ALL AROUND THE WORLD
Who wouldn’t love to see some of the world’s most famous sights on a world cruise? With prices starting at £96 a day, there’s no better time to book your trip of a lifetime
WORDS SARA MACEFIELD
dramas on social media, leading to it becoming known as the “TikTok reality show”!
WHAT ABOUT GRAND VOYAGES?
For those who don’t have the time or inclination for a full world cruise, grand voyages are the next best thing. These may be sectors of world cruises that are sold separately, ranging in duration from a couple of weeks up to about 80 nights. Some will be filled with different ports and countries while others are more relaxed with more sea days.
Some Grand Voyages exceed 100 days, though they’re generally shorter than world cruises and can be from 30 days upwards. They tend to focus on a particular region, such as Asia, Latin America, Australasia or Africa, covering two-thirds or so of the world rather than encircling it completely.
WHO SAILS WHERE?
The main players in the UK market are Cunard and P&O Cruises, offering departures from Southampton, while Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers world cruises and long voyages from there, plus Liverpool, Portsmouth and Newcastle ports too.
Others include Princess Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Viking Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Crystal, Holland America Line and MSC Cruises, with departures from destinations including Fort Lauderdale, Civitavecchia (Rome), Auckland, Sydney, Los Angeles, Miami and Los Angeles.
A newcomer to the world cruise scene is Celebrity Cruises, which has unveiled its first Grand Voyage, spanning 110 nights from September 2026.
Prices for world cruises start from around £9,500 per person, rising to more than £225,000 per person for a top suite on the most luxurious ships.
For more on world cruises, go to cruiseandtravel.co.uk +
Left to right: Many cruises lines offer itineraries which cover the charming port towns and white-sand beaches of the Caribbean; visit spectacular Supertree Grove in Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay
3 WORLD CRUISES TO BOOK FOR 2026
DIVE DOWN UNDER
P&O Cruises offers an exciting 100-night classic Eastern Circumnavigation departing from Southampton on 6 January 2026. It sails towards the Cape Verde Islands, following Africa’s west coast before heading to the Indian Ocean. From here it takes in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific before reaching America’s Pacific coast and transiting the Panama Canal, then sails through the Caribbean before returning across the Atlantic Ocean. From £9,599 per person. pocruises.com
CONTINENTAL DRIFT
Viking’s world cruise departs Fort Lauderdale on 19 December 2025, and ends 138 days and 29 countries later in Greenwich. It visits Central America, traversing the Panama Canal and sails to French Polynesia before reaching New Zealand and Australia, then heads through Asia with stops in Bali, Singapore and Thailand. After crossing the Indian Ocean, it traces Africa’s coast, the Iberian Peninsula and the English Channel. From £50,790 per person. vikingcruises.co.uk
DISCOVER LATIN AMERICA
Discover the samba rhythms of South America on this six-month roundtrip voyage from Miami with Oceania Cruises, departing 6 January, 2026. It sails through the Caribbean and encircles South America, sailing its east and west coasts, before heading through the South Pacific to Australasia, then Asia and the Middle East, onto Europe. It sails the Med up to the UK, before crossing the Atlantic to North America’s east coast. From £46,119 per person. oceaniacruises.com
PREMIUM
Set sail on ships that o er incredible interiors, rst-class facilities and some of the best entertainment at sea
WORDS JANE ARCHER
OCEANIA CRUISES
THE FINEST CUISINE AT SEA
With one chef for every 10 passengers on each of its seven ships (eight with the July 2025 launch of Allura) and complimentary speciality dining, it’s no wonder Oceania styles itself as the leading foodie cruise line. Four ships are small, holding just under 700 passengers; the larger ones, for up to 1,250 guests, have more places to eat and cooking schools. Launched in 2023, Vista debuted Ember, a casual diner, and Aquamar for healthy cuisine. Both will be onboard Allura, along with a new crêperie. Introduced in late 2024, the Your World fares ended the drinks inclusion but still covers all tips. oceaniacruises.com
AZAMARA CRUISES THE SMALL-SHIP PIONEER OF DESTINATION CRUISING
It’s all about destination at Azamara, the line that introduced the concept of ‘slow’ cruising, with regular late or overnight port stays, so passengers could see more on shore. It has four near-identical small ships that each hold an average of 700 passengers and have semi-inclusive fares that cover selected drinks and tips (speciality restaurants Prime C and Aqualina are included for suite guests). The line is slowing things down even further in 2025, with two-night stays in top cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Seville and Sydney. It has also jacked up its countryintensive range of cruises, as New Zealand joins the line-up. azamara.com
SMALL SHIPS
ese specialist small- and tall-ship lines o er guests the chance to enjoy great service,
& SPECIALIST
adventure and sail with a knowledgeable crew WORDS JEANNINE WILLIAMSON
EXPEDITION
Sail o -grid, tick bucket-list boxes and experience lessertrodden landscapes that only an expedition cruise can o er…
WORDS REBECCA BARNES
PONANT
INSPIRING VOYAGES ONBOARD A FLEET OF SMALL LUXURY EXPLORATION SHIPS
Ponant now includes complimentary excursions on all cruises: guests can choose from a range of onshore experiences, with one excursion included per port of call. Luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot will sail to the Arctic in March before any other ship, ensuring total privacy, while Le Soléal will visit the Raja Ampat islands from Darwin in September – the only cruise line to sail from the Australian port. uk.ponant.com
