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
09.01.2024 - 17:21 / insider.com / Royal Caribbean
Travelers who've dreamt of living on a cruise ship could soon try out the lifestyle with a two-month sailing aboard Oceania Cruises' upscale 1,250-guest Riviera.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' premium brand this week announced its 12-year-old ship is set to embark on three new 2024 and 2025 itineraries in Africa and Asia. They range from 27 to 59 days.
And because it's Oceania, travelers will get to spend these one to two months at sea luxuriating in complimentary Champagne and specialty foods.
Giant cruise ships like Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas have captivated mass-market cruisegoers.
But these mega vessels' most astounding feature, their size, could also be their biggest limitation: Many are too large to fit into some ports.
Instead of sailing to common cruise destinations like those in the Caribbean and Mexico, Oceania's three new itineraries are set to sail to less frequented ports in Africa and Asia.
The longest of the three itineraries, the 59-day Grand Voyage, is set to start in Barcelona on November 14. From there, the vessel is set to sail down West and South Africa, back north through Southeast Africa and its neighboring islands, east to South and Southeast Asia, and conclude in Singapore on January 12, 2025.
This two-month itinerary, which starts at $15,700 per person, is also set to include overnight stays in destinations like Walvis Bay, Namibia; Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; and Male, Maldives.
If two months at sea sounds too long, the itinerary can also be booked in two segments.
The shortest 27-day "West Africa Rhythms" would follow the first half of the Grand Voyage's itinerary from Barcelona to Cape Town, South Africa.
The 32-day "Colonial Crowns" cruise would then sail the final leg from Cape Town to Singapore.
The former starts at $4,400 per person, while the latter will set travelers back $4,900.
These are lofty prices compared to itineraries with its parent company's more popular Norwegian Cruise Line.
But unlike the average cruise, guests on this one-to-two-month journey have access to Oceania's high-end complimentary amenities: alcohol, seven specialty dining venues, Bulgari toiletries, and, most importantly, WiFi.
Oceania will even book travelers' roundtrip flights at an additional cost.
Demand for longer cruises has been so prominent, that even ultra-luxury Regent Seven Seas' pricey monthslong world cruises had sold out in "record time" for five years in a row, the operator said in 2022.
(There are still several cabins left on its most recently announced 154-night 2026 itinerary, starting at a cool $96,600 per person.)
One ongoing extended cruise has even become an internet sensation: Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise.
Since the sailing embarked on December 10, 2023,
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
Known as one of the historical hubs of Japan, Kyoto has a notable number of well-preserved neighborhoods, majestic temples and all manner of photo-worthy landscapes.
The forecast looks bright for luxury cruising as a new wave of ships prepares to take the seas in 2024. These new vessels accelerate the trend of next-level luxury liners with innovative design, higher staff-to-guest ratios and exceptionally curated itineraries covering dream destinations. Consider Forbes Travel Guide all aboard these eight new cruise ships.
United Airlines is betting on adventure travel this year, adding a slate of summer routes to national parks and outdoor destinations in Canada.
With a legacy spanning over 100 years, Qantas remains the epitome of pioneering excellence in aviation. Recognized as the world's safest airline and a trailblazer in ultra-long-haul flights, Australia's esteemed flag carrier blends graceful tradition with cutting-edge innovation.
Norway’s status as one of the world’s most attractive cruise destinations continues with the release of record-breaking visitor figures.
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.
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.
Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
The bigger the better, the more the merrier: The world's two largest cruise ships have finally met.
Is this what love is, Holland America?
Norwegian Cruise Line offers unlimited Starbucks drinks for $15.50 a day, which a TikToker says is a "really good deal."