The 12 Best World Cruises for 2025 | Retirement Travelers

Last Updated: November 23, 2024

So far in our retirement travel, 33 days on a cruise ship has been our longest cruise journey. Many people have asked us about our interest in a world cruise. We decided to do some research and show you the best 12 world cruises for 2025 and 2026. World cruises offer an immersive and luxurious way to explore multiple countries and continents over several months, with itineraries that usually last four to seven months. These voyages allow travelers to visit iconic destinations, from bustling cities to remote islands, all while experiencing the comfort of a luxury ship. Many cruises feature all-inclusive packages that cover dining, entertainment, and shore excursions, offering a hassle-free travel experience.

Key features of world cruises include:

Visits to a variety of countries and continents.
Extended stays or overnights in critical cities, allowing deeper cultural exploration.
Access to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and iconic landmarks.
Various onboard amenities include fine dining, entertainment, fitness centers, and enrichment programs.
Different lengths and price ranges, catering to diverse budgets and time availability.

Top 12 World Cruises to Take in 2025

Here are the 12 best world cruises scheduled for 2025 and 2026, based on itineraries, unique destinations, and onboard amenities. We included a range of pricing, based on room type, but check each website for specific costs of each cruise.

Azamara World Cruise

Length: 155 nights
Departure: January 6, 2025, from Miami and ending in Barcelona
Highlights: 10 segments including South America, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. This journey includes 46 late-night or overnight stays in ports like Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City.
Unique Feature: Focus on smaller, less-visited ports with immersive experiences
Price: Ranging from $39,000 to $157,000

Regent Seven Seas Mariner World Cruise

Length: 150 nights
Departure: January 7, 2025, from Miami to San Francisco
Highlights: Antarctic Peninsula, Amazon River, South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. 97 ports in 25 countries are included.
Unique Feature: A luxurious experience with many overnight stays and shore excursions included
Price: Ranging from $90,000 to $256,000

Oceania Vista World Cruise

Length: 197 days
Departure: December 20, 2025, from Los Angeles to Miami
Highlights: The itinerary includes ports in South America, the Amazon, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Notable stops include Madagascar, New Zealand, and Bora Bora.
Unique Feature: Oceania’s focus on gourmet dining and smaller ships for more intimate cruising
Price: Ranging from $63,000 to $268,000

Princess Cruises – Island Princess

Length: 115 days
Departure: January 20, 2025, Roundtrip from Los Angeles
Highlights: Six continents, 26 countries
Unique Feature: Extensive port variety with late-night stays in Dubai and other key cities
Price: Ranging from $20,600 to $37,000

Silversea – Controtempo on the Silver Dawn

Length: 136 days
Departure: January 13, 2025, from Tokyo, ending in New York City
Highlights: 59 ports across 30 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Greenland, and unique maiden ports. Overnight stays in major cities like Sydney and Rome are included.
Unique Feature: Luxury all-inclusive cruise with complimentary shore excursions and business class flights
Price: $92,000 lowest fare

Viking Sky World Cruise

Length: 138 days
Departure: Starting December 19, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale and ending in London
Highlights: The cruise visits 28 countries, including Mexico, Hawaii, French Polynesia, and Mediterranean ports.
Unique Feature: Smaller ships with cultural enrichment programs and inclusive shore excursions
Price: Ranging from $60,000 to $216,000

MSC Magnifica World Cruise

Length: 116 days
Departure: January 4, 2025, from Rome
Highlights: 50 ports in 21 countries, covering five continents, with stops at Easter Island, the Panama Canal, and French Polynesia.
Unique Feature: Offers a value-for-money world cruise experience, with access to iconic remote destinations
Price: See website for details

Cunard – Queen Mary 2 World Cruise

Length: 98 days
Departure: New York City to Southampton, England (UK)
Highlights: Middle Eastern cities, Australia, and Southeast Asia. It also includes iconic maritime experiences such as rounding the southern tip of Africa.
Unique Feature: Classic ocean liner experience with Cunard’s renowned heritage and onboard traditions
Price: Ranging from $33,000 to $173,000 for each stateroom based on 2 people

Royal Caribbean – Serenade of the Seas

Length: 274 nights (Ultimate World Cruise)
Departure: Miami, December 2023 (runs through 2024)
Highlights: This extensive journey spans all seven continents and 60+ countries, with 150+ stops, including Easter Island and the Great Wall of China.
Unique Feature: Perfect for those seeking the most extensive global exploration possible
Price: Check website for details on 2025 and 2026 cruises

Seabourn – Sojourn World Cruise

Length: 129 days
Departure: Los Angeles to Vancouver, leaving on January 6, 2026
Highlights: Visits 63 locations in 14 countries around the Pacific Ring of Fire
Unique Feature: Ultra-luxury cruising with personalized service and smaller ship size for intimate explorations
Price: Ranging from $85,000 to $94,000

Holland America – Zuiderdam World Cruise

Length: 124 days
Departure: January 4, 2025, from Fort Lauderdale roundtrip
Highlights: Cross wonder after wonder off your bucket list, including Machu Picchu, Easter Island, and the Great Barrier Reef
Unique Feature: Focus on in-depth cultural immersion and extended stays at bucket-list destinations
Price: Ranging from $22,000 to $84,000

Crystal Serenity World Cruise

Length: 123 days
Departure: January 7, 2025, from Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona, Spain
Highlights: This cruise visits over 75 ports across 24 countries
Unique Feature: Crystal’s reputation for personalized service, all-inclusive luxury, and attention to detail
Price: Starting at around $66,000

These cruises represent the pinnacle of global exploration, offering retirement travelers a blend of luxury, adventure, and cultural immersion. Their itineraries are designed to visit some of the most iconic destinations on Earth. Whether you are seeking a long, immersive journey or a shorter, highlights-packed adventure, 2025’s world cruises provide something for every taste. If you have experience with a world cruise, we would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks so much.

Happy Journeys,

John and Bev