The best world cruises for sailing around the globe
With voyages ranging from 90 to almost 200 days, a world cruise can be a great way to tick off numerous continents
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Fancy seeing the world and only unpacking once? A world cruise might be for you.
With voyages ranging from 90 to almost 200 days, a world cruise can be a great way to tick off numerous continents – and bucket list destinations such as the Panama Canal and the Great Wall of China.
Both budget-friendly and luxury cruise lines offer voyages around the globe. But be aware: prices will be higher as you are spending more time at sea.
It is important to consider the type of cabin you want to be living in for a few months and what is included in the total price.
Some world cruise fares include wifi, excursions, tips and even flights, which can all add up.
You need to book ahead though as the best cabins can sell out quickly even years ahead.
Here is our pick of the best world cruise for 2027 and 2028.
Read more: How to save hundreds of pounds on a cruise
Best value global cruise: MSC Cruises
Sail on the recently remodelled 2,550 capacity MSC Magnifica, which now includes an upmarket MSC Yacht Club space, a new spa and gym.
This 132-night itinerary starts in Genoa and incudes an unforgettable passage through the Panama Canal.
MSC Cruises includes 15 free excursions in the booking, extended shore stays and seven overnight stops in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Valparaiso, Papeete, Hobart and Sydney.
Other perks include 30 per cent off laundry during your sailing, which may come in handy.
You can also book shorter and cheaper segments from 34 or 51 nights.
Departs 5 January 2027. From £16,069pp
Best for traditional cruising: Cunard
From white-gloved waiters to ballroom dancing and strict evening dress codes, Cunard is the ultimate cruise line for a taste of traditional sailing.
Sailing abroad Queen Victoria, which caters for 2,061 passengers, Cunard’s world cruise has the advantage of starting and ending in Southampton, which is perfect for British guests.
Its 109-day voyage includes unique stops in Dakar, Senegal and Manila in the Philippines. There are shorter legs available and you can enjoy theatre shows or borrow a book from the onboard library.
World voyage guests also get a commemorative gift, cocktail parties, a gala dinner ashore plus their own concierge and use of a private lounge.
Departs 10 January 2027, from £12,899pp
Best for culture: Viking
Explore the world in true Scandinavian style with Viking.
Embarking in LA, this world cruise immediately heads into the Pacific and towards Australia.
An excursion is included in every port across 27 countries. Plus, there are 15 overnight stays, including visits to Unesco World Heritage locations such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Statue of Liberty in New York.
The cruise fare incudes business class flights, a drinks package and wifi as well as complimentary access to the onboard spa. Plus, the sailing ends in London.
Departs 14 January 2028. From £44,490pp
Best for longest world cruise: Azamara
Small ship brand Azamara currently boasts the longest world cruises at 188 nights.
Departing from San Francisco, aboard the 710-capacity Azamara Quest, the luxury small ship visits 37 countries, 103 destinations and five continents.
It includes 50 late-night stays and 15 overnight stops in destinations including Tokyo in Japan and Cartagena in Colombia.
The ship uses its size to access smaller ports such as transiting the Kiel Canal in Germany or cruising into the heart of Shanghai to dock right at The Bund.
The sailing ends in Copenhagen, Denmark on 12 July, meaning you depart in the winter and get home in time for summer.
Departs 5 January 2027. From £44,242 person
Best for luxury: Regent Seven Seas
Experience 141 days of luxury cruising with Regent Seven Seas.
The all-suite cruise line’s 2027 World Cruise departs from Miami on 11 January 2027 and covers 40 countries and six continents with 71 ports of call. It ends in New York.
Sailing aboard Seven Seas Splendor, everything is included on board including wifi, tips, drinks and spa access, as well as shore excursions.
Guests in penthouse suites and above even get there own personal butler.
Everyone should get decent service though as the ship features around 567 crew members serving a capacity of 750 guests.
Departs 11 January 2027. From £72,619pp
Best for British touch : P&O Cruises
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P&O Cruises’ 2,094 capacity Arcadia will embark on the cruise line’s longest-ever world cruise in 2028 at 124 nights.
The sailing visits all four corners of the globe and has the added benefit for Brits of embarking and disembarking from Southampton.
There are extra touches such as afternoon tea with scones and sandwiches, plus you will find celebrity chef Marco Pierre White’s Ocean Grill on board and British-Indian cuisine in the Sindhu speciality restaurant.
Highlights of the sailing include an overnight stay in San Francisco and a transit through the Panama Canal.
Departs 6 January 2028. From £17,789 per person
Best for premium price: Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises’ 129-day world cruise takes in 60 ports across the globe.
Sailing aboard Coral Princess, this voyage departs from Ft Lauderdale in Florida and ends in Los Angeles, California.
It focuses more on the Pacific, giving guests more time around Australia, New Zealand and Asia, which helps keep the overall cost down.
The 2,000-capacity Coral Princess won’t feel as crowded as megaships and guests can enjoy unique features from the cruise line such as outdoor movie screenings and wearable technology making it easier to find your way around the ship and order food and drink to wherever you are.
Departs 6 jan 2027, from £15,819pp
Read more: Villa Vie launches new ultra-luxury residential cruise collaboration
