Cruise Around the World
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It's been nearly a century since the first world cruise sailed in 1922. Nowadays, anyone can cruise around the world, or portions of it. (One irony about world cruises is that most don't really sail fully around the world.) But these third-of-a-year voyages, lasting from 80 to 157 nights, do offer passengers a chance to see a widely varied portfolio of diverse cultures. Folks who can't commit to the full trip can participate through an increasingly popular option in which you can buy a "segment" ranging from a week to over a month. Following is a roundup of some world sailings that pique our interest.
Up Next: Crystal Cruises -
Crystal Cruises
The Trip: A 108-night true round-the-world voyage on Crystal Serenity beginning in Los Angeles and ending in Southampton.
The Dates: January 19 - May 7, 2008
Price: The 108-night voyage starts at $49,800 per person, double occupancy; segments begin at $4,890 per person.
Who Should Go: Crystal is geared toward older North American passengers. Those interested in learning new skills while onboard will benefit from Crystal's renowned onboard enrichment programs.
Up Next: Queen Victoria -
Queen Victoria
The Trip: Queen Victoria's maiden world cruise (another true round-the-world voyage) is a 99-night voyage from New York to Southampton.
The Dates: January 13 - April 22, 2008
Price: The 105-night roundtrip from New York (the last six nights on Queen Mary 2) starts at $20,004 per person, double occupancy. Segments begin at $2,212 per person.
Who Should Go: Cunard's world cruises attract big name lecturers and entertainers. This cruise is perfect for those who'd like their fellow passengers to be almost as interesting as the destinations.
Up Next: Queen Elizabeth 2 -
Queen Elizabeth 2
The Trip: Queen Elizabeth 2 sails a 90-night voyage to South America, the Pacific and the Far East roundtrip from New York.
The Dates: January 13 - April 12, 2008
Price: Prices for the 90-night cruise range from $13,355 to $175,325 per person (based on double occupancy); segments begin at $1,929.
Who Should Go: The last large ocean liner of the 20th century in service, QE2 is perfect for those looking for the ultimate in traditional large-ship experiences.
Up Next: Black Watch -
Black Watch
The Trip: Fred. Olsen's Black Watch offers a 107-night true world circumnavigation roundtrip from Dover.
The Dates: January 5, 2008 - April 21, 2008
Price: The 107-night cruise ranges from 11,651 to 31,850 British Pounds ($23,073 to $63,056 at $1.98 to the pound) based on double occupancy; segments start at 2,125 Pounds ($4,208).
Who Should Go: Black Watch should appeal to those who want a very British experience but not on a large ship as offered by P&O.
Up Next: Europa -
Europa
The Trip: Europa, one of the world's most luxurious cruise ships, offers the longest and most elaborate world cruise available: Barcelona to Dubai for 157 nights.
The Dates: November 16, 2007 - April 20, 2008
Price: Contact Hapag-Lloyd for the full world cruise price tag. As for the itinerary segments, per person, double occupancy fares start at 2,615 euros ($3,506 at $1.34 to the euro).
Who Should Go: This ship appeals primarily to an upscale German speaking traveler and fans of Continental cruising.
Up Next: Columbus -
Columbus
The Trip: Hapag-Lloyd's less luxurious yet more adventuresome Columbus sails a 138-night voyage from Miami to Nice.
The Dates: December 20, 2007 - May 6, 2008
Price: Contact Hapag-Lloyd for full world cruise prices. Itinerary segment fares begin at 990 euros per person, double occupancy ($1,327).
Who Should Go: For the unconventional, adventurous world cruiser, Columbus' 10 legs zone in on particular themes, such as hiking or golf all over the globe. Those who do not speak German may feel uncomfortable on this ship, however.
Up Next: Amsterdam -
Amsterdam
The Trip: Holland America's flagship Amsterdam sails a 113-night roundtrip -- a true round-the-world voyage -- from Ft. Lauderdale.
The Dates: January 4 - April 27, 2008
Price: Full cruise fares range from $20,999 to $187,999 per person, double occupancy. Segments begin at $3,139.
Who Should Go: The 2000-built Amsterdam is a comfortable mid-sized ship, big enough to offer a wide range of amenities but smaller than the Cunard and P&O ships. Its world cruise is mainly geared toward older North Americans.
Up Next: Hurtigruten -
Hurtigruten
The Trip: The new Hurtigruten expedition cruise ship Fram sails a 67-night "alternative world cruise" from Reykjavik to Ushuaia.
The Dates: September 18 - November 22, 2007
Price: Full cruise fares range from $10,999 to $39,999. Segment fares begin at $1,999.
Who Should Go: This trip is for expedition-minded travelers looking for something really unique: a voyage from the Arctic to the Antarctic. The brand-new-for-2007 Fram is one of the most modern and comfortable (though by no means luxurious) expedition ships out there.
Up Next: Oriana -
Oriana
The Trip: A 101-night true world cruise aboard Oriana, roundtrip from Southampton.
The Dates: January 6 - April 16, 2008
Price: The full cruise runs from 9,046 to 58,099 British Pounds per person, double occupancy ($17,913 to $115,050 at $1.98 to the Pound). Segments begin at 1,775 Pounds ($3,514).
Who Should Go: Oriana blends modern and traditional features. P&O's ships are geared more heavily toward the British market and truly allow passengers to travel the world on a floating piece of Britain.
Up Next: Aurora -
Aurora
The Trip: An 80-night cruise to the Pacific and South America roundtrip from Southampton aboard Aurora.
The Dates: January 7 - March 28, 2008
Price: The full cruise runs from 7,726 to 60,499 British Pounds per person, double occupancy ($15,297 to $119,791). Segments begin at 1,940 Pounds ($3,841).
Who Should Go: Aurora is the five-year-newer sibling of Oriana, and offers similar features with more modern decor. This cruise is ideal for anyone who would like to do Oriana's world voyage but doesn't quite have the time.
Up Next: Pacific Princess -
Pacific Princess
The Trip: A 102-night voyage aboard Pacific Princess starting in Ft. Lauderdale and ending in London (Southampton) is Princess' first world cruise in five years.
The Dates: January 10 - April 22, 2008
Price: Fares range from $21,995 to $44,845 per person, double occupancy.
Who Should Go: This is an ideal world cruise for those looking for a mainstream North American cruise experience on a smaller ship (Pacific Princess carries only 710 passengers).
Up Next: Seven Seas Voyager -
Seven Seas Voyager
The Trip: A 115-night voyage aboard Seven Seas Voyager from San Francisco to Ft. Lauderdale.
The Dates: January 6 - April 30, 2008
Price: Full cruise fares range from $59,995 to $209,995 per person, double occupancy; segments begin at $6,795.
Who Should Go: Regent offers a boutique-style luxury cruise with traditional elements, so it's a good pick for any traveler who wants the flexibility of alternative dining (it's all open seating, all the time) along with traditional cruise entertainment.
Up Next: Saga Rose -
Saga Rose
The Trip: A 100-night true circumnavigation aboard Saga Rose.
The Dates: January 5 - April 15, 2008
Price: Full cruise fares range from 14,235 to 31,491 ($28,222 to $62,421) British Pounds per person, double occupancy. Segments begin at 3,875 Pounds ($7,681).
Who Should Go: Catering exclusively to passengers 50 and older and almost exclusively to the British market, this 42-year-old ship offers the most traditional world cruise experience of the year with the possible exception of QE2.
Up Next: Silver Shadow -
Silver Shadow
The Trip: A 110-night true round-the-world voyage aboard Silver Shadow, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale.
The Dates: January 16 - May 2, 2008
Price: Fares for the full world cruise begin at $58,210 per person, double occupancy; contact Silversea for segment fares.
Who Should Go: Silver Shadow is one of the most intimate and luxurious ships to offer a world cruise, geared to well-heeled passengers from around the world; the experience is similar to that offered by Regent but on a smaller, more intimate scale.
More World Cruises
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