World cruises have an enthusiastic following, and for good reason. These multi-continent adventures let travelers see more countries at a more-relaxed pace, than traditional sailings. Spanning months rather than weeks, they combine a host of far-flung destinations into a single reservation. You pack once and fly twice, which reduces jet lag and leaves more time to savor the sights, sounds, and delights of new locales. For travelers with restricted schedules, many cruise companies offer individual segments to fit their needs.
Brenda Tolson, Master Cruise Counselor and Lake Shore Travel advisor, adds that global cruises include the best pampering and personal service the industry has to offer. “It’s the cruise experience taken to the max,” she says. “You’ll find the newest ships, the most-experienced crews, top-notch entertainment and a dizzying choice of enrichment and relaxing activities for at-sea days.”
Reservations typically sell out years in advance, but 2022 presents a unique opportunity, as most lines still have openings. Here’s a sampling of the options.
The Regent Seven Seas Mariner. This 120-night expedition highlights the Pacific Rim, with emphasis on the South Pacific, Australia/New Zealand and Asia. Visiting 59 ports in 17 countries, the trip offers more than 40 UNESCO World Heritage sites and nearly 300 land excursions. Mariner sails round-trip from San Francisco on Jan. 5, 2022, and returns May 5.
The Silversea Silver Whisper and Silver Cloud. Silversea has two world offerings for 2022, both moved forward from 2021.
- The Tale of Tales (Silver Whisper) features an unusual north-south itinerary that spans Iceland to Antarctica in 138 days. The cruise departs Fort Lauderdale Jan. 5, 2022, and visits 69 ports in 32 countries. It concludes in Copenhagen.
- Silver Cloud has a brand-new, expedition-themed adventure called the Uncharted World Tour. This 167-day cruise launches from Argentina on Jan. 30 and makes land stops in Antarctica, South America, the South Pacific, Australia and more.
Princess Cruises’ Island Princess and Coral Princess. Circling from Fort Lauderdale and back, the Island Princess will launch its first world cruise for the Princess line in 2022, offering up 50 ports of call in 32 countries that span six continents. A second ship, the Coral Princess, also debuts next year, with a 107-day round-trip voyage that offers three embarkation points: Auckland, Sydney, and Brisbane. Stops include the Komodo Islands, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Norway, Iceland and more.
Viking’s Star. This voyage technically launches in 2021, departing from Miami on Christmas Eve and concluding in London (Greenwich) on May 9, 2022. Among other ports of call, cruisers will visit the Caribbean, Latin America, California, Hawaii, the Middle East, and Western Europe.
Holland America’s Zaandam. The Grand World Voyage makes a round trip from Fort Lauderdale, departing Jan. 3, 2022, and wrapping up May 12. The 128-day trip features South America (with an extended stop in Brazil), Hawaii, the South Pacific, Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
Oceania’s Around the World in 180 Days. Departing Los Angeles Jan. 6, 2022, returning July 4, this 6-month megacruise can be extended with an upfront segment from Miami to L.A. beginning Dec. 21, 2021. Passengers on the Miami leg visit Grand Cayman, Cartagena (Columbia), Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico before sailing to the official starting point of Los Angeles. From there, it’s off to Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia, a variety of Asian ports, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Iceland and more.
The Seabourn Sojourn. The Sojourn is a 145-day adventure beginning in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2022, and concluding at the Athens-based port of Piraeus. Segments include Los Angeles to Sydney, Sidney to Shanghai, Shanghai to Singapore, and many more.
Curious? Contact your Lake Shore Travel advisor today.