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The chance to sail off on a voyage around the globe, leaving all your worries and cares behind, is surely the ultimate travel experience. It may be the stuff of travel books and dreams, but these days a round-the-world adventure is not just for Phileas Fogg and Michael Palin. You can hop aboard and, from the comfort of your floating hotel, take in some of the planet’s greatest sights as you cruise all the oceans.
What’s more, there has never been more choice of round-the-world cruises: from whoppers that take almost a year to sail around (or in the case of Villa Vie Residences, you can even spend the rest of your life on board) to relatively modest affairs with a tighter geographic focus that still vault you around continents.
There are countless lines and ships to choose from, too, each with its own appeal, from luxurious to unfussy and adults-only. Here are six suggestions for an unforgettable round-the-world cruise.
Find by cruise type:
Best for variety
World Cruise Grand Circle Pacific – Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles
Princess Cruises
Coral Princess makes for a relaxed voyage, with lots of entertainment options
Key stops: Panama Canal (Panama), Hawaii (the US), Sydney (Australia), Auckland (New Zealand), Bali (Indonesia), Phuket (Thailand), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Hong Kong, Tokyo (Japan), Vancouver (Canada)
Departure port: Fort Lauderdale (the US)
Duration: 129 nights
Ship: Coral Princess
This epic cruise from Princess Cruises ticks myriad boxes, from traversing the Panama Canal, through to crossing the International Date Line. The Caribbean is left behind for the Pacific Ocean, where, after a beach-fringed four-day decompress in Hawaii, it’s off for six sea days en route to the best that Australia and New Zealand have to offer.
Then comes Asia, with wildly popular Bali and Phuket, followed by Vietnam. Japan brings something totally different, before the final push to Alaska and thrilling Vancouver.
This is a cruise for people who really love their sea days, with a whopping 66 sprinkled around its scheduled port stops. Handily, Coral Princess is an unfussy, informal 2,000-guest maritime steed alive with lots of entertainment options that are ideal for sea days. Built in 2003, revamped in 2019, it’s no shiny newbie, but makes for a relaxed floating hotel to take in some of the planet’s most exciting destinations.
Insider tip
I really like the MedallionClass, which comes into its own on long voyages and is included for all passengers. Don’t queue for drinks or service, just click on the app, and your order comes to you.
How to do it
A 129-night World Cruise Grand Circle Pacific itinerary departing January 6, 2027, costs from £17,754pp for an oceanview cabin. The price includes the MedallionClass experience.
Best for European culture
Grand European Discovery
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Bordeaux in France is one of the stops on this Regent Seven Seas Cruises itinerary – Artur Debat/Getty Images
Key stops: Halifax and St John’s (Canada), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), Casablanca (Morocco), Bilbao (Spain), Bordeaux (France), Oslo (Norway), Copenhagen (Denmark), Riga (Latvia), Reykjavik (Iceland), Nuuk (Greenland), Liverpool (UK) Valletta (Malta), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Istanbul (Turkey), Alexandria (Egypt), Crete and Athens (Greece)
Departure port: New York (the US)
Duration: 174 nights
Ship: Seven Seas Mariner
This is a round-the-world-style cruise from RSSC for people who put more of an emphasis on the destinations than days at sea. The geographical focus is relatively narrow as Seven Seas Mariner, leaving from New York, makes a beeline for the Mediterranean after a sprinkling of stops in Canada and the Canary Islands.
You criss-cross the Med and Northern Europe (the latter brings Iceland, Greenland, Scandinavia, the Baltic and the British Isles into the mix), dipping into northern Africa for the souks of Morocco and Egypt’s pyramids before exploring the Aegean and Adriatic Mediterranean offshoots.
The palatial Seven Seas Mariner is a luxurious dame that often feels more like a five-star hotel than a ship. Its educational programmes and excursions dive deep into the art, architecture and cuisines encountered on the voyage.
Insider tip
Do thorough research on each destination before just opting for one of the included excursions. In easily navigable, compact destinations like Dubrovnik, you may get more out of going solo. A halfway house is opting for a short excursion and having some free time afterwards.
How to do it
A 174-night Grand European Discovery (New York to Athens) sailing, departing April 29, 2027, costs from £105,229pp for a deluxe veranda suite. Includes all dining, unlimited shore excursions, Wi-Fi, unlimited drinks, gratuities, and valet laundry service.
Best for a classic cruise
Full World Voyage
Cunard
Cunard’s Queen Victoria sails across the Atlantic before continuing west around the world
Key stops: New York, Los Angeles and Honolulu (the US), Panama Canal (Panama), Acajutla (El Salvador), Sydney (Australia), Manila (the Philippines), Hong Kong, Singapore, Port Louis (Mauritius), Cape Town (South Africa), Dakar (Senegal), Madeira (Portugal)
Departure port: Southampton (UK)
Duration: 109 nights
Ship: Queen Victoria
Beguiled by the world of ocean romance that harks back to the days of the classic transatlantic liners? Then Cunard is for you. Slip into Cunard time with a transatlantic crossing to New York. After a brief foray into the Caribbean, the Panama Canal is followed by El Salvador.
After stops in Mexico, Los Angeles and Hawaii, it’s off across the International Date Line to Fiji and New Caledonia. A run up Australia’s east coast heralds Indonesia and the Philippines before sailing into the South China Sea for a port of call in Hong Kong.
A deep dive into Vietnam precedes a run west to Reunion and Mauritius. South Africa is the gateway to Namibia and Senegal, before Tenerife and Madeira give a taste of Macaronesia en route home on a round-the-world cruise that actually goes all the way. Myriad sea days allow for dressing up, proper afternoon tea and turning back time in a way only Cunard can.
Insider tip
Head to the Commodore Club on Queen Victoria’s bow to enjoy pre-dinner canapés with one of the cocktails inspired by Cunard’s most decorated commodores. What could be more British than sipping a Land of Hop & Glory (inspired by Commodore Sir Cyril Illingworth) on a Cunard ship?
How to do it
A 109-night Full World Voyage sailing departing January 10, 2027 costs from £14,899pp based on two sharing a Britannia Oceanview Stateroom. Includes a welcome reception, commemorative gift, cocktail parties, gala dinner ashore, a World Voyage concierge and use of a private lounge.
Best for foodies
Epic Global Adventure
Oceania Cruises
Oceania’s itinerary includes several sea days, which gives plenty of time to try out its excellent culinary offering – Nick Tortajada
Key stops: Panama Canal (Panama), Los Angeles and Hawaii (the US), French Polynesia, Sydney (Australia), Bali (Indonesia), Singapore, Shanghai (China), Tokyo (Japan), Maldives, Dubai (UAE), Suez Canal (Egypt), Rome (Italy), Gibraltar, Orkney (UK), Stockholm (Sweden), Reykjavik (Iceland), Nuuk (Greenland)
Departure port: Miami (the US)
Duration: 245 nights
Ship: Oceania Vista
This Miami to New York round-the-world adventure is a special one for Oceania Cruises as the line’s longest world cruise yet. We’re talking about the chance to sail not just through the Panama Canal, but the Suez Canal too, and explore more than 150 Unesco World Heritage Sites. The itinerary reads like a greatest hits of global cultural and natural wonders.
Real thought has gone into venturing to some more unusual destinations, like spellbinding French Polynesia. As a travel writer who has visited more than 100 countries, I’ve simply never seen a more dramatic tropical beach destination than French Polynesia – paradisical Bora Bora looks like it’s been AI-generated.
The strength in depth is what really makes this cruise so special, with big hitters like Dubai, Sydney and Shanghai alongside Gibraltar and Orkney, home to neolithic treasures. Handily, given the numerous sea days, the food on board Oceania Vista is superb – it really is impossible to eat badly.
Insider tip
This is the line that trademarked the phrase “the finest cuisine at sea”, so make sure you swirl around all the options at the start of the cruise so you don’t kick yourself late on in the voyage when you belatedly find your favourite.
How to do it
A 245-night Epic Global Adventure voyage departs January 6, 2027 and costs from £93,739pp for a Veranda Stateroom. Includes a choice of shore excursion credit up to $16,000 per guest or complimentary wine and beer during restaurant hours, gratuities, all dining, soft drinks, coffees and teas, Wi-Fi, group fitness classes and laundry services.
Best for smaller ship luxury
Viking World Voyage III
Viking
Viking’s World Voyage III stops in well-known destinations, as well as those that are lesser visited – White Rain
Key stops: Panama Canal (Panama), Los Angeles (the US), Bora Bora (French Polynesia), Sydney (Australia), Komodo (Indonesia), George Town (Malaysia), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Maldives, Zanzibar (Tanzania), Cape Town (South Africa), Walvis Bay (Namibia), Luanda (Angola), Lagos (Nigeria), Dakar (Senegal), Tenerife, Lisbon (Portugal), Stockholm (Sweden)
Departure port: Fort Lauderdale (the US)
Duration: 169 nights
Ship: Viking Vesta
Soar across six continents in this Viking extravaganza. The cruise really lets you get under the skin of destinations with overnight stays in the likes of Sydney, Zanzibar, Cape Town and Casablanca. Sail through the Caribbean to traverse the Panama Canal and then call at Los Angeles before another highlight in Bora Bora, French Polynesia.
Big stars follow like Sydney and Cape Town, but there are plenty of surprises too, such as Rinca, which lets you explore the scary delights of Komodo Island and its famous giant lizards, and the African destinations of Luanda in Angola and Lagos in Nigeria.
With so many sea days, Viking is handily a standout in the premium luxury market, with food as good as many of the supposedly superior ultra-luxury cruise lines. Viking Vesta takes 998 passengers and feels very spacious with a Scandi-chic design.
Insider tip
Don’t miss the Nordic Spa, which has a hot pool and sauna as well as a snow room. There’s also a fitness centre next door.
How to do it
A 169-night Viking World Voyage III cruise departing December 28, 2027 costs from £61,990pp for a deluxe veranda cabin. Includes business class return flights, all dining, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, an included excursion in each port of call, Wi-Fi and gratuities.
Best for a north-to-south adventure
Pole to Pole: Grand Expedition
Seabourn
Expect to spend a lot of time in remote destinations on Seabourn’s pole-to-pole voyage
Key stops: Antarctica, South Georgia Island, Falkland Islands, Northwest Passage, Ellesmere Island (Canada)
Departure port: Kangerlussuaq (Greenland)
Duration: 93 nights
Ship: Seabourn Venture
Seabourn’s first-ever complete pole-to-pole voyage offers an epic adventure. This is the ultimate bucket list, a 94-day expedition cruise that sweeps you from 82-degrees North to 66-degrees South, venturing more than 20,500 nautical miles, criss-crossing the equator, the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
We’re talking remote destinations, rare wildlife and immersive expeditions from the High Arctic to Antarctica. Real thought has gone into spending time in places you’ll probably only ever visit once – five days in Antarctica, plus three in South Georgia and three in the Falkland Islands. Other highlights include the famous Northwest Passage and a three-day visit to the remote and rarely visited Ellesmere Island in the Arctic archipelago.
With 31 sea days, handily Seabourn Venture is an all-inclusive, proper luxury cocoon (with only 264 passengers) that you’d be reluctant to leave were it not for the mind-blowing destinations. The high crew-to-guest ratio ensures a personal touch too – essential on a round-the-world voyage.
Insider tip
Pack spares of everything as during adventurous activities, clothes will get soaked or spoiled. And if you’re travelling as a couple, try to carry two pairs of binoculars, so one of you doesn’t miss a killer whale.
How to do it
A 93-night Pole to Pole: Grand Expedition cruise departing August 17, 2027 costs from £79,199pp for a veranda suite. Includes all dining, drinks, lectures and entertainment.
About our expert
Robin McKelvie
Robin McKelvie has spent the last three decades exploring the globe as a travel writer, venturing to over 100 countries and cruising all of the world’s oceans. He loves that round-the-world cruises offer the chance to live and breathe the cruise life for months on end in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure where the world really is your oyster.
Robin McKelvie, Telegraph Travel’s cruise expert
