We have made great friends while on cruises. Many friendships have continued for years. The longest one I recall happened 17 years ago. We still talk every week. Some of the people we know have “done the world” as they say amongst themselves. Although we have not yet taken a 100+ night voyage (our cats would not understand) they have shared several experiences.
- How many people travel? Although the ship might carry 2,500 or 3,500 people, the world cruise is not populated by strictly world cruisers who have signed on for the circumnavigation. There might be 600 people who are signed on for the entire voyage. Other passengers have booked segments. They come and go.
- Seeing familiar faces. We might stay in touch with people we met on cruises. Others do not, yet they connect on a different level. They see each other once a year, yet that visit lasts three months or longer, whatever the duration of the world cruise. You might think the world cruise is a bucket list item. For some, it’s an annual event.
- Is an inside cabin OK? We have never gotten to know someone who booked a fancy suite for the entire world cruise. We met them. We sat with them, but we have not connected on the level where we would stay in touch. The people we know who have taken the world cruise tend to book an inside cabin or similarly inexpensive accommodation. They feel the ship is a resort and you will spend your time anywhere else, but not in your cabin.
- The drinks package. We chatted with someone recently who told us about the downside of buying the drinks package. (Imagine what it would cost for 130 days!) She explained plenty of things you would not associate with a “drinks package” count as “drinks.” Sparkling water and coffee from the coffee shop are two examples.) When periodically reviewing her stateroom account, she noticed drink charges. When she inquired at the Purser’s Office she was quietly and discretely told “You exceeded your 14 drinks per day allowance!” Those sparkling waters and coffees count towards your daily total!
- When we sail, we like a large table with the same people for the entire voyage. However, we sail for seven to ten days at a time. If you sail 100+ days you might prefer more variety. Our friend who returned from her 130 day voyage chose the freedom dining option. Some nights she wanted to be included in a group. Other nights she wanted to meet new people. Some nights she wanted to dine with friends. Sometimes you want to dine alone. You want options.
- The internet access conundrum. Internet access at sea is expensive. It can have connectivity problems on sea days. Veteran world cruisers we know don’t buy the onboard internet access package. They go ashore on port days and head to Starbucks or McDonalds. Both generally offer free Wi-Fi.
- You settle into a routine. Our friend who sailed 130 days loved it! She explained your days follow a pattern, especially on multiple sea days. You have breakfast at a certain time. You know the timing of the daily quizzes and how they fit in with the lecture series. You know when you can nail down a comfy seat in the library. You likely do this at home too.
- Cabin parties. Years ago, I heard about house shares in the Hamptons. Someone would rent a large house for the summer. The bedrooms became summer shares. You paid the amount owed and could stay in your bedroom every weekend for the summer. That’s when I learned about house parties. Several houses would agree to schedule parties on different weekends. Your house planned a party and invited all the other houses to attend. For the rest of the summer you had a circuit of weekend parties to attend at the other houses. The world cruise seems to be the 21st century equivalent. You plan a cabin party. You invite many of the world cruisers you have met. It’s cramped and spills into the hallway. It is fun. These guests each plan their own cabin parties during the voyage. You are invited to them all.
- Sometimes you find privacy. There are times you don’t want to be around other people. Now the inside cabin becomes a disadvantage. You want someplace with light and a breeze. During the world cruise, you find your secluded spot. That is where you go when you want peace and quiet.
- Other times you don’t. If your world cruise compatriots’ number 600 people, the staff get to know them pretty quickly. They also know your habits and routine. You might have wanted peace and quiet, but the 1,000 person crew does not know that. Someone asks “Have you seen (you)? I missed seeing her at breakfast.” The staff knows your secret spot and tells your friends where to find you!
- It’s like a small town. You might think it’s easy to get lost in a crowd of 600 people. Wrong! It’s like living in a small town! You get to know and recognize each other. You learn their names. You say hello to each other in the corridors. The small town feel is a positive.
There are many aspects of a world cruise that make it an experience not to be missed.
Queen Victoria fireworks, credit Bryce Sanders
Editor’s Notes:
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