The 12 best round-the-world cruises
From 60 to 180 nights at sea, we have rounded up the best long voyages on offer for 2025.
Round-the-world cruises or grand voyages, focused on a smaller region, are the dream for many ocean lovers. Some people return every year, while others embrace the escape as a once-in-a-lifetime adventure afloat. Travellers can join world cruises for shorter segments, but nothing beats the camaraderie of those who stay on board for the whole shebang.
“Making the ship your home as you explore the world is more popular than ever,” says Peita Lord, senior product manager at the Cruise Guru website. “The idea of extensive, port-laden itineraries and days to enjoy at leisure at sea are all driving demand.”
Although this year’s line-up is sold out or already departed, next year brings new opportunities to linger longer on luxurious ships. Keep in mind that these sailings are not fully global or guaranteed to go without a hitch. In 2025, scheduled visits to Israel will be cancelled if the conflict continues; the war also impacting some stops in Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and other ports in the Middle East. Since cruise lines plan itineraries at least two years in advance, routes have been amended out of caution.
Cunard
The longest-running operator of world voyages has quietly dropped the option on its famous ocean liner, Queen Mary 2. After celebrating a century since its legendary Laconia started the annual odyssey in 1922, Cunard’s new Queen Anne will take over the role in January 2025 on a 111-day roundtrip voyage from Hamburg, Germany. Highlights include Guatemala, Samoa, Tonga, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi and Malta, with transits of the Suez and Panama canals. Queen Victoria is due to depart from the same port on an 85-night South America Discovery sailing via Amsterdam, Bruges, Southampton, Portugal’s Azores and the Caribbean before multiple stops in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Panama.
Silversea
The 136-night Controtempo cruise takes an uncommon route from Tokyo to New York, departing January 13. This trip is set apart by its direction from east to west, travelling in unconventional cruising seasons for many of the destinations. It’s the first time the line has hosted a world voyage on a newer Muse-class ship, Silver Dawn. The full program includes 30 countries, 33 overnight stays and 19 maiden calls for Silversea. Guests are treated to seven special events such as soaking sessions in the hot springs of Kannawa in Japan and the Turkish baths of Istanbul, a Bollywood production in India, and a two-day excursion to Paris and the Palace of Versailles, where guests spend the night at a hotel in Rouen.
Oceania Cruises
The other east-to-west navigation is Oceania’s epic Around the World in 180 Days. Departing January 5 from Miami, the 656-guest Insignia heads south to the Amazon before crossing the Atlantic to Africa via the world’s most remote inhabited island, Tristan da Cunha. Continuing to the Indian Ocean isles of French Comoros, Maldives and Seychelles, it sails around Asia, Australia, the South Pacific and Hawaii. The line’s 74-night Ultimate Odyssey, departing December 22, 2024, uses two ships to delve deeper into five countries. Commencing with a circumnavigation of Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand, guests then fly business class from Sydney to South America for explorations of Patagonia, Antarctica and the Chilean fjords. These two parts are linked by a mid-cruise overland tour – a choice of six days in NSW’s Blue Mountains or the Andean Lakes District of Chile and Argentina.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent’s 168-night Navigate the World sails roundtrip from Miami on Seven Seas Mariner. Departing January 7, it heads to Barbados and Dominica, then to several ports in South America and the Falkland Islands, before crossing the Drake Passage for scenic sailing (no landings ashore) in Antarctica. Easter Island, Nicaragua, French Polynesia, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Japan, Alaska and Mexico are other appealing places on the lengthy list.
Viking Cruises
Viking Sky’s 138-night World Cruise departs from Florida’s Fort Lauderdale on December 19, 2024. Ports of call include Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas, Cartegena, Los Angeles, Bora Bora, the Whitsundays, Rotorua, Bali, Kauai, Koh Samui, Singapore, Yangon, Colombo, Goa, Rhodes, Athens, Naples, Monte Carlo, Lisbon and London. The 180-night version keeps tracking to Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Canada and New York.
Azamara
In January 2025, the 656-guest Azamara Onward sets sail on a 155-night World Voyage from San Diego to Southampton. Among the 75 ports in 37 countries are 15 overnights and 31 late-night departures. About 60 per cent of the sites are different from those on the line’s 2024 cruise, addressing the requests of repeat passengers. The 10 segments are Hawaii and French Polynesia, South Pacific Jewels, New Zealand and Australia, Western Australia and Bali, Treasures of Asia, Ancient Trade Routes, Ancient Pathways, Aegean and Adriatic Gems,
Mediterranean Icons, and Bordeaux and Normandy.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Symphony is back in business with a 70-night Grand Journey Asia. This roundtrip sailing from Mumbai in January weaves through 32 ports in 15 countries, with overnights in Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long Bay, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo. Indonesia, South Korea, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines complete the loop.
Seabourn
Seabourn fans need to wait until 2026 for its next world cruise. Called Ring of Fire, the 129-night trip starts with a pre-cruise hotel stay in LA before sailing westward to Hawaii, the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Asia and Alaska, ending in Vancouver. The 63 ports in 14 countries include seven overnights. The next best option before then is the 2024 Grand Africa Voyage, departing November 30, roundtrip from Barcelona for 90 nights. Seabourn Sojourn plans to sail across the Mediterranean Sea, crossing the equator to reach the turquoise waters of the Seychelles. Circling the African mainland, guests can embark on several safaris along the way. Guests will also explore attractions in South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Namibia, Ghana, Gambia and Zanzibar, Tanzania, as well as lesser-known spots in Benin, Togo, Angola and Cape Verde.
Holland America Line
Lower down the luxe scale, the 1964-passenger Zuiderdam operates a 124-night Grand World Voyage to all continents except Antarctica. Departing Fort Lauderdale in January 2025, it covers 46 ports in 32 countries with 10 overnight calls. Later that month from the same port, Volendam undertakes a 133-night Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole across five continents (skipping Asia and Australia). The Antarctic portion is scenic sailing for four days without setting foot on the ice.
Princess Cruises
For a last-minute but convenient departure, Princess has a 2024 World Cruise with embarkation offered in Sydney (April 30) and Brisbane (May 2). The full journey is 110 nights roundtrip from Auckland aboard the 2000-passenger Coral Princess, exploring 48 ports in 28 countries across the South Pacific, Asia, the Americas, Africa and Europe. Cruising home, the ship returns to Australia in August. One-way, two-month versions are also available. In 2025 the 3080-passenger Crown Princess will be the line’s largest ship to conduct a world cruise, on a 113-night quest that departs Auckland on May 31. Again, you can choose to board a few days later in Sydney or Brisbane. The 2026 World Cruise has also been released, with options leaving from Australia.
Coral Expeditions
The longest lap around Australia is available from a local expedition company. Coral Adventurer will carry a maximum 112 guests on Australia’s Coastal Legend, leaving from Cairns on October 17, 2025. This 60-night circumnavigation takes in the Kimberley, Tiwi Islands, Tasmania, Ningaloo and Great Barrier Reef, and communities along the Southern Ocean shores, among many other highlights around the country. Three special events are organised: a cultural feast onThursday Island, a winemaker’s lunch in Margaret River, and a charter flight to a homestead in outback Queensland.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
An alternative to ocean cruising, Rivers of the World is a 54-night combination of four river cruises in three continents, from Lima to Ho Chi Minh City, capped at 40 people. There are flights between each section in the Peruvian Amazon, Western Europe’s Rhine, France’s Rhone, and the Mekong from Cambodia to Vietnam. Excursions venture to wineries, Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls and Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana, concluding with a group celebration at Park Hyatt Saigon. The four-ship trip departs October 3, 2024.
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