Have you ever dreamt of leaving it all behind to explore the seas?
Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Cruise went viral this year, famously becoming the longest-ever cruise, spanning an astonishing 274 days – equivalent to nine months. It takes passengers through 60+ countries around the world.
The cruise set sail on its maiden voyage in December last year, with its journey concluding in September. The itinerary includes stops across all seven continents, giving travellers a taste of 65 countries, more than 150 diverse ports, and the opportunity to see 11 of the world’s wonders.
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Royal Caribbean promoted the epic adventure, noting: “The adventure begins and ends in Miami, Florida, visiting all 7 continents, 65 countries, over 150 ports of call and 11 World Wonders. ”
But as incredible as this epic trip is, it comes with a hefty price tag – starting from $53,999 (£42,531) for the basic interior stateroom, right up to $105,839 (£83,365) for those looking to indulge in a junior suite, reports the Express
One important detail for those tempted is that such a unique trip is strictly non-refundable. Discussing their pricing policy, Royal Caribbean stated: “Our Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments are a unique adventure that has never before been offered by Royal Caribbean and we want to ensure that our guests who are committed to sharing this experience with us receive priority placement.
“To preserve this unique experience, all sailings onboard Serenade of the Seas will be offered as exclusively nonrefundable.”
Cruise Insider News reports that Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas embarked on the Ultimate World Cruise from Miami. The epic journey began with a segment to South America and Antarctica, rounding Cape Horn, and continued through Central America, the Mexican Riviera, the US west coast, Australia, and the South Pacific.
The ship’s itinerary also featured stops in Southeast Asia, the Far East, the Indian Ocean, and Africa, marking Royal Caribbean’s first foray into these regions with visits to the Seychelles, Madagascar, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Ghana, and more. However, opinions on the value of such an extensive trip are mixed.
Joe Martucci and his wife Audrey, who spent a whopping $200,000 on their cruise, expressed their love for the experience but admitted it was excessively lengthy. Speaking to the Telegraph, Joe said: “You can’t do a once-in-a-lifetime adventure twice – and nine months on a cruise ship is too long. Four to five months is enough.”
For those intrigued by the prospect of this grand voyage, information and reservations are available on Royal Caribbean’s website.