Around-the-world cruising enters an epic new era

The desire for longer cruises is growing and, at the extreme end of the scale, are ever more ambitious world cruises offered by upmarket cruise companies.

If you can splash the cash, you have a choice of truly spectacular journeys – and the added enticement of avoiding housework for up to a year.

My Cruises has chartered luxury ship Regatta for a 371-day epic that visits more than 220 ports, and is the world’s longest cruise. It departs on September 1, 2026, and sails between Rome and Southampton the long way around.

Oceania has its own 180-day world cruises, including a round-trip itinerary from Miami departing January 6, 2026, in 180 days, and Miami to New York departing January 6, 2027, which is an extravagant 244 days.

It takes in New York, Greenland, the Amazon, Alaska, Japan and South Africa, as well as unusual destinations such as Gambia, Togo and Costa Rica.

And Viking Cruises has several world itineraries, including a 142-day voyage to six continents and 31 countries which departs Fort Lauderdale on December 22, 2026, and finishes in London.

Silversea is also offering world cruises in 2026 and 2027. But if you need time to sell your assets, it has a third departing Miami on January 5, 2028, which sails to 58 destinations in 29 countries before finishing 132 days later in Nice.

Regent Seven Seas has also unveiled its 2028 world cruise between Los Angeles and San Francisco, departing January 5, 2028, and lasting 133 nights. Its Regent Suite was booked on its 2027 world cruise for a record $US1.7 ($2.6) million.

World cruises don’t come cheap. Viking’s costs from $131,995 a person and My Cruises from $125,990 a person, though the latter sounds much better at $340 a day.

Take the term “world cruise” to be loosely applied, as few actually circumnavigate the globe and return to the same port.

But why quibble? The journeys are still mighty fine. A prime example is Seabourn’s Australian and South Pacific Panorama itinerary that visits 67 destinations in 19 countries over 145 days.

The round-trip voyage from Miami departs on May 30, 2027, transits the Panama Canal and visits Central and South America, Hawaii, the South Pacific and New Zealand, then almost circumnavigates Australia.

Viking turns the concept around 180 degrees with its longitudinal world cruise departing Buenos Aires on February 24, 2027 and trekking up the coasts of South, Central and North America to finish in Milwaukee.

It’s a mere 69 days, although that’s a long cruise for an expedition vessel, and includes a visit to Antarctica and optional overland excursions to Easter Island and the Galapagos.

Another spectacular expedition offering is Ponant’s unprecedented circumnavigation of Antarctica round trip from Ushuaia in January 2028 aboard icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot. Bookings don’t open until the end of this year.

The 18,000-kilometre journey is a real round-the-world cruise, albeit in a very tight circle, and surely the most adventurous of the lot.

For great deals on cruise holidays, visit mycruises.com.au