A Snob’s Guide to Long Cruises
One hundred and two years ago this coming March, the RMS Laconia, a Cunard passenger liner, arrived in New York City after 130 days at sea—and raised the bar for travel. The Laconia had circumnavigated the globe while passengers enjoyed endless onboard pleasures: balls and concerts, lectures and lessons. (Fencing was the rage, as was a “camera club.”) Two young women, the Phelps sisters, were more interested, their diaries reveal, in the places they were visiting than in any suitors their mother hoped they would find aboard. Of the Taj Mahal, Eleanor Phelps wrote, “Nothing could possibly do it justice and so I shan’t try.” The urge to be épaté by the riches of the world lives on, of course, but with contemporary adjustments. Ships now have superfast SpaceX Starlink, assuring connection to work and home, and voyages shorter than around-the-world cruises (if you must) still give a taste of that no-airport-hassles magic. Read on.
Step 1: Are You Long Cruise Material?
Read through the following questions. The more times you answer yes, the better a candidate you are.
Does the grazing model of sightseeing satisfy you? On full world cruises, you’ll visit about 70 places. But not deeply.
Are you comfortable with sea days? They’re a fact of life on extended voyages. World cruises often cross two oceans. Up to five consecutive days with no land in sight is not uncommon.(Tip: It’s a great time to relax and experience what the ship itself has to offer.)
Are you willing to dress up? If you want to rock your jeans at dinner, book an expedition cruise. On most world and grand cruises, black tie and semiformal nights are a fact of life (and, frankly, fun). You can, of course, take to your cabin if it feels de trop at times.
Can you handle hierarchy? World cruises have a passenger pecking order: “worldies,” onboard for the duration, and “seggies,” on for only a segment. The latter can inject new energy into life onboard, but they should mind their manners (no commandeering a worldie’s favorite table, say).
Can you conduct your personal and business lives digitally? Yes, ships have speedy SpaceX Starlink. Still, we’re talking months.
Can “small” equal “cozy”? The world is big, but your private quarters for three to four months—unless you’re paying the big bucks for a multiroom suite, of course—are small.
Can you exercise self-control? There are lavish breakfasts, lunches, and dinners every day. Plus afternoon teas, on-tap cocktails, canapé hour, and late night snacks.
Are you confident about your choice of traveling companion? Whether sailing with a spouse or a friend, there will be a lot of togetherness.
Can you live without water slides and nonstop entertainment? If the answer is no, you should consider a week in the Caribbean.
Step 2: World Cruise or Grand Voyage?
There’s a lot in these terms: different lengths, itineraries, and vibes.
World cruises typically last three to four months and circle the globe, though precise itineraries differ, and have a palpable oh-the-places-we’ll-go excitement. Grand voyages average one month, tend to focus on a single region—Australia and New Zealand, say, or Asia. Really, it’s a question of time and money. Below are ships and upcoming sailings we love, in both categories, and key facts—including segments of world cruises we think deliver a lot. Some departures are still a year or more off, but take note: These trips fill up quickly.
WORLD CRUISES
Crystal Serenity
The cruise by the numbers: 135 nights, 72 ports, 12 overnights, 27 countries, 52 sea days.
Start and finish: Los Angeles, Rome. Itinerary in brief: After L.A., the 740-passenger ship heads to Hawaii, then to the South Pacific (including eight days in French Polynesia visiting Moorea, Bora Bora, and more). It reaches New Zealand and Australia, explores ports in Asia (from Boracay in the Philippines, known for its dazzling beaches, to Mumbai), then wends its way around the Arabian Peninsula—including Muscat, Oman, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)—then on to Rome. Onboard vibe: One big happy family. After the bankruptcy of its Hong Kong parent company, Crystal was purchased by Abercrombie & Kent, and its two ships relaunched last year with 80 percent of the crew returning. The service is extraordinary. We love the new Sapphire Veranda Suites, with separate living areas and two dining spots, inside and on your veranda. Highlights: Promised are after-hours access to museums, private concerts ashore, and dinners in UNESCO World Heritage Sites (land-based experiences are in A&K’s wheelhouse). Also: Komodo dragons in the wild; a day on isolated Norfolk Island, where the Bounty mutineers settled; a performance at Sydney Opera House; and a drive and dinner in Jordan’s Wadi Rum at sunset (Lawrence of Arabia territory).
Dates: January 11 to May 26, 2026. Short on time? The 14-night Hong Kong to Singapore segment also includes Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok—an urban extravaganza with many overnights, plus a full day in Vietnam’s otherworldly Ha Long Bay and beach time in Koh Samui.
Regent Seven Seas Splendor
The cruise by the numbers: 140 nights, 71 ports, 14 overnights, 40 countries, 54 sea days. Start and finish: Miami, New York. Itinerary in brief: A complete circumnavigation of the globe, from Miami around the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal and Central America, Hawaii and French Polynesia, then Australia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Onboard vibe: People feeling lucky to be spending so many lotus-eating days on one of Regent’s newer ships. (Typically, the glossiest vessels are reserved for the most accessible sailings, to attract new customers.) Highlights: The overnights, including several unusual ones (Panama City, Malé in the Maldives). Special events are not yet finalized at this time, but snap up one that is: a three-night side trip to the Taj Mahal. You’ll stay at Oberoi hotels and see the Taj at sunrise and sunset. Dates: January 11 to June 1, 2027.
Seabourn Sojourn
The cruise by the numbers: 129 nights, 63 ports, 7 overnights, 14 countries, 59 sea days. Start and finish: Los Angeles, Vancouver. Itinerary in brief: This cruise around the Pacific rim heads from L.A. to Hawaii (with several stops), then south to Bora Bora, Tahiti, and Raiatea, continuing on to Fiji and Vanuatu. It makes eight stops in New Zealand and 13 in Australia, and does a slow meander through Japan. You’ll arrive in Alaska by spring, the mountains still draped in snow and wildlife emerging from hibernation. Then on to British Columbia. Onboard vibe: Stylish and elegant, with a lot of repeaters. The ship is relatively small (458 passengers), so expect a more intimate feel—and, in the tropics, some epic deck parties. Highlights: Flightseeing over the Horizontal Falls in Australia’s Kimberley region; a boat ride through dramatic karst scenery along one of the world’s longest underground rivers in the Philippines. Dates: January 6 to May 15, 2026. Short on time? Sail the 20-night segment from Hong Kong to Tokyo, which gives you nine stops in Japan.
Cunard Queen Anne
The cruise by the numbers: 117 nights, 32 ports, 6 overnights, 25 countries, 75 sea days. Start and finish: Roundtrip from Hamburg. Itinerary in brief: The 2,996-passenger liner heads south through the Atlantic via Cape Verde to the deserts and game reserves of Namibia. Then along the coast of South Africa; across the Indian Ocean via Mauritius and volcanic Réunion to Sri Lanka; around Asia, Indonesia, and Australia; then across the Pacific via Vanuatu, Fiji, and Hawaii to Los Angeles. The home stretch: Central America and the Panama Canal, then across the Atlantic. Onboard vibe: Casual by day, dressed to the nines at night, with ballroom dancing in the Queens Room, gala dinners, and theme nights. The Princess Grill or top-level Queens Grill have the best suites and a more intimate restaurant. Highlights: Overnights in Rotterdam, Cape Town, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sydney; a private flight over Australia’s Whitsunday Islands; and a daytime transit of the Panama Canal. Dates: January 6 to May 2, 2026. Short on time? The 22-night Cape Town–Singapore stretch takes you via Port Elizabeth and Durban in South Africa, across the Indian Ocean to Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Silversea Silver Dawn
The cruise by the numbers: 149 nights, 80 ports, 11 overnights, 35 countries, 59 sea days. Start and finish: Los Angeles, Copenhagen. Itinerary in brief: L.A. to Hawaii, south to Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas, then on to Moorea, Tahiti, and Fiji, before arriving in Brisbane and skimming northeastern Australia: Aboriginal art, rainforest, and the Great Barrier Reef. The ship then makes its way along the coast of Asia to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the Seychelles, Mauritius, and South Africa, then hugs the west coast of Africa and Europe, with the Norwegian fjords as a final flourish.
Onboard vibe: Relaxed but chic. Many of Silversea’s world cruisers come back year after year. There are plenty of formal nights onboard, but passengers enjoy complimentary laundry and the attentions of a butler to help diminish the hardship. Highlights: Silversea’s events team loves a big reveal, so prepare for dramatic treats. In 2023 the line rented an entire island in the Philippines to entertain its 300 world cruisers, with the participation of 500 locals, from chefs to mixologists, beach masseuses, and dancers. It took two years to plan. In the cards for 2027: a traditional sunset ho’olaule’a in Hawaii and a side trip from Durban, South Africa, to Victoria Falls for two nights, including a sunset cruise on the Zambezi and a hike to the falls. Dates: January 8 to June 7, 2027. Short on time? The voyage is divided into 10 segments. The Seychelles to Cape Town, departing on March 28, 2027, is 14 nights and takes you through Indian Ocean islands to South Africa’s game reserves, cities, and winelands.
Viking Polaris
The cruise by the numbers: 86 nights, 12 countries, 26 ports (excluding landings in Antarctica, which are subject to weather but can occur daily for five days), 3 overnights, 38 sea days (including scenic sailings in Greenland, Canada, and Chile). Start and finish: Nuuk, Greenland; Ushuaia, Argentina. Itinerary in brief: Expedition lovers, take note: While this cruise is shorter than the typical world cruise, it is the ultimate expedition journey, traversing the planet longitudinally almost from pole to pole. It goes along Greenland’s west coast to the Canadian High Arctic; then south via Nova Scotia and the St. Lawrence River, tracing the east coast of the U.S.; then transiting the Panama Canal. Unpack the warm weather gear for Jamaica and Peru, then dig out the thermals once more as you head south through Patagonia to Antarctica. Onboard vibe: A happy mix of Scandi-chic cabin decor, elegant dining spaces and lecture theater, and a Bond-villain-style hangar packed with toys: two submarines, a fleet of rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), and a “special operations boat,” which is boarded in the hangar as opposed to alongside the ship, making getting into it easier. Highlights: The week exploring Antarctica is unforgettable. Dates: September 17 to December 12, 2026.
Oceania Vista
The cruise the numbers: 197 nights (or six months,the longest); 108 ports, 11 overnights; 52 countries, 76 days at sea. Start and finish: Los Angeles, Miami. Itinerary in brief: One of Oceania’s newest ships, Vista will icircle South America after leaving LA, cross the Pacific to Australasia, trace a leisurely course through Asia, Arabia, Europe, Iceland, and Canada.(Christmas Day is in Manzanilla, Mexico, New Year’s 2026 on the Panama Canal,and there are side trips to Uluru in Australia and Machu Picchu in Peru.Onboard vibe: A mix of retirees and moneyed digital nomads, mainly North Americans. Highlights: Variety is essential on such a long voyage: Vista has nine places to eat, all of them included. The fresh bread in Baristas, the bakery, is sensational, and the menus in the Grand Dining Room include French classics from Jacques Pepin. Dates: December 20, 2025, to July 6, 2026.
GRAND VOYAGES
Regent Seven Seas Splendor
The cruise by the numbers: 26 nights, 16 ports, 2 overnights, 6 countries, 9 sea days. Start and finish: Buenos Aires, Lisbon. Itinerary in brief: From Argentina, the 746-passenger Splendor heads to Uruguay and up the Brazilian coast with stops including Rio (for an overnight), then traverses the Atlantic to Cape Verde, the volcanic archipelago where West African and Portuguese cultures mix, and the Canary Islands. Onboard vibe: Dressy and formal. This is one of Regent’s finest ships, reminiscent of a grand hotel. It’s easy to get in the spirit. Some highlights: An optional precruise extension to Iguazu Falls; the beach life in fashionable Punta del Este, Uruguay; and lush Cape Verde. Dates: March 3–29, 2025.
Oceania Riviera
The cruise by the numbers: 32 nights, 20 ports, 3 overnights, 8 countries, 11 sea days. Start and finish: Papeete, Sydney. Itinerary in brief: From Tahiti, the 1,250-passenger Riviera meanders through the coral atolls and forested volcanic peaks of the South Pacific, skims the east coast of New Zealand, then crosses the Tasman Sea to Tasmania, Melbourne, and Sydney. Onboard vibe: Elegant but cozy. We love the top suites, which are done out in Ralph Lauren Home. The cuisine is impressive, particularly the clubby Polo Grill and Asian Red Ginger. Highlights: A champagne breakfast in the Australian bush after some kangaroo and koala watching, and the transparent abundance of dreamy Pacific islands (you’ll stop at 10). Dates: January 6 to February 8, 2026.
Viking Neptune
The cruise by the numbers: 36 days, 25 ports, 1 overnight, 7 countries, 8 sea days. Start and finish: Amsterdam, New York. Itinerary in brief: The 930-passenger Neptune traces the path of the original Vikings from the Old World to the New, combining historic sites and wild landscapes. It heads north up the coast from Amsterdam to Norway’s remote Svalbard Archipelago, then west to Iceland and Greenland and across the Atlantic to Canada, with stops at L’Anse aux Meadows, site of the first Norse landing in the New World, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, which is crammed with maritime history. Onboard vibe: It’s an adults-only, mainly North American crowd. The decor is Scandi-chic, and the spa is a delightful Nordic-inspired sanctuary with a snow grotto. Highlights: Searching for polar bears in Svalbard and circumnavigating Iceland, with stops in seven ports for the volcanoes, glaciers, and abundant whale species that summer there. Dates: Multiple departures in 2025 and 2026.
Step 3: Amuse-Bouche, Perhaps?
Get your sea legs on these adventurous three-week sailings.
Aqua Expeditions in Indonesia
By the numbers: 21 nights, 23 locations. Ship: Aqua Blu. Itinerary in brief: In its longest sailing, the 30-passenger superyacht will wend its way from Raja Ampat in the far east to Flores Island, a two-hour flight from Bali. Included: the Banda islands, the Forgotten Islands, and the fabulously named Nil Desperandum Atoll. Days are spent snorkeling or diving over rainbow-colored reefs, among manta rays and reef sharks—these are some of the richest marine environments on earth. There will be pearl farms, Dutch colonial architecture, and tiny, rarely visited villages. Onboard vibe: Upscale house party, attracting moneyed vacationers and families. Highlights: The bars set up on perfect deserted beaches, sunset cocktail cruises in the ship’s tender, and outstanding Asian-fusion menus designed by Australian superstar chef Benjamin Cross. Dates: March 14 to April 4, 2026.
Quark Expeditions in Antarctica
By the numbers: 22 nights (locations dependent on sea, ice, and wind conditions). Ship: Ultramarine. Itinerary in brief: There are Antarctic sailings galore. What makes this one special, in addition to the swish 199-passenger vessel, is that it covers all the major highlights of the Antarctic region: the wildlife-rich Falklands, South Georgia (with its 300,000 king penguins and Shackleton-associated sites), and the vast glaciers and ice-strewn bays of the Antarctic continent itself. Weather permitting, you’ll cross the Antarctic Circle. Onboard vibe: Serious adventurers who won’t compromise on comfort. Highlights: Itinerary aside, helicopter jaunts for every passenger, kayaking, hiking, and, if you wish, polar plunging. Dates: January 18 to February 9, 2026.
Step 4: Ready to Set Sail? Now What?
Committing to a long cruise—especially around the world—is the travel equivalent of buying a house. Here’s what else to consider before booking.
An experienced travel advisor. We highly recommend: Mary Jean Tully of Tully Luxury Travel (maryjeantully@tullyluxury travel.com) and Tom Baker of Cruise Center (tom.baker@cruisecenter.com), who both specialize in luxury ships of all sizes, and Ashton Palmer of Expedition Trips (ashton@expeditiontrips.com), the guru of expedition cruises. Being a long cruise client elevates you to VIP status—there are privileges. The following should be among the topics you discuss in depth:
Itineraries of interest. You need to home in on where you want to go. One sailing includes a circumnavigation of Australia; another spends more time in Africa. Etcetera.
Ship size. A small ship, like Seabourn’s Sojourn, will be more intimate but with less social mobility and anonymity. A big one like Cunard’s Queen Anne will have a multitude of nightlife and dining options, and you can lose yourself. Your advisor will point out other pros and cons.
Number of sea days. This matters especially if you’re contemplating a segment of a world cruise. Crossing the Pacific sounds romantic, but it’s a five-day sail from L.A. to Hawaii and another five to French Polynesia: a lot of horizon.
Number of overnights in port. They can be mini-vacations within a vacation. Take off for dinner or even extended excursions. “We encourage clients docked in Livorno to take an overnight bag and spend the night in Florence,” Tully says. “Why drive to Florence and back in one day?” Your advisor will arrange things.
Special events for world cruisers. All world sailings have them. Crystal, under its new A&K partnership, is hinting at a champagne breakfast at the Giza Pyramids and private exploration of the Sistine Chapel after hours.
Fellow passengers. A cruise line’s clientele can skew mainly North American or more international. Do you care?
Step 5: Mind Your Do’s and Don’ts
A long cruise is freeing, but consider these few rules:
Do’s
Do befriend the maître d’. They are in charge of restaurant seating, and you may need to call in favors: a table à deux by the window (they go fast), or one far from those cruise bores who boarded at the last port.
Do spring for the best cabin you can. Cabin selection is key on long voyages. Ideally, get a suite with space beyond the bedroom—at the very least, one with a veranda. Whatever the ship’s luxuries (and there are many), a private sanctuary matters.
Do personalize your space with things from home. A framed photo, an ornamental shawl, mini-speakers to stream music, a bottled scent… (But no stickers, please, on the outside of your door. It is just not done.)
Do pace yourself with the food and beverages. Especially on an all-inclusive ship. Your liver will thank you for an occasional day off. And the food is never, ever going to run out.
Don’ts
Don't get entrenched in a routine. The pianist may know your favorite tune, the bartender your cocktail, but mix it up. Life onboard will feel richer. So what if one day someone is sitting in “your” poolside chaise longue?
Don't let sartorial standards slip. Yes, it’s true: Some experienced world cruisers become so settled they’ve been known to turn up for breakfast in their PJs. Just no.
Don't get stale. Take a break from your cruise (or even from your cruising companion). When a ship is overnighting in port, have dinner on shore—even sleep in a hotel for a night. (Your travel advisor can arrange various jaunts ahead of time.)
Do miss out on shipboard gossip. While laundry service is frequently included, the self-service guest laundry is the place to hang out for a chat, or eavesdropping. It’s a goldmine of ship scandal and intrigue. And there is always plenty…
Step 6: Bring It All! (Well, Almost)
The extended cruise is one trip for which you won’t need to agonizingly edit as you pack. But do keep a few things in mind.
How much does each bag weigh? Some cruise lines allow you to board with as much luggage as you want, provided each piece is under 50 pounds.
Consider a forwarding service. It will help you avoid airport hassles and excess baggage fees. Lines like Seabourn, Cunard, and Regent work with Luggage Forward.
Where will you stash your bags? The Duke and Duchess of Windsor crossed the Atlantic with around 30 pieces, which were stored in a separate cabin that doubled as an ironing room. That was then (and them). If you spring for a two-bedroom suite, no problem. Otherwise, some ships will store one empty suitcase, and the rest will need to fit under your bed.
Yes, you can recycle outfits. On a cruise ship as in real life, a black dress differently accessorized can get you through several formal or semiformal nights. Men: One tux with a selection of bow ties and cuff links will do.
Remember, you can shop en route. Singapore, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok are known, of course, for tailors with quick turnarounds (just do your research beforehand). Italy is a Disney World of top designers’ outlet stores and, in summer, of endless floaty linen pieces. (You might also need to buy another suitcase—for all your loot.)
Two hacks from canny cruisers: Pack strong magnetic hooks; they will stick to cabin walls (all ship cabins are metal underneath) and can be used for coats and hats. Shoe storage hangers do wonders for general suite clutter.
The Crew Factor
A charismatic captain or an engaging cruise director (aka, master of ceremonies) can make the difference between a good sailing and an outstanding one. Repeat passengers will even book a voyage based on who's on board. Below are the crew members with near-cult following.
Crystal cruise director Vicki Van Tassel (whojimped ship from Silversea in 2024) started out doing standup, Marilyn Monroe impersonations, and treading the boards in Vegas before running away to sea. Now, fans attest, she brings comedy, music, and banter to evenings in the ship's theater.
Cooking enthusiasts rush to book master classes in the cookery schools onboard Regent Seven Seas whenever Kathryn Kelly, the line's formidable Executive Director of Culinary Enrichment, is sailing (she used to be an epedemiologist). Inquire early and reserve your spot.
A seat at the top table on Cunard's Queen Anne is highly coveted thanks to the self-effacing Inger Thorhauge, the line's first female captain. She hails from the tiny Faroe Islands and has plenty of tales to tell (like the time she arrived back in her native Torshavn—at the helm of the Queen Victoria.
Ross Roberts is one of Seabourn's most beloved cruise directors. No one could describe him as shy, as he pushes a gelato trolley around the deck in a themed shirt and a straw boater, or hosts one of his now legendary deck parties, sparkling in one of its many epic suits. You had to be there.....
This story appears in the December 2024/January 2025 issue of Town & Country. SUBSCRIBE NOW
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