Why cruise ships around the world are selling out for 2025
An expert's insight into why cruise bookings are proving to be so popular this year.
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Cruise bookings for 2025 are vanishing faster than ever, but it's not the traditional cruises you might think of. Extended voyages have become the hottest tickets on water, with travelers rushing to secure spots that let them see multiple continents without repacking a suitcase.
Forget the old seven-day Caribbean getaway. Today's world cruises stretch the imagination with journeys lasting up to 188 nights and docking at more than 100 destinations across five continents. The shift in how people view these floating adventures is remarkable.
The cruise industry didn't just recover from pandemic shutdowns - it's sailing full speed ahead with world cruises leading the way. Regent Seven Seas Cruises turned heads when their 2025 world cruise completely sold out before officially opening for bookings in June 2022. For four straight years, they've broken sales records for these globe-trotting itineraries.
The numbers tell the story better than words ever could. Industry insiders say 2025 will blow past previous records, with bookings already running 10-15pc higher than 2024's historic levels. After welcoming 31.7 million passengers worldwide in 2023, the Cruise Line International Association expects that figure to jump to 34.6 million by 2025.
World cruises hold a magnetic appeal that standard vacations simply can't match. The perks of these floating adventures outshine conventional travel in ways that keep cabins selling out months - sometimes years - before departure.
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Most world cruises bundle nearly everything into the fare: meals at main restaurants, drinks, entertainment, gym access, and Wi-Fi. The luxury operators go further, throwing in complimentary shore excursions, specialty dining experiences, and premium perks like spa treatments and laundry service. When you're living at sea for six months, free laundry matters more than you'd think.
The sticker shock hits first. An around-the-world cruise starts from €35,000 for a basic suite. But, break it down by day, factor in everything from five-star accommodations to transportation between continents, gourmet meals, nightly entertainment, and shore excursions - suddenly the value becomes crystal clear.
The beauty of world cruising hits you about the third time you don't have to repack your suitcase. "A world cruise affords travelers the unique opportunity of being brought to a multitude of bucket list destinations and landmarks in one singular trip - and all the while only unpacking once," cruise experts point out.
This isn't just about convenience - it's psychological. Coming back to your familiar cabin after exploring Cairo's pyramids or from the blackjack tables at Crown Casino Melbourne, where you can play TopAussiePokies provides a sense of security that hotel-hopping can't deliver.
Source: Getty Images
Premier cruise lines report completely sold-out itineraries months, sometimes years before the gangways ever drop. Regent Seven Seas Cruises stands as the poster child for this cruise frenzy. They sold out their entire 2025 world cruise before officially opening bookings in June 2022. Their 150-night journey doesn't come cheap, with fares starting at a little under €77,000 per guest for a Deluxe Veranda Suite and skyrocketing to €220,000 for a Master Suite.
MSC Magnifica's 116-night World Cruise leaves Rome on January 4, 2025, hitting 50 destinations in 21 countries. Princess Cruises offers a 115-day global adventure on Island Princess, featuring 51 destinations across six continents.
Moreover, Royal Caribbean has unleashed its "Ultimate World Cruise" aboard Serenade of the Seas, a mind-boggling 274-night journey visiting more than 60 countries across seven continents. Passengers booking the full voyage get serious perks: business-class airfare, pre-cruise hotel stays, and premium transfers between airports and the ship.
Beyond the dazzling destinations and luxury amenities, cold, hard cash considerations are fueling the world cruise explosion. These aren't just vacations anymore - they're turning into lifestyle choices with surprising financial upsides.
Retirement at sea has emerged as the financial plot twist nobody saw coming. Programs like Villa Vie's "Endless Horizons" offer lifetime access to cruise accommodations for a one-time payment of €265,000 for singles or €440,000 for couples. Do the math: a 20-year retirement on board costs roughly €22,000 annually for a couple, half what the average retiree household spends each year on land (€45,000).
Virgin Voyages jumped in with both feet, too, offering an annual pass for €105,000 that includes unlimited cruises, all-you-can-use Wi-Fi, and a €100 bar credit per voyage. Perfect for the digital nomad who enjoys a sunset martini while finishing quarterly reports.
World cruises have sailed well beyond the realm of typical vacations, becoming full-blown lifestyle choices that travelers can't book fast enough. The evidence is right there in the numbers – Regent Seven Seas selling out voyages before officially opening bookings and Virgin Voyages reporting a jaw-dropping 60pc revenue surge.
These figures reveal a fundamental shift in how people approach time at sea. The days of quick Caribbean getaways are giving way to immersive journeys that blend luxury living with global exploration. Today's cruise passengers want more than just a brief escape; they're after transformation.
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