Web Exclusives :: Wander the World

Wander the World

As long as the world is turning, there will be ships venturing to cruise around it. And what better way to see this ever-turning planet than on a single world cruise that takes you to myriad corners of the globe. Fortunately, there are myriad options catering to every geographical taste.

Perhaps the finest world cruising can be found on The Yachts of Seabourn, and on January 5, 2011, the Seabourn Sojourn will leave Los Angeles on a 46-port, 111-day voyage that combines the elegance of Seabourn service with the excitement of such stops as Singapore; Dubai; Ho Chi Minh City; Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt; Padang, Bali; and Bordeaux, France. More information on stops and services can be found at www.seabourn.com.

Holland America Line departs Fort Lauderdale on January 5, 2011 for a 110-day Grand World Voyage that calls in New Zealand, China, Jordan, Portugal, and many more interesting ports. For more information on Grand World Voyages, visit www.hollandamerica.com. (And to learn all about what a world cruise is actually like, be sure to check out Porthole's "investigative" feature in the upcoming September/October 2010 issue.)

Princess Cruises offers two world cruises in the coming years. The first, a 104-day voyage aboard the Dawn Princess, departs May 25, 2011, sailing roundtrip from Sydney and calling at 43 ports on six continents. The second, a 107-day Pacific Princess journey, departs Fort Lauderdale on January 13, 2012 and will visit 38 destinations along the way. Information on all these cruises, including calls at new ports Santa Marta, Puerto Quepos, and Manama, can be found at www.princess.com.

On January 17, 2011, Crystal Serenity departs from Los Angeles on a Grand Exotic Expedition that will visit New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa before stopping in London 110 days later. Ports and prices can be found at www.crystalcruises.com.

Silversea Cruises' inaugural world cruise on their flagship, Silver Spirit, leaves Lost Angeles on January 20, 2011, stopping in Australia and China before pulling into Southampton after 119 exciting days. Information on ports of call and segment prices can be found at www.silversea.com.

In 2011, Cunard Line is offering two 103-day World Voyages. The first, on the Queen Elizabeth, leaves Southampton on January 5 for stops in Australia, Hong Kong, and Dubai. Queen Mary 2 leaves New York eight days later, stopping in South Africa, Australia, and many more, all of which can be found at www.cunard.com.

P&O Cruises has five world cruises planned in 2011 and 2012, all going on sale July 15 at www.pocruises.co.uk. The first, a 72-night Grand Alaska Adventure aboard Arcadia, leaves Southampton on April 12, 2011 and will visit 34 ports in 13 countries. The other four, all departing in January 2012, include:

An 87-night South America Grand Adventure on Adonia that will visit 37 ports in 17 countries, including overnight stays in Buenos Aires, New Orleans, and Manaus, Amazon.
A 97-night eastabout circumnavigation on Oriana that will visit the Far East, Australia, and a total of 32 ports.
A 98-night westabout circumnavigation on Aurora visiting new P&O destination Abu Dhabi and 37 other ports in 23 countries.
A 109-night Grand Odyssey aboard Arcadia that will visit 41 ports in 24 countries, with overnight stops in Cape Town (with the option for an overland safari) and visits to Beijing and the Great Wall of China.

Whether you want to see the world or simply get away from it for a good long while, a world cruise is the best way to experience quantity and quality. As Carol Marlow, managing director for P&O Cruises, puts it, "A world cruise is the ultimate holiday experience … a wonderful way to see the world without having to step foot in an airport."