I know you might be thinking do people really book a Cruise around the World?   Yes they do!  Cruise Lines are seeing a record demand for World Cruises right now.  Oceania recently opened booking for it's 2023 World Cruise and it sold out in 24 hours!   Getting to see so many amazing places in one trip sounds a little overwhelming but perfect at that same time.   The price tag for these cruises can give you sticker shock but when you do the math they really are a good deal.   Just think of the cost to fly to most of these places and then add in food and a place to stay and real quick a World Cruise looks like a bargain.  
​
  Some cruise lines will offer portions of the World Cruise for booking so you don't have to book the whole thing if you only want to do part of it.  If a World Cruise still sounds a bit too long there are also some wonderful longer cruises to consider as a stepping stone to working up to that World Cruise.   I did a 30 day cruise a few years ago and at first I was wondering if that would be too long but I quickly learned that the longer the better!   
 
  Cruise Lines are also getting more creative with itineraries to keep guests coming back year after year.  More overnight stops are also becoming more popular.  To give you an idea of what you can expect from some of the more unique itineraries check out these 4 World Cruises scheduled for 2023:

Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises
Ship: Insignia
Date: January 15, 2023
Length: 179 nights
Ports: 96
Cheapest Price: $41,599
Homeport: San Francisco
Oceania’s traditional 180-day world cruise is back in 2023. The trip, which sold out in just 24 hours, will visit 96 ports in 33 countries across four continents.
Overnight stays are planned in 20 destinations – including Cape Town and Yangon, where the Insignia is set to be docked for three entire days.

Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
Ship: Coral Princess
Date: June 4, 2023
Length: 107 nights
Ports: 44
Cheapest Price: $20,604
Homeport: Sydney
The Coral Princess will be the only ship to sail a world cruise from Australia in 2023. The vessel, operated by Princess Cruises, will depart Sydney on June 4, returning to the same port 107 days and 44 ports of call later. The classic itinerary includes visits to 26 countries on six continents, including 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Cruise Line: Regent Seven Seas
Ship: Seven Seas Mariner
Date: January 7, 2023
Length: 143 nights
Ports: 72
Cheapest Price: $81,119
Homeport: Miami to Barcelona 
Luxury brand Regent Seven Seas is offering the most expensive world cruise in 2023. With 143 nights, the journey goes from Miami to Barcelona, visiting 72 ports in-between. The itinerary has a focus on Asia and Africa, with several unusual ports of call, such as Lome (Togo), Takoradi (Ghana) and Mayotte (Comoros)


Cruise Line: Viking Cruises
Ship: Viking Neptune
Date: December 22, 2022
Length: 137 nights
Ports: 58
Cheapest Price: $49,995
Homeport: Fort Lauderdale to Greenwich
In 2023, Viking Cruises will offer a world cruise on its brand-new ship, the Viking Neptune. The vessel – currently under construction in Italy – is set to debut just a few weeks before the trip starts. During the 137-night cruise, guests will visit 58 ports around the globe, with a special focus on the Asia-Pacific region, where most of the calls take place.
Those are just a sample of the many options that are available.  If you want to learn more just let me know.

So are you ready to join me in a cruise around the world?

After the year the cruise lines have had it is nice to know that we will still get to see 12 new ships start sailing in 2021!   Below I have listed them in order of when they should be starting to sail but that is subject to change.   Feel free to sign along!

On the 1st ship of 2021 the cruise world brings to us - a Ship With No Kids!

1.  Viking Venus - scheduled to sail January 2021 she will be the 7th Ocean Ship for Viking with 2 more on the way in 2022.  All of the Viking ships are identical and offer only verandah rooms and are adult only.   Viking has one of the youngest Ocean fleet with the 1st ship debuting in 2015. Venus will sail the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.   All of the Viking Ocean ships do carry less than 1000 passengers putting them in the Small Ship category.  

On the 2nd ship of 2021 the cruise world brings to us - a 2 Story Red Frog Tiki bar and a Roller Coaster!

2. Carnival Mardi Gras - scheduled to sail April 2021 she will bring us the first roller coaster at sea.  Yes that is Santa taking a spin on it in the photo at the top.  Mardi Gras will be doing Caribbean sailings out of Port Canaveral and she is a mega ship carrying over 5,000 guests.

On the 3rd ship of 2021 the cruise world brings to us  - a 300 Hundred foot North Star, a 2 Story Lime and Coconut bar, and a Glow in the Dark Laser Tag!

3. Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas - scheduled to sail April 2021 she will be the first in the Quantum Ultra Class to sail in the US and Europe.   Odyssey of the Seas will sail out of Rome and Fort Lauderdale offering Mediterranean and Caribbean sailings.   Holding up to 4,200 passengers she is another mega ship.

On the 4th ship of 2021 the cruise world brings to us - 16 Indoor bars, 5 Unique pools, 2 Cirque shows, and the Longest LED Dome at Sea!

4. MSC Virtuosa - scheduled to sail April 2021 she will be the second Meraviglia Plus class ship for MSC.  This will stay in Europe offering cruises in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Middle East.  Another mega class ship that can carry 4,800 passengers.

On the 5th ship of 2021 the cruise world brings to us - A LUXURY YACHT EXPERIENCE, 4 Dining rooms, Aft marina, Infinity pool, and All Rooms Are Suites.

5. Ritz Carlton Evrima - scheduled to sail April 2021 she will be the first the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection. 
She will offer sailings in Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada/New England, and the Caribbean.   That does also mean there are opportunities to do Atlantic crossings on this amazing ship!   Evrima is an all suite, all balcony, all inclusive ship.   With only about 300 passengers onboard it is a luxurious small ship.  

On the 6th ship of 2021 the cruise world brings to us - 6 fine dining restaurants, 100 Suites, 2 Story solarium, Fold out marina, 2 Helicopters, and a Submarine!

6. Crystal Endeavor - scheduled to sail May 2021 she will be the first Expedition ship for Crystal.  Endeavor is a purpose built Polar Class yacht, all suite, with attentive butlers and an expedition team.   She will sail all over the world but she was built for Antarctica.   Just 200 guests onboard means it is a luxurious expedition on this small ship.

On the 7th ship of 2021 the cruise world brings to us - 8 Dining options, Rolling Stone Rock Room, Lincoln Stage Center, BB King's Blues Club, BBC Earth Concert, World Stage theater, and Club Orange!

7. Holland America's Rotterdam - scheduled to sail August 2021 she will be the 7th ship to bear the name Rotterdam.  Holland America recently sold the previous Rotterdam as part of the downsizing many lines did during this shutdown.  Rotterdam will be the new flagship of Holland America sailing the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mediterranean, and Northern Europe.  Carrying just under 2,700 guests I consider her a Mid Size ship.

On the 8th ship of 2021 the cruise world brings to us - 20 bars and lounges, 5D Cinema, Largest interactive water park at sea, a LEGO themed kids club, Full size bowling alley,  World's first digital cruise assistant, MSC Yacht Club, and F1 Simulators.

8. MSC Seashore - scheduled to sail August 2021 she is the largest ship to be built in Italy and the 1st of MSC's EVO class ship.  This is one of the MSC ships that will sail in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.   With over 4,500 guests Seashore is a mega ship.

On the 9th ship of 2021 the cruise world brings to us - 8 Dining options, S.A.L.T. Lab, Cigar Lounge and Bar, Arts Cafe, Live jazz and blues, Zagara beauty spa, Observation library, Fitness center, and a Casino.

9. Silver Dawn - scheduled to sail September 2021 she is the 10th ultra luxury ship to join the Silversea fleet.  She will be sailing the Mediterranean and South America.   Did you know that Silversea was part of the Royal Caribbean family?   With just less than 600 guests onboard she is a small ship.

On the 10th ship of 2021 the cruise world brings to us - The Largest balconies at sea, Only jazz theater at sea, Princess's largest ever thermal suite, The Voice of the Ocean singing competition, Salty Dog Gastropub, Ultimate Balcony Dining, The Princess Luxury Bed, the Sanctuary, Sleep by Princess, and Chocolate Journeys!

10. Discovery Princess - scheduled to sail November 2021 she is the 3rd vessel designed from the ground up with Princess Medallion Class and also the final Royal-class ship.  Discovery Princess will sail the Caribbean, Mediterranean, California Coast, Mexican Riviera, and South America.  Carrying over 3,600 guests she is a Mega ship.

On the 11th ship of 2021 the cruise world brings to us - More than 20 Specialty eateries all included, At Sea Tattoo Parlor, Private karaoke rooms,  Onboard record shop, Immersive entertainment experiences, All fitness classes included, Gentleman's Barber shop, Boxing Ring, Rockstar Suites, No Buffets and No Kids!

11. Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady - recently rescheduled to sail starting November 2021 she will be the second ship for Virgin Voyages, neither of which have had paying guests sail onboard yet.  Valiant Lady will sail the Mediterranean and Caribbean.  Even though she does have 17 decks only up to 2,770 passengers makes her more of a mid-size ship.   

On the 12th ship of 2021 the cruise world brings to us - 24 Zodiacs, 2 Submarines, Double sea kayaks, Mountain bikes, E-bikes, Landing Zone, Expedition Lounge, Constellation Lounge, Near water level Bow Lounge, Guest Experts onboard, All Verandah Suites, and a Discovery Center!

12. Seabourn Venture - scheduled to sail December 2021 she will be the first Ultra-Luxury purpose built expedition ship for Seabourn.  Did you know Seabourn is part of the Carnival Corporation?  She will stick to mainly polar areas in South American and Northern Europe.   With only 132 suites that means just a max of 264 guests onboard this ultra luxury small ship.  

Princess Cruise Line has some pretty cool cruise technology called Ocean Medallion.  I will admit I was very skeptical when I first heard about this new technology.    I have been on many cruises and experienced the iffy internet so I wondered how using a technology that relies a lot on WiFi could possibly work.   That being said Princess did have some bumps along the way when they first rolled it out but based on my recent cruise I think they have sorted through most of those now.   Of course I was also sailing on a brand new ship which was the first to be built from the group up with the technology in place.    
​
What Does Ocean Medallion Do?  
 This fun technology starts even before you leave home.   Once have booked your cruise you are prompted to download the Medallion App (note that previously you were required to download multiple apps but I happy to say they have consolidated it to one).  In the app you can do your online check in and upload both a security photo along with another photo if you would like something different to be your profile photo (this is the one that will show up your room door and other places).   Once you have completed the online check in you are able to confirm the order for your Medallion.   Princess will ship these to you free of charge with the basic lanyard.   You also have the option to add on other accessories if you would like to have other ways to  wear your Medallion.    I chose to stick with the free option.  The Medallion itself is very nice.  They are about the size of a quarter and will have your name and sail date printed on them along with being color coded for the level your are in the Captain's Circle program (side note Captain's Circle is the loyalty program for Princess and there are a few different colors based on how many times you have sailed with Princess).    
When you arrive at the port have your medallion out and you can take the quick line for guests with medallions.  This was the fastest check in process I have ever had!  Now the fun stuff begins!

    ​Once onbaord your Medallion will unlock your door as you get to your room so no more having to get your room key out to tap it or anything.   Just walk up to your room wearing your medallion and your photo will appear and your room is unlocked.  There are games in the app both Casino games and games just for fun along with some videos you can watch.   You can also create an OceanTagalong which like your onboad avatar for playing games and interacting with the large screens around the ship.  All the of fun games and videos are free but if you choose the Casino games those are played just like you were in the casino.  
There is also OceanCompass which not only helps you find your way around the ship but it will also help you find other guests that are using the medallion.   I tried this out a few times on my cruise and it was kind of fun to see where someone else was on the ship.  You do have to both agree to being tracked before this will work those so you cannot just stalk some random guest.   I can see this being really handy for parents or large groups traveling together.
  The daily schedule of events is listed and you can choose to bookmark certain things you want to attend.   You can also reserve things like dining and shore excursion from the app.  Last but not least, what I think is really the best feature is being able to order things from your app and they will be delivered to wherever your with your Medallion (within reason of course).  If you are too far from something the option to choose that location to order from won't show up.   I first used this from my room to get robes delivered.  It was so easy and so quick.   Then we tried it out up in the buffet area to get a couple slices of pizza delivered to our table from Slice the pizza counter out by the pool.  It was quick and so much easier than standing in line outside to get them.   You can order drinks from the nearest bar (TIP - as of now they are offering your first drink free when you order from the app.   Not sure how long that will last but if they are still offering it you will see that pop-up when you go to order).   When you order anything from the app you can track the progress in the app so you will it go from processing to delivering.   It will even tell you the name of the person delivering your order and might ask you to hold up your medallion to help the server find you.  The server will know your name and photo so they will call your name and will make sure you match the photo too.
I didn't have any problems using this fun technology during my cruise and I really do think it improves the experience a lot!   The one thing I am really surprised about is that Disney Cruise Line didn't do this first.