Royal Caribbean's CEO says the line's 9-month cruise around the world will sell out — see what it'll be like

• Royal Caribbean announced a 274-night world cruise starting in 2023.

• The nine-month cruise will sail to over 150 destinations across all seven continents.

• World cruises have been selling out fast throughout 2021 as the industry makes its steady return.

In October, Royal Caribbean unveiled its 2023 to 2024 274-night Ultimate World Cruise, a "never before offered" itinerary for the cruising giant, according to the cruise line.

Source: Royal Caribbean

This announcement came as world cruises continue to sell out fast while the cruising industry makes its steady comeback amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In January, Oceania Cruises' 2023 "Around the World in 180 Days" sailing sold out within a day.

Source: Insider

And more recently in July, Regent Seven Seas Cruises' 132-night 2024 world cruise was fully booked in less than three hours.

Source: Insider

Now, Royal Caribbean, one of the largest cruise companies in the world, has unveiled its own global sailing.

In the first week, customers booked 70% of the cruise, but booked stays with deposits now fall somewhere under 60%, which isn't abnormal for the industry, Michael Bayley, the cruise line's president and CEO, told Insider. And like the other world cruises, Bayley believes the Ultimate World Cruise will sell out.

Unlike Oceania and Regent Seven Seas' sold-out itineraries, Royal Caribbean's world cruise will span nine months …

… sailing to all seven continents and 65 countries.

According to the cruise line, this recently announced sailing aboard the Serenade of the Seas will be the "longest and most comprehensive" global cruise available.

The ship will set sail from Miami on December 10, 2023 and continue around the world through September 10, 2024.

Along the way, it'll stop at over 150 ports, including 57 locations that Royal Caribbean hasn't sailed to before.

Throughout these nine months, the Serenade of the Seas will hit 11 "wonders of the world," including Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal.

If 274 nights out at sea seems like too long, you're not alone. Royal Caribbean is also segmenting the global cruise into four sections for those who don't want to spend nine months on the ocean. The shorter portions will each hit three continents and will be available to book in December.

The cruise will start with the "Round the Horn: Americas and Antarctica Expedition" portion, which will sail from December 10, 2023 to February 11, 2024.

This leg will venture to 36 locations, including Antarctica, Peru's Machu Picchu, Brazil's Christ the Redeemer, Mexico's Chichen Itza, Aruba, and Los Angeles.

From February 11, 2024, to May 9, 2024, the cruise will begin its "Wonders of Asia and the Pacific Expedition" segment, the sailing's longest leg.

During this second portion, the ship will sail from Los Angeles to 44 stops ….

…. like Hawaii, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the Great Wall of China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Japan.

The third leg — the "Middle East Treasures and Marvels of the Med Expedition" — will then sail from May 9, 2024, to July 10, 2024, through 44 destinations.

During this two-month journey, passengers will cruise from Dubai to stops like Egypt's Pyramids of Giza, Italy's Colosseum, Jordan's Petra, Turkey's Temple of Artemis, and Provence, France.

The final leg, the "Capitals of Culture," will operate from July 10, 2024, to September 10, 2024, concluding the global cruise.

This fourth segment will visit 40 locations, from Barcelona to Morocco, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Iceland, before sailing back to Miami.

The Serenade of the Seas can accommodate almost 2,480 guests inside its 1,073 staterooms.

Source: Royal Caribbean

Unsurprisingly, there will be multiple sailing days with no port calls. During this time, passengers can leisure around the 13-deck ship by using its onboard amenities, which include a mini-golf course, multiple bars …

… an arcade, a pool with a retractable glass roof, and several onboard dining options that range from meals cooked on hot stones to Italian pastas.

Source: Royal Caribbean

Prices for the full global sailing begin at $61,000 for an interior stateroom. This then jumps to $112,000 for a junior suite.

There are more expensive suites available on the Serenade of the Seas, but interested customers must call the cruise line for more pricing information.

Source: Royal Caribbean

This may seem like a hefty price, but luckily, the ticket also comes with services like business class flights, a beverage add-on, internet, and laundry.

The suites and staterooms with balconies were booked up first, and now there's a waitlist for most of the cruise ship's suites.

And it won't be full of just retirees: So far, the youngest guest on board will be a two-year-old, Celia de la Llama, a public relations representative with Royal Caribbean, told Insider. Some passengers will also be sailing with their teenage children who'll be able to attend remote schools while out at sea.

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