Regent experienced this first hand when their 2023 World Cruise broke sales records, with many grades selling out in a single day. Silversea and Oceania Cruises have also seen extraordinary demand with their 2023 World Cruises both selling out on the first day of general sale.
For those disappointed to hear this, don't worry. There is a wide choice of 'grand voyages' offering longer and more in-depth itineraries designed to tempt even the most widely-travelled of cruisers. Here are a few coming up that have caught our eye...
1. Regent Seven Seas Cruises - Grand Asia Exploration
In January 2023 Regent's Seven Seas Explorer departs Sydney on a 61-night cruise, setting course northwards up Australia's east coast to Papua New Guinea and Darwin before visiting the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Lombok, Bali and Java. Continuing to Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the highlight for many will be the extensive exploration of Japan before the cruise ends in Tokyo.
2. Seabourn - A World of Islands
Seabourn's most recently released grand voyage is a 65-night exploration of the Pacific from Vancouver to Sydney beginning 30th September 2022. The ultimate island-hopping adventure, the itinerary includes numerous calls in the Hawaiian islands, visits to French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, several calls in Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea before reaching the Australian coast at Cairns and heading south to Sydney.
3. Crystal Cruises - The Med, Adriatic & Black Seas
In April 2022 Crystal Symphony embarks on a grand tour of the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Black Seas. This 47-night journey includes the Holy Lands, Greek isles, the treasures of the Black Sea, several calls along the Adriatic coast, Italy's Renaissance delights, Spain, France and even the Monaco Grand Prix, and with fares starting from just £12,825 per person cruise only it's also phenomenal value.
4. Silversea - Grand Europe
Silversea's Grand Europe itinerary departs 30th March 2022 on a 90-night voyage from Athens through the most iconic ports of the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, including magical Istanbul, dreamy Sorrento and trendy Reykjavik. This is Silversea's first European grand voyage, exploring the Aegean, Adriatic, British Isles, Iceland, Norway and the Baltic, and is one not to be missed.
5. Oceania Cruises - Amazon & Polar Explorer
Many of Oceania's grand voyages are already sold out, but this more unusual South America sailing, departing 18th December 2022 on board Marina, has only recently been released and some grades do remain available. Departing from Miami, the 51-night journey heads south through the Caribbean to embark on an Amazon adventure before travelling the coasts of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. After a brief visit to the Falkland Islands, Marina sails to the Antarctic Peninsula for three days of scenic cruising, then returns to South America and the Chilean Fjords, before heading north to Santiago de Chile.
6. Cunard - Southampton to Sydney
Finally, special mention must go to Cunard's Queen Mary 2, the only ocean liner at sea, which departs Southampton on 10th January 2022 and sails to Sydney, a nod to a journey of yesteryear. Travelling through the Mediterranean and Suez Canal, with the opportunity to explore Seville, Athens, Galilee and Petra, there are then multiple calls in South East Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City. Reaching the northern Australian city of Darwin, the journey continues along the Queensland coast, finally sailing into the famous Sydney Harbour on 6th March.
