Which World Cruise is the Best?

If you are planning on going on a world cruise, there are many things to think of before making a deposit. From different travel dates to different ports of call, each world cruise is special in its own way. Some world cruises focus not just on the entire world with all seven continents but maybe a certain region on the map such as the Far East, Grand Pacific or the circumnavigation of The Americas with an Antarctica extension.

Many world cruises will start their journey based in Miami or Los Angeles and finish in New York. Depending on which cruise you choose, you can also find a few that are round-trip like from Miami.

They visit so many different port locations like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hawaii, Tahiti, French Polynesia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bali, Malaysia, The Maldives, India, Dubai, Oman, Israel, Petra in Egypt, Portugal, Barcelona in Spain, ports in Italy like Genoa, Venice, the island of Sicily & Rome, Greece, France, Amsterdam, Southampton, Mexico, Fort Lauderdale in Florida and more.

As you can see, these cruises are departing for months so make sure you pack your bags thoughtfully. Cruise lines do have laundry services on board so do not feel like you need to pack a different outfit for each and every day of you 100+ day voyage. It is your choice to use the self-serve washing machines and dryers or just have your clothes sent out for servicing. Different travelers require different options.

January is the most common month so you get to start your year off with a bang! Most cruise lines are priced based on double occupancy but there are options for singles although, more often than not, you will need to pay an additional single occupancy fee. Many people book these cruises years in advance so spend time researching these cruise companies and complete a list to decide which options are your favorite. Take advantage of the offers and features of each ship while you plan this incredible journey. Also keep in mind with the initial price, cruise port costs, taxes and other fees may not be included so make sure you budget those in as well.

One recent complication that many cruisers are running into are that all of the cabins on the ships are sold out. There are so many people who would like to take one of these cruises that there just is not enough space. If you are having issues in finding your perfect cabin, reach out to your travel advisor. Many good advisors have privileged access to “skip-the-lines” with their insider access. They have direct access because of their relationship with their business development manager which in turn gives you a better chance of getting a cabin for your preferred sailing.

Keep in mind that you can also do segments of world cruises. For instance, if you are mainly interested in the Indian Ocean and circumnavigating Africa, you can pick just that part of the cruise. This helps if you only have a few weeks for your journey or are looking for a different price point. Keep in mind that guests who book the full sailing will have priority on cabin selection so these segments may be a bit more difficult to achieve.

As for the best cruise, it is up to you and your travel style. If you are an avid Seabourn sailor, Viking may not be the right fit for you. If you just want to get out there and see the world, then your options are more open. Keep in mind to compare the value of inclusions to the overall cost. You may tend to be paying less up front but you will be on the ship in many cases for over 100 days and the extras can add up.

The overall value is exceptional though. With the cruise providing breakfast, lunch and dinner, take guests to all of the offered countries, include activities onboard, experiences on shore and more, when broken down to a cost per day, cruising is truly the way to travel for a journey like this.

My Suggestions for World Cruises:

(Keep in mind that the offerings listed below can change at any time so please contact your travel advisor for the most current specials)

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

A World Cruise with this cruise line fully indulges your desire to seek, discover and explore each and every day. Immerse yourself in the beauty of your arrival in faraway lands, the mystique of early cultures and offering you the celebrated cuisines of diverse regions around the globe. Whichever departure you choose for your World Cruise, you’ll find endless opportunities to experience the beauty and wonder of nearly every region of the world during your duration.

With luxurious amenities on board and exclusive excursions ashore, you need only relax, explore and marvel at your discoveries. I really like this cruise line because complimentary shore excursions are featured on their world cruises. This is one bonus that saves their guests thousands of dollars in additional costs. They also include so many additional amenities like select free air, open bar, eat at free specialty restaurants, and complimentary transfers to the ship just to name a few.

Oceania Cruises

Thoughtfully designed for the seasoned traveler that has dreamed of exploring the farthest reaches of our world, this transformative journey will offer you a discovery of a more profound connection with cultures spanning the globe. The re-inspired ambiance, luxurious amenities and The Finest Cuisine at Sea™ will create the perfect complement to your fulfilling days of adventure ashore around the globe.

Whether you choose to unwind at the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center, bring newfound friends together over a bottle of wine or channel your inner creative spirit at Artist Loft, their Insignia ship will be your luxurious home at sea as you sail from one spectacular destination to the next. This cruise line is also including complimentary shore excursions, a beverage package, shipboard credit, pre-paid gratuities, free internet, a visa package, luggage delivery, round-trip transfers and more. I also like this ship because there are less passengers, giving you that excellent service you are accustomed to.

Seabourn

To travel on a Seabourn luxury world cruise is to discover two extraordinary worlds; all-inclusive, world-class fine dining, fine wines, and fine relaxation. And the other, an exploration of popular ports, hidden coves, and exotic landscapes. Fill your nights with life and energy from ports around the world and let life just guide you on your personal journey of discovery. Trace a tantalizing path across the globe, weaving an evocative tapestry of colorful memories that will surely last a lifetime. This cruise line is also all-inclusive and I absolutely love that they give you welcome Champagne and complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your preferences.

Princess Cruises

Explore the far corners of the globe without the hassle of airport travel, constant unpacking, and expensive meals. Experience the globe’s superior ports and hidden gems as you travel through the waters of the world. With carefully crafted itineraries to the most sought-after destinations, this a great option to guide you through your personal travel bucket list. Princess is now including specialty dining as an added bonus on their sailings so that is a great value!

Cunard

Queen Mary 2’s new World Voyage is sure to invigorate your senses and delight your soul. Promising beauty, intrigue and adventure across a host of captivating countries on your list. A Cunard world voyage brings the globe’s greatest sights to your front door, with illuminating guest speakers highlighting destinations and gourmet cuisine that unlocks the secrets of the destinations you will encounter. From Sydney Harbor to the Panama Canal, the Caribbean islands and the South Pacific, this world is just a port away.

If you would rather focus on just one part of the world, you can discover the Americas, Australia, Asia or Africa with them as well. This segment option for the cruise is ideal if you have less vacation time for options to escape for a month or just a few weeks. Remember that afternoon tea is included which can really make this trip a unique experience. You will also receive shipboard credit, reduced deposits and also complimentary drinks & gratuities if you are in the Grill Suites. Cunard offers beautifully appointed single occupancy suites so if you are a solo traveler, this will help keep the prices down a bit for you.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Achieve countless milestones on an epic World Cruise visiting the world’s most iconic cities and lesser known towns. Equally rewarding yet shorter, Grand Voyages combine two or more itineraries on one seamless journey. Their signature cultural immersion, destination insights and great value place the entire globe within reach. They also include business class air, transfers to the ship, shore excursion credits, shipboard credits, complimentary visa services, a beverage package, free wi-fi and more.

Viking’s World Cruises and Grand Voyages are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to watch the world through a wider lens. Our world cruises circumnavigate the globe, introducing you to one fascinating culture after another and delivering you to the world’s most breathtaking corners of the world. Grand Voyages are also full of limitless discoveries, and they are economical because you pay just one airfare as you combine multiple Viking ocean cruises. As you traverse the world’s oceans on one of our epic journeys, raise a glass to the endless discoveries you will make along the way.

Overall, the best world cruise is a cruise that will provide you with the most check-marks to the destinations you want to visit. Remember that some of these cruises can have an itinerary up to 140 or more nights so be prepared for a true experience of a lifetime onboard one of these cruise lines. It has always been your dream to explore on the water and now you can see the globe in just one journey of a lifetime.