ultimate world cruise review

Busted: 8 myths about the Royal Caribbean world cruise

On Dec. 10, 2023, Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas departed on the Ultimate World Cruise, the line's first-ever around-the-world sailing – a 274-night voyage that's set to call on 60 countries. Because the sailing is one of the longest cruises in the industry's history, it's understandable that people who aren't regular cruisers might be curious, particularly if they didn't know voyages like this one were a thing.

What I can't understand, though, are the complaints, the worry and the manufactured drama that have, so far, stemmed from the sailing. From wide-eyed reports of — gasp — being charged for bottled water to allegations of cliques forming among passengers, the world cruise has people talking.

Social media is largely to blame, with new-to-cruise influencers posting TikTok content about things that are new to them but not necessarily new in the world of cruising. That, in turn, has led to other non-cruisers' viral obsession with content that's coming from the vessel on a daily basis.

Here, I'll tackle some of the complaints and debunk a few cruise myths about this sailing.

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World cruises are a new concept

No, they aren't. When influencers began posting about the Ultimate World Cruise on social media, people lost their minds over the idea of nine months at sea. Although this is Royal Caribbean 's first-ever world cruise, long sailings that cover much of the globe have been happening for more than 100 years.

Several lines offer them annually, and they often sell out. They last for months at a time, visit dozens of locations and cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. (It's rumored that the most expensive suite for Royal Caribbean's full nine-month trip cost the occupants more than $700,000.)

I should also mention that it's common for crew members' contracts to last up to nine months, so that much time at sea is fairly routine for people on ships, even if they aren't there for vacation.

Related: 11 epic around-the-world cruises

You have to book the entire voyage

You don't. As the cast of characters slowly takes shape through TikTok posts, there has already been at least one claim of a passenger departing the cruise early , as though this is some kind of reality show.

There are many reasons — including emergencies and bad behavior — why someone might leave the sailing prematurely. However, it's likely many early departures that will happen on this voyage were planned that way.

That's because cruisers are able to book just a portion of the world sailing, choosing from four segments of up to 60 days each or any of 17 shorter individual sailings that range from nine to 28 days.

Related: Cruise mistakes that could get you kicked off your ship

There's a caste system on board

Some of the recent posts make it seem as though there's a Titanic-esque system in place that prevents people in the least expensive cabins from using the same facilities as the rest of the general ship population. That's not true.

The preferential treatment everyone seems to be complaining about is called loyalty status, and we know a thing or two about that here at TPG.

The more loyal you are to the brand (in the case of Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society , the more nights you've sailed with the line), the more perks you receive. They might include small things like priority boarding, the use of a dedicated onboard lounge, free Wi-Fi or laundry, and a welcome cocktail reception when the sailing begins.

It's similar to obtaining airline lounge access, early check-in at hotels or line-skipping privileges at Disney World. Any time you've paid for something, even in a roundabout way through loyalty, there are privileges. But, in the end, everyone on the vessel has access to the same general bars and lounges, spa and fitness facilities, entertainment options, restaurants, pools and outdoor decks.

Plus, by the end of the voyage, everyone who was there for the full nine months should have reached at least Diamond Plus, the second-highest status, due to the length of the sailing.

Generally, the perks for being booked in a suite are more exclusive than they are for having high loyalty status. Although it's not available on Serenade of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's dedicated suite enclave, the Suite Neighborhood (found on Oasis Class and Icon Class vessels), offers special dining rooms, lounges, sun decks and concierge services for passengers booked in the most expensive cabins.

Related: Ultimate guide to cruise line loyalty programs

Drinks are free

I'll forgive you for not knowing this if you've never cruised before. Big-ship cruise lines like Royal Caribbean are not all-inclusive like resorts. While your base fare includes your cabin, meals in multiple restaurants, use of onboard facilities and entertainment, it does not cover alcoholic beverages, specialty coffee, soda or bottled water .

Cruise lines don't hide the fact that most drinks aren't included. You have only yourself to blame if you didn't do your homework before boarding.

With Royal Caribbean, you can order and pay for drinks a la carte or purchase a soda or alcohol package for a per-day cost for the entire length of the voyage.

Free drinks generally include iced tea, lemonade, drip coffee, tea and tap water. The tap water is purified and safe to drink, so if you're someone who needs a bottle of water, bring a reusable one with you.

Related: A complete guide to cruise drink packages

The ship is running out of supplies

Contrary to what certain recent posts about wine list changes might have you believe, the ship will not run out of food and drinks. Sure, some items might be crossed out on menus if they're unavailable, but that's not unusual when traveling. It doesn't mean food or drinks are running low in general. It just means the particular item you like might not be available.

The folks who handle cruise provisioning have it down to a science. They know exactly how much of everything — from eggs to toilet paper — a ship will need for a given period of time. They also know when and in which ports they'll need to restock. However, that doesn't mean all brands can be procured in all places when they do so.

It's entirely possible that your favorite food, wine or brand of spirits won't be available, but it's not a reason to worry. The line will find something to substitute for it whenever possible. I assure you that you won't run out of options for eating or drinking, even on a nine-month voyage.

Related: All you need to know about cruise food

Cruise ships never break

Like any other machine, cruise ships require and receive regular maintenance because sometimes mechanical issues arise. These can range from engine room issues to more minor problems like clogged toilets or balcony doors that stick when you open them.

Every few years, each vessel goes in for extensive work. This includes both aesthetic improvements like replacing carpeting and mechanical maintenance on engines and other parts essential for the ship's safe operation.

In between, vessels receive regular tune-ups from an entire team of onboard engineers and maintenance employees; they work below deck to ensure everything runs smoothly and to fix problems when something goes wrong.

In early January, reports of an onboard leak ... well, leaked. Serenade of the Seas sailed through a storm, and some of the rainwater made its way into the onboard fitness center. Ships are constantly surrounded by water, and rough weather can bring all sorts of unexpected outcomes. Fortunately, the crew is trained to quickly and efficiently handle these types of messes if they happen, and the bridge — the captain's control center — is equipped to detect storm systems that are truly dangerous and alter course to sail around them.

Related: Are cruise ships safe?

Cruise itineraries don't change

Speaking of storms, earlier this week, Serenade of the Seas had to alter its course a bit on the way to Antarctica to avoid rough seas, which are typical in that region — especially this time of year. Many internet users were shocked about the change in itinerary, but if you follow the cruise industry, you know that itinerary changes and port substitutions happen all the time.

Ultimately, the captain's top concern is safety, which means the ship will divert wherever necessary in order to keep the vessel, passengers and crew out of harm's way.

Cruise ships can switch up their itineraries for a number of reasons, including medical emergencies, unrest in planned ports of call, mechanical issues or, most commonly, weather conditions.

When this happens on a voyage that's already underway, cruise lines will usually refund port taxes and fees for any ports missed, as well as shore excursions purchased through the cruise line. However, per the terms and conditions that every passenger agrees to in order to sail, cruisers are not entitled to additional compensation in these cases.

Related: What happens when a cruise line changes your itinerary or ship?

You'll get sick on the ship

It's possible but unlikely. One influencer — who freely admits she's never cruised but did live in a dorm room once — created a bingo card for the sailing . It lists several ridiculous scenarios like "stowaways," "pirate attacks," "COVID outbreak," "2nd COVID outbreak" and "mass norovirus."

The reality is that cruise ships have always had some of the most stringent health protocols anywhere, thanks to requirements put forth by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the 1970s as part of the ongoing Vessel Sanitation Program .

In 2019, 30 million passengers took a cruise, but only 1,201 cases of gastrointestinal illnesses were reported to the CDC . It seems like a lot, but it's actually just 0.004% (four one-thousandths of 1%). While it's still possible to get sick on a ship, as it is anywhere, the difference is that cruise lines are well-versed in prevention and prepared if illness occurs.

Related: How common is norovirus on cruise ships?

Bottom line

There's lots of misinformation stemming from the social media reporting on Royal Caribbean's nine-month Ultimate World Cruise, and most of the drama is coming from people who are new to cruising.

Cruises hold a lot of surprises — some delightful and some frustrating — for newbies. However, just because something is new to you doesn't mean it's news.

With that in mind, I'm happy cruising is receiving more attention from a new generation that might not be as familiar with it. Perhaps these online world cruise chronicles will convince someone who hasn't sailed before to give it a try. Either way, it's important to get the facts right if you're going to share information or commentary.

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A Deep Dive Into the 9-Month Ultimate World Cruise

Royal caribbean's nine-month-long ultimate world cruise was making waves on tiktok even before the fantasy sprung a few leaks. everything rocking the boat aboard the serenade of the seas :.

If you don't fear cabin fever, perhaps nine months at sea is for you.

But if even the very idea of a 274-night cruise has you reaching for Dramamine, you can always just stay on land and scroll TikTok .

Because much like Taylor Swift 's Eras Tour, you can see a  lot of what's happening aboard Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise  without shelling out five figures for a plum seat, in this case thanks to some of the younger-than-average cruisers making good use of the free Wi-Fi.

Well, free with the entry-level $53,999 price for passage aboard the  Symphony of the Seas , which will reportedly  carry 27,000 guests in total over the four legs of the trip, while more than 600 were booked for the entire itinerary.

And, naturally, many people are just making TikToks  about  the cruise , hoping for some  Below Deck -meets- Love Boat -style intrigue, with maybe a little  Triangle of Sadness  thrown in for schadenfreude.

"Imagine eating unlimited cruise food for nine months, like what that's going to do to your body," TikToker Grassmoons pondered on Dec. 14. "I just worry people aren't going to pace themselves and it's going to be really hard on their bodies."

Nevertheless, her post was captioned, "You best believe if I had $60k id be on that ship."

Meanwhile, content creator Marc Sebastian  predicted "mutiny" in a Dec. 20 TikTok : "There's going to be blood. Someone is going overboard. I want to watch. Bravo, where are you? I need eyes. We're witnessing Fyre Festival, Alabama Rush and no one is rushing there."

Within two weeks after the ship's departure from Miami on Dec. 10, TikToks tagged #UltimateWorld Cruise had been watched more than 54.8 million times, according to NBC News . That number had grown to more than 150 million by the time the clock struck 2024.

And Sebastian, 33, ended up going aboard for an 18-day stretch in January courtesy of Simon & Schuster's Atria Books, which enlisted him to host a virtual book club. His trip included a choppy ride through the Drake Passage (" Drake 's best work since hotline bling," he captioned a post ), the body of water between South America's Cape Horn and Antarctica's South Shetland Islands. 

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He also made oodles of TikToks , poking his phone into every nook and cranny of the ship and documenting his experience on, as he cheekily put it, "this floating retirement home with a Cheesecake Factory attached."

The admitted cruise skeptic told NPR before he disembarked, "I really did think at the very beginning that I was going to find a lot of interpersonal drama within the people. But unfortunately, they're all so nice —crazy!—and they are all really kind. There's a really amazing sense of community."

And while the cruise has been going viral since it was first announced in 2021, it made more unfortunate headlines following the death of a passenger this month . 

The person's identity was not released, Royal Caribbean telling E! News in a Feb. 14 statement, "We are actively providing support and assistance to the guest's loved ones at this time" and would not be sharing further details "out of the privacy of the guest and their family."

According to People , another passenger said in a since-deleted Feb. 11 TikTok that the deceased was an "elderly lady" who'd passed away the previous night.

But since the Ultimate World Cruise has another seven months to go, we may as well dock and unpack what's been happening onboard right here:

Where Does the Ultimate World Cruise Go?

The 274-night Ultimate World Cruise is scheduled to visit more than 150 ports of call in 65 countries on all seven continents, according to Royal Caribbean .

The first leg, the Ultimate Americas, ran from Dec. 10 until Feb. 11 and took passengers around North America, South America, the Caribbean and Antarctica. World wonders on the to-see list included the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and Machu Pichu.

Leg two, Ultimate Asia Pacific, sails around Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China and India—encompassing sites like the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Wall and the Taj Mahal—through May 9.

The third quarter, Ultimate Middle East and Med, goes till July 10 (and there will be pyramids), while the final leg—Ultimate Europe and Beyond—concludes Sept. 10, also known as the day people disembark, kiss the ground and cry, "Land!!!"

Aside from the whole nine months, or the duration of an entire leg, travelers had the option to book a nine-to-28-night voyage.

How Much Does the Ultimate World Cruise Cost?

What price paradise?

Individual passage for the entire thing starts at $53,999 (minus taxes and fees but including roundtrip business-class airfare and gratuities) for an Interior Stateroom and can run up to $105,839 for a Junior Suite. There's also a price-upon-request tier for "other suite categories."

A "deluxe beverage package," wash-and-fold laundry service and Wi-Fi are among the included amenities.

Meet the Boat

Royal Caribbean enlisted the Radiance-class  Serenade of the Seas , which holds 2,490 guests and 891 crew, for the Ultimate World Cruise experience. Built in Germany, she made her maiden voyage in 2003.

The ship boasts 12 passenger decks and nine passenger elevators (six of them glass), multiple pools (including a rain-or-shine option under a retractable glass roof), a fitness center, a spa, mini-golf, rock climbing, restaurants, bars and lounges, shops, an arcade, movies, live entertainment and a nightclub, plus all sorts of classes and activities.

And, according to content creator Marc Sebastien , who spent 18 nights aboard during the first leg of the journey, the ship's godmother—"Did you guys know that ships have godmothers?"—is Whoopi Goldberg .

He showed a photo of the entertainer with a plaque apparently designating her as such in a Jan. 22 TikTok . But he had thoughts, adding, "As an EGOT winner...I just don't feel like this is the right ship for you."

Who Is On the Ultimate World Cruise?

"We are thrilled to be hosting a range of guests from young solo travelers, to couples and families," Dave Humpreys , director of sales at Royal Caribbean International AUNZ, told news.com.au . "We have an impressive number of Gen-Z and millennial cruisers, with a significant number of guests between the ages of 18 to 30 joining us on various legs of this cruise."

But it  is still a cruise.

"I would say the majority, like the overwhelming majority of passengers, are retirees [or seniors]," 29-year-old  Alé Kenney , who will be celebrating her fourth wedding anniversary with husband Andrew Kenney during the voyage, told TODAY.com  in December.

The young couple, who are among the many TikTok enthusiasts aboard, explained that they decided to go for it after Alé's father died of cancer at 57.

"We were like, 'Well, we can do it. We don't have a mortgage right now. We don't have kids yet,'" Andrew said. "We're just in a season of life where we could actually take nine months off and see the world."

Brandee Lake , 46, and sister Shannon , 42, are sharing a state room while on the trip with their retired parents. "We definitely are the youngest Black people on the boat," Brandee told TODAY.com . Shannon added, "I think that's why my TikTok skyrocketed so fast, because I was the first Black person that people were seeing post that was actually on the ship."

Angie Linderman , another young cruiser, said she had tested positive for the BRCA2 gene , which is linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, so there was no time like the present.

"Retirement age is not a guarantee," she explained. "And so [I'm putting] an emphasis on just doing all of the things I can do now while I'm healthy, while I'm able, instead of putting them off in hopes that I can do them later, when in reality that may not happen."

What Happens if There's a Medical Emergency?

News of a passenger death aboard the Ultimate World Cruise in February understandably caused concern among landlubbers seeing the headlines, visions of Agatha Christie mysteries dancing through their heads.

While the cruise line didn't release any details, citing the family's privacy, a content creator on the trip posted (then deleted) a TikTok in which she said the deceased was an "elderly lady."

A 2018 study from the Cruise Lines International Association stated that 50 percent of cruise ship passengers on average were over the age of 50 and almost a third of that group were older than 70. According to the Maritime Injury Guide , which noted that cruise ships tend to carry between 3,000 and 5,000 passengers, it's estimated that around 200 people die on a cruise every year. 

Royal Caribbean explained in its FAQ section that medical staff is booked according to how many people are onboard, and on the Ultimate World Cruise they expected to have two or three doctors, three to five nurses and a medical secretary. (No dentists, but cruise staff will help guests find one in port.) 

Listed onboard equipment and facilities includes cardiac monitors, automated external defibrillators, ventilators, x-ray machines and processors, laboratory equipment, a selection of acute care medications, a regular pharmacy and a variety of minor surgical and orthopedic supplies.

What's the onboard drama factor so far?

Speaking from the ship, passenger Brandee told  TODAY  in an interview that aired Dec. 27 that after initially being mistaken for a member of the staff—"Apparently it seemed far fetched to some that a Black woman (and family) could be a guest on the once in a lifetime experience," she captioned a TikTok about the encounter—the cruise's hotel director made sure to greet her personally at dinner to find out if all was well.

Otherwise, Brandee added, "everything has been great" and the passengers were turning into "one growing family."

She has continued to post near-daily TikToks, breaking down the at-times complicated logistics and rules regarding cruise lingo such as "independent journeys." She recently reassured concerned commenters who were aghast that she had to run it by the cruise line when she wanted to do her own thing while in Los Angeles that it was a customs issue—though she admittedly LOL'd when asked to "blink twice" if she needed help.

But as of February, nothing too wild had been reported during what looked like the colder portion of the trip. 

And yet those creative TikTokers still managed to crank out content, showing off how they'd decorated their state rooms , reviewing the food,  making a farce out of trying to get a towel to stay on a lounge chair when its windy and  showing off icebergs (from a safe distance) en route to Antarctica.

Still, maybe whimsysoul's Ultimate World Cruise Bingo game—"lost passport chaos," "COVID outbreak," "staff dates passenger," etc.—will pick up once the weather gets warmer.

Bumps in the Road, er, Water

It hasn't been smooth sailing  all the way. The very first scheduled port—Devil's Island (off the coast of French Guiana in South America)—was scrapped due to bad weather, as seen in TikToks compiled by TODAY .

Then, there was a flood up on deck 12 caused by a storm (though, good news for everyone, it appeared to be rain water and not anything... murkier ). 

And after all that sailing  toward Antarctica, the passengers weren't able to actually set foot on the icy continent. But it looked really beautiful.

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Press Releases

Royal caribbean introduces ultimate world tour, the farthest-reaching cruise to all seven continents.

MIAMI, Oct. 20, 2021* – Adventurers seeking to travel far and wide can now set off on a world tour of their own. Royal Caribbean International is raising the bar for world cruises with the debut of the inaugural Ultimate World Cruise , an epic 274-night adventure that visits all seven continents , more than 150 destinations in 65 countries and 11 great wonders of the world . This rich, immersive experience on Serenade of the Seas is the longest and most comprehensive world cruise out there, sailing roundtrip from Miami on Dec. 10, 2023 and through Sept. 10, 2024. Bookings for the full Ultimate World Cruise can be made by phone starting today , with an exclusive one-week window through Oct. 26 for Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society Diamond status members and above.

Travelers will sail to 57 destinations new to the cruise line and exclusive to the cruise itself. Highlights include Casablanca, Morocco; Qaqortoq, Greenland; and Shimizu, Japan – the gateway to Mount Fuji. Guests can delve deep into many of the world’s breathtaking wonders, from Peru’s Machu Picchu to the Taj Mahal in India, and experience distinct cultures and picturesque shores at every corner of the world all in one spectacular adventure – only on Royal Caribbean.

“This is the world cruise of world cruises,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International “Now more than ever, people have resolved to travel the world and make up for lost time. Royal Caribbean is making that a reality with the ultimate vacation that welcomes those seeking adventure and exploration to taste, dance and dream with us around the world. To travelers asking themselves where they should go next, we say everywhere.”

Guests ready to traverse the world can book the full Ultimate World Cruise today or choose from any of the four expeditions that will offer a wide range of destinations as soon as December 2021 – the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe:

• Ultimate Americas Dec. 10, 2023 - Feb. 11, 2024 – Three continents, 36 destinations, four wonders The once-in-a-lifetime journey begins in Miami, the cruise capital of the world, and sets course for postcard-perfect Caribbean destinations – like the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) – before heading to glacier-studded Antarctica and around Cape Horn. Travelers can take in four of the world’s stunning wonders along the way in Central and South America, including Chichen Itza in Cozumel, Mexico; the largest art deco sculpture in the world, Christ the Redeemer , in Rio de Janeiro – where they’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve – and the largest waterfall system on the planet, Iguazu Falls near Buenos Aires, Argentina. One of the most iconic symbols of ancient Inca civilization and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu , awaits in Peru, while sunshine and glamour will welcome guests in Los Angeles.
• Ultimate Asia-Pacific Feb. 11 - May 9, 2024 – Three continents, 40 destinations, three wonders Guests will venture miles from the ordinary in Oceania, Asia and beyond on the cruise’s next showstopping leg. They can discover the beauty and adventure throughout the Hawaiian Islands’ world-renowned mountainous landscapes and black sand beaches before sailing south to Moorea and Tahiti, French Polynesia, for sapphire blue skies and crystal-clear waters. The thrills continue with an exploration of New Zealand, before a deep-dive into Australia’s Great Barrier Reef – the only living thing on the planet that’s visible from space. Pristine natural beauty in Bali, Indonesia, is soon followed by two of the most iconic manmade world wonders, the Great Wall of China and India’s Taj Mahal , and gems of the South Pacific – from Vietnam to Malaysia. Rounding out the expedition are endless possibilities in Japan, with unparalleled culture in Tokyo, street food in Osaka and the tropical beaches of Okinawa.
• Ultimate Middle East and Med May 9 - July 10, 2024 – Three continents, 44 destinations, four wonders This expedition begins in glamorous Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and brings many of history’s greatest mysteries, myths and legends to life. Adventurers can uncover ancient sites and more world wonders from the times of emperors and pharaohs, like Jordan’s lost city of Petra , the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, Turkey, and the Colosseum in Rome. There are also less-traveled places to explore, such as Greece’s Olympia, once a sanctuary site to honor Zeus and the location of the first Olympic games. The journey only continues to even more destinations known for their storied history — like Split, Croatia, and Cannes and Provence in France.
• Ultimate Europe and Beyond July 10 - Sept. 10, 2024 – Three continents, 40 destinations The final leg of the Ultimate World Cruise is an immersive, cultural experience that begins in the Mediterranean and heads north. At travelers’ fingertips is the opportunity to discover Barcelona’s brilliant architecture, including Antoni Gaudi’s famed Sagrada Familia and whimsical Park Guell , and savor new flavors across continents — such as an indulgent lunch in a Parisian bistro and a dinner of tagine and mint tea in Morocco. Museums, theaters and galleries line the streets of St. Petersburg, Russia, while larger-than-life fjords await in Norway. Guests can reflect on their epic voyage in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland before visiting New York on their way back to Miami.

Globetrotters will explore the world in style on board Serenade , thanks to Royal Caribbean’s award-winning experiences and amenities. And adventurers can stay close to the action with the ship’s acres of glass, which offer panoramic views, as they cruise from one destination, continent and world wonder to the next. From start to finish, guests who book the full Ultimate World Cruise can expect a seamless, world-class travel experience that includes business class airfare, premium transportation as well as an evening of festivities and accommodations at a five-star hotel before setting sail. Plus, Crown & Anchor Society Platinum status members and above will receive a bonus Seven New World Wonders shore excursion package in addition to other perks, including a Deluxe Beverage package, VOOM Wi-Fi, laundry service and more.

Bookings for the entire Ultimate World Cruise open today for Diamond and above Crown & Anchor Society members. Guests interested in booking can call Royal Caribbean’s dedicated line for the Ultimate World Cruise at 800-423-2100 (US toll free) or their travel advisor.

About Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveller. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas,  Perfect Day at CocoCay,  the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 18 consecutive years in the  Travel Weekly  Readers’ Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following  @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Royal Caribbean International is applying the recommendations of its  Healthy Sail Panel  of public health and scientific experts to provide a safer and healthier cruise vacation on all of its sailings. Health and safety protocols, regional travel restrictions and clearance to visit ports of call, are subject to change based on ongoing evaluation, public health standards, and government requirements. U.S. cruises and guests: For more information on the latest health and travel alerts, U.S. government travel advisories, please visit  www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates  or consult travel advisories, warnings or recommendations relating to cruise travel on applicable government websites.

*February 2022 update

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The Nine-Month Cruise Heard Round the World

Swingers, COVID cases and passengers left behind: how a cruise became the greatest reality show on TikTok

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Episode Notes

Candice Lim is joined by Wailin Wong, co-host of NPR’s The Indicator from Planet Money . They dissect the drama and mayhem surrounding Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise — a nine-month trip that TikTokkers on land and sea that we can’t stop talking about. The cruise is scheduled to visit more than 60 countries over 274 nights, but since it left Miami in December, passengers have been uploading room tours, buffet reviews and excursion vlogs daily — if not, hourly — so land-dwellers can keep up with this reality show on water.

This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim and Rachelle Hampton.

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About the Show

Candice Lim is the co-host of ICYMI, Slate’s podcast about internet culture. She comes to Slate from NPR, where she was an assistant producer at Pop Culture Happy Hour . Prior to that, she was an intern at NPR’s How I Built This , the Hollywood Reporter, WBUR, and the Orange County Register. She graduated from Boston University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and grew up in Orange County, California.

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TikTok Star Marc Sebastian Reflects on His Time on the Nine-Month Ultimate World Cruise

M arc Sebastian is noticeably frazzled. The TikTok star—who recently disembarked Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise after an 18-day stint on its nine-month global tour—is about to answer a question about the experience when our interview is stopped by Whoopi Goldberg. 

Goldberg, Sebastian says, was chosen a while back to be the godmother of the Serenade of the Seas, the name of the ship that takes passengers on the Ultimate World Cruise (continuing a longtime tradition of cruise lines selecting someone, usually a woman, to be the godmother of a ship and bless it with good luck before it sets sail). Now, she is about to play his TikTok—where he talked about learning that Goldberg was the godmother of the Serenade of the Seas—on The View . He then asks what many under the age of 40 might wonder: “Quick question: where does one watch The View ?”

@marcsebastianf nah i’m taking a nap i cant do this right now #ultimateworldcruise #worldcruise #serenadeoftheseas #cruisetok #cruise #9monthcruise #theview #whoopigoldberg ♬ original sound - Marc Sebastian

Sebastian, 33, is a TikTok creator and former model who gained popularity in 2022 with videos on fashion and pop culture recommendations, and featuring him opening gashapons (miniature toys). When the nine-month cruise set sail in December and went viral in early January, Sebastian made a video emphatically suggesting he join it to catalog the inevitable drama—or maybe be the cause. “Put cameras on that godd-mn cruise,” he says in the video. “Alternatively, put me in. I’ll go… I’ll go cause chaos, I’ll wreak havoc, and I’ll record everything.”

The viral nature of the nine-month world cruise has gained comparisons to the popularity of Bama Rush , the annual event where young women rushing sororities at the University of Alabama show off their daily outfits online, or the infamous Fyre Festival . The Ultimate World Cruise is a nine-month-long cruise that embarked on on Dec. 10 and is visiting all seven continents across 274 nights. To be on board for all nine months, rates start at about $60,000 per person and goes up to $117,600 per person on the higher end. Not everyone who is on the ship is there for the whole time; there are options to go for certain legs of the cruise.

As soon as this was announced, TikTok creators knew that being on a cruise ship for this long would inevitably spark drama and discourse, making it the perfect opportunity for creators to make content on the ship and about their time on it. Some, like Sebastian, also suggested reality television show producers were missing out on an opportunity for good television. Creators started making videos about their fascination with the people who chose to spend nine months of their lives on a ship, suggesting people to follow. Some of the most notable people to follow include Little Rat Brain , who chooses to keep her identity a secret and provides updates on what it is like to live on a cruise; Joe and Audrey Martucci , a retired couple with the username @spendingourkidsmoney ; Amike Oosthuizen , a South African influencer; and many more. Every day, a new person posts videos from the ship or makes videos about what they saw someone else post.

Sebastian saw an opportunity for some fun, low-stakes chaos. His intentions were clear: get the gossip and report on the dynamics on the ship.

@marcsebastianf there will be enough footage for at LEAST 3 season. 1 hr episodes. @Royal Caribbean PUT ME IN COACH #ultimateworldcruise #worldcruise #royalcaribbean #realitytv #cruise #serenadeoftheseas #uwc #royalcarribeancruise ♬ original sound - Marc Sebastian

He got on the ship by convincing Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, to fund his trip on the Antarctica leg of the Ultimate World Cruise on the promise that he would start a book club on his TikTok Live, where he’d read and discuss The Last One by Will Dean—a book chosen by his followers after he asked them to vote in the first video he made on the boat. In an emailed statement, Atria says it jumped at the opportunity to work with Sebastian and that the partnership helped to increase “Atria’s TikTok presence exponentially and saw a nice pop in sales across all formats of The Last One .” While he admittedly did not wreak total havoc after boarding in Buenos Aires, Sebastian provided honest and transparent updates about everything he was experiencing—making him the enemy of the boomers on Facebook and on and off the ship.

@marcsebastianf and remember, if someone talks smack about you on FB—it doesn’t count. cause who in chers name still uses FB #ultimateworldcruise #worldcruise #serenadeoftheseas #royalcaribbean #cruisetok #cruise #9monthcruise #antarctica ♬ original sound - Marc Sebastian

@marcsebastianf #stitch with @Marc Sebastian next time on survivor #ultimateworldcruise #worldcruise #royalcaribbean #realitytv #cruise #serenadeoftheseas #Uwc #royalcarribeancruise #drakepassage #antarctica ♬ original sound - Marc Sebastian

Sebastian’s videos from the ship included promotion for his book club and Atria Books, as well as brutally honest reviews of day-to-day life. One of his most popular videos is him opening a gashapon as the ship goes through the Drake Passage, accumulating over 13.5 million views.

@marcsebastianf drake’s best work since hot line bling #ultimateworldcruise #worldcruise #serenadeoftheseas #royalcaribbean #cruisetok #cruise #9monthcruise #antarctica #drakepassage #northsea #mini #miniature #gashapon ♬ original sound - Marc Sebastian

One of his other most viewed videos is one in which he discusses the middling color options at the ship’s nail salon and details getting kicked out of the ship’s exclusive Pinnacle Lounge after another guest told on him for not being a pinnacle member, which was watched over two million times.

@marcsebastianf you coulda bought a double shot grande mocha with oat milk but instead…. #ultimateworldcruise #worldcruise #serenadeoftheseas #cruisetok #cruise #9monthcruise ♬ original sound - Marc Sebastian

Royal Caribbean, he says, was undoubtedly keeping up with his and other creators’ videos. After the Pinnacle Lounge debacle, he says he was called into the “guest service’s version of the principal’s office” and was “scolded.” But “if they had kicked me off or reprimanded me, it wouldn't have looked good on them,” he says. Other moments also showed him that the company was watching his TikTok closely: After he complained in one video about only having wire hangers in his room, he received plastic hangers the next day. Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sebastian’s presence on the cruise.

For Sebastian, the 18 days on the Royal Caribbean cruise have opened his eyes to the blurry lines of promotion and entertainment. As one of several creators posting about the ship, whether the videos are positive or negative, he’s giving Royal Caribbean free promotion. Sebastian says he was more than happy to speak up on the issues he faced, including the “bad vibes” at the ship’s cafe , dealing with older cruisers , and mishaps at the ports . 

@marcsebastianf sorry i havent posted one of these in a bit, i’ve been having some of the best days of my life…off the ship. #ultimateworldcruise #worldcruise #serenadeoftheseas #cruisetok #cruise #9monthcruise ♬ original sound - Marc Sebastian

On the ship, he says he witnessed other creators being treated unfairly, which he says they would not speak up about because they would “have to admit that maybe it wasn't worth that much money to pay.” When he unfollowed the company on TikTok while on the ship, he says he was called out for saying they weren’t treating influencers correctly. He says, “I was not referring to me. I was referring to the other influencers that are on board that are giving them millions and millions and millions of free views, and they’re being treated like garbage.”

For example, he says, the company invited a group of influencers to the Chef’s Table , which was supposed to be seen as a thank you, but Sebastian says they all had to agree to post a video about the meal, which defeats the purpose of a free meal. “You’re not giving them a ‘Thank You,’ you’re giving them work to do,” he says. Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its work with and treatment of influencers.

@angielinderman Day 18: Sea Day ( 12/27/23) Chef’s Table Experience A few of us were invited to the Chef’s Table onboard, and we had a great night hanging out, eating, and drinking! The food was amazing, but not as good as the team who prepared and served the food!   Course One Scallop Carpaccio: Yuzu vinaigrette, crispy quinoa paired with a Pinot Grigio, Attems from Italy   Course Two: Smoked Tomato Soup: Garlic focaccia croutons, parmesan paired with Conundrum’s Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon Napa Valley, California   Course Three: Maine Lobster Salad: Hearts of palm, pineapple, cilantro, vanilla dressing paired with Yealands Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand   Course Four: Roasted Branzino: Grilled zucchini, peppers, lemon confit, pesto paired with Mer Soleil Unoaked Chardonnay, California   Course Five: Grilled Filet Mignon: Truffle potato puree, asparagus, and bordelaise sauce paired with Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley California   Dessert: The World: Peanut butter ganache Valrhona chocolate mousse salted caramel gelato, paired with a salted caramel espresso martini. #RoyalCaribbean #crusing #explore #solotravler #worldCruise #UltimateWorldCruise #UWC #SerenadeOfTheSeas #cruise #travel #9monthworldcruise #9monthcruise @Brooklyn Schwetje, @Madison Schwetje, @Andrew & Ale Kenney, @drjennytravels, @Amike Oosthuizen, @Brandee Lake, @Shannon Marie, @Little Rat Brain, and @Royal Caribbean ♬ original sound - Angie

Sebastian was not concerned about ruffling feathers on the ship; he went on the boat with a plan to execute a marketing plan to see how well something like this would work. While it was a success, he says he will not be getting back on a cruise anytime soon. “I cared about showing people that I could execute this marketing plan within an inch of its life and do it in a calculated way and exit that ship like a marketing genius,” he says. “I feel like I'm proud of the work that I did there.”

Sebastian says he didn’t make any money from the videos he posted on the ship. While he got a budget to book his travel to and from the ship and for his time on the ship, he didn’t monetize any of the 40 videos he posted on the boat, which accumulated over 55 million views. He's not a part of TikTok's Creativity Program Beta and says he didn’t want to monetize the videos because he feels that TikTok doesn’t push monetized videos in the same way they push non-monetized videos. TikTok declined to comment on its monetization strategy. The platform recommends videos to users based on several factors, including looking at their interests and interactions with others.

“I wanted it to be pushed out as far as possible, with the hopes that I would see a return on my investment, and I did,” he says. "Cast a wide net, catch more fish. Cast a short one… I don’t know, get less views? I just made that saying up."

He says if he monetized his content, he could’ve made around $15,000 to $20,000 based on the views his videos have now received. “That’s a lot of money, but that was a short-term goal, and I had a long-term vision,” he says. The only thing he made was incredible content and some friends along the way, he adds, half in jest.

@marcsebastianf in my slop era 🐖 also @Vanity Fair get in touch babe #ultimateworldcruise #worldcruise #serenadeoftheseas #cruisetok #cruise #9monthcruise #foodreview #foodie #cruisefood #windjammer ♬ original sound - Marc Sebastian

Playing the long game might prove to be the right move: Sebastian has seen a boost in his visibility, with his cruise ship journey getting coverage in major news outlets like the Washington Post and the New York Times . Recently, he’s put out retrospective content looking back at his time on the Serenade of the Seas and it seems like he’s ready for another trip, this time on land. Some of his followers suggested he go to Coachella , taking place in the California desert in April—he's open to the idea.

@marcsebastianf Replying to @A not the skinwalker trying to get me girl #coachella #ultimateworldcruise ♬ original sound - Marc Sebastian

He’s glad to know that his trip wasn’t in vain. “I went out there and said, ‘I'm not here to make friends,’” he tells TIME. “I went out of there making friends and won, so now what?”

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Write to Moises Mendez II at [email protected]

Everything You Need To Know About Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise

160 destinations, 65 countries, seven continents, 11 World Wonders, 274 nights, and one of a kind: this is the cruise to end all cruises.

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Royal Caribbean Continues To Be The Ultimate World Cruise

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What is the royal caribbean ultimate world cruise, where will the world cruise go, how much is the royal caribbean ultimate world cruise, other options for world cruises.

• Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime trip that takes travelers on a nine-month journey across all seven continents, visiting 65 countries, 11 World Wonders, and 150 ports of call. It offers unparalleled luxury and the opportunity to customize the itinerary.
• The Ultimate World Cruise is divided into four segments, each exploring different regions of the world. Guests can choose to embark on one or more segments, allowing them to experience the highlights of each continent and immerse themselves in distinct world cultures.
• The price of the Ultimate World Cruise varies depending on the room style, ranging from $59,999 for an Interior Stateroom to $760,000 for a Royal Suite. Guests can also choose to book individual segments of the cruise at a lesser cost. Additional fees, taxes, and port expenses apply. Other cruise lines also offer world cruises with immersive itineraries and diverse destinations.

This is it - the penultimate answer to every traveler's desires, calling those whose long-held dream is to dedicate several months to travel the planet, experiencing the top sights and sounds across this good gracious earth. As one of the best cruise lines dominating the travel industry , Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise is the first of its kind; it takes globetrotters across the world on their Serenade of the Seas ship - a luxury vessel with a capacity of 2,466, comprising every modern comfort and amenity adventurer could ever crave on a once-in-a-lifetime trip across each continent.

Here, readers get an exciting insight into what might just be the most incredible experience to ever be offered to mere mortals - specifically, those with a pretty penny to burn. As the first time something so spectacular like this has ever been revealed, it's safe to say this: everyone's excited. Travelers can also explore the world with the Royal Caribbean by embarking on their other outstanding cruises .

Here Are The Seven Modern Wonders Of The World For 2023

Update: 2023/08/08 13:34 est by luana ferreira.

The Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise has brought the definition of World Cruise to a whole new level. However, travelers can still find cruises that demand less time to explore the world. This list was updated to include more options for world cruises.

The lucky travelers who'll get to relish this unparalleled luxury exploration of planet Earth will spend a grand total of 274 nights with like-minded globetrotters, savoring iconic global highlights and mesmerizing discoveries across all seven continents. Never before offered, the Royal Caribbean Ultimate World Cruise sets sail on December 10, 2023, from Miami, Florida, returning once again from whence it departed nine months later on September 10, 2024. On four individual segments compiled into one mind-boggling trip, guests will visit 65 countries, seven continents, over 11 World Wonders, and 150 ports of call on this unrivaled venture around the world - one that truly is the be-all and end-all to beat all cruises.

Incredibly, what makes this jaunt around Earth even more remarkable is its flexibility. Should devoting a whole nine months traversing the continents be a bit too much to do on one trip, guests can pick and choose which sections of the world tour they prefer the most, allowing them to completely customize this overly bucket-list-worthy escapade to see the very best parts of the planet they wish to visit the most.

Travelers can select any of the four immersive, carefully curated Ultimate World Cruise segments of 60 plus nights instead of the entire month-to-month adventure on board, each connecting them with distinct world cultures, the most legendary landscapes, and a handful of World Wonders, all showcasing the unlimited creations and capacities of both Mother Nature and humankind alike.

Cruise Trip: Should You Work With A Travel Agent Or Book Directly?

What world wonders there are to see on the world cruise.

Visiting the Wonders of the World isn't so expensive if visitors plan to visit them in different travels, but they can see everything during this cruise. The Royal Caribbean Ultimate World Cruise doesn't do anything by halves. With no less than 11 Wonders of the World on the itinerary, guests get the amazing opportunity to experience firsthand:

• Chichen Itza, Mexico
• Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
• Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina
• Machu Picchu, Peru
• The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
• The Great Wall of China, China
• The Taj Mahal, India
• Petra, Jordan
• Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
• Temple of Artemis, Turkey
• The Colosseum, Italy

The massive nine-month trek across the world's oceans is split into four segments, which each feature the most outstanding attractions and destinations of every continent. A breakdown of the cruise's sections is as follows:

The Ultimate Americas Cruise

• From December 10, 2022, to February 11, 2023
• 36 Destinations

The first segment of the world cruise starts in Miami, taking travelers to witness standout scenes of the Americas. From pristine Caribbean shores - such as the ABC Islands - to wildlife-watching the likes of penguins, sea lions, and whales in the glacier-filled Antarctica area of Cape Horn, the diversity involved in this section is truly show-stopping. Guests will also encounter World Wonders in South America, including extraordinary natural phenomena and magnificent man-made marvels, like Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, the world's largest waterfall system of Iguazú Falls near Buenos Aires, the biggest Art Deco sculpture in the world, and the mighty Machu Picchu - the most symbolic remnant of Peru’s ancient Inca heritage . After these sensational sights, guests will then sail up to the Yucatàn Peninsula to bear witness to secluded coves and rugged rock formations along Land’s End in Cabo San Lucas, after which they'll go on to discover enchanting Ensenada.

The Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise

• From February 11, 2023, to May 9, 2023
• 40 Destinations

This legacy at sea sends voyagers on the mesmeric paths of Australia and Asia, exploring Hawaii all the way to the crystalline, warm waters of Moorea and Tahiti in paradisiacal French Polynesia. Guests will also venture off to discover the kaleidoscopic marine realm bustling on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, savor unspoiled natural scenery in Bali, and experience in person one of the most iconic human-made World Wonders - the Great Wall of China. What's more, they'll get to visit the futuristic city of Tokyo and its culture-rich, brightly lit urban sprawls, as well as take in what could easily be described as one of the most breathtaking buildings on the planet: India's stunning and highly elaborate Taj Mahal.

Related: 10 Most Affordable Cruises For 2022, Ranked By Cost

The Ultimate Middle East & Med Cruise

• From May 9, 2023, to July 10, 2023
• 44 Destinations

Be it basking in the glitz and glamour of Dubai or soaking up the World Wonders crafted by ancient civilizations headed by historic pharaohs and emperors - such as The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt - this segment is for those who've dreamed of experiencing the most recognizable and indeed the most beautiful landmarks in the Middle East. Not least, this section also grants travelers many of the most revered attractions and pre-historic ruins across both the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, including the Acropolis in Athens, the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, and even the impressive Colosseum in Rome.

Furthermore, the ship will sail to lesser-visited Greek ports a little more off the traditional tourist trail, like Olympia, the exact place where the first Olympic Games took place, and also the sanctuary site to honor the ancient Greek God - Zeus. If none of these destinations and world marvels quite do it for travelers, perhaps checking out many more wonderful European sites steeped in history and stories of the past might make this section of the cruise all the more appealing, with the city of Split in Croatia , Beautiful Barcelona in Spain, and the dazzling French duos of Provence and Cannes all on the roster.

10 Epic Day Trips You Can Take From Split, Croatia

Ultimate europe & beyond.

• From July 10, 2023, to September 10, 2023

The last leg of the Ultimate World Cruise entails an experience-laden cultural exploration setting sail in the Med, from where the ship heads north. From beautiful Barcelona and its gorgeous architecture, including Gaudi’s Sagrada Família, to the culinary delights and sublime sights in Morocco, this section is an indulgent treat to both the eyes and tongue. Beautifully blending the warmer European destinations with those in its chillier parts, the trip also incorporates the majestic fjords in Norway and biking through the captivating capital of Denmark - Copenhagen.

Next up, the final natural marvel on the menu is akin to an alien planet - the geothermal seawater at Iceland's The Blue Lagoon, which is followed by a much-loved city destination - New York. Last but not least, the journey is perfected by a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay - Royal Caribbean's private island exclusive to its guests - before heading back to Miami to end what will have been the most life-changing adventure any human might ever take that's not in space.

Tour The World On A Luxury Air Cruise For As Much As $160,000

Naturally, with what may be the most intensive exploration of the planet, the total for tickets to Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise isn't for the faint of heart. Five unique room styles are up for grabs, each with varying price tags, which, for the whole nine-month jaunt around the globe, are as follows:

• Interior Stateroom: from $59,999 per person
• Ocean View Stateroom: from $64,999 per person
• Balcony Stateroom: from $82,949 per person
• Junior Suites: from $117,599 per person
• Royal Suite – $760,000 per person

In addition to these cabin prices, guests will have taxes, port expenses, and fees on top to pay, which are around $4,667 per person. They can also have a 10% discount by paying in full.

Those who prefer to book one or more of each segment of the world cruise can do so for a lesser sum, with each room price for every journey section being as follows:

Ultimate Americas Cruise - 64 Nights

• Interior Stateroom: $13,399
• Ocean View Stateroom: $14,799
• Balcony Stateroom: $18,899

Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise - 87 Nights

• Interior Stateroom: $17,999
• Ocean View Stateroom: $19,599
• Balcony Stateroom: $25,099

Ultimate Middle East & Med Cruise - 63 Nights

• Interior Stateroom: $14,899
• Balcony Stateroom: $20,799

Ultimate Europe & Beyond Cruise - 63 Nights

• Interior Stateroom: $14,299
• Ocean View Stateroom: $15,299
• Balcony Stateroom: $19,799

Cruise Cabins: A Helpful Hack Guide For This Small Space

Not for the light-hearted traveler, the Royal Caribbean Ultimate World Cruise is a feat like no other ever brought to the travel sector before. Be it the whole nine-month-long getaway traversing the planet's entirety while witnessing and experiencing every spectacular sight, sound, and scene on both the natural and human-made stage or one or more of the fantastic, thoughtfully planned cruise segments covering the best highlights of each corner of the globe, this is one heck of a trip discerning explorers simply do not want to miss - but it isn't cheap, so now's the time to start saving.

While Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise has the ultimate itinerary, other cruise lines are famous for their world cruises. They allow travelers to embark on extended voyages that span continents and explore a diverse range of destinations.

• Cunard Line: Cunard's Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth are known for their world cruises, offering luxurious experiences and immersive itineraries that can last several months.
• Holland America Line: Holland America's Grand World Voyage is a popular option, featuring a global circumnavigation with enriching onboard programs and diverse destinations.
• Princess Cruises: Princess Cruises offers world cruises on ships like Pacific Princess, offering a mix of exotic ports and cultural experiences.
• Oceania Cruises: Oceania's world cruises focus on unique and in-depth explorations, often visiting off-the-beaten-path destinations.
• Silversea Cruises: Silversea's world cruises offer all-inclusive luxury experiences aboard smaller ships, allowing personalized service and access to unique ports.
• MSC Cruises: MSC offers longer itineraries that explore multiple continents, allowing travelers to experience diverse cultures.

A passenger on Royal Caribbean's 9-month ultimate cruise said she prepared by first taking a 'test cruise' in the same room

• Angie Linderman is on Royal Caribbean's nine-month Ultimate World Cruise on Serenade of the Seas.
• Linderman said that prior to booking, she had never been on a cruise.
• To prepare, she booked a practice cruise and stayed in the exact same room she's living in now.

Familiarity set in when Angie Linderman stepped inside her cabin on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas for the Ultimate World Cruise , a nine-month sailing to 65 countries.

The tan carpet with blue swirls was instantly recognizable under her feet, and the mattress and linens felt just as soft as she remembered.

The room was familiar because a little more than a month earlier, Linderman, who's recording her adventure on her TikTok account @angielinderman , slept in the exact same stateroom on another cruise to prepare for the journey.

Linderman was inspired by her brother's family to book the nine-month cruise

The idea to board a nine-month cruise came about in the summer of 2022. Linderman's sister-in-law heard about the journey and pitched it to the family.

While Linderman's sister-in-law, brother, and their children weighed the pros and cons of going, Linderman was also intrigued, even though she had never vacationed on a cruise before, she told Business Insider.

"I want to go. This sounds amazing,'" Linderman, 38, recalled saying.

The idea for a nine-month cruise started as a lofty dream that Linderman and her brother's family joked about that summer.

But by the end of August, the idea had become a reality, she said. Linderman booked a solo room on the ship, and her brother's family reserved a cabin, too.

@angielinderman Ultimate World Cruise Q&A or really FAQ since i dont know how to do a Q&A on here. Help! I tried to andwer as many as I could that I know a lot of people have, but let me kniw what else you want to know about what its like on @Royal Caribbean’s Ultiamte World Cruise. #RoyalCaribbean #crusing #explore #solotravler #worldCruise #UltimateWorldCruise #UWC #SerenadeOfTheSeas #cruise #travel #solofemaletraveler #cruiseship #cruisetok ♬ original sound - Angie

Linderman said the cruise, which starts at $60,000, was possible after receiving money from her parents' life-insurance plans. In the span of eight years, both of Linderman's parents died from cancer.

The trip was not only financially possible because of her parents, but their passing served as her reminder that "retirement is not guaranteed to any of us," Linderman said.

She said that after booking her spot on the Ultimate World Cruise, she found a friend who would house-sit for her in Portland, Oregon, while she was away. And with a contracted remote job, she was able to reduce her hours to 10 a week while sailing.

To prepare for the world cruise, Linderman took a 'test cruise' on the same ship

Linderman said that as December 10 — the start of the world cruise — approached, she started preparing.

Unlike many of the other passengers on board the world cruise, Linderman had zero experience on massive vacation ships. She had, however, spent two years volunteering in West Africa with Mercy Ships, a nonprofit that operates floating hospitals.

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There, she said, she lived with a small group for 10-month stretches, ate at the same dining hall every night, and lived in a small space.

She realized that to prepare for this wholly different experience, she wanted to do one key thing: take a vacation cruise.

Linderman said she planned what she called her "test cruise." Her travel agent booked her on a sailing in October on the Serenade of the Seas. Not only was it the same ship, but she was also able to choose to stay in the same exact room she had reserved for the Ultimate World Cruise.

Her first cruise was much shorter, sailing in and out of Boston to Saint John, Canada, and Portland, Maine.

The initial cruise gave her a visual of what nine months on board could look like. She found places on the ship she loved, developed a better understanding of her room, and learned the ins and outs of vacationing on a ship, she said.

Linderman remembered thinking after the cruise, "OK, I can do this."

Staying in the same room allowed Linderman to plan how she wanted to design and organize the space for the Ultimate Cruise

For the nine-month cruise, each passenger was allowed to bring six bags on board.

Linderman said her test cruise allowed her to visualize how she would store items such as toiletries and clothes for the next nine months. During that first sailing, she packed a tape measure, which she said she used to plan out storage for her closet, the bathroom, and the bedroom area.

"It made packing easier since I then knew what I needed and how I could make it all fit," she said. "I would look at a space and measure it, then get on Amazon to find a solution that would work."

The test cruise also helped Linderman realize she wanted elements to make her cabin homey. For example, she said she packed a throw blanket and twinkle lights, as well as a small fan near her bed to create airflow.

Linderman said she wasn't sure she would've packed some of these items if she hadn't done the test cruise.

@angielinderman Take a more in-depth look at my cabin and what I have done to make it feel like home for the next 9 months on @Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas. #RoyalCaribbean #crusing #explore #solotravler #worldCruise #UltimateWorldCruise #UWC #SerenadeOfTheSeas #cruise #travel ♬ original sound - Angie

When the nine-month cruise finally started, Linderman got to her room, where she had five large suitcases, a carry-on bag, a backpack, and a weekender bag waiting to be unpacked.

She recalled that when she started to put the items away, she thought, "OK, how do I win this game of Tetris."

Thankfully, she said, the practice cruise left her prepared with a mental map of how she wanted to organize the space.

Looking back, Linderman said it was really this first cruise that set her up for success.

"I couldn't imagine having not done it," she said.

Watch: This is what it takes to be a cruise ship performer

• Main content

A Deep Dive Into the 9-Month Ultimate World Cruise

Originally appeared on E! Online

If you don't fear cabin fever, perhaps nine months at sea is for you.

But if even the very idea of a 274-night cruise has you reaching for Dramamine, you can always just stay on land and scroll TikTok .

Because much like Taylor Swift 's Eras Tour, you can see a lot of what's happening aboard Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise without shelling out five figures for a plum seat, in this case thanks to some of the younger-than-average cruisers making good use of the free Wi-Fi.

Well, free with the entry-level $53,999 price for passage aboard the Symphony of the Seas , which will reportedly carry 27,000 guests in total over the four legs of the trip, while more than 600 were booked for the entire itinerary.

And, naturally, many people are just making TikToks about the cruise, hoping for some Below Deck -meets- Love Boat -style intrigue, with maybe a little Triangle of Sadness thrown in for schadenfreude.

The Most Dramatic Below Deck Firings Ever

"Imagine eating unlimited cruise food for nine months, like what that's going to do to your body," TikToker Grassmoons pondered on Dec. 14. "I just worry people aren't going to pace themselves and it's going to be really hard on their bodies."

Nevertheless, her post was captioned, "You best believe if I had $60k id be on that ship."

Meanwhile, content creator Marc Sebastian predicted "mutiny" in a Dec. 20 TikTok: "There's going to be blood. Someone is going overboard. I want to watch. Bravo, where are you? I need eyes. We're witnessing Fyre Festival, Alabama Rush and no one is rushing there."

Within two weeks after the ship's departure from Miami on Dec. 10, TikToks tagged #UltimateWorld Cruise had been watched more than 54.8 million times, according to NBC News . That number had grown to more than 150 million by the time the clock struck 2024.

And Sebastian, 33, ended up going aboard for an 18-day stretch in January courtesy of Simon & Schuster's Atria Books, which enlisted him to host a virtual book club. His trip included a choppy ride through the Drake Passage (" Drake 's best work since hotline bling," he captioned a post ), the body of water between South America's Cape Horn and Antarctica's South Shetland Islands.

He also made oodles of TikToks, poking his phone into every nook and cranny of the ship and documenting his experience on, as he cheekily put it, "this floating retirement home with a Cheesecake Factory attached."

The admitted cruise skeptic told NPR before he disembarked, "I really did think at the very beginning that I was going to find a lot of interpersonal drama within the people. But unfortunately, they're all so nice —crazy!—and they are all really kind. There's a really amazing sense of community."

And while the cruise has been going viral since it was first announced in 2021, it made more unfortunate headlines following the death of a passenger this month .

The person's identity was not released, Royal Caribbean telling E! News in a Feb. 14 statement, "We are actively providing support and assistance to the guest's loved ones at this time" and would not be sharing further details "out of the privacy of the guest and their family."

According to People , another passenger said in a since-deleted Feb. 11 TikTok that the deceased was an "elderly lady" who'd passed away the previous night.

But since the Ultimate World Cruise has another seven months to go, we may as well dock and unpack what's been happening onboard right here:

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The nine-month cruise that took over TikTok

On the high seas, it’s content creators versus the other passengers.

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On December 10, the Serenade of the Seas departed the Miami harbor. It is not a normal cruise: On board were hundreds of passengers who, for the ensuing nine months, will live aboard the ship as it travels to 150 ports of call, 60 countries, and seven continents. “All four corners, one epic voyage,” reads Royal Caribbean’s marketing materials for “The Ultimate World Cruise,” where prices range from around $54,000 to $117,000 per person.

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There have been round-the-world cruises before, the first almost exactly 100 years ago . There has not, however, been a world cruise that has captivated the internet as this one has, creating what many people online are referring to as its own real-time “reality show.” More than a dozen passengers and crew members have begun documenting their travels via TikTok and posting updates from the ship, while a handful of loyal recap accounts distill all the information into bite-size news updates. A few of the passengers came aboard with existing followings, like South African influencer Amike Oosthuizen , whose mother was a cast member on The Real Housewives of Pretoria, or University of Alabama graduate student Brooklyn Schwetje , who was already posting travel content prior to the cruise. For the most part, though, those who started posting about their journeys on the cruise watched their TikTok follower counts jump from basically zero to more than 100,000 in the span of a few weeks. On #cruisetok, the passengers are characters, the updates are “plot,” and the actual destinations are simply backgrounds on which to project the maximum amount of drama. As of January 22, videos hashtagged with #ultimateworldcruise have garnered a combined more than 340 million views.

@whimsysoul Ultimate World Cruise Bingo Card!!! who's playing with me? ️ #ultimateworldcruise #royalcaribbean #worldcruise #cruise #bingo #travel #whimsysoul ♬ original sound - Kara • Bingo Girl

It began just as the Serenade of the Seas embarked on its journey in December, when multiple videos about the cruise went viral. Among them: a video called “ things that stress me out the 9mo cruise, ” in which the poster listed everything from “alcoholism” to “serial killers” as potential threats, and a bingo card that included both a first and a second Covid outbreak, a pirate takeover, a wedding, mass STDs, a mental breakdown, and, naturally, a podcast upon return. One creator started a series called “Ship Happens” where she meticulously documents everything that happens on the boat, such as when a scheduled stop at the Falkland Islands was canceled due to rough seas or when the passengers spotted some whales ; another has christened herself the “ Sea Tea Director .”

This, obviously, is sort of an uncanny way to discuss regular people who are simply living their lives and going on a (yes, very extravagant) vacation. But it is an increasingly familiar one, as TikTok continues to determine what millions of people are looking at, and when. The Ultimate World Cruise’s closest relative might be the annual ritual of Bama Rush, where every August since 2021 , first-year students at the University of Alabama show off their outfits on TikTok for different sorority recruitment events. After a handful of those videos went viral, the women in them became brief celebrities , as did the people commenting on the phenomenon. Whether they were telling their own inside stories of Bama Rush, sharing which girls they were “rooting for,” or wondering how they ended up watching these videos to begin with, once the topic took off, more and more people started fighting for a sliver of that attention. The result was a media frenzy that lasted for about two weeks before the algorithm moved on.

Because what said algorithm constantly seeks is novelty with a healthy dose of timeliness, precisely what a nine-month cruise can best provide. Consider Joe Martucci, a 67-year-old retired CFO from St. Cloud, Florida, who boarded the cruise as a retirement celebration along with his wife, Audrey. “I was sending videos to my children, and they said, ‘Hey, Dad, put these on TikTok so we can let our friends see them too.’ I didn’t know ‘their friends’ were 90,000 people,” he tells me over video chat while the ship is docked in Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Argentina. His first cruise post , under the account @spendingourkidsmoney , hit 1.5 million views, and within weeks, fellow passengers started coming up to him to say they saw him online. Because he begins all his videos with, “Hey, kids!” his followers have come to see him like their own dad (sample comment: “just know that you’re also healing a little piece for those of us that never had a dad. enjoy your vaca, love you guys! - daughter”).

@spendingourkidsmoney #royalcaribbean #cruising #explore #WorldCruise #UltimateWorldCruise #UWC #Serenadeoftheseas #cruise #travel ♬ original sound - joe

He says he’s honored by the sentiment and it’s the reason he keeps it up. People are so charmed by Martucci that they’ve scheduled a meetup with him when the ship arrives at Southampton, England, on July 26 (after a TikTok of his itinerary revealed that he planned to shop at Primark that day, fans decided they would come along).

Or consider 23-year-old Little Rat Brain , who grew her account to nearly 150,000 followers and is a “fan favorite” on the cruise. (Little Rat Brain keeps her identity private from the internet and goes only by her username.) She posts funny, sometimes surreal, chaotically edited videos of what it’s like to live on a ship, even though she’d never used social media much before the trip. While she says she never aimed to get famous, she understands why people are fascinated. “We’re a very small group of people on an enclosed ship that you can’t leave,” she said. “And alcoholic drinks are free. It’s a perfect setup for drama.”

The problem, or so it would seem to the TikTokers recapping what’s going on on the ship, is that the stars of their reality show aren’t really posting much drama. There’s a pretty obvious explanation why, per Little Rat Brain: “I don’t think many people will create drama because they don’t want to put their vacation at risk. Like, you have to go to the buffet at breakfast and someone could be staring at you. They could be sitting next to you on the bus ride for an excursion for two hours. You cannot escape everyone who’s on this cruise.” Instead, the TikTokers on board have leaned into the absurdity, hosting a meetup where all the “cast members” get together and introduce themselves in a talk show format, even referring to themselves as “characters.” So far, most of the content has been deliberately anodyne.

That doesn’t mean there haven’t been the kind of hiccups you’d expect on a nine-month cruise. There was, at one point, a flood (it’s fine now). One cruiser was temporarily banned from reboarding the boat for 12 days after he took an unauthorized trip to Brazil. Some guests were upset at the difference in treatment for Royal Caribbean loyalty program members versus regular passengers (which is … the point of joining a loyalty program). The originally scheduled stops in Russia , Ukraine, and Israel were relocated, for obvious reasons. One guest was accused of being a swinger because she had a pineapple decoration on her cabin door (“Sorry to disappoint you,” she said in a response video ).

When I asked if anyone was flirting or hooking up, Little Rat Brain says she attended one of Royal Caribbean’s singles’ mixers but promptly left because no one else showed up. “Literally no one. I walked in, looked around, walked out to double-check I was in the right location, and went back up, got a drink, sat there for two minutes, and was like, I’m leaving. Love Island is not happening.” Perhaps most tragic, the ship briefly ran out of red wine; they’ve since stocked up.

@little_rat_brain The way i would have loved to be on that boat!!! Also there was no announcement that it was on board?? . #ultimateworldcruise2023 #9monthcruise #9monthcruisetok #ultimateworldcruise #antartica ♬ original sound - Little Rat Brain

The bulk of the intrigue is the meta-drama between the TikTokers on the ship and the non-TikTokers. The real shit is going down in private Facebook groups, of which the cruise has at least five. Apparently, many of the non-TikTokers are becoming annoyed about the amount of filming on board and don’t want their faces included in background shots. While the TikTokers I spoke to say they’re very aware not to post anything with other people on camera, Martucci says that tensions have spilled over onto the ship. “I saw an incident the other day where some guy went off on someone and said, ‘Are you one of those TikTokers? Don’t you point that camera toward me! I’ll be mad if you point that camera toward me!’” Martucci says. “I felt sorry for the kid. He wasn’t pointing the camera at him.”

Then came the arrival of a TikToker who had zero problem making enemies on board. After model and influencer Marc Sebastian made a video pleading for someone to pay for him to go on the cruise — “I’ll go cause chaos, I’ll wreak havoc, and I’ll record everything” — Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, took him up on the offer and booked him an 18-night leg beginning January 5. (The deal: He’d read one of the eight books they sent him and post about it.) Within days, he’d become Enemy No. 1 for a certain segment of cruisers, like the people who yelled at him for swearing or the lengthy hate threads in one of the Facebook groups. At one point, he was escorted out of an exclusive lounge area for club members after livestreaming when one of his viewers called the ship to rat him out.

One would imagine Royal Caribbean isn’t pleased with his presence either — he’s been calling out the company for their low worker pay while also making the experience of actually being on the ship seem … kind of miserable .

That the social media spectacle of the Ultimate World Cruise has spilled offscreen and onto the actual boat is maybe more interesting than the understandable highs and lows of living at sea with hundreds of other people. Americans have always taken a special liking to cruises; ever since the birth of the industry in the 1970s, there’s been an enormous market, perhaps because cruise companies have gamified vacation in the form of points and loyalty rewards, or perhaps because Americans love all-you-can-eat buffets and also the freedom from having to make any decisions. Cruises are indeed getting longer , though mishaps can certainly occur — just ask the would-be passengers who are now suing the three-year cruise that was abruptly canceled mere days before it was scheduled to depart.

It’s no wonder, then, that the passengers aboard such a voyage would become objects of fascination for those of us without the means or desire to be on such a vacation, or why the TikTok algorithm has boosted so many of their videos. The Ultimate World Cruise falls perfectly into the platform’s recipe for viral gold: niche with universal appeal, timely, and a little bit controversial. Yet now, the cruise TikTokers are becoming objects of fascination — and frustration — for their own fellow passengers. Those I spoke to said that since they went viral, more people from the ship are opening TikTok accounts in the hopes that they too might become one of its “main characters.” Even though Sebastian is, by my count, the only influencer who’s done a sponsored content deal on the ship so far, it doesn’t mean that more brand money couldn’t be infiltrating the cruise soon.

As for the TikTokers on the boat themselves, most of them view their newfound attention as funny happenstance — as long as it isn’t too mean. “We have some that we really love,” says Jenny Hunnicutt, a 34-year-old who’s running her writing consulting agency from the boat, of the drama recappers. “The positivity has outweighed any negativity.” As long as the other half of the ship doesn’t mutiny against the TikTokers, hopefully that will stay the case.

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ULTIMATE WORLD CRUISE

Frequently asked questions.

• What is the Ultimate World Cruise? What is an Ultimate Cruise Segment?
• What is the starting price for the Ultimate World Cruise and its 4 individual segments?
• Can I take a portion of the Ultimate World Cruise?
• Is there a discount for paying the full balance of my Ultimate World Cruise or any of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• What ship will I be on for the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments, and will it be revitalized prior to the sailing date?
• What are the 11 World Wonders the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments will visit, and on what dates?

• What benefits are included when booking the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• If confirmed on the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments, is a guest able to debark at any point and then rejoin the ship at a different port later? 
• What is included in the 7 New World Wonders Shore Excursions package for the Ultimate World Cruise and when will I have more details about them?
• What are the details of included Ultimate World Cruise and Ultimate Cruise segment amenities such as the Deluxe Beverage Package, laundry service, and VOOM Wi-Fi package?
• What will the drinking age be for the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• I’m almost ready to book the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments. How do I find out more?
• What can I expect during the pre-cruise gala for The Ultimate World Cruise?

• Will I receive the same stateroom for the entire duration of my Ultimate World Cruise or Ultimate Cruise segment?
• If I’m booked on the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments, can I upgrade my stateroom for a portion of my journey?
• What is the payment schedule for the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• How long do I have to place my deposit for the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Can I use a Future Cruise Credit towards the cost of the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• When can I book Shore Excursions for the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• I see we’re going to Africa during the Ultimate World Cruise. Will you offer an African Safari Shore Excursion?
• Can my family or friends join me onboard Serenade of the Seas for a portion of the Ultimate World Cruise?

• Why are the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments only offered as nonrefundable?
• If I booked the Ultimate World Cruise and want to change it to one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments, can I update my existing reservation?
• Who can I contact for questions about my Ultimate World Cruise Air?

• As a Crown & Anchor Society member, am I entitled to discounts or additional benefits on the Ultimate World Cruise and the Ultimate Cruise segments?
• I traditionally book through NextCruise. Will the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments be available to book onboard?
• If I achieve a new Crown & Anchor Society status during my Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments, will I receive my new benefits?
• What are the Crown & Anchor Escapes?

• What should I pack for the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• What travel documents do I need to bring with me for the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Will you offer luggage service and provide luggage storage onboard the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Will you cover my parking at the pier if I’m on the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?

• Do I need travel insurance for the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• What if I get sick onboard the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segment or need to disembark due to an emergency?
• Will I have typical daily lifestyle amenities available to me on the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments, such as a gym and salon?
• What if I get pregnant before or during the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• I have dietary needs. Will they be accommodated during the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Will there be medical and dental staff onboard the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Is it safe for me to sail on the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Which immunizations and vaccinations will I need for the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments? 
• Are there travel insurance options available on the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments?

• Will I still be able to contact the Concierge Line while onboard the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• How can I fill my sea days onboard during the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Will holidays be celebrated onboard during the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Will the entertainment vary throughout the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Will the food and beverage selection vary throughout the Ultimate World Cruise and its expeditions?
• If I need to disembark the ship for longer than the stay in port during the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments, will I be able to return?
• What’s the minimum age to sail on the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Will I be able to sail on the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments if I have special needs?
• Will I have a mailing address during the Ultimate World Cruise or of one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• How do I get medication during the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Will I need local currencies for the ports visited throughout the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Will the crew change over while I’m onboard the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• As an Ultimate World Cruise or Ultimate Cruise segments guest, will I have additional perks at Perfect Day at CocoCay?
• If I am on the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments, when will I get my collected duty-free items?
• Will group space be offered on the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• Will there be religious services onboard the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments (i.e., weekly mass)?
• Should I bring formal attire for any onboard events during the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments?
• What dining options will be offered onboard The Ultimate World Cruise?

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