How Long Does it Take a Cruise Ship to Travel Around the World?

To some the thought of a world cruise is frightening---months on the sea, "holed up" in one vessel, away from the security of land, family and the familiar. To others the thought is exhilarating---days and nights of luxury, fine dining, exotic ports-of-call, new friends and adventures. Most world cruises take around 100 days, depending on the itinerary.

Almost World Cruises

• Many voyages classed as "world cruises" actually don't circumnavigate the globe. They leave out the last ocean segment, whether the Pacific or the Atlantic. Thus, you might sail from England to North and South America, then to Asia and India. After visiting 19 countries, the ship ends its voyage at Sydney, Australia. In 2010 on P&O's "Oriana" that voyage took 84 days. Crystal's "Serenity" offers a 110-day world cruise, leaving Los Angeles in January and sailing to 41 ports in 19 countries ending in London.

The Granddaddy of World Cruises

• In 1923, Cunard's "RMS Laconia" completed a historic world cruise, the first by any passenger ship. She started at New York City and sailed east. The voyage took 130 days and called at 22 ports. January 2011 can be looked upon as another historic accomplishment in Cunard's history. Guests will sail on three Queens for a world cruise of 103 nights. "Queen Victoria" leaves Southampton for New York. Then passengers transfer to the new "Queen Elizabeth" to sail to Sydney. From there, on "Queen Mary 2," they sail back to Southampton.

The Shortest and Longest

• Possibly the shortest world cruise is Fred Olsen's "Black Watch." She leaves Southampton, England, in early January for a 77-day, 27-port sail to the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, down and around South America, and back to Southampton. Among the longest cruises is the Seven Seas' "Voyagers," leaving San Francisco, California, in mid-January and docking at Southampton, England, 145 days and 67 ports later. She sails west to Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia, China, the Middle East and Europe.

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Parts of a Cruise Ship

Traveling via cruise ships means that you will have the opportunity to enjoy the open seas between ports of call. Cruise ships share the same anatomy as other types of ships but vary when it comes to the built-in amenities. Cruise ships include features built either to entertain or better accommodate the travelers on board.

Cruise Ship Anatomy

• The basic parts of a cruise ship are named in the same way as any other ship, and though some cruise lines may give special names for some places, the geography of all ships are addressed in the same way. The front of the ship is known as the bow and to get there, you move forward. Moving aft, you eventually reach the back of the ship, or stern. When facing forward (towards the bow), the side to your right is the starboard and the left is the port side. The deck refers to the floor, the space in between the bow and stern is called amidships and cabins are the rooms that you sleep in while on a cruise ship. The Engine Room is the only space on a ship referred to as a room, as other spaces are compartments.

Facilities for Physical Activity

• Cruise ships vary throughout the world depending on the ship's builder and its capacity, purpose and size. These differences begin with the amenities with which they are equipped Cruise ships may be equipped with pools and a pool deck for swimming and basking in the sun. Others also house gyms with weights and exercise equipment and some even furnish basketball courts, tennis courts, rock climbing walls and miniature golf courses. One ship, the Norwegian Pearl which was built in 2007, even has a four-lane bowling alley.

Leisure and Entertainment Amenities

• To keep you from getting bored while at sea, cruise ships host performances of art, dance, theater and music in various areas of the ship. Some compartments are equipped with stages and lighting and TV screens while other compartments are reserved for relaxation. Most cruise ships will have a daily bulletin outlining the various activities and shows that are offered and will state which part of the ship they will occur.

Dining Rooms

• Some cruise ships are of such size that rather than having a single dining room, they will be equipped with an entire food court offering a variety of cuisine. In addition to eateries, there is at least one, if not more, bars located at strategic points of a cruise ship depending on its size.

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Things to Do Within Walking Distance of the Cruise Ship Pier in Nassau

The Bahamas sees thousands of visitors each year, including many who come ashore from a cruise ship for just a few hours. Most cruise ships dock at Prince George Wharf in Nassau, the capital city on New Providence Island. While you can sign up for shore excursions that will take you to other Bahamian islands or on high-thrill activities, if you're just looking for a laid-back day in Nassau, you'll find plenty to see and do within walking distance of the cruise ship pier.

Do A Little Shopping

• Take advantage of the souvenir and tourist shops just steps from your ship at Festival Place, which is where all passengers exiting the port must pass through. The indoor marketplace is decorated to look like a traditional Bahamian village. You can get everything from T-shirts and shot glasses to handmade straw hats, jewelry and decorative art work. You can also enjoy a variety of cuisine in the food court, including sampling the local conch that the Bahamas are famous for. Festival Place also has an Internet cafe if you need to send an email to loved ones back home. To the right of the cruise pier, about five minutes down Bay Street, you'll find the Straw Market, which is essentially a much larger, open-air version of what is offered at Festival Place. You can bargain in this market, however; and you are more likely to find better deals.

Hang at the Beach

• A few blocks to the right of the Straw Market is British Colonial Hilton, which has a private beach where you can relax for a few hours. You must purchase a day pass from the front desk to use the beach, but the pass also includes a food and beverage credit, and access to the hotel's pool, beach towels and non-motorized sports activities. If you walk another five minutes past the British Colonial Hilton, you'll run into the free public beach, Junkanoo Beach. While it may not be as well-kept as the private beaches, plenty of tourists take advantage of the free beach near the cruise pier, and the water is just as perfect for swimming and snorkeling as any other beach. You can also get fresh conch salad, fritters and other Bahamian fare at rock-bottom prices at one of the many tiki huts along the beach, something you would pay a premium for at private beaches.

See the Sights

• Many of the cool sights in Nassau are no more than a 10- to 15-minute walk away from the cruise pier. Walk straight down Parliament Street from the cruise port and you'll run into local attractions such as the Cenotaph Monument, which is dedicated to Bahamian war heroes, and the Nassau Public Library, which used to be a jail in the 1800s. From the library, walk a short distance left on Shirley Street until you reach Elizabeth Street, where you'll see the historic Queen's Staircase, a steep limestone staircase built by former slaves to honor Queen Victoria's role in abolishing slavery in the Bahamas. Near the staircase is Fort Fincastle, which gives you an uninterrupted view of downtown Nassau. Other notable sights within walking distance include the Christ Church Cathedral on George Street and Parliament Square where you'll see the famous bubblegum pink Government House.

Hit the Museums

• For a bit of culture, stroll to the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, less than a 15-minute walk from the cruise pier. The art gallery is home to the National Collection of Bahamian Art, displaying historic artwork from renowned Bahamian artists, as well as rotating exhibits of more contemporary Bahamian artwork. The walk is worth it to see the collection of paintings, ceramics, stone sculptures and photography. For families with kids, the Pirates Museum cannot be missed. Just five minutes from the cruise pier, the museum is entirely interactive, with lively pirates escorting you into their world. You can climb aboard a pirate ship replica and explore what life was like on a pirate ship. Kids will get a kick out of being put in the wooden stocks and learning some pirate language.

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