Semester at Sea Opens Applications for Fall 2027 Voyage

Semester at Sea Opens Applications for Fall 2027 Voyage

Semester at Sea recently opened applications for its Fall 2027 World Voyage, which will take place onboard the World Odyssey.

According to an update shared by the company, the 104-day itinerary will sail to four continents and two oceans starting on September 9, 2027.

Departing from Ijmuiden in the Netherlands, the 140th voyage will be highlighted by visits to destinations in Portugal, Morocco, Brazil, St. Helena and South Africa.

Before ending in Thailand in late December, the cruise is also scheduled to sail to additional ports in Southeast Asia and the Far East, including Sri Lanka, Singapore, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Semester at Sea noted that the voyage will feature six days in most ports, allowing for deeper immersion in destinations.

The company said passengers will move “beyond tourism to engage with local community leaders, environmental experts and historic heritage sites.”

A seven-day visit to Cape Town is returning by popular demand, the brand continued, noting that the South African city has been consistently ranked as a favorite destination by its alumni and guests.

For the first time in recent years, the voyage will feature a visit to Singapore, which Semester at Sea said offers a unique opportunity to experience one of the world’s most sophisticated green cities.

The company also highlighted days at sea, noting that the World Odyssey is transformed into a “floating campus” for its voyages.

“Students will take comparative coursework that brings the world outside their cabin window into the classroom, led by a world-class faculty dedicated to global perspectives,” it added.

Applications for the Fall 2027 Voyage for both students and Lifelong Learners opened on July 1, 2026.

Operating for Semester at Sea as part of a charter deal, the World Odyssey usually spends summer seasons sailing for Phoenix Reisen as the Deutschland.

With Phoenix Reisen deciding not to renew its contract beyond 2026, plans for the ship’s 2027 summer season are unclear.

Originally built for Peter Deilmann in Germany, the World Odyssey entered service in 1998 before making its debut for Semester at Sea in late 2015

Zuiderdam Embarks on Holland America’s Grand World Voyage

Zuiderdam Embarks on Holland America’s Grand World Voyage

The Zuiderdam is sailing from Port Everglades on Saturday for Holland America Line’s 2025 Grand World Voyage.

According to Holland America Line, the 124-night itinerary is highlighted by bucket-list destinations, including Machu Picchu, Easter Island and the Great Barrier Reef. The full itinerary includes ports in 34 different countries.

The cruise also features six overnight stays across the globe, including extended visits to Tahiti, Sydney, Cape Town and Barcelona.

After departing from Port Everglades, the Zuiderdam heads south for visits to destinations in the Caribbean before crossing the Panama Canal.

The 2,000-guest ship then heads to South America and the South Pacific, visiting destinations in Ecuador, Peru, Chile and French Polynesia.

Ports of call set to be visited during this segment include Manta, Easter Island, Callao, Moorea, and Raiatea.

The cruise continues with visits to additional island destinations in Polynesia and Melanesia, such as Tonga and New Caledonia, before arriving in Australia.

In late February, the Zuiderdam arrives in Southeast Asia for calls in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and more.

On its way back to the United States, the itinerary includes destinations in the Indian Ocean, such as the Maldives, the Seychelles and Mauritius.

The ship will also visit South Africa, Cape Verde, Namibia, and the Canaries before entering the Mediterranean.

After sailing to destinations in the United Kingdom, Spain, Malta, Egypt, Italy, Portugal and Morocco, the Zuiderdam finally crosses the Atlantic Ocean.

The vessel will return to Fort Lauderdale on May 9, 2025, after a visit to San Juan in Puerto Rico.

In addition to its Grand World Voyage onboard the Zuiderdam, Holland America is set to offer a second world cruise in 2025.

Sailing onboard the Volendam, the Pole to Pole Grand Voyage departs from Port Everglades on Jan. 25, 2025.

AIDAsol Arrives in Mauritius; Begins Last Leg of World Tour

AIDAsol Arrives in Mauritius; Begins Last Leg of World Tour

AIDA Cruises’ AIDAsol arrived in Port Louis, Mauritius on Friday, Jan.19, starting the last leg of its world cruise.

Having sailed on October 2023 when it departed from Hamburg, the AIDAsol has so far crossed each of the major oceans once during this world voyage.

Mauritius serves as the last port of transfer for guests on the 2023-24 world cruise.

After leaving Port Louis, the ship will head for Saint-Denis, Reunion, before exploring several ports in South Africa including Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth. Other ports of call on the last leg of the journey are Walvis Bay, Namibia; Praia, Cape Verde Islands; Tenerife, Canary Islands; Funchal, Madeira; Lisbon, Portugal; Porto, Portugal; and Portland, England. The ship is scheduled to arrive back in Hamburg on Feb. 21.

In October 2024, the AIDAsol will again embark on a world tour with some destinations in New Zealand that have not previously been visited by AIDA Cruises.

Azamara Unveils 155-Night World Voyage for 2025

Azamara Unveils 155-Night World Voyage for 2025

Azamara has announced its 2025 World Voyage aboard the Azamara Onward.

The 155-night cruise will take place aboard the ship, departing from San Diego, California.

The vessel will visit 37 countries before ending the cruise in Southampton, United Kingdom.

The announcement comes following the success of Azamara’s 2024 World Voyage which was sold out with a waitlist.

“We are thrilled to have our second world cruise aboard Azamara Onward. With 60% of ports on this sailing being different from those on our 2024 world voyage, this itinerary was carefully curated to give even the most well-travelled guests a new perspective on the world,” said Carol Cabezas, president of Azamara.

“Our 2025 world cruise invites travellers to not only see the world but also take their time in each destination and make memories that will last long after the journey has ended,” Cabezas concluded.

The Azamara Onward’s itinerary will include 15 overnights and 31 late stays in ports, allowing guests to explore each destination. The 2025 World Voyage will also include 13 complimentary land events starting with a gala in San Diego.

Highlighted destinations of Azamara Onward’s itinerary include Honolulu, Hawaii, Samoa and Tonga, Sydney, Australia, Stewart Island, New Zealand, Benoa, Bali, Bangkok, Thailand, and Semarang, Indonesia.

Azamara’s 2025 World Voyage will also offer $25,000 in exclusive amenities including $4,000 in onboard credit, a premium beverage package for two, weekly laundry service, and $3,000 for shore excursions, among other amenities.

Bookings for Azamara’s 2025 World Voyage are currently open to trade partners, loyalty guests, and past-world travellers only.

MSC Cruises Announces World Voyage

PHOTO: The MSC Magnifica will be embarking on an epic journey in 2020. (photo via Flickr/Sera Tu)

MSC Cruises announced the opening of sales for the cruise line’s second world voyage.

The world cruise will set sail in 2020 on the MSC Magnifica. MSC Voyagers Club members are eligible to start booking immediately, with all other customers able to book their spot on the voyage November 23.

For the 2020 MSC World Cruise, the new itinerary will include more than 40 ports of call in 23 countries. With four different embarkation ports and dates to kick off the three-month voyage, travelers can select their ideal starting point for a customized vacation experience.

Guests who embark on the world cruise from Rome, Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona on January 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2020, respectively, will cross five continents and visit 43 popular destinations, including Argentina, Easter Island, Australia, India, Oman and more. Eight destinations will include an overnight stay in port.

“Following the highly successful launch of our first MSC World Cruise last year, due to set to sail in January 2019, we are now delighted to open sales for a new world cruise for 2020 developed to offer guests experiences and destinations that they will never forget,” MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato said in a statement.

“In addition, the experience onboard MSC Magnifica – one of the jewels of our fleet - has been designed to reflect the cultures and cuisines of the countries that the ship visits, giving guests the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in a true around the world voyage of discovery both on board and on shore.”

MSC Cruises is also providing experiences through its wide range of 15 shore excursions included in the cost of the booking, plus the cruise line will offer additional excursions available to book in advance or during the voyage.

Some of the experiences offered during the world cruise include visiting Turtle Bay in New Caledonia, exploring the ancient city of Petra, climbing to the top of the Kuala Lumpur Tower and more.

On board the ship, passengers will be able to enjoy a complimentary Mealtime Restaurant Drinks Package, a 30 percent reduction on all laundry services, more than 90 shows performed in the ship’s Royal Theater and an activity schedule with theme evenings, language classes, cultural guest speakers and more.

Cunard Promises The World in 2019

Cunard Promises The World in 2019

PHOTO: Queen Victoria will see the world in 2019

Cunard is throwing one amazing opportunity at your feet: The chance to tour the world at a leisurely pace.

Cunard recently announced (h/t USA Today) its Oceans of Discovery program, which is an apt title for a set of voyages that will take myriad travelers to grand destinations.The downside is that you will have to be a bit patient, as the party doesn’t kick off until 2019.

That’s when The World Voyage aboard Queen Victoria launches.

This particular ship is no stranger to wading past some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. This past January, it became the largest passenger ship to have traversed the Amazon. 2019 will see it help Cunard once again offer a circumnavigation journey that will take several months and see 24 countries over the course of 107 nights.

Voyagers have a wealth of options when it comes to the 2019 program. Boarding the Queen Victoria alone will have you selecting from 37 voyage possibilities.

As the website states, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth will also embark on some truly remarkable adventures.

Josh Leibowitz, Senior Vice President, Cunard North America, states, via Cunard: “Across the fleet, Cunard’s Winter 2019 program covers the globe, including places that we have not visited for years. Our itineraries have been designed to offer enriching days in port as well as plenty of time on board for our guests to relax and enjoy all that our ships have to offer.”

While Queen Victoria sets sail to conquer the world, its sister ships will concentrate on “exotic voyages that offer richer, deeper and more regionally-focused itineraries than ever before.”

In the case of Queen Mary 2, this means a few fabulous firsts as it calls at Doha, Qatar; Mormugao, India; Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea and Chennai, India.

Queen Victoria’s world journey starts at $17,579 per person. So at just under $20,000, you are getting the absolute trip of a lifetime.

But if you want to save some bucks and are on this side of the pond, you can skip the trip to Southampton and start the journey on this side of the Atlantic. USA Today puts the price of a voyage from Fort Lauderdale at $15,799.