Everything You Need to Know Before Taking a World Cruise

David Swanson

Set sail for Bora Bora’s blue lagoons – and beyond.

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Insider advice for notching some serious nautical miles.

As in-depth itineraries (and improved onboard Wi-Fi speeds) compel more travelers to spend entire seasons at sea, we turned to Virtuoso travel advisor Patty Perry, who specializes in cruises, for expert advice on joining an extended sailing.

Why are travelers cruising longer – and who are they?

I’m seeing a lot more interest in longer sailings, but not necessarily in the 100- to 150-day world cruises. Today, there are a lot of options for what are known in the industry as “grand voyages.” Silversea started with grand voyages around Europe, and they were very successful. On a grand voyage there’s more of a theme going on, focused on a specific area or a continent or two, without repeating ports. These tend to appeal to my retired clients, who have time to travel. Most of them don’t have pets. Some people can work while traveling and deal with the time changes, but personally, I find it hard after a few weeks.

How should we pack for a month-plus at sea?

You should consider where you’re going, what the average temperatures will be, and how active you’ll be off the ship. Most long cruises have a recommended packing list. A lot depends on whether laundry is included in the fare, or if the ship offers self-serve facilities. You can also ship luggage ahead, which may even be covered by some lines.

The Bistro is one of nine dining venues aboard Crystal Symphony.

What one thing should we not forget?

Bring an empty bag for souvenirs. On a long trip, I’ve even shipped things home.

What’s the vibe on these cruises?

People on longer cruises tend to be more outgoing. If you’re traveling solo, you’ll get many opportunities to meet people, because onboard events bring everyone together from the start. For my clients, keeping busy hasn’t been a problem – there’s plenty to do, even on sea days.

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