Around the World Cruise - Anyone been on one?

[JMapleton]

I've been reading about these cruises where you can travel around the world on a 100+ day cruise:

Look at all the places you'd go:
http://cruises.orbitz.com/sc.do?d=0...deSeniorRates=false&zipcode=&statecode=&dsc=y

http://www.princess.com/learn/destinations/world_cruise/
http://www.cunard.com/destinations/world-cruises/
http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/grand-voyage-world-cruises

Has anyone ever been on one? I would imagine it's mostly old folks. Plus is that there is likely to be almost no kids on the cruise.

My lady and I are both 29, so we're young but we're not doing it to make friends, just see the world and relax by the pool. I heard some ships have basketball courts, casinos, free restaurants, etc.

 

[MrScott81]

Have you ever been on a cruise before?

If not, I might suggest dipping your feet in the water before diving straight into a 100 day cruise. You might find that you don't like it.

In any case, yeah, most cruise ships have lots of pools, basketball courts, casinos, and a bunch of other on board services.

I can't imagine too many people your age would be doing 100 day cruises by the way. Most people couldn't afford to take that much time off, afford it, or choose to commit to something so grand.

 

[luv2liv]

100/day, for how many days???

edit: oh i misread, i thought it was $100 per day. anyways, very interesting to see how much these trips cost per person

 

[SAWYER]

I would love to do this

 

[iamwiz82]

The ships that do this are normally smaller and will not offer as many amenities. Not to say it's lower class, but the people who generally do these don't care much about pool games and belly flop contests. You would be more likely to find board game challenges and such.

 

[Ayrahvon]

Sounds like norovirus heaven...

 

[MrRamon]

I think I would die. A week or however long I spent on my first cruise last august was enough. I loved it with all the food I could eat and being able to gamble whenever but couldn't imagine being on a cruise that over 100days. I def recommend going no more than a week your first time and bring non-drowsy dramamine. I can go out on a fishing boat all day long no problem but there is something about big ship moving that doesn't sit well with me.

 

[randomrogue]

This is for the insane or the really old. Why would anyone your age do this?! $20,000 starting prices? You and your girlfriend are actually considering spending what will probably amount to $75,000 by the time you're done on this?!?!

If you have this kind of time and money I would highly suggest buying a Round the World plane ticket or just doing one way tickets to wherever you want to go. I've done that for many many months and it was way cheaper and way better. There will not be anyone within 20 years of your age on that cruise.

If you want to literally just relax by the water and you have this kind of disposable income and time just buy a flight to every tropical place you can imagine. Fiji, Thailand, Maldives, Indonesia, etc. If you're on the west coast start easy and go Hawaii, Fiji and any other islands you want in the region, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, and just keep bouncing through Asia until you get tired and want to move to the Indian ocean side and so on. If you're on the east coast start with the Caribbean or Mediterranean Europe before moving down to the Canary Islands, Africa and so on.

 

[JMapleton]

Have you ever been on a cruise before?

If not, I might suggest dipping your feet in the water before diving straight into a 100 day cruise. You might find that you don't like it.

In any case, yeah, most cruise ships have lots of pools, basketball courts, casinos, and a bunch of other on board services.

I can't imagine too many people your age would be doing 100 day cruises by the way. Most people couldn't afford to take that much time off, afford it, or choose to commit to something so grand.

Yeah, but sidenote. I have never been on a cruise before. It might be best to try a short one out.

I don't think I'd have a problem with sea sickness or anything. I just want to see the different places.

 

[JMapleton]

This is for the insane or the really old. Why would anyone your age do this?! $20,000 starting prices? You and your girlfriend are actually considering spending what will probably amount to $75,000 by the time you're done on this?!?!

If you have this kind of time and money I would highly suggest buying a Round the World plane ticket or just doing one way tickets to wherever you want to go. I've done that for many many months and it was way cheaper and way better. There will not be anyone within 20 years of your age on that cruise.

If you want to literally just relax by the water and you have this kind of disposable income and time just buy a flight to every tropical place you can imagine. Fiji, Thailand, Maldives, Indonesia, etc. If you're on the west coast start easy and go Hawaii, Fiji and any other islands you want in the region, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, and just keep bouncing through Asia until you get tired and want to move to the Indian ocean side and so on. If you're on the east coast start with the Caribbean or Mediterranean Europe before moving down to the Canary Islands, Africa and so on.

I think it would be under $50k, which I guess if I think about, could buy me a lot of plane tickets. The advantage to the cruise ship is I can go to those places without packing my stuff. It's like a floating hotel and goes where I want. There are plenty of downsides, I know.

 

[randomrogue]

I think it would be under $50k, which I guess if I think about, could buy me a lot of plane tickets. The advantage to the cruise ship is I can go to those places without packing my stuff. It's like a floating hotel and goes where I want. There are plenty of downsides, I know.

I really think you should travel. This is just not ideal.

Buy a nice 50L or so backpack. Should cost you about $250. That's enough space for clothes, electronics, and souvenirs. Then go and buy a one way ticket to someplace you've always dreamed about going. As long as you leave a budget of about $1,500 left over you can get home from almost anywhere on the planet.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Doesn't sound like fun.

90% of it would be staring at the open ocean.....something i can do every day at the beach (if I really wanted to).

Even if it was along the coast, let's face it, most of the world is a shit hole and "tourism hot spots" are a big turn off to me.

Meh

 

[Midwayman]

I have been on a round the world cruise.
Started in Vancouver, BC
Osaka, Japan (Went to Kyoto, surrounding area)
Shanghai, PRC (Flew up to Beijing to see the wall, summer palace, etc)
Hong Kong, Uk (At the time. Just stayed in the area)
Saigon, Vietnam (Went to the chuchi tunnels which was neat, but no need to see Vietnam again)
Madras, India (Flew to New Delhi from there and saw the Taj)
Port Said, Egypt (Port for Cairo, so pyramids, etc)
Hyfia, Israel ( Dead sea, Jerusalem, Masada, tel aviv)
Istanbul Turkey (Went to see stuff in Istanbul then Flew to Ankara to see Cappadocia with the underground cities)
Pirus, Greece (Port for Athens)
Casablanca, Morocco. (Essaouira, Marrakesh, etc)
Then ended in Ft Lauderdale.

I did it as part of a college program called semester at sea. Basically you take college classes on the ship (Mostly international studies stuff, but there is variety) and then you have like 4-5 days in each port. Often with trip that have some sort of academic component. Adults can book as well if you like. There were a number of older passengers on my trip (1996)

Also been on a ton of other cruises. Don't let the nay sayers who have probably never been on one get you down if you're interested.

 

[CountZero]

Just based on the first one you linked. For a first cruise and for $40k+ I can’t really imagine it being a great investment.

First it has 61 days at sea. Now I’m sure several of those days are within view of land but several are also likely not in view of land and beyond that several at sea days will likely be more than a little ugly weather wise. For $40k you will be in an interior room, 182 sq ft and no windows. In that room will be the two of you and all your stuff you bring and at 182 sq ft even clothes will be eating up a bunch of that. That being said this might not be a huge deal, 61 days to catch up on reading, watch movies (though the room comes with a vcr so I’d recommend ripping DVDs to a laptop), catch up on video games and just lounge about might be ok. 61 days is a lot of time to kill though.

Second, while I’m sure the $40k covers basic food it might not cover anything else. 40 days of excursions plus any extras you splurge on on the boat will add up quickly. Look at the included items with the high end rooms, those will cost you extra. In addition, at least on short cruises, there’s a mandatory ‘tip’ for housekeeping and your waiter at least. On a long cruise maybe that is different. I’d guess total cost would be at least ~$60k.

Third, if you’ve never done a cruise dropping that kind of money (plus time commitment) is a seriously risky endeavor. Take a short cruise first, see if you like hanging out on the ship. If 1-2 days at sea gets you stir crazy forget it. You’ll also find out if you are prone to sea sickness. You also get to see if you like short trips to a variety of places. I found it annoyingly short for places I was interested in but ok for places I only had a passing interest in.

Overall I think it sounds like it could be pretty interesting but I’d say do a short cruise first, you may not like cruises.

 

[randomrogue]

I've spent $10 a day living in a hut that size, on the beach, eating tropical fruit, and 3 course Asian meals that were pretty damn delicous. Rode a bike around to find new beaches. Ended the evening with drinks, the sunset, fresh fish grilled at the beach, and lots of fun. Did that for 11 days straight before I got bored and found an island I wanted to spend time on. Lounged on that island for 7 days spending about $8 a day, chilling out in a hammock, watching the sunset, playing games, etc. When I was done there I headed off to do something else. I did that for months and months. Sometimes I spent a lot more money and got some luxury in a city but I thought I'd use my cheapest examples to make the point.

Decide what level of comfort you want. Decide what you want to do with your days. Decide what places you really want to visit. That cruise sounds terrible to me but if sounds like your dream then by all means do it.

 

[JMapleton]

I've spent $10 a day living in a hut that size, on the beach, eating tropical fruit, and 3 course Asian meals that were pretty damn delicous. Rode a bike around to find new beaches.

That sounds cool, where was it?

 

[z0mb13]

I have been on a round the world cruise.
Started in Vancouver, BC
Osaka, Japan (Went to Kyoto, surrounding area)
Shanghai, PRC (Flew up to Beijing to see the wall, summer palace, etc)
Hong Kong, Uk (At the time. Just stayed in the area)
Saigon, Vietnam (Went to the chuchi tunnels which was neat, but no need to see Vietnam again)
Madras, India (Flew to New Delhi from there and saw the Taj)
Port Said, Egypt (Port for Cairo, so pyramids, etc)
Hyfia, Israel ( Dead sea, Jerusalem, Masada, tel aviv)
Istanbul Turkey (Went to see stuff in Istanbul then Flew to Ankara to see Cappadocia with the underground cities)
Pirus, Greece (Port for Athens)
Casablanca, Morocco. (Essaouira, Marrakesh, etc)
Then ended in Ft Lauderdale.

I did it as part of a college program called semester at sea. Basically you take college classes on the ship (Mostly international studies stuff, but there is variety) and then you have like 4-5 days in each port. Often with trip that have some sort of academic component. Adults can book as well if you like. There were a number of older passengers on my trip (1996)

Also been on a ton of other cruises. Don't let the nay sayers who have probably never been on one get you down if you're interested.

wow how much did u have to pay for this??

 

[Wreckem]

wow how much did u have to pay for this??

I am sure it used to be much cheaper but the current going price for tuition, room, and board is $23750(economy double cabin) to $38690(outside single cabin). That is per long semester. Summers are cheaper.

http://www.semesteratsea.org/

MTV had a season of Road Rules on one of their ships.

 

[Wreckem]

One day I'd like to do a world cruise. But probably not until I am retired

Right now I'd personally rather do shorter cruises. 7-21 days. The Galapagos cruise on Celebrity is on my bucket list.

I'd also like to do the 23 day European Sojourn cruise on Viking River Cruises.

 

[Midwayman]

I am sure it used to be much cheaper but the current going price for tuition, room, and board is $23750(economy double cabin) to $38690(outside single cabin). That is per long semester. Summers are cheaper.

http://www.semesteratsea.org/

MTV had a season of Road Rules on one of their ships.

That the student price or the 'continuing ed' price? The older folks paid about double the cheapest student price when I went. Its been awhile, but it was around $12k on the cheapest room, about $16k all told when I included port costs, etc. And wow, they make the price hard to find on their site.

 

[bignateyk]

These trips will set you back 50-80 grand per person on a decent cruise line like Holland America.

 

[Midwayman]

One day I'd like to do a world cruise. But probably not until I am retired

Right now I'd personally rather do shorter cruises. 7-21 days. The Galapagos cruise on Celebrity is on my bucket list.

I'd also like to do the 23 day European Sojourn cruise on Viking River Cruises.

We just did a month in the South Pacific and it was fantastic. Easter Island, Pitcairn Island, and french polynesia. Galapagos our on our list as well. Probably do it when I have time to see Equador as well. Next one we're doing is a 2 week river cruise through eastern europe. probably GCT. Never did a river cruise before.

 

[bignateyk]

http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-...oyageCode=A354B&webItineraryIdForAudit=WW3130

The world cruise from Holland America ranges from 25-85 grand per person depending on the room you want. Duration is 130 days. I think I'd jump overboard before I could be on a boat with that many people for so long. The 12 day Mediterranean cruise we took was pushing the bounds of my sanity.

Also, on most "World Cruises", the people who are on there aren't necessarily on there for the whole tour. They coordinate the world tours to match up with several smaller tours, so people can get on and off depending on how much of it they are doing. There might only be 5 or 10 people on the ship who are doing the entire world cruise.

 

[Saint Nick]

For the cost you could do it yourself, for longer, and maybe cheaper. Puffff went around the world in a year, I think, on around $25k

 

[Mxylplyx]

Some of these threads make me feel broke as hell.