Best WC Ship Based on Priorities

Hi All,

My wife and I are avid cruisers, but have yet to take on a world cruise. We are trying to figure out which cruise line and ship are right for us based on our priorities. Any help would be appreciated! So here are the priorities in order of importance:

1. Time in port. We want to spend as much time at the actual destinations, soaking in the local culture. No cheesy ports and excursions. Real destinations.

2. As all-inclusive as possible. We would rather pay more on the front end than be constantly charged for things that we do, drink, etc.

3. As informal as possible. I understand that there is a certain bit of glamour and formality involved in cruises, and we enjoy this. We would not, however, enjoy being confined to tuxedos and ball gowns every night. Suits and dresses are fine, just not formal to the extreme.

It sounds like you'll want to go with one of the luxury lines (Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, Crystal) to get the all-inclusive. You can get drinks packages on many lines, so as not to worry about drinks, but I think there's something different in the social atmosphere when everyone is in an all-inclusive situation. There seems to be much more mixing and mingling.

One thing to look for is a generous amount of multi-night ports on the itinerary. That's where the ship docks for 2 or 3 days, and really gives you the chance to explore the area.

And, since you don't have to worry about making all-aboard until the last day, you have more freedom to make your own shore arrangements.

I've done one lengthy cruise before (72 nights) on Regent and have one coming up next year (102 nights, plus a19-nighter right before) in 2016 on Crystal.

I loved the Regent cruise. At the time, it was all-inclusive of alcohol and tips. You paid extra for shore excursions and spa. Now Regent includes most of the shore excursions as well. Sounds nice, but I find it off-putting. The prices have risen to pay for it, and I really prefer to make my own shore arrangements most of the time. But since you've already paid for them, it feels wasteful to then book your own guide, or head out on your own. But, at least when I went, they had several overnights, and a wonderful array of ports.

The Crystal cruise I'm booked on has quite a lot of overnights--sometimes as many as 3 nights--and many interesting Asian ports. They are inclusive of alcohol and tips, but not of excursions. I've only spent 5 days on a Crystal ship to date, so this is something of a leap of faith.

One word of advice for whatever line you go on. Take a short cruise on it first and do on-board booking while you're on that short cruise for the world cruise. On most lines, you can book in advance with your TA, then go on the short cruise and they'll treat it as an on-board booking if you work that out with your TA. The discount you get on the world cruise for the on-board booking not only pays for your short cruise, you get additional savings on the world cruise beyond it.

Such excellent advice! Thanks wishIwerecruisin!

Just off Insignia 71 days of WC.Its just under luxury, priced accordingly. I chose it because of excellent food, ports.Two O cruises prior to this long one.Smaller ship, no lines and gets into ports larger ships cannot.Also, less sea days than most WCs.2016 out now. 2017 itin. out soon. Every aspect done perfectly. We had early full benefits package inc. air,ship transfers, pre hotel(Ritz),gratuities, 2 deluxe excursions, free laundry and pressing, 0ne free internet act. per cabin and more. The two alt. dining rooms no extra cost. Ample free cocktail parties. Up to 4 lecturers at a time.You will not find a more turnkey cruise except for luxury cruises at a much higher price.PS, bring on all the liquor and wine you wish, even at subsequent ports.

Forgot, Visas included.Also, whatever line you do, be sure to find an agent experienced in WC bookings. It is complicated. Talk to several inc. cruise line directly.

For the OP priority of lots of port days, the problem with most full circumnavigation w/c is in order to sail all the way around the world there needs to be a high percent sea days.

Oceania Jan 2106 w/c is 180 days with several over night but that is a long time. Doing segments from, say Capetown to Sydney would be around 120 days with many exotic ports. A lot is included and you can purchase 2 levels of drink packages.

Another option is the exotics offered by some lines - not full w/c but long voyages such as full circumnavigation of Africa or start in North America, do South Pacific, then eastern Asia, the back to North America by northern route.

For the OP priority of lots of port days, the problem with most full circumnavigation w/c is in order to sail all the way around the world there needs to be a high percent sea days.

Oceania Jan 2106 w/c is 180 days with several over night but that is a long time. Doing segments from, say Capetown to Sydney would be around 120 days with many exotic ports. A lot is included and you can purchase 2 levels of drink packages.

Another option is the exotics offered by some lines - not full w/c but long voyages such as full circumnavigation of Africa or start in North America, do South Pacific, then eastern Asia, the back to North America by northern route.

I used to despise sea days--thought they were a waste of valuable vacation time. Then I took a 72-day cruise that concentrated entirely on "exotic" ports--Middle East, Africa, India, etc. I soon came to treasure the sea days. Particularly after areas bathed in heat and humidity, those days of vacation from my vacation were especially welcomed. Really, I feel like I missed out on Kenya and Zanzibar because we'd been through a long stretch with no sea days, it was hot and humid, and I was too wrung out to really appreciate what I was seeing and doing.

 

One word of advice for whatever line you go on. Take a short cruise on it first and do on-board booking while you're on that short cruise for the world cruise. On most lines' date=' you can book in advance with your TA, then go on the short cruise and they'll treat it as an on-board booking if you work that out with your TA. The discount you get on the world cruise for the on-board booking not only pays for your short cruise, you get additional savings on the world cruise beyond it.[/quote']

 

That is fantastic advice!! We're looking at a WC in 2018 and hadn't considered this aspect of how to save on those hefty prices!

80s, We found no discounts on Oceania Insignias on ship booking desk. Same with Celebrity.

That is fantastic advice!! We're looking at a WC in 2018 and hadn't considered this aspect of how to save on those hefty prices!

i would double check this first...Cunard exclude World Cruises from on board booking discounts. Especially the $300 future cruise discount....nice idea though but I doubt it would work in reality.

i would double check this first...Cunard exclude World Cruises from on board booking discounts. Especially the $300 future cruise discount....nice idea though but I doubt it would work in reality.

It has worked for me on both Regent and Crystal. Talk to your travel agent. Mine took care of the whole thing both times.

It has worked for me on both Regent and Crystal. Talk to your travel agent. Mine took care of the whole thing both times.

Sorry, I wasn't insinuating you hadn't, just that Cunard for instance don't let you do this, that was why I suggested they check first. You mentioned Oceania and silver seas, they may have different policies.

On Holland America you really won't save much by booking a WC onboard.

Scott & Karen

We are looking to do a World Cruise but we hate the dress up formal thing. Is there a cruise line that does World Cruises that isn't so formal??

We are looking to do a World Cruise but we hate the dress up formal thing. Is there a cruise line that does World Cruises that isn't so formal??

Oceania does a world cruise with no formal nights. Country club casual is the dress code (no jackets or ties required for men).

Antique, Scrap is correct. I did 71 days on Insignia recently with one airline size checked wheelie and a large backpack. And was told I was one of better dressed ladies on ship.See posts 4 and 5 above.Also think O is the most inclusive line. Air can be excluded if you wish too.

I just discovered this section of cruise critic, nice addition.

We have done 2 full World Cruises , a 2 month South America circumnavigation as well as lots of long cruises (like 30 -40 days). I think you might look at Regent. It's all inclusive, much larger standard suites with balconies, includes the cost of your needed visas, free laundry and dry cleaning, wifi, phone time, excursions in each port, and medical on ship. It also has open seating in the main dining room as well as specialty restaurants and more casual dining options, even 24 hour room service.It also includes luggage shipping to/from the ship (2 large bags) and First Class Air. No nickel and dining... Extra cost are things like the spa, casino, premium wine list, gift shop, bingo.

The dress code is "Country Club Casual". There are some "formal optional nights" but with that said, some people who prefer to dress more formally (not us) can do so every night if they want.

It sounds like a good fit for what you may want.

I would definitely recommend you going on a shorter cruise so you get the onboard booking savings whatever cruise line you chose.

If you select a non-inclusive WC, you can pre-purchase OBC to cover many things like gratuities, planned excursions, and pre-purchase drink and wine packages, etc. On 1 WC we had so many perks from our TA, the line, etc, we had a $350 credit at the end of the cruise (we are not big drinkers). So shop the extras when you shop and be candid with your TA about what you are finding as ours often can match or exceed what I find.