Royal Caribbean launches world’s farthest-reaching cruise

The 274-night voyage will set sail in 2023 and visit all seven continents 

Royal Caribbean has announced the launch of what it says is the longest and most comprehensive world cruise ever. The Ultimate World Cruise, set to depart from Miami in 2023, will call at more than 150 destinations in 65 countries across seven continents.

Destinations include Casablanca in Morocco; the Great Barrier Reef in Australia; Beijing; Antarctica, and Brazil, where passengers can see the Christ the Redeemer statue on New Year’s Eve.

The inaugural Ultimate World Cruise is scheduled to depart from Miami on 10 December 2023, returning 10 September 2024, with passengers on the Serenade of the Seas vessel for almost a year.

The ship has 13 decks and can accommodate almost 2,500 passengers and more than 800 crew members. Its facilities include a mini-golf course, an arcade, a rock-climbing wall, a pool, a theatre and a spa.

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Speaking about the current sentiment among cruise passengers, Royal Caribbean president and CEO Michael Bayley said: “Now more than ever, people have resolved to travel the world and make up for lost time.”

The Ultimate World Cruise is split into four legs: the Americas and Antarctica; Asia and the Pacific; the Middle East and the Mediterranean, and northern Europe. Passengers have the option to book the legs individually rather than opting for the full nine-month trip. Prices for individual legs of the trip will be announced when bookings for the individual legs open in December.

Bookings for the Ultimate World Cruise are currently open for Royal Caribbean’s loyalty programme members (diamond level or above) and will open on 27  October 2021 for the general public.

Prices start at US$61,000 for a person in an interior stateroom, US$65,000 for an oceanview stateroom, US$79,000 for a balcony stateroom, and US$112,000 for a junior suite. Passengers who pay in full by 6 January 2023 are eligible for a 10% discount. 

For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.com