When I was a travel consultant in the early 2000s, the concern I would most often hear from potential first-time cruisers were about crowded ships: “I don’t want to be cooped up with all those people,” they’d groan.
21.01.2024 - 11:17 / insider.com / Royal Caribbean
The Seven Seas just got a bit more crowded: Nine new world cruises have recently set sail, joining Royal Caribbean's ongoing Ultimate World Cruise in a quest to travel around the world in 2024.
TikTok has developed an obsession with Royal Caribbean's nine-month vacation. But it's not the only one of its kind — nor was it the most in-demand.
In 2021 and 2022, other operators also announced their global cruises, with one selling out 30 minutes after it was offered. Since the start of the new year, nine of these have already embarked. Take a look at which ones.
Oceania's 2024 world cruise was so hot that it sold out 30 minutes after reservations opened in March 2022, the premium cruise line said at the time.
After almost two years of waiting, these travelers finally set sail from Los Angeles on January 14. For the next 180 days, the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings subsidiary says the Insignia is set to sail to 96 ports in 34 countries.
The vessel is now on its way to Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Canada, according to its world cruise itinerary. This includes 24 expected overnight stays in destinations like Yangon, Myanmar, and Reykjavik, Iceland.
Oceania's cabins started at $48,500 per person.
On January 6, the Seven Seas Mariner departed Miami on a roundtrip 132-night global expedition. Through May 17, the ship is set to stop at 66 ports in 31 countries — sailing to expected destinations in Central America, Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Bermuda.
Fares started at $73,500 per person for Regent Seven Seas' basic suite. Too cheap? The most luxurious 2,000-square-foot accommodation had a $200,000-per-person price tag.
Like Oceania, these fares didn't stop travelers from flocking to the luxury cruise. The ship was fully reserved in less than three hours when bookings opened in July 2021, Regent Seven Seas said at the time.
Azamara's sold-out 2024 world cruise departed on January 5 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Over the next 155 nights, the Azamara Onward plans to stop in 40 countries across Central and South America, the Pacific islands, New Zealand and Australia, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe before concluding in Barcelona.
There are 22 overnights scheduled throughout this world tour.
The private equity-owned cruise line's 2024 global adventure started at $39,000 per person for the windowless interior cabin. Travelers who prefer to cruise in luxury would've paid $157,000 per person for the highest-end suite.
Ultra-luxury Silversea's 2024 global vacation set sail on January 15 from San Francisco. Through May 26, the Silver Shadow is scheduled to see 65 ports in 14 countries.
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When I was a travel consultant in the early 2000s, the concern I would most often hear from potential first-time cruisers were about crowded ships: “I don’t want to be cooped up with all those people,” they’d groan.
Norwegian Cruise Line is saying arrivederci to Venice, cutting the canal city from its cruise itineraries in 2024 and 2025.
Some people leave their hearts in San Francisco, others consider Paris—the “City of Love”—as the epicenter of romance. But these heart-shaped attractions, whether naturally occurring or crafted by hand, visibly channel the affectionate Valentine’s symbol. From a flight over Heart Reef in Australia to floral arbors resembling you-know-whats in Dubai, these spots could inspire passion, platonic love, or at least some heart-worthy Instagram photos.
The U.S. Department of State is warning travelers to be careful when visiting the Bahamas due to crime and safety issues on the water.
It’s a season of savings for travelers looking to take a new vacation. JetBlue Vacations recently announced the ‘Be Mine’ vacation package sale, with discounts up to $500 off of trips booked. The deals are available for travel between Jan. 31, 2024 and Dec. 20, 2024 and vary by amount spent on the vacation and have various promotional codes for each discount, which can be redeemed on the JetBlue Vacations site:
The nine-year tax-free status enjoyed by many cruise lines with private islands in the Bahamas is about to end.The changes are slated to take effect on March 1 and are aimed at leveling the playing field, according to a report in The Tribune.The publication broke the news based on a Bahamas Department of Inland Revenue document it had obtained and later confirmed with local officials.Under the plans outlined in the document, in just a few weeks the tax treatment for goods and services provided to the millions of tourists who visit private islands in the Bahamas maintained by cruise ships will change. Moving forward, transactions on the island will be taxed the standard local rate of 10 percent.
The world’s biggest cruise ship is about to embark on its first sailing. On 27 January, the Icon of the Seas will depart on its inaugural cruise
Embarking on a yearlong journey around the world is a dream scenario for many travelers. However, the logistics of making it happen can be challenging, not least because of the sheer number of flights you would need to book. One way to make the journey a reality is by purchasing an around-the-world flight ticket.
Norway’s status as one of the world’s most attractive cruise destinations continues with the release of record-breaking visitor figures.
This is an as-told-to story based on a conversation with David Purcell, 78, a retired attorney. It has been edited for length and clarity. Purcell was among the dozens of people who signed up for a three-year cruise with Life at Sea — an around-the-world journey that was canceled two weeks before its departure. He and 77 other would-be passengers who have not received refunds are asking the US Attorney in Southern Florida to open a criminal fraud investigation into Miray Cruises, the parent company of Life at Sea.
Can small be beautiful when it comes to cruise ships? Regent Seven Seas launched the Grandeur in December, a luxury cruise ship designed for just 746 people. Yet many are focused on the coming ‘city at sea,’ Royal Caribbean’s 20-deck, 248,663 gross tonnage behemoth Icon of the Sean, which can carry up to 7,600 passengers, along with 2,350 crew.
Royal Caribbean confirmed it will not be cutting short its famed Ultimate World Cruise, the 274-night voyage around the world, despite recent rumors that have been circulating online.