboard cabin.

Given the intense interest in this voyage, one wonders if Royal Caribbean and other companies are busy putting together similar solutions to answer the question, “What can we do with this rather outdated ship?” Masu.

I arrived in Southampton on July 26th and did everything in my power to speak to passengers and convince them that for those with an odd £50,000 to spare, this was the best way to experience the world. I hope so. Would you like to bet, say, £1,000? No, that’s fine.