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.
