The Ultimate World Cruise was not a one-off!

[Cakemeister]

Calista posted this earlier today:

Royal Caribbean will do another World Cruise, despite being "extremely complicated" and "massively expensive” | Royal Caribbean Blog

My hopes have been renewed for someday going on this cruise. If I was retired, or if I could somehow talk my boss into letting me work remote for nine months, I would be all over this.

The cruise might be on a Discovery-class ship, which means might be five years from now. I can wait. 

 

[smokeybandit]

I read that as they're open to doing it again, but it may not be any time soon and they may structure things a lot differently.

[AandD]

Even if we had the money and the time, we couldn't do it. We have grandkids and a dog. But I hope Royal does it again. I have really enjoyed living vicariously through Bob and Lori on Facebook "Cruising around the world in in 274 days". She has been very nice in spending time posting and answering questions. And seeing some of the places the current cruise has been on maybe we could at least do a few of those destinations in the future. 

[Rackham]

They're being jerks from Miami again. Hinting and teasing at what Discovery class could be, but not saying it.

However, would Royal put a brand new ship class on an around the world itinerary, from the start? It might drum up interest in their smaller ships (not to mention the b-roll footage and marketability generated from the stunt)? Or would they do something more conservative and place Discovery No.1 from Vancouver for an inaugural season in Alaska, or similar, which could have a greater variety of people sailing aboard and still have the opportunities for marketing and stunning b-roll? 

[smokeybandit]

Late year seems the best time to make some official word on Discovery. The new car scent will have worn off Utopia by then, but they won't be far enough along on Star (which won't get near the marketing budget as Icon) to start promoting that.

[Matt]

17 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I read that as they're open to doing it again, but it may not be any time soon and they may structure things a lot differently.

That was my take as well

[billdauterive]

23 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I read that as they're open to doing it again, but it may not be any time soon and they may structure things a lot differently.

Exactly.  I was actually encouraged by it.  Personally I wouldn't be able to do it in the next few years but could be in a position to in 5+ years.  Plus just like a new ship class, they can learn from what works and what doesn't on the initial attempt to improve the next iteration of it.

[Riley]

We were fortunate enough to do a few of the individual legs (the three between Hong Kong to Dubai, specifically) and even though "Serenade" is small and tired the experience was unforgettable. They either need to severely adapt the itinerary or keep a small ship, though - big ships can't fit into many of the stops and tendering at some of these ports would be even worse. 

[Curt From Canada]

11 hours ago, Riley said:

We were fortunate enough to do a few of the individual legs (the three between Hong Kong to Dubai, specifically) and even though "Serenade" is small and tired the experience was unforgettable. They either need to severely adapt the itinerary or keep a small ship, though - big ships can't fit into many of the stops and tendering at some of these ports would be even worse. 

We went on the Antarctica leg and it was unforgettable too. We could never do 274 days away from Family and Friends, but we would do the “shorter” legs in a second. The biggest advantages were:

1). Different Ports of Call:  We have seen enough of Nassau. The rest of the world awaits!

2). Elevated Experience on Board:  The UWCs are spécial and RCL tries very, very hard. The entertainment, dining and enrichment is a step or two above a regular cruise. Small ship, but big experience. 

3). Different Cruise Mindset:  Two thirds of the cruisers were on for either the entire cruise or a large segment. We did not find them entitled, we found them intent on building relationships. It was a togetherness sensation. We did not know if it would last, but the 18 days on the second leg were very special. 
 

Curt from Canada 

[SPS]

ULTIMATE WORLD CRUISE 2: ELECTRIC BOOG-A-LOO!

[Doug_Texas]

14 hours ago, Curt From Canada said:

We went on the Antarctica leg and it was unforgettable too. We could never do 274 days away from Family and Friends, but we would do the “shorter” legs in a second. The biggest advantages were:

1). Different Ports of Call:  We have seen enough of Nassau. The rest of the world awaits!

2). Elevated Experience on Board:  The UWCs are spécial and RCL tries very, very hard. The entertainment, dining and enrichment is a step or two above a regular cruise. Small ship, but big experience. 

3). Different Cruise Mindset:  Two thirds of the cruisers were on for either the entire cruise or a large segment. We did not find them entitled, we found them intent on building relationships. It was a togetherness sensation. We did not know if it would last, but the 18 days on the second leg were very special. 
 

Curt from Canada 

We leave in 3 weeks to join a leg of UWC and am very encouraged by your “Elevated Experience on Board” comments.  Very exciting!  RE: another World Cruise, I’d be surprised if it was 274 days again.  This is much longer than most other lines doing world cruise and a huge hurdle for people to take the entire itinerary.  

[Curt From Canada]

19 hours ago, Doug_Texas said:

We leave in 3 weeks to join a leg of UWC and am very encouraged by your “Elevated Experience on Board” comments.  Very exciting!  RE: another World Cruise, I’d be surprised if it was 274 days again.  This is much longer than most other lines doing world cruise and a huge hurdle for people to take the entire itinerary.  

I do not know how to link this properly, but the “Not Even Close Live Blog” on thé UWC has a lot more detailed information on the “Elevated Experience”. I think if you look up the title (right at the bottom of this post), you may find it. Briefly:

1). Entertainment:  only one “bad” act in 18 days. The performers were all very, very good. RCL was trying very, very hard. Certainly, they focused on local talent for everything except the orchestra and stage cast. 
2). Serenade of the Seas Talent:  No gaps in the talent all were excellent and the orchestra was bigger than I remembered from other cruises. 
3). More Enrichment Activities:  Focused mostly on locale. It is not hard to have more than a regular RCL cruise, but there seemed to be at least one every day. 
4). Live Music:  More than usual and all of it was excellent. I know they will be rotating in and out, but they set a very high bar on the first 2 legs of the cruise. We could start dancing mid afternoon and late into the evening (if we wanted).  To be clear, we are too old to maintain that pace … still, we tried.

I hope this helps …

Curt from Canada
 

ULTIMATE WORLD CRUISE (Not Even Close Live Blog & Only Segment) JAN 05-23

[D Alt]

I am in if this new World Cruise is on a "new" smaller ship.  Better start saving!!  i just really hope Project Discovery takes the best parts of the smaller class and adds innovations and new technology. 

[MdFormula350]

wow thats amazing for anyone that could and did do this.

I would say a 14 day cruise would be my limit at my life stage, come retirement who knows....

[Nathan adams]

If it's in 5 years. Can we start making payments now?