7 Reasons To Take A Very Long Cruise
Imagine the luxury of taking a long cruise, a very long cruise.
I bet you’re thinking about a two- or three-week cruise, perhaps to the Med or the Caribbean. Think again!
Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas will set sail this December on a 274-night Ultimate World Cruise. Passengers will visit more than 150 destinations in 65 countries on all seven continents. Rates start at a cost of $59,999 per person, double occupancy, for an inside cabin.
For those reluctant to sign on for the full itinerary, the cruise line is offering four segments (shown below), each one for 60+ nights.
A very Long cruise: Love it or leave it
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It’s hard to imagine what it would be like to board a cruise ship and sail the high seas for nine months.
Cruise lovers might think of it as pure bliss—not having to dread receiving the night-before disembarkment baggage tags and instructions (that come so quickly) signaling that a cruise is nearly over.
Many love the idea of having nightly turndown service with chocolates on the pillows and being free of the hassles of cooking and cleaning at home. Count me in!
On the other hand, I know many friends who might feel claustrophobic or bored on a very long cruise, especially those who are queasy about ocean cruising. They might hate the idea of “sea days” when they would be limited to remaining on the ship without the possibility of going ashore.
They might feel like any stateroom, even a larger one, is too confining for a long period of time. They may miss family, pets, or even familiar “things.”
When it comes to couples, a long cruise may appeal to one partner and not the other. Alternatively, solo travelers may face the dilemma of either having to pay the dreaded “single supplement” (requiring them to pay a surcharge for a stateroom built for two) or finding a compatible roommate for the long haul.
Of course, taking a very long cruise also requires a significant commitment of time and money.
Even the most-inclusive cruises usually entail extras, whether it’s for gifts or meals ashore, flight upgrades, or other personal expenses. At the same time, most cruisers also have certain fixed costs that need to be paid at home whether they are there or not.
The case for a very long cruise
If you love cruising and have the requisite time—perhaps because you are retired or are a location-independent worker—and can afford it, there are many compelling reasons to opt for a long cruise. Here are some of them:
1- More sea days
Sea days are a delight to those who love cruising.
They allow you to sleep in late without FOMO (fear of missing out). They offer time to swim, use the gym, and enjoy the spa or to sit on your balcony and watch the sea.
2- More ports of call
Whether you’re on a barge, river cruise or ocean-going vessel, cruising allows travelers to visit cities, towns, and small villages, almost effortlessly without having to make meal and hotel reservations or arrange tours and local transportation.
On a very long cruise, you’ll get to experience different cultures with different languages and foods and see iconic sights you may have only read about or seen on TV.
3- Closer relationships with crew
Although crew on all the ocean-going vessels we’ve traveled on have generally been extremely well-trained and able to anticipate passenger needs of all sorts, the gift of time allows crew and passengers to get to know each other more intimately.
In a sense, they become a surrogate family at sea. Read my story on Forbes about a man who lived on a cruise ship for 13 years.
4- More time to foster friendships
Cruising—the experience of being in the same place, at the same time, and doing the same things—with strangers often turns them into fast friends.
Being on a ship for an extended period of time, you’re likely to find your tribe, perhaps someone whom you met on an excursion, sat beside on a tender, exercised with at the fitness room, or met in the self-service laundry.
5- Greater exposure to culture
Cruise ships, especially luxury ones, provide incredible enrichment opportunities—through lectures, workshops, classical music and, of course, during historically and culturally rich shore excursions.
You can seize opportunities to enhance your language skills, and savor new foods both on the ship and ashore. Lovers of pop culture will get to listen to entertainers and see all the shows.
6- A chance to escape the winter
Snowbirds who want to escape inclement weather at home will find a respite in warm waters, although perhaps not on every continent. (See my previous post on the Oceania “Snowbirds in Residence” Program.)
In essence, a long cruise takes the place of a vacation home or two.
7- Change of perspective
What a delight it must be to have time to sync to the rhythms of the ship and the sea, to leave the hassles and stresses of home behind, and to experience a “change of life” on board a very long cruise.
In an article for Next Avenue, I wrote about the robust body of research and expert opinion suggesting that vacations are as essential to retirees as they are to working folk.
Granted, very long cruises aren’t for everyone, but repeat cruisers on these cruises and the rapidity with which they sell out, suggest they offer a unique appeal to many.
Not sure? Try a long segment first!
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Wow, not sure Henk and I would survive close quarters for 8 months, no matter how large the stateroom! But Viking seems to be going for a record, so bully for them and the passengers who want to do it!
Eight months ia a long time for sure! The same time it takes from conception to birth:-)
This is the first I’ve heard of these very long cruises. Don’t think I’ll sign on, but I do love the idea of nightly turndown with chocolates on the pillows. Maybe I’ll revisit this down the line, especially if my ship comes in and I can afford $92,000+!
Eight months of chocolate sounds good to me, too!
A great list Irene! There were so many things to do on the Viking cruise I enjoyed I could easily imagine staying on the ship for a few months for sure. For example, I was able to take fitness classes daily ( something I always seem to skip at home), master some new computer and photography skills and browse the extensive library. I really didn’t miss land at all on our “sea days” For someone with mobility or health issues it’s definitely an option
I agree! I’d jump at the chance!