Many folks do, it seems, in spite of rough and choppy economic times as the demand for world cruises continues to grow.
These grand world voyages -- lasting about three to four months -- take guests through the winter while basking in perfect weather in the Caribbean, South Pacific, Asia, Africa and Europe.
Regent Seven Seas is sailing two simultaneous voyages on its 700-passenger all-suite, allbalcony Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner to a total of 110 ports in 50 countries on six continents.
Aboard the Voyager, cruisers will call on 52 ports on five continents, lasting 116 nights.
Leaving Los Angeles on Jan. 12, there will be weeks of in-depth discovery including wonders such as the Taj Mahal, Ayer's Rock and the Great Wall of China. You can also follow the Road to Mandalay.
If you must ask the price, then perhaps this isn't the right cruise to choose.
Travelling in the leastexpensive category -- not quite steerage -- will cost about C$80,000 and that's discounted from the regular $133,000 a person, double occupancy.
Actually that's for a deluxe suite and you receive many amenities, including airfare, shipboard credits, a gala pre-cruise dinner, special events ashore, luggage delivery, transfers and commemorative gifts.
Top accommodation in the master suite is $276,000, discounted from $475,000.
After paying that, who would mind an extra $3,000 for fees plus fuel surcharges and tipping?
If that's a little over budget, try sailing a segment or a shorter voyage that's part of the world cruise itinerary.
For example, the Los Angeles to Auckland segment of 19 nights is priced from $9,800 double occupancy.
The Mariner begins its 121-night "Ring of Fire" world cruise on Jan. 26 in Fort Lauderdale, exploring the Pacific Rim, New Zealand, South Pacific, Alaska and South America.
"Even during uncertain economic times, it appears that growing numbers of travellers are eager to sail the globe or, at the very least, take a nice long segment of a world cruise,'' said Terry Dale, head of Cruise Lines International Association.
Here are some other options for seeing the world in style:
- Crystal Cruises' Serenity sails from Los Angeles on Jan. 21 on a 106-day voyage to 45 ports.
This cruise includes Mexico, the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia and Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Russia and Alaska, as well as British Columbia and San Francisco en route back to Los Angeles.
- Cunard Line began its tradition of world cruising in 1922 and now both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria embark on their second world cruises.
Victoria makes a 99-day "Exploration of Distant Horizons" cruise leaving New York on Jan. 10 and calling on the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Queen Mary's 90-day Epic Expedition leaves Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 13 and circumnavigates South America before sailing down under and through Asia and Europe.
- Holland America's M.S. Rotterdam returns to world cruising with a 117-day Grand World Voyage departing Jan. 19 from Los Angeles. The westbound route sails the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand and through Asia and Africa before visiting the Caribbean and ending in Fort Lauderdale.
The trip will feature a rare "midnight golden line crossing'' when the ship crosses the equator and the international dateline at the same time.
- Princess has its 670-passenger Tahitian Princess and 710passenger Royal Princess offering similar 107-day itineraries from Fort Lauderdale in January and ending in Dover, England and Rome, respectively.
The itinerary features South America, the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, India and Egypt as well as a variety of European destinations including a new stop, Port Blair in the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean.
- Silversea's first Grand Pacific Voyage is a 92-day extended odyssey timed to coincide with the prime regional seasons of the Pacific Ocean. It sails from Los Angeles on March 7 and will visit 45 ports, 15 countries and two hemispheres. There are overnight stays in French Polynesia's Bora Bora, Sydney, Singapore, Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
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IF YOU SAIL
To check out the options for a world cruise -- or just to dream, go to:
Regent Seven Seas: www.rssc.com; 1-877-505-5370
Crystal Cruises: www.crystalcruises.com; 1-866-446-6625
Cunard Line: www.cunardline.com; 1-800-728-6273
Holland America: www.hollandamerica.com; 1-877-932-4259
Princess: www.princess.com; 1-800-774-6237
Silversea: www.silversea.com; 1-800-722-9955
Cruise Lines International Association: www.cruising.org
