Royal Caribbean reveals world’s longest cruise itinerary for $84,000

Royal Caribbean has launched a mammoth holiday – one that spans all seven continents, lasts for almost a year and costs tens of thousands of dollars.

Cruising fans itching to get back to their favourite mode of travel could soon be going on the ultimate trip – one that spans all seven continents and takes almost a year.

However, it also costs tens of thousands of dollars.

In December 2023, Royal Caribbean International will launch a 274-night journey across the world cruise with its ship Serenade of the Seas.

Dubbed the Ultimate World Cruise, the cruise leaves from Miami, Florida on December 10, 2023, returning to the same port on September 10, 2024.

The round-the-world trip will visit all seven continents, including stop-offs at 150 destinations spanning 65 countries.

Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas.

But the globetrotting holiday doesn’t come cheap: Interior staterooms start at $84,000 per person.

Included in that price is Ultimate World Cruise complimentary amenities like business class airfare, pre-cruise hotel and gala, beverage packages, gratuities, VOOM internet package and wash and fold laundry service

Royal Caribbean International CEO and president Michael Bayley said the mammoth cruise was created to help people “make up for lost time”.

“This is the world cruise of world cruises,” Mr Bayley said.

“Now more than ever, people have resolved to travel the world and make up for lost time.

“Royal Caribbean is making that a reality with the ultimate vacation that welcomes those seeking adventure and exploration to taste, dance and dream with us around the world.

“To travellers asking themselves where they should go next, we say everywhere.”

Hard-hit industry plans its comeback

The cruise industry has been one of the hardest hit during the coronavirus pandemic.

Australia’s cruise ban on foreign flagged vessels remains in place until December 17.

Royal Caribbean announced earlier this month it had been forced to cancel its entire Ovation of the Seas’ season in Australia, after it was left waiting for the Federal Government to announce an end to its ban on foreign cruise ships.

The Ovation of the Seas, which carries 5000 passengers at a time, was due to leave Sydney on December 1 and sail through to March 31.

“A clear pathway for the return of cruising is yet to be established by the Australian Government,” Royal Caribbean said on October 15.

“As a result, we’ve reviewed our Australia 2021-2022 season, and unfortunately, we have made the decision to cancel the following sailings: Ovation of the Seas sailings from Sydney from December 13, 2021 – March 31, 2022 inclusive.

“We know this news is disappointing, and we’re sorry for the impact to your holiday plans.”

Serenade of the Seas’ itinerary.

See the world from the sea

The Ultimate World Cruise from Royal Caribbean will take place in more than two years’ time – when Covid restrictions are hopefully a thing of the past.

The first section of the 274-night trip is called Round the Horn.

It encompasses the Americas and Antarctica – including 36 destinations – and takes place between December 10, 2023 and February 11, 2024.

Guests head south from Miami to the Caribbean to visit some of the region’s tropical destinations, including the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) – before heading to glacier-studded Antarctica and around Cape Horn.

Along the way, travellers visit some of the world’s wonders including Chichen Itza in Cozumel, Mexico; Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro – where they’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve – and the largest waterfall system on the planet, Iguazu Falls near Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Guests will also visit Machu Picchu in Peru before heading north to Los Angeles.

Between February 11 and May 9, 2024, guests will hit 40 destinations and three continents.

Serenade of the Seas will stop in at Hawaii before sailing south to Moorea and Tahiti in French Polynesia for its turquoise water.

The cruise will then explore New Zealand, making a number of stops along the way, before heading west to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Guests will then spend time in Bali, Indonesia, before visiting two of the most iconic man-made world wonders, the Great Wall of China and India’s Taj Mahal.

The cruise will visit everywhere from Vietnam to Malaysia before stopping in at Japan, where they’ll explore Tokyo, Osaka and the tropical beaches of Okinawa.

Serenade of the Seas will travel everywhere from Antarctic glaciers to tropical beaches.

Following Asia and Oceania, Serenade of the Seas will make its way to the Middle East and Europe for its third section.

The third leg of the world trip will start in Dubai, United Arab Emirates before taking guests to Jordan’s lost city of Petra, the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, Turkey.

It will then head up into the Mediterranean Sea, taking guests to the Colosseum in Rome and Olympia in Greece, the home of the world’s first Olympic Games.

Guests will visit everywhere from Cannes and Provence in France to the seaside town of Split in Croatia.

For its final leg, Serenade of the Seas will take guests into the middle of Europe to visit countries such as Spain, France and Russia.

Guests will spend time in Morocco, in northern Africa, before the ship heads as far north as Norway, Iceland and Greenland.

The final stop of the trip is New York City, before Serenade of the Seas returns to Miami.

Guests interested in booking the Ultimate World Cruise can call Royal Caribbean’s dedicated line for the Ultimate World Cruise at 1800 965 882.