Essentially you're a full-time passenger along a cruise line's entire seasonal route, staying on while most other passengers disembark after traveling a segment. On a typical four-month voyage, you may visit more than 50 seaports in dozens of countries.
There are six companies that offer World cruises for 2009/2010.
I recommend you visit each cruise ship company's Web site to gather more details about each World cruise. Most world cruises depart from the United States in the winter and sail to tropical regions. Try visiting the Cruise Critic Web site (cruisecritic.com). It is also an excellent source for World cruise information.
Decide how much you're willing to spend.
Prices for a 108-day trip aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner range from $50,000 for a deluxe suite to $197,000 for a master suite. (Of course, that's per person--but if you have to ask . . .)
Book as far in advance as possible.
My suggestion is at least six to eight months. Unlike virtually every other cruise, World cruises are never available at a discount at the last minute because of how trip segments are sold. You can, however, earn discounts for early reservations, early payment and repeat travel.
Plan carefully.
World cruise cancellation penalties are severe-- a 100 percent loss if you cancel 74 days or less prior to selling. Trip cancellation and worldwide medical insurance are strongly recommended. Talk to me about Trip Protection insurance.
Pack appropriately.
The Queen Elizabeth 2, for example, hosts more than 50 formal evenings during its world cruise. If you're flying to your departure port, arrange to have your excess luggage freighted to the port in advance. I can assist you with that. If you would like to wear a tuxedo then one option is to rent one and this service is available to you.
