The Ultimate World Cruise – A Look at Royal Caribbean’s Round the World Cruise 2023
World Cruises are an incredible way to get a taste of the world, see incredible architecture, historical wonders, experience different cultures, and be awestruck by breathtaking natural beauty all while on a cruise. Each year 13 or so cruise lines offer World Cruises. And, starting in winter 2023-2024 we can count one more. The draw of World Cruises have been so great that a cruise line that is known for ice rinks, robot bartenders, and aqua theaters is joining the many cruise lines offering them. That’s right, Royal Caribbean has announced a World Cruise. And, in true Royal Caribbean fashion, this world cruise is unlike any other. Just as they have pushed the envelope in cruise ship design, with this World Cruise itinerary they are pushing the boundaries of a World Cruise. “The Ultimate World Cruise” as they are calling it is a 274 night, 7-continent adventure. Let’s take a look at Royal Caribbean’s first Round the World Cruise 2023.
The Basics:
The Ultimate World Cruise by Royal Caribbean is sailing roundtrip from Miami in December of 2023.
Ship: Serenade of the Seas
Departure: Miami, Florida (also offered in segments, see itinerary section below for more details)
Dates: December 10, 2023 – September 10th, 2024
Cost: Starting at $60,999 per person (+port fees and taxes). 10% discount if paid in full by January 6, 2023.
What Makes Royal Caribbean’s World Cruise 2023 Different?
At Nearly 9 Months Long, This is the Longest World Cruise Out There
It’s really the length of the itinerary that stands out – at 274 nights it’s 94 nights longer than the next longest World Cruise currently on the market. Oceania Cruises annually offers a World Cruise typically about 180 nights – however, adjusting departure dates can make a voyage with Oceania up to 196 nights. Anyway you design it though, 274 nights is by far the longest voyage offered as one continuous voyage.
It Visits All Seven Continents*
World Cruises rarely (if ever) repeat the same itinerary two years in a row. Really it’s rare that they would ever sail the same itinerary…ever. These itineraries have to stay interesting and engaging for World Cruise guests that are often repeat cruisers. Many have done the World Cruise year after year after year. This means that the guests want variety in their itineraries and may figure that if one year they explore Asia the next they may explore Antarctica. It is not a necessity to see everything as another World Cruise will (someday) happen.
Royal Caribbean’s round the world cruise is different. This cruise is like taking your bucket list and pouring it out over the map. It’s basically the itinerary of all the other World Cruises combined – *with the exception that while it technically visits Africa it only very lightly touches on the African continent.
There Are Some Good Perks
World Cruises are notorious for offering perks and amenities to the passengers (especially the ones that are completing the full voyage) that you wouldn’t find on an average cruise. On this particular voyage they are offering the “Seven Wonders” package for some of their most loyal cruisers in their Crown & Anchor loyalty program. The other inclusions are pretty good as well. Royal Caribbean is considered a main stream or contemporary cruise line and these inclusions are more along the lines of what is being included and offered by the luxury brands for their world cruises. Will this make other mainstream cruise lines increase what is included on future voyages? Only time will tell.
Other amenities for guests sailing on the complete Ultimate World Cruise 2023 are:
- Round-trip business class airfare
- pre-cruise hotel stay and welcome gala
- transfers between airport, hotel, and ship
- Deluxe beverage package for the entire voyage
- “VOOM” Wi-Fi internet for entire voyage
- Gratuities (this is a big one, think about the $15 or so usually per person/per day x 274, this is a huge savings!)
- Laundry Service!! (Another big one, as how else would you pack for 9 months?)
- Platinum Status and above loyalty members will have excursions to the Seven New World Wonders included.
If you are only sailing part of the voyage, there are still amenities:
- Deluxe beverage package for the entire voyage
- “VOOM” Wi-Fi internet for entire voyage
- Gratuities (this is a big one, think about the $15 or so usually per person/per day x 274, this is a huge savings!)
- Laundry Service!! (Another big one, as how else would you pack for 9 months?
*As an Amazon Affiliate I may earn a commission on eligible purchases
Can You Sail Just part of the Round the World Cruise?
Not if you don’t want to! This voyage is being offered either as an entire voyage but is also being broken up into four different and unique segments. While some guests will be on for the entire voyage it’s not necessary to be onboard for the entire voyage if you either don’t want to or simply aren’t able to.
This is a great opportunity for guests to try out Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Round the World Cruise 2023 experience for a shorter time, or maybe it’s just the time that would fit in their schedule. It can also be great for someone that has been wanting to explore a certain region for a bit longer and that segment of this itinerary happens to fit that bill. Some guests might be on for just one segment whereas others will be on for several segments and then some guests will be on for the entire cruise. Offering this voyage as segments as well as the entire voyage offers so many more opportunities for guests to experience this Ultimate World Cruise.
What is the Itinerary Like on Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise 2023?
The itinerary on this Round the World adventure is pretty good. If you’d like a complete look at the itinerary and an awesome video about this voyage, please check out this video where I review the cruise and itinerary with my friend (and incredible wealth of knowledge/travel professional) Joanne:
This itinerary does go around the world and visits some incredible places. There are a few things to note when reviewing the itinerary though:
- Port times aren’t listed on the itinerary – yet. This means that some days could be shorter or longer in different ports than expected.
- The large cities are listed versus where the ship is actually docked. While the ship will dock in one place that is near the big famous and large city, in those ports you will need to get transportation (or a tour) into the city itself. Examples of this are Rome (which is really Civitavecchia), Athens (Piraeus), Beijing (Tianjing), etc.
- There aren’t a lot of overnights. Often on World Cruises of this length the ship would have overnights in many cities. This doesn’t seem to be the case on this itinerary. That’s not a bad thing and it will still give you a taste of the places, but it might not be as in depth as you would have gotten if the ship had overnighted there.
- It doesn’t list which ports require tenders (yet). However, if you have any mobility challenges where using a tender or water taxi might pose challenging, please check out Royal Caribbean’s Accessible Cruise page for more information.
The Itinerary, in Four Parts:
If you were to sail on the entire voyage you would sail roundtrip from Miami on December 10th, 2023 and return September 10th, 2024. During that time you would visit 60+ countries, have the opportunity to visit 11 world wonders, and spend 274 nights onboard.
Segment 1: December 10th – February 11th
Round the Horn: Americas and Antartica Expedition:
This segment begins in Miami on December 10th, 2023 and ends in Los Angeles on February 11th, 2024.
This ‘Round the Horn’ experience will visit 36 destinations in 64 nights around the Americas (mostly Central and South American). Highlights of this segment include Barbados, Devil’s Island, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Falkland Islands, Antartica, Ushuaia, Lima (with the potential to see Machu Picchu), Ecuador, and Mexico.
Segment 2: February 11th – May 9th
Wonders of Asia and the Pacific, Expedition 02:
This segment starts in Los Angeles on February 11th and ends in Dubai on May 9th, 2024.
This Wonders of Asia and the Pacific expedition includes 40 destinations and is nearly 3 months long at 87 nights. This also includes the Pacific crossing which is the longest stretch of sea days on this itinerary (don’t worry, there will be plenty to do onboard and sea days are a great way to recharge!)
Highlights of this segment include Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand (North Island only), Australia (including options for the Great Barrier Reef), Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, China (including options for the Great Wall of China), Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India (including options to see the Taj Mahal – will likely require a flight), United Arab Emirates.
Segment 3: May 9th – July 4th
Middle East Treasures and Marvels of the Med, Expedition 03
This segment starts in Dubai on May 9th and ends in Barcelona on July 4th.
During this expedition you will experience 44 destinations across 63 nights. Highlights include Oman, Jordan (with options for Petra and Wadi Rum), Egypt (with options to see the pyramids), Suez Canal transit, Israel, Cyprus, extensive Greece (lots of islands!), Turkey (options for Ephesus), Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Italy (including options for Pompeii, Rome), Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Malta, France, Spain.
Segment 4: July 4th – September 10th
Capitals of Culture, Expedition 04:
This expedition starts in Barcelona on July 4th and ends in Miami on September 10th.
Highlights of this segment include Spain, Morocco (including Casablanca), Portugal, Ireland, France, England, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, New York City, Bermuda, Perfect Day at Coco Cay Bahamas.
Logistics and Things to Think About:
When thinking about booking a World Cruise it is easy to get caught up in the glamour of sailing the seven seas. The less glamorous side though is everything you need to do to get ready to sail. Being gone for 9 months is a long time. From who will water your plants to how you will get your prescriptions (or whether you can bring enough onboard), there’s a lot to think about to get ready to be away from home for 9 months. Here’s a few things to think about:
- What visas do you need? Most cruise lines will supply you with a basic list. At the end of the day though it’s your responsibility to get the required visas.
- Weatherizing your home – or finding a house sitter
- Getting any important documents notarized and/or having a power of attorney – I never would have thought of this one until a situation recently happened in my life where we needed something notarized while at sea. Who knew it could be such an adventure?!
- Mail forwarding/stopping your mail/having a trustworthy neighbor pick it up?
- Prescriptions/medical needs – and, importantly – travel insurance!
- Cell phone plans – I love my plan through Google Fi which has allowed me to use my phone (without roaming fees) around the world (referral link)
- Credit Cards without international fees! I use Chase Sapphire Preferred and have enjoyed it’s point system, both for travel rewards, the ability to transfer it to travel partners, but also for other cash back options as well. Plus, there’s a huge sign on points bonus that would easily pay for an international flight.
Will There Be the Same Crew for the Entire Voyage?
There needs to be some crew change at some point. And, that includes some of the higher ranking crew, too. 274 nights is 9 months. That is a long time! Can you imagine working every single day for 9 months? (Now, some of you surely can, but the majority of the work force expects to have a day off at some point.)
While some crew members will work for 9 or 10 month contracts and some will work the full Ultimate World Cruise, most will not. More than likely they will stagger departures and arrivals of key crew members so that it disrupts the cruise as little as possible.
In perspective though, many officer positions work for 3 months on and 3 months off (or some variation there of). Many positions in entertainment work 4-6 months at a time and then have a couple months off, and many other shipboard positions are for six month contracts. And, while keeping consistency throughout a voyage is important, a healthy work/life balance and avoiding burn out for crew is also incredibly important. However, as it is a World Cruise and there is value in consistency, my guess is the vacation between contracts for some crew in key passenger facing roles will be shortened to disrupt the cruise as little as possible and those crew changes will happen at the start/end of the different segments.
Is Royal Caribbean’s Round the World Cruise Really the “Ultimate World Cruise”?
That remains to be seen, and much like anything, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In this case whether it is “ultimate” is up to the guests to decide. What might be the perfect World Cruise for some might not be for others.
However, this voyage has a lot going for it – from an interesting itinerary offered as a full voyage or in well thought out segments, lovely included amenities, a beautiful ship – it sounds like a great experience to me.
