A world cruise is the longest holiday you can take at sea: one booking that carries you across several oceans and continents, usually over three to six months. From the UK, P&O Cruises, Cunard and Fred. Olsen all run world cruises from Southampton, so you can sail away from home and see the world without a single long-haul flight to get started.
In this guide
This guide covers what a world cruise is, the world cruises leaving Southampton in 2027 and 2028, what they cost, how to sail just part of one, and how to plan the trip of a lifetime.
What is a world cruise?
World cruises are the longest itineraries in cruising, typically lasting between about three and six months. The ship does the travelling while you visit ports across several continents, often crossing the Atlantic, going through the Panama Canal, sailing across the Pacific and returning via Asia, the Indian Ocean or South Africa.
You’ll see a few different names used:
- Full world cruise: the whole voyage, usually starting and ending at the same port, such as Southampton.
- Grand voyage: a very long cruise that covers a big region, such as South America, without circling the globe.
- Sector or segment: a section of a world cruise that you can book on its own, from a few weeks to a month or more.
World cruises from Southampton in 2027 and 2028
These are the world cruises announced by the main UK lines at the time of writing. Itineraries can change, so always check the latest details with the cruise line or your travel agent.
| Cruise line | Ship | Departs | Length | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred. Olsen | Borealis | 21 January 2027, Southampton | 98 nights | Panama Canal, four days in Hawaii, five Japanese ports, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa |
| P&O Cruises | Arcadia | January 2027, Southampton | 106 nights | Sold as the “Epic World Explorer” |
| Cunard | Queen Victoria | January 2027, Southampton | 111 nights | Cunard’s Full World Voyage |
| P&O Cruises | Arcadia | January 2028, Southampton | 124 nights | The line’s longest world cruise to date, including Japan (Nagasaki and Tokyo), San Diego and Hawaii |
P&O Cruises’ Aurora is also returning to South America in 2028 for a 75-night Grand Tour, calling at ports in Brazil and Chile. It isn’t a full circumnavigation, but it’s a good choice if you want a very long voyage focused on one continent.
Not sure which line suits you? Our reviews of P&O Cruises, Cunard and Fred. Olsen explain what each is like on board.
How long is a world cruise, and can you do part of one?
A full world cruise from the UK usually lasts around 100 nights or more. The 2027 and 2028 sailings above range from 98 to 124 nights.
If that’s too long, you can book a sector instead: you join or leave the ship at a major port and fly the other way. For example, if your chosen world cruise calls at Sydney, you might sail from Southampton to Sydney and fly home from there while the ship carries on. Sectors are a sensible way to see whether long voyages suit you before committing to a whole world cruise, and they cost far less.
How much does a world cruise cost?
Prices vary hugely depending on the cruise line, the length of the voyage and your cabin. As a rough guide from the specialist magazine World of Cruising:
- Mainstream lines: around 100 days for between £10,000 and £15,000 per person, roughly £100 to £150 a day, covering your cabin, meals, entertainment and the ship’s travel between destinations.
- Ultra-luxury lines: longer itineraries can cost upwards of £70,000 per person.
At the time of World of Cruising’s guide, P&O’s 106-night world cruise in January 2027 started from £10,499 per person for an inside cabin, and Cunard’s 111-night Full World Voyage from around £13,499. Fares change all the time, so treat these as a starting point and check current prices before you book.
The extra costs to budget for
- Drinks: on mainstream lines, drinks packages usually cost extra.
- Speciality restaurants: main dining is included, but some restaurants charge a supplement.
- Gratuities and Wi-Fi: these may or may not be included, depending on the line and your fare.
- Shore excursions: on a voyage with dozens of ports, these can add up quickly.
- Travel insurance, visas and vaccinations: essential for a long trip across many countries.
- Flights: needed if you book a sector, or a world cruise that doesn’t start and finish in the UK.
Ultra-luxury lines tend to include more in the fare, such as flights, Wi-Fi, excursions and gratuities, which narrows the gap a little.
When to book a world cruise
Most world cruises leave in January, sailing through the northern winter and returning in spring. Because they’re planned so far ahead, it’s wise to book around 12 to 18 months before departure, especially if you want a particular cabin. The cheapest and the most expensive cabin categories tend to sell first.
Choosing your cabin
An inside cabin is a great way to keep costs down on a one-week cruise, but three or four months without natural light is a different matter. If your budget allows, a cabin with a window or balcony makes a long voyage much more comfortable.
Look closely at the deck plan, too. Light sleepers should avoid cabins directly above or below restaurants, bars and theatres. If you’re worried about motion, cabins in the middle of the ship and on lower decks tend to feel the movement least.
Planning a world cruise: the practical side
Passports and visas
A world cruise can visit dozens of countries, and some need a visa or electronic travel authorisation before you arrive. Your cruise line will usually tell you what’s needed, but check the rules for every country on GOV.UK’s foreign travel advice pages, and make sure your passport has plenty of validity left and enough blank pages.
Health and insurance
Talk to your GP or a travel clinic well before you sail about any vaccinations or medicines you’ll need, and bring enough of your regular prescriptions for the whole voyage. Make sure your travel insurance covers the full length of the trip and every region you’ll visit.
Packing for every climate
You could face a cold January in Southampton, tropical heat and a cool evening at sea all in the same trip. Pack layers rather than one outfit per climate, and use the ship’s laundry so you don’t need to bring months of clothes. Check your line’s dress code for formal evenings.
Staying in touch
Wi-Fi at sea has improved a lot, but it can still be slower than at home. Check what your line offers and whether a package is included in your fare.
Is a world cruise right for you?
A world cruise is a wonderful choice if you have the time, love sea days, want to see many countries without packing and unpacking, and like the idea of a community on board that you get to know over months.
It may not suit you if you get restless without a busy schedule, you’d miss home over a long stretch, or the cost would be a stretch. In that case, a sector or a shorter long voyage can give you the same sense of adventure.
If you like the idea of long, relaxing sea days but not 100 nights, a repositioning cruise can be a shorter and often better-value taste of ocean travel.
World cruise FAQs
How long does a world cruise take?
Usually three to six months. The world cruises leaving Southampton in 2027 and 2028 run from 98 to 124 nights.
Which UK cruise lines offer world cruises?
P&O Cruises, Cunard and Fred. Olsen all have world cruises departing from Southampton in 2027.
Can I book just part of a world cruise?
Yes. Most lines sell sectors, so you can sail part of the way and fly at one end.
When do world cruises leave?
Most depart in January and return in spring.
Sources and further reading
- World of Cruising: World cruises explained, what they cost and which to pick
- CruiseMapper: Fred. Olsen 98-night world cruise aboard Borealis in 2027
- Seatrade Cruise News: P&O Cruises reveals winter 2027 to spring 2028 programme
- Cunard: World voyages and sectors
- GOV.UK: Foreign travel advice
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