Would this be your thing? 9 months at sea? Seeing the world? The trip is set to conclude on Sept. 10, 2024 after it makes its way through the Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Mediterranean, Europe and beyond. The sailing will cover 11 world wonders and travel to more than 60 countries in 274 days.
The Ultimate World Cruise: The Pros Vs. Cons Now That This Nine-Month Cruise Is Well Underway
- Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise lasts 274 days and visits 65 countries.
- The Ultimate World Cruise offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the world.
- Accommodation prices start at $59,999 per person, making the nine-month trip extremely costly.
There are cruises to suit any type of traveler, but not just any would-be passenger would take the opportunity to spend nine months on a cruise. Between the sky-high cost and the idea of being away from home for such an extended period, Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise isn’t for everybody — but that doesn’t mean we’re not fascinated by it!
Those brave (and well-to-do) enough to embark on such an adventure may have the best stories to tell after their voyage ends. After all, going on the Ultimate World Cruise is the opportunity of a lifetime. Here’s what we know so far about Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, now that it’s underway.
The Ultimate World Cruise: A Nine-Month Cruise Around the World
The Ultimate World Cruise lasts 274 days and visits 65 countries
CocoCay island in the Bahamas with a cruise ship docked
Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, which started its journey on December 10, 2023, will visit all seven continents and offer those on board the chance to visit 65 countries. The cruise should last until September 10, 2024.
The cruise doesn’t force passengers to commit to the entire nine-month voyage. Instead, they can pick one (or all) of the four segments the cruise includes, each in a different region of the world. The first one takes travelers to North and South America, lasting 67 days. The second leg of the journey includes the Pacific, with stop-overs in Japan, Australia, China, and New Zealand.
From there the cruise heads to the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Finally, the last segment lets tourists enjoy Europe for 63 days, with stops and excursions in Scandinavian countries like Denmark and Sweden.
The Ultimate World Cruise showcases Serenade of the Seas, a Radiance-class cruise ship that can hold 2,466 passengers. Serenade of the Seas has five types of accommodations that start at an eye-watering $59,999 per person for the entire trip.
How Much Does The Ultimate World Cruise Cost?
- Interior Stateroom: from $59,999 per person
- Ocean View Stateroom: from $64,999 per person
- Balcony Stateroom: from $82,949 per person
- Junior Suites: from $117,599 per person
- Royal Suite: $760,000 per person
The Pros Of Spending Nine Months On Serenade Of The Seas
How top-tier membership makes the voyage a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Svein-Magne Tunli – tunliweb.no, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A cruise ship leaving Husevågøy Nordfjord
Newlyweds, those approaching retirement, and travelers who want to mark anniversaries and milestones are likely to get the most out of the Ultimate World Cruise. They can enjoy a milestone on a trip that has them visit places that would be otherwise prohibitively expensive to explore on their own.
Other pros include having the highest tier of membership on Royal Caribbean cruise lines. Pinnacle members, as they are known, get the chance to access different luxury excursions and town halls that regular members or travelers do not on the Ultimate World Cruise. This comes as an addition to other freebies and perks they receive on the cruise.
Finally, the biggest pro of taking a cruise that takes tourists all over the world is the exposure they gain to different cultures. There is no denying that a voyage with this scope is likely to change lives and enrich the experience and memories of all who embark on this ship.
The Four Legs Of The Ultimate World Cruise
- The Ultimate Americas Cruise: 64 nights and 36 destinations
- The Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise: 84 nights and 40 destinations
- The Ultimate Middle East & Med Cruise: 63 nights and 44 destinations
- Ultimate Europe & Beyond: 63 nights and 40 destinations
The Cons Of Spending Nine Months At Sea
There aren’t many cons to the Ultimate World Cruise
Aerial panoramic image at sunrise off the coast over Hanalei Bay and pier on the Hawaiian island of Kauai
Other than maybe getting too much of a good thing in the form of eating cruise-ship food for nine months, there aren’t many cons to this trip. Getting to explore the world from the luxury of a $60,000 room is a dream come true for many, and having to hit the gym — which can be done on the ship — somewhat harder than normally isn’t much of a deterrent.
Other possible cons include finding someone to house-sit for such an extended duration and being able to work remotely. Not every job accepts a nine-month holiday, so not having an employer who’s willing to work with the different schedules passengers need while on this cruise is a potential con.
It’s also not the best arrangement for families with school-age children, of course; the Serenade of the Seas is, however, one of the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships for adults.
11 Wonders Of The World On The Royal Caribbean Ultimate World Cruise
- Chichen Itza, Mexico
- Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
- Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina
- Machu Picchu, Peru
- The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- The Great Wall of China, China
- The Taj Mahal, India
- Petra, Jordan
- Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
- Temple of Artemis, Turkey
- The Colosseum, Italy
For those who can go, this cruise is likely going to become so unforgettable that they’ll be booking their next Royal Caribbean cruise before they even disembark.