World Cruises
A world cruise is the ultimate ocean-going adventure, ticking off amazing bucket-list experiences every day as you circumnavigate the globe. A typical world cruise starts at Southampton and heads west across the Atlantic to America and the Caribbean before traversing the Panama Canal and on to South America and Australia. From here you’ll head north and sail down the Far East coast of Asia and around India before heading up to the Suez Canal and into the Mediteranean.
World Cruise Deals
World Cruise lines
World Cruise Ships
Set off on a full world cruise and you could be sailing the high seas and beyond for up to six months. Alternatively, for those who can't quite fit a 6-month cruise into their life, there is the option to join for just a section of the journey with several varied itineraries available to meet your every need. Choose from a whole host of shorter world cruises and discover destinations you had previously only dreamed of.
Popular sectors include Singapore to Southampton, Southampton to Dubai or Cape Town to Southampton. Where flights to long haul destinations are required, such as Hong Kong, Mumbai and Sydney, cruise passengers often take the opportunity to add a couple of hotel nights to explore these fascinating destinations both before and after their cruise.
If you'd like to know more about around the world cruises, check out our World Cruise Frequently Asked Questions. What's more, many cruise lines offer world cruises, meaning that you can choose the itinerary which best suits your interests, desired destinations and budget.
Cunard world cruise
Cunard is one of the masters of world cruises, meaning that you can travel from Southampton in complete luxury, stopping off at some of the best ports of call around the globe including Fort Lauderdale, Auckland, Ho Chi Minh City and Cape Town. The perfect combination of a ship full of delicious cuisine, engaging entertainment and exciting destinations makes for the cruise of a lifetime.
MSC world cruise
Offering over 50 destinations across some 30 countries, an MSC world cruise really is something special. Travelling in style on one of their elegant ships, MSC world cruises offers fantastic shore excursions which will help you to get stuck into the culture, history and local life of every place you visit.
P&O world cruise
Setting sail from Southampton, what better way to explore the world than on a P&O world cruise. Lasting for almost 100 days, you can expect a wealth of onboard activities coupled with shore excursions that take you right to the heart of life at each port of call.
World Cruise Offers
World cruises and sector voyages not only offer a uniquely enjoyable way of travelling the globe, but often have amazing onboard benefits, especially if booked early. Many will include around £100 to £1000 onboard spending money, free excursions, and free upgrades to the exclusive dining restaurants. Additional benefits like free Wi-Fi can be enjoyed when booking through Iglu Cruise.
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What to Expect
World Cruises departing from the UK generally start from Southampton and cruise westbound over to the US or the Caribbean before sailing through the Pacific, via Hawaii, to Australia and New Zealand.
From here you then normally continue around Asia before moving on to India, around the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and then either through the Suez Canal and on to cruise the Mediterranean or around Africa before journeying up the South and North Atlantic coasts. Some, meanwhile, may sail eastbound but still take in most of the above cruise destinations.
You can book a full world cruise holiday, typically ranging from 80 to 110 days depending on the itinerary, or just book one or two sectors. If you choose these, you simply fly out and meet up with your desired ship during the world cruise.If you'd like to spend longer in your destination of choice you can opt for a cruise and stay holiday.
If you are interested in world cruise sectors or shorter voyages, you may also like to know more about a transatlantic cruise, a cruise from New York or a Red Sea cruise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you permanently buy a room on a cruise ship?
Only on dedicated residential ships such as The World. Standard cruise lines don't sell permanent ownership of cabins.
How much does a 4 month world cruise cost?
A 4-month segment starts from around £19,000 to £38,000 per person, depending on the cruise line and cabin grade.
Where do world cruises depart from in the UK?
Southampton, most notably with Cunard and P&O Cruises.
When do world cruises depart?
Most depart in January, timed to take advantage of favourable weather patterns across the different regions visited.
Can you book a segment of a world cruise?
Yes. Most world cruise lines let you book a shorter segment of the full voyage, rather than the entire circumnavigation.
What are the most affordable world cruises?
Shorter segments of a world cruise, or full voyages on mainstream lines such as Costa or MSC Cruises, tend to be the most affordable way in.
Which cruise line has the best world cruise?
Cunard, Viking Ocean Cruises and Princess Cruises are among the most established. Seabourn leads on the ultra-luxury end.
Who offers the best world cruise?
Cunard and Viking Ocean Cruises are widely regarded as offering some of the best, for their historic crossings and destination-immersive itineraries respectively.
How much does it cost to own a residence on the World cruise ship?
Residences on The World, the private residential ship, have historically sold for several million pounds, alongside ongoing annual fees. Confirm current pricing directly with the operator.
Can I live permanently on a cruise ship?
Only a small number of residential ships, such as The World, allow permanent living. On standard cruise lines, you're limited to consecutive back-to-back bookings rather than true permanent residence.
What should you pack for a world cruise?
Pack for a wide range of climates and formal dining occasions, including lightweight and warm layers, smart eveningwear, and any gear needed for your planned excursions.
How long is a world cruise?
Typically 90 to 150 or more nights, though shorter segments of 2 to 6 weeks can usually be booked separately.
How do you stay connected on a world cruise?
Most ships offer satellite Wi-Fi for a fee. It's improved significantly with newer satellite technology, though speed can still vary at sea.
Is a world cruise worth the money?
Yes. Most passengers rate the experience highly, given the scale of destinations covered and the depth of onboard enrichment over a long voyage.
What are the pros and cons of world cruises?
The main advantages are visiting dozens of countries without repeated unpacking, and extensive onboard enrichment. The main drawbacks are the high cost, long duration, and the visa and health logistics of crossing so many borders.
How much would a 12 month cruise cost?
A continuous 12-month cruise, typically booked as consecutive segments, can cost roughly £45,000 to £75,000 or more depending on the cruise line and cabin grade.
How much does a world cruise cost?
A full circumnavigation of 90 to 150+ nights starts from around £23,000 to £38,000 per person. Luxury lines cost significantly more.
How much does a 1 year world cruise cost?
A year-long voyage typically costs upwards of £70,000 to £115,000 per person, though most 'world cruises' run shorter, at 90 to 150 nights, rather than a full 12 months.
What is the best world cruise available from the UK?
Cunard's annual world voyage departing from Southampton is widely considered the best, for its scale and traditional ocean-liner style.
How much is a world cruise from the UK?
A full voyage departing from Southampton with Cunard or P&O Cruises starts from around £15,000 to £20,000 per person, depending on cabin grade.
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