There are certain holidays that are regarded as being a real 'once in a lifetime' experience, and if you were trying to collate a list, then a World Cruise is something that would be near the top.

These trips provide the chance to quite literally see the world, running for months at a time as you take to sea on a voyage of discovery that takes you from port to port, from country to country and from continent to continent.

For obvious reasons, a world cruise is one that won’t appeal to everyone, partly because of the amount of time you’ll be away from home. Should you be in full-time employment for example, nipping into the bosses office to ask if you can take 100 or more days off for a holiday is likely to go down like the proverbial lead balloon.

The cost is also something that puts some people off  and whilst it will obviously be higher than a regular week long or two week cruise, when you actually break it down, a world cruise can provide astonishing value for money.

As an example, P&O’s world cruise on the Arcadia in early 2023 comes in a price that is equivalent to little more than £120 at a base fare. Even a 2* hotel in central London can cost more than that for a night…

Royal Caribbean is the latest cruise line to join the part when it come to the world market, and has elected to raise the bar with its offering, which gets underway in December 2023.

The 'Ultimate World Cruise' will run for a huge 274 nights through to September 2024, with the Serenade of the Seas visiting more than 150 different destinations in 65 countries spread across all seven continents.

The cruise will also be broken down in four 'Expeditions' for those who don’t want to commit to the full trip, with shorter options available to cover The Americas and Antarctica, Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East and the Mediterranean and then Capitals of Culture - which encompasses a number of top destinations across Europe.

Along the way, there was be various memorable experiences to enjoy, which include New Year on the Copacabana Beach in Rio and the opportunity to visit Wonders of the World like the Taj Mahal, Great Barrier Reef, the Pyramid’s of Giza and the Colloseum.

“This is the world cruise of world cruises,” Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, said. “Now more than ever, people have resolved to travel the world and make up for lost time.

"Royal Caribbean is making that a reality with the ultimate vacation that welcomes those seeking adventure and exploration to taste, dance and dream with us around the world. To travellers asking themselves where they should go next, we say everywhere.”

For further details on each leg, and to enquire, then follow the links below.

Round the Horn: Americas and Antarctica Expedition
Dec. 10, 2023 - Feb. 11, 2024 – Three continents, 36 destinations, four wonders
Enquire here: http://hotdeal.travel/r/YBKh

Wonders of Asia and the Pacific Expedition
Feb. 11 - May 9, 2024 – Three continents, 40 destinations, three wonders
Enquire here: http://hotdeal.travel/r/zmB2

Middle East Treasures and Marvels of the Med Expedition
May 9 - July 10, 2024 – Three continents, 44 destinations, four wonders
Enquire here: http://hotdeal.travel/r/Ctpw

Capitals of Culture
July 10 - Sept. 10, 2024 – Three continents, 40 destinations
Enquire here: http://hotdeal.travel/r/gQaH