The Value of a World Cruise

Have you ever imagined being part of an exclusive group of cruisers who have sailed on a World Cruise? Does the thought of spending three months or more traversing the world’s oceans seem like a distant luxury? What's preventing you from saying “yes” to this bucket list experience? Do you think a World Cruise is out of your budget? It’s time to tackle these questions (and more) as a World Cruise may be more attainable than you think. Let’s face it, all these questions can be overwhelming, but now could be the ideal time to consider booking a World Cruise. Let’s take a more in-depth look at why you should consider a World Cruise, as it may not be as expensive as you think!

What is a World Cruise? 

Simply put, a World Cruise is an extended voyage with a cruise line to the far reaches of the world, typically making a circumnavigation. Most world cruises are more than 100 days, and the most common departure ports are Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York and Los Angeles, although it can vary based on the overall voyage. 

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What Does a World Cruise Cost? 

The cost of a World Cruise can vary depending on the cruise line, the duration of the voyage, and the inclusions. For instance, a luxury cruise line may have a higher upfront cost compared to a more mainstream or premium cruise line. However, when you consider all the additional expenses, a luxury cruise line may actually be more cost-effective. It's important to look beyond the initial price tag and consider the overall value and experience you'll get from the voyage. 

When considering the cost, there is the upfront cost for the cruise itself and the total cost or everything you spend as part of the cruise. These two things can be very different. The upfront cost refers to the cost of the cruise, which includes port charges, taxes, and fees. In a nutshell, this is what you pay the cruise line for being onboard the sailing. The real or total cost is all of the other charges for the cruise, such as drinks package, wifi, gratuities, shore excursions, and more. These extra costs can add up VERY quickly and, in some cases, equal to or exceed the upfront cost of the cruise. Exceeding the upfront cost would be an In If If you are a die-hard shopper who can’t resist all the international luxury goods, such as sumptuous carpets in Turkey, designer shoes in Italy, and custom-tailored clothes in China, a budget for these items and other shopping indulgences should definitely be considered. 

Most cruise lines include a lot of perks or amenities when booking a world cruise. For example, Holland America Line is sailing a 132-night World Cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale on January 4, 2026, onboard the Volendam. Based on the cabin category, Holland America includes a boatload of perks for full voyage guests, such as free internet, air credit, roundtrip transfers, and more as you go up to higher stateroom categories. The starting price of the full voyage is $30,354 for an inside cabin, $32,554 for an ocean view, and $47,954 for a balcony and suites start at $55,954. The most expensive stateroom on the full voyage, the Neptune Suite, is $99,654 per person. While these seem like hefty price tags upfront, when you consider all that is included, a balcony cabin is just a little over $363 per day for a voyage that will take you on a complete circumnavigation of the globe. There is no way you could fly to all these destinations, stay in hotels, and eat three meals a day for this price. The airfare alone to visit most of the destinations would cost more than the total cost of the cruise. 

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If you are looking for a higher-end overall experience and elevated dining, Oceania Cruises 2026 World Cruise onboard Vista is a total of 180 nights sailing roundtrip from Miami on January 6th. This sailing is a complete circumnavigation but, interestingly, does not include the Panama Canal but rather sails around South America, allowing guests to experience multiple South American countries and cultures, which is missed on many other World Cruises. This spectacular cruise starts at only $58,099 for a French balcony cabin. A traditional balcony cabin starts at $66,499, and a suite starts at $100,399. The most expensive cabin on the ship, the Owner’s Suite, of which there are three, comes in at a whopping $244,999 per person and is already sold out for the 2026 sailing. The Owner’s Suite spans the entire width of the ship and is an impressive 2,400 square feet, including a huge walk-through closet, dedicated bedroom, dining area, bar, living room, and more. It's one of the most impressive suites at sea.

All guests on the full voyage will enjoy amenities such as a $8,800 shore excursion credit, free wifi, free laundry, free pre-paid gratuities, a free visa package, a pre-night luxury hotel stay, and much more. Important to note is that Oceania offers complimentary specialty dining on all their cruises, as well as happy hour, where cocktails are two-for-one several times during the day or evening. 

Read More: Oceania Vista Review

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Stepping into a full luxury line, such as Silversea, means stepping into a six-star experience of unparalleled luxury. In 2027, the Silver Dawn will embark on a 149-night World Cruise departing from Los Angeles on January 8th and ending in Copenhagen, Denmark. The cruise is priced at $78,900 for the Vista Suite, which is nicely appointed at 335 square feet with a large picture window, walk-in closet, and full-size bathroom, including tub and shower. Verandah Suites start at $93,100 per person, and the highest level suite currently available is the Silver Suite at $192,200. There are three suite levels higher, but those are already sold out for the 2027 sailing. The highest level suite onboard is the Owner’s Suite which ranges from 947 to 1055 square feet as a one-bedroom and includes 129 square foot verandah. Each of the four Owner’s Suites has an adjoining Panorama Suite that can be added, making a two-bedroom suite spanning 1281 to 1389 square feet. Legend has it that some guests will book the adjoining Panorama Suite for luggage storage and the extra closet space. 

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The Math

A World Cruise is more attainable than you may think. If you want to plan for this once-in-a-lifetime sailing around the world, now is the time to start planning. Remember that booking with a reputable travel agency not only includes additional amenities but can be invaluable in helping you plan the logistics. Additionally, a travel agent can help you set up recurring payments between the time the deposit is made and the final payment is due. A payment schedule will keep a regular cadence of expense rather than one big hit at the final payment. Now, let’s break down the math on the 2026 sailing for Oceania Vista outlined above. 

The lowest available category is currently B2, a veranda stateroom at $68,199 per person, for a total of $136,398 for two. The deposit would be $27,279.60; the final payment is due July 9, 2025. Assuming you book at least a year prior to the final payment being due, that would give you approximately 12 months to pay off the cruise. For this example, the final payment amount would be $109,118.40. Spreading that out over 12 months would be $9,093.20 per month. Now, if you are planning even further in advance, that certainly helps bring down the overall average monthly payment. 

What to Expect Onboard

This can be an area of mixed answers depending on who you are asking and what information you are looking to glean. First, let’s talk about the average age onboard, which typically ranges from 60 to 80 years of age. That can be a broad range (for some) and there are certainly various activity levels in every age group. Most World Cruise travelers are pretty active, love to go, see, and do, and have aspired to go on a World Cruise for quite some time. Given the overall expense and the amount of time, most cruisers are retired. While there will be some younger folks who can either work remotely or are joining for shorter segments within the overall cruise.

Why Choose a World Cruise?

Value and Experience! Hands down, both of these are among the top answers for cruisers. While the upfront price tag can be hefty, when you break down what is included, all the destinations that are visited, and the fact that all meals and onboard entertainment are included for one fare, choosing a World Cruise is an undeniable value and an unforgettable experience.

Not to be forgotten is the bragging rights of having done a full world cruise. A World Cruise is the pinnacle of cruising and trumps all cruises, even if your cruises tally into the high double or even triple digits.

When to Book

As soon as most cruise lines announce their World Cruise sailings, staterooms start to fill up, with the highest and lowest categories selling first. If you are looking to score the best price possible, be ready to book when sailings are announced.

Some people ask about last-minute deals on cruises, and while a World Cruise is less likely to see closer-to-sailing deals due to the amount of time the sailing takes, there is an overall small audience that can actually get away for a full sailing. Typically, a cruise line will discount a smaller segment within the World Cruise. These shorter segments are a great way to experience the excitement of the World Cruise without the hefty overall price tag and time commitment. For example, in 2026, Oceania’s Vista sailing offers segments 10 nights and longer. 

Read More:

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