Imagine the joys of traveling seamlessly from one bucket list country to another without packing and unpacking, switching hotels, boarding countless flights or even doing laundry.
Think it’s a fantasy? It’s actually a world cruise, the nirvana of many ocean-going devotees. As a bonus, most of these around-the-world voyages include enviable perks, like pre-cruise hotel stays, alcohol, shipboard credit, exclusive-access shore excursions — and, yes, laundry service.
Retired, taking a job hiatus or working remotely? A world cruise is a safe, easy and exhilarating way to score a global adventure beyond compare. You might even make new lifelong friends sharing similar interests.
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So, pull out your travel wish list and find an itinerary for those coveted destinations.
Here, you can learn more about what’s involved in an around-the-world cruise and drool over 11 terrific choices across a range of fares for an incredible monthslong voyage at sea.
What is a world cruise?
Never mind the moniker, a world cruise may visit several continents but not circumnavigate the globe. Cruise lines usually designate one ship (a few offer two) to sail about 100 days or longer — some even sail more than 200 days — without repeating ports.
World cruises traditionally start in January and end around April or May. They sail round-trip from one American city, such as San Francisco or Miami, or offer a choice of starting points on both coasts, making access easy.
What to know about world cruises
Plan ahead
With so few world cruises available, book far in advance. Bookings open roughly two years in advance, and some small-ship cruises sell out within hours. You’ll need the extra time to make arrangements to leave your home for months. For that reason, this story will focus on 2025 world cruises.
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Related: Hot cruises you’ll need to book at least 1 year in advance — maybe even 2!
Around-the-world cruise cost
Such lengthy sailings cost plenty. The bigger ship lines offer the lowest fares, although extra fees for what’s not included (such as shore excursions and alcohol) can add up quickly. If contemplating a big-ship voyage, read the inclusions carefully, as they vary among lines.
Luxury vessels bundle many costly amenities into the fare, like business- or first-class plane tickets and luxury hotel stays, and charge the most. They also deliver fine dining, pampering service, glam surroundings and impressive special events. (Silversea Cruises has previously rented out an entire island to entertain its world cruise guests.)
Thus, expect considerable price differences. Count on spending about $20,000 per person minimum to score an entry-level accommodation on the bigger ships and approximately $80,000 to $90,000 per person for an ultraluxury vessel.
Note that for the poshest lines, “entry-level” may mean a spacious, elegant suite with a veranda. For other lines, the most basic cabin is a small, windowless room.
Read on to discover where you can sail to in 2025 on a world cruise.
Azamara
World Voyage
Thanks to an overwhelming response to its 2024 world cruise (which is currently waitlisted), Azamara announced itineraries for both 2025 and 2026, both aboard the 684-passenger Azamara Onward.
Azamara Onward is the newest ship to join the Miami-based line’s four-vessel fleet. The ship’s size provides an intimate experience and allows it to call on small towns bigger ships can’t access.
For 2025, the 155-night, 37-country voyage begins in San Diego and ends in Southampton, England, with visits to exciting locales in French Polynesia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Italy, France and others.
Along the way, world cruisers can sample authentic Hawaiian cuisine; explore the unspoiled beaches and the lush rainforest on Stewart Island, New Zealand; and visit the world’s largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia.
The itinerary will include a pre-sailing welcome party, exclusive cultural events, concierge service and other upscale perks.
The 2026 world cruise sets sail from Miami and concludes in Barcelona. The itinerary for this 155-night expedition features some of the world’s most iconic landmarks and sites.
Cruisers will have the opportunity to explore the great pyramid of Kukulcan and other ancient Mayan sites in Chichen Itza, Mexico; wander among Rio de Janeiro’s architectural gems and experience the awe of Iguazu Falls in Brazil; sample Peruvian cuisine and soak in the landscape of Machu Picchu in Cusco; scale the Great Wall of China; and enjoy other bucket-list worthy adventures.
The 2025 world cruise departs Jan. 6, 2025. Prices start from $89,001 per person.
The 2026 world cruise departs Jan. 6, 2026. Prices start from $85,141 per person.
Crystal
World Cruise
If luxury and unparalleled personal service are important to you, consider Crystal‘s 2025 world cruise aboard Crystal Serenity.
The beloved upscale line went bankrupt and stopped sailing in 2022. However, luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent acquired it and brought it back to life with a $150 million glow-up, starting with 740-passenger Crystal Serenity.
With newly renovated expansive suites, an array of social areas and nearly one staff member per guest, Crystal Serenity offers ultimate comfort, quality and personalization. Every cabin comes with a butler ready to assist with reservations, laundry and any other needs you have during your global odyssey.
Beginning in Fort Lauderdale and concluding in Barcelona, the sailing spans 123 nights with visits to 31 countries. The cruise kicks off with a welcome celebration, and guests can enjoy themed onboard and shoreside events and gala dinners throughout the sailing.
Exciting destinations along the way include Belize, Honduras, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Jordan. Passengers can get a close-up look at Argentine tango through performances, enjoy street food in Sri Lanka’s capital city and celebrate like a Greek god on Mount Olympus, among other events.
Custom excursions and pre- and post-cruise tours organized by Abercrombie & Kent are available along the way (for an additional cost).
Departs Jan. 7, 2025. Prices start from $66,200 per person.
Cunard Line
World Voyage
Be among the first to explore the world aboard Queen Anne, the line’s first new ship in 12 years. Scheduled to launch in May 2024, the 2,996-passenger ship will take over Cunard‘s world cruise duties in January 2025.
Queen Anne’s maiden World Voyage in 2025 will span 111 nights, beginning and ending in Hamburg, Germany. Along the way, guests can explore historic churches in the Old Town of Lubeck, Germany, a UNESCO World Heritage site; visit the historic city of Antigua, Guatemala’s original capital; and indulge in retail therapy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s bustling shopping hub.
Passengers will enjoy spectacular new elements on this ship. The vessel’s main pool area, The Pavilion, is topped with a gorgeous retractable glass roof that will act as a showpiece and also a functional structure to keep poolgoers dry on rainy days.
If you’re seeking the most luxurious accommodations and exclusive experiences on board, book Princess or Queens Grill suites. Fares include outstanding amenities such as private dining rooms, coffee and specialty tea service, priority boarding, and a private outdoor lounge area.
Queens Grill suite passengers receive butler service, too. However, many lovely inclusions, such as white-gloved servers presenting complimentary daily tea, are available for all guests.
Departs Jan. 7, 2025. Prices start from $17,799 per person.
Holland America
Grand World Voyage
Holland America‘s 124-day Grand World Voyage on the 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam cruises round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. The enticing itinerary ventures far from Florida to must-visit cities such as Tokyo, Mumbai, Singapore and Istanbul. The ship will also traverse the Panama Canal.
Many included overnights allow opportunities to dive deep into local cultures and experiences. Spend extra time in Kobe, Japan; Hong Kong and Shanghai, China; and Singapore. As a bonus, Zuiderdam will take guests to incredibly remote locales, such as the Amazon.
On board, relish music venues like Billboard Onboard and BBC Earth in Concert, where a live orchestra plays before a huge backdrop of spectacular wildlife footage. Step One Dance Company presents works by noted choreographers. Count on a buzzy casino, fine dining at specialty restaurants and a professionally staffed fitness center.
Departs Jan. 4, 2025. Prices start from $24,999 per person.
Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
MSC Cruises
World Cruise
MSC Cruises is doing something a little different with its 2025 world cruise. It’s offering a choice of four embarkation ports — Rome and Genoa in Italy; Marseille, France; and Barcelona. Passengers will return to the same port they left from.
The 2,550-passenger MSC Magnifica is the home base for the 116-night journey. The itinerary features port calls at 50 destinations across 21 countries in the Mediterranean, South America, the South Pacific, Australia and Asia. Among the cities you’ll explore are Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro; Casablanca, Morocco; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Phuket, Thailand; Broome, Australia; and Auckland.
Spend your port days ogling at Genoa’s majestic Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Lawrence and Doge’s Palace; exploring the peaceful mountaintop monastery in Montserrat, Spain; and wandering through the restored ceremonial village of Orongo, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), a World Heritage Site.
Departs Jan. 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2025 (depending on your embarkation port). Prices start from $14,469 per person.
Oceania Cruises
Around the World Cruise
The lovely 656-passenger Insignia sails a whopping 200 days from Miami to New York for Oceania Cruises‘ 2025 world cruise. It might seem a long way away, but inside cabins and some suites are already waitlisted for the sailing.
Prepare to tear up any bucket list on a cruise this long. The ship begins in the balmy Caribbean islands, ventures to the Brazilian Amazon, explores more of South America and then heads off to Africa and Asia. Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii and Latin America round out the itinerary before Insignia circles back to the Caribbean (different ports on this end) and sails triumphantly back to Miami.
Oceania Cruises is renowned for fine dining. Expect to eat and drink exceptionally well on board.
Departs Jan. 5, 2025. Prices start from $54,099 per person.
Princess Cruises
World Cruise
Princess Cruises promises an unforgettable journey on its 116-day world cruise sailing from Fort Lauderdale (or Los Angeles, as an alternative embarkation port) on the 2,200-passenger Island Princess.
This ship delivers many onboard activities like cooking and dance classes, trivia contests, enrichment programs and games of basketball, volleyball and tennis on the sports court. A putting green ensures golf games stay sharp.
You can also expect outdoor movies, original musical productions and onboard wellness features such as a spa and fitness center.
World cruisers can visit 26 countries with 51 destinations across six continents; the exciting port of call include Lisbon; Bali; Naples, Italy; Milan; and Haifa, Israel. With late-night stays in 11 ports of call and a Dubai overnight, you can relish multiple opportunities to wine, dine and enjoy the nightlife ashore.
For 2025, Princess offers two 116-day world cruise itinerary options on Island Princess, one round-trip from Fort Lauderdale and the other round-trip from Los Angeles.
From Fort Lauderdale: Departs Jan. 5, 2025. Prices start from $16,225 per person.
From Los Angeles: Departs Jan. 20, 2025. Prices start from $16,298 per person.
Related: Big vs. small cruise ships: Which will I like better?
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Navigate the World
World cruises prove perpetually popular on this ultraluxe line. They often sell out in the blink of an eye.
Availability is limited on the 2025 150-night world cruise on the 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner, sailing round-trip from Miami to San Francisco. This itinerary includes cruising in Antarctica, the Chilean fjords, French Polynesia, Taipei and Bali.
Perhaps because its 2025 sailing is nearly sold out, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is one of the first cruise lines to announce its 2026 world voyage, also on Seven Seas Mariner.
This journey will be the line’s longest, sailing for 154 nights and visiting 77 ports in 41 countries across six continents. The itinerary includes three new ports of call for Regent, including Lifou Island and Mare of the Loyalty Islands in the New Caledonia archipelago. Count on visiting 47 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Robben Island in South Africa.
For all its around-the-world cruises, Regent piles on primo inclusions — first-class flights, unlimited shore excursions, luggage service, an open bar and a visa package are among countless amenities.
The 2025 world cruise departs Jan. 7, 2025. Prices start from $87,999 per person.
The 2026 world cruise departs Jan. 10, 2026. Prices start from $94,999 per person.
Related: The 9 best luxury cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity
Seabourn
Grand Africa Voyage
Wander the majestic Grandmaster’s Palace in Malta. Snorkel the pristine waters along the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Ogle the tropical beauty of the 115-island archipelago of the Seychelles. Soak up the beauty of Cape Town from atop Table Mountain.
You’ll find many pinch-me moments on Seabourn‘s 90-day, 26-country Grand Africa cruise in late 2024 and early 2025. It takes place onboard the 450-passenger all-suite Seabourn Sojourn and sails round-trip from Barcelona. (The line is not currently offering a more traditional world cruise in 2025.)
On the ultraluxurious vessel, you can expect exclusive VIP celebrations, like a Caviar in the Surf party. (Note that complimentary Champagne and caviar flow freely on board, too, adding to the happy vibe.)
There’s much to love about Seabourn Sojourn. Its intimate size allows truly personalized service from a polished, attentive crew. Seabourn Square, a living room-like venue, is a magnet for affable passengers who quickly make new friends. Count on superb dining and 24-hour room service among a slew of upscale amenities.
Departs Nov. 30, 2024. Prices start from $38,999 per person.
Related: 7 extremely decadent things you can do on a luxury cruise vacation
Silversea Cruises
Controtempo
Silversea Cruises‘ 2025 world cruise aboard the ultraluxurious, 596-passenger Silver Dawn looks amazing. The around-the-world cruise is designed to visit far-flung and more remote ports, often out of season, to avoid the touristy crowds.
This 136-day voyage sails from Tokyo to New York and explores 59 ports in 30 countries. Count on visiting enchanting cities, including Istanbul, Naples and Stockholm. Wonderfully remote ports, like Cochin, India; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Nuuk, Greenland, tempt travelers to come aboard for the long haul.
Silversea’s world cruises are known for showcasing exceptional special-access events, and this sailing is no different. On this cruise, applause goes to a private tour of Cairo’s 500-room Abdeen Palace and an inimitable evening at Versailles in lavish Marie Antoinette style (pre-guillotine, of course).
Silver Dawn is a wowser with a game-changer spa, all-suite accommodations, tux-clad butlers for all passengers and complimentary caviar service anytime, anywhere. Expect many fare inclusions, such as business-class flights, shore excursions and private transfers.
Departs Jan. 13, 2025. Prices start from $81,900 per person.
Viking
Viking World Voyage II
Imagine the joy of ticking many bucket list boxes on Viking World Voyage II, Viking‘s 163-day world cruise on board the 930-passenger Viking Sky in 2025. Book quickly; availability is extremely limited, with many suites and penthouses already sold out.
The Los Angeles-to-New York voyage visits 29 countries and 78 ports.
Palm-tree ports are plentiful, including Moorea, French Polynesia; Bay of Islands, New Zealand; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. You’ll cross many seas, such as the Tasman, Arafura and Arabian, and take your pick of a plethora of possible excursions, including a visit to a Balinese Hindu temple in Indonesia and a tour of the ancient Elephanta Caves in India. You can pretty much do it all on this world cruise.
Departs Jan. 5, 2025. Prices start from $74,995 per person.
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