Latest news with #worldcruise
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I'm a travel expert - this is how you can see the world on a cruise without spending months at sea
A world cruise remains that elusive, once-in-a-lifetime dream trip – swapping the dreary day-to-day for far-flung adventure. But finding the time to do what can be tricky, and taking months away from home isn't always a practical choice. Now a cruise insider has unveiled a clever hack for chartering a course around the globe in shorter stages. Audrey Hobby, who leads travel agent training for Cunard, shared with MailOnline Travel how travellers can curate a series of shorter voyages over three years – letting them see the world in the process. 'Many guests don't realise that you can piece together a world voyage in stages,' she says. 'By selecting shorter segments across different years, you can still explore five continents and 14 countries – but with more flexibility, and more time to savour each destination.' Cunard has even put together a suggested itinerary that takes in cities and remote destinations, all reached by sailing on the line's famous 'Queens': Queen Mary 2, Queen Anne, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. You could start out with an 11-night Alaska cruise on Queen Elizabeth, setting sail from Seattle, Washington on 11 July. The 2,000-passenger ship, which recently underwent a massive transformation, sailed on a voyage around the state for the first time last month. Then next year, tackle the 24-night Sydney to Singapore cruise in March aboard Queen Mary 2, the world's only ocean liner. The itinerary features stops in Vietnam – where you could visit the Imperial City of Hue, a UNESCO Heritage Site – and Indonesia, where excursions include the Minahasa Highlands on a tour from Bitung. Come summer, tackle the Adriatic and western Mediterranean from July to August. Immerse yourself into European culture with ports of call from Marseille to Corsica, Barcelona to Corfu. The final corners of the world to tick off the cruising bucket list can be done aboard the newest 'Queen'. Queen Anne will be making her maiden call to South America as part of a 29-night adventure to Rio de Janeiro, departing in January 2027 from Southampton. It includes an overnight stay in the iconic Brazilian city when the Rio Carnival is in full swing. Along the way, there are visits to Bermuda, Florida, and Barbados. Spreading out a cruise around the world with this itinerary costs just over £10,000 per person. To elevate the experience, Audrey suggests holidaymakers 'plan your voyages to coincide with signature moments like Rio Carnival or Alaska's summer solstice.' Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, says the company understands that 'modern travellers seek flexibility and accessibility without compromising on luxury. 'That's why our segmented alternatives to a world voyage offer the perfect solution, as our incredible itineraries allow guests to explore the world on their terms – but in true Cunard style.'
The Independent
30-06-2025
- The Independent
Woman leaves California to live on cruise ship, claiming it's cheaper
Sharon Lane, 77, moved out of her retirement village in California to embark on a 15-year trip around the world aboard Villa Vie's Odyssey cruise ship. Lane invested her life savings to purchase a cabin on the Odyssey, which bills itself as the first perpetual world cruise, offering long-term living options. The Odyssey is set to visit 147 countries and 425 destinations over a three-and-a-half-year cycle, with cabins available for purchase for its 15-year lifespan. Despite initial delays and a steep cost, Lane believes the arrangement offers great value, covering meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, medical visits, and services like housekeeping and laundry. Lane expressed her desire for simplicity and the fulfillment of a long-held dream, stating she doesn't plan to shorten her continuous journey.
The Independent
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Woman, 77, moves onto cruise ship permanently — says it's cheaper than living in California
Last month, 77-year-old Sharon Lane moved out of her retirement village in Orange County, California, to embark on her dream adventure: A 15-year trip around the world. Lane invested in her own cabin on Villa Vie's Odyssey, which bills itself as the first perpetual world cruise, with many of its passengers booking a 'permanent home' on board. Odyssey launched in October and is set to visit 147 countries and 425 destinations over a three-and-a-half-year cycle. The ship offers long-term living options, allowing residents to either purchase cabins outright for its entire lifespan of 15 years or opt for a pay-as-you-go plan. Cabin prices begin at $129,000 for an interior cabin with a 15-year lease. Monthly fees are $2,000 per person for double occupancy or $3,000 for singles. For outside cabins, prices start at $169,000, with monthly fees increasing by $500 per person. Lane joind Odyssey in June, spending her life savings on an interior cabin that would be hers for the ship's lifetime. Over the years, the cruise will continually circle the globe, stopping at destinations like Japan and New Zealand. 'I'm finally able to do what I've wanted to do for years,' she told CNN Travel. 'I buy the cabin, I live in the cabin, and that's it. And then there's no end.' Odyssey saw a few issues before it took off in October. It set sail four months later than planned after a string of last-minute repairs. During that delay, passengers were stuck in Belfast, Ireland, leaving dozens of ports unvisited and countries unexplored. However, Lane felt confident that the ship 'worked out the kinks' when she joined the trip mid-June. 'I don't want complications in my life, you know, I'm at a point in my life where I want simplicity,' she explained. Despite the steep cost, Lane believes she's getting great value, as her payments cover meals, drinks, alcohol with dinner, Wi-Fi, and medical visits. Her package also includes room service, weekly housekeeping, and bi-weekly laundry service. 'I don't have to do my laundry anymore. I don't have to do grocery shopping,' she explained. 'Living on the ship is much less expensive than living in Southern California.' Lane's 15-year trip is just getting started, and while she has the option to sell or rent her cabin down the line, she doesn't plan on shortening her trip. 'There's no end,' she explained. 'Sure, in 15 years… but in 15 years, I'll be ready for a home… Or maybe, at the end, I'll go on their next ship… I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.' Villa Vie Residences bought Odyssey, the 31-year-old ship, in 2023, with the ship arriving at Queen's Island in Belfast to be outfitted in April 2024. The 542ft-long cruise ship was built in 1993 in Valencia, Spain, consisting of eight decks, 485 cabins, and can carry up to 650 residents. The ship was extensively refurbished at a historic dry dock in the Northern Irish capital, owned by Harland and Wolff, a maritime engineering company that produced the ill-fated Titanic. It was also transformed to include a pub, cocktail bar, business center, and a pool on the top deck. A fitness center, medical room, dining hall, and spa are also onboard the all-inclusive cruise for residents to use. Other amenities for passengers, according to Villa Vie's website, include a pickleball court, different shows and performances, wellness classes, and social events, from elegant dinners to casual meet-ups.
TTG
17-06-2025
- Business
- TTG
The powerful free marketing tool that could transform your cruise business
Lines including Cunard, P&O Cruises and Marella Cruises sell branded versions of The Cruise Maps onboard their ships, with prices ranging from £40-120, depending on the size of the map and whether a frame is included. ROL Cruises went a step further this year, offering branded The Cruise Maps as a more personal gift for its customers. Sarah Wikevand, chief operating officer, ROL Cruise, says: 'We recently ran a campaign gifting The Cruise Maps to a selection of our world cruise guests. On their return, guests were surprised with a beautifully framed, personalised map of their journey, tracking every destination, port and special memory along the way. The response has been fantastic. Many of our guests have shared photos of their maps on social media, including dedicated world cruise Facebook groups, and have told us what a wonderful keepsake it is for keeping their cruise memories alive. 'For some, it was their first world cruise so having a tangible, special memento to hang on their wall means the experience continues long after they return home. We see The Cruise Maps as a brilliant marketing tool. It adds genuine value and creates lasting positive associations with our guests and ROL Cruise. It's a special way of thanking customers for their loyalty. We're now exploring other ways to incorporate these into future campaigns, particularly for longer or once-in-a-lifetime cruise packages where they have the most impact.'
Globe and Mail
14-05-2025
- Globe and Mail
Holland America Line's Epic 2027 Grand Voyages Officially Open for Booking
Overnight stays, rare ports and new overland tours highlight 129-day world cruise and 70-day exploration of South America and Antarctica SEATTLE , May 14, 2025 /CNW/ -- Today, following a successful pre-sale period, Holland America Line officially opened bookings for its two 2027 Grand Voyages. Both the 2027 Grand World Voyage and the 2027 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, departing in January 2027 , will provide guests access to rare ports of call and the opportunity to connect with sought-after destinations through ample overnight and extended calls, all while enjoying the elevated onboard experience for which Grand Voyages are known. "We know cruisers who book Grand Voyages are looking for unique experiences — and the strong interest we've seen in the pre-sale period shows us our guests are excited about what we've designed for them in 2027," said Paul Grigsby , vice president of deployment and revenue planning for Holland America Line. "For example, we built in overnight stays in destinations like Bordeaux — with the city center only accessible via smaller ships like Volendam — as well as multi-night stays in vibrant cities like Cape Town and Buenos Aires ." Guests sailing on the 2027 Grand World Voyage aboard Volendam will enjoy overnight or multi-night calls in seven destinations, including European gems Bordeaux, France , and Copenhagen, Denmark . The cruise also features several late-night calls, including a visit to Malé, the capital of the Maldives . Those sailing on the 2027 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage aboard Zaandam can look forward to overnight or multi-night calls in five destinations, including Callao ( Lima ), Peru — the gateway to Machu Picchu — as well as cities like Montevideo, Uruguay , and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil . Overland Adventures Offer Memorable Experiences For travelers looking to check off even more bucket-list items, guests on 2027 Grand Voyages can select from a wide range of multi-day overland tours to more authentically connect with a destination. One option on the 2027 Grand World Voyage is a seven-day tour departing from Phuket, Thailand , that heads to India , taking travelers up close to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World — the Taj Mahal — before rejoining the ship in Malé. Guests on both the 2027 Grand World Voyage and Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage can opt to immerse themselves in nature and venture onto a four-day Galapagos Islands overland tour, taking in pristine scenery and unparalleled wildlife, like iconic giant tortoises, as well as blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas, frigatebirds and more. 2027 Grand World Voyage Highlights — Volendam 129-day voyage; sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida , departing Jan. 5, 2027 . Heads south along the west coast of South America , crossing the equator and sailing to Easter Island before traversing the islands of the South Pacific en route to Australia . Explores Indonesia , Singapore , Malaysia , Thailand and Sri Lanka before sailing south around the Cape of Good Hope and north to St. Helena and Ascension Island, as well as up the west coast of Africa . Meanders through Europe , including overnight calls at Bordeaux and Copenhagen before an Atlantic Ocean crossing. 53 total ports in 28 countries across six continents. Seven overnight stays: Copenhagen ; Bordeaux ; Cape Town, South Africa ; Bali, Indonesia ; Sydney, Australia ; Papeete, French Polynesia ; and Callao ( Lima ). Access to 81 UNESCO sites including the Taj Mahal, Westminster Abbey, Mont-Saint-Michel and the Great Barrier Reef. Memorable Moments: Chances to explore historic and remote Jamestown , St. Helena , and Georgetown , Ascension Island; a stop in Bora Bora — often called the "Pearl of the South Pacific"; and an overnight at Bordeaux paired with scenic cruising of the Gironde estuary. 2027 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage Highlights — Zaandam 70-day voyage; sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale , departing Jan. 3, 2027. Heads south to transit the Panama Canal before crossing the equator, then sails along South America's west coast. Calls at ports in the Cayman Islands , Ecuador , Peru , Chile and Argentina and includes several days of scenic cruising through Chile's majestic fjords and glaciers. Crosses the Drake Passage before a four-day scenic cruising Antarctic Experience, then sails north, calling at ports in the Falklands, Argentina , Uruguay , Brazil and French Guinea along South America's east coast before a Caribbean sojourn en route back to Fort Lauderdale . 31 total ports in 13 countries across two continents. Five overnight stays: Fuerte Amador ( Panama City ), Panama ; Callao ( Lima ); Montevideo ; Buenos Aires, Argentina ; and Rio de Janeiro . Access to 28 UNESCO sites including Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. Memorable Moments: Enjoy an overnight call at Montevideo , the capital of Uruguay ; spend time at fabled Isla Robinson Crusoe ; enjoy other-worldly scenic cruising in 10 destinations, including the Pio XI Glacier and the Beagle Channel. Early Booking Bonus Benefits For a limited time, guests who book the 129-day Grand World Voyage and 70-day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage receive up to $2,000 USD in onboard credit per guest, a 3% pay-in-full discount, a free Wi-Fi Surf package and more. Additional perks for all guests who book early include a $500 USD air credit per person if booked through Flight Ease and complimentary roundtrip airport transfers to and from the Fort Lauderdale airport. Additional extras can include complimentary luggage delivery service to and from the Fort Lauderdale airport, prepaid crew appreciation and laundry and drycleaning service when booking certain stateroom categories. Terms and conditions apply. A Grand Onboard Experience On each Grand Voyage, Holland America Line provides gracious service, superior amenities and unexpected experiences. Guests can relax during leisurely days at sea, taking advantage of the extra time to participate in shipboard activities. Shipboard entertainment shines in the evening with local cultural performers and special guest headliners. Festive gala balls and dressy nights create memorable moments, along with a Captain's Grand Voyage Dinner. Dining is elevated to a new level on each Grand Voyage with menus that change daily and are seldom repeated, featuring local ingredients and regional cuisine. For more information about other Holland America Line voyages, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit Find Holland America Line on Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social media outlets via the home page at About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)] Holland America Line has been exploring the world for more than 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering a perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet of 11 vessels visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line. Savour the Journey isn't just a tagline, it's a reinforcement that the cruise line provides experiences too good to hurry through, connecting travelers to the world and each other. Award-winning enrichment programming, entertainment and cuisine that brings each locale on board, including a revolutionary Global Fresh Fish Program, put Holland America Line at the forefront of premium cruising. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Holland America Line
