7 of the best round the world cruises for 2027, 2028 & 2029

1. Silversea

Best for: all-suite luxury with culinary focus

Silversea's 2027 voyage, "The Three Oceans", is nearly sold out with just a handful of suites remaining. The 596-guest Silver Dawn sails from Los Angeles, taking in Hawaii, French Polynesia, Southeast Asia, an included safari in South Africa and Victoria Falls, the Indian Ocean and the Norwegian Fjords. Guests benefit from the S.A.L.T. culinary programme and Otium wellness concept.

The 2028 world cruise on the smaller 392-guest Silver Shadow is already on waitlist and the recently released 2029 world cruise is proving to be equally a popular, although some space remains. Departing San Diego, the route covers Hawaii and the South Pacific, New Zealand and Southern Australia, South East Asia and Japan before finishing in Singapore 125 days later.

Who this suits: Guests who value intimate ships, butler service in every suite and a sophisticated atmosphere.

2. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best for: all-inclusive fares with shore excursions included

Regent's world cruises include unlimited shore excursions, making them exceptional value for guests who want to explore properly at every port. The 2027 "World of Splendor" on Seven Seas Splendor is nearly sold out, a voyage of over 140 days from Miami, it visits 73 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across Central America, Hawaii, French Polynesia, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, India and the Holy Land, finishing in Rome.

The 2028 "Legends of the Pacific" is completely sold out. However, the 2029 world cruise on Seven Seas Mariner opens for pre-registration on 25th March 2026, with an on-sale date of 1st April. If Regent suits your style, this is the one to watch.

Who this suits: Guests who want everything included, particularly shore excursions.

3. Seabourn

Best for: in-depth exploration with expedition heritage

Seabourn does not always operate a world cruise, often choosing grand voyages instead. When they do commit to a full circumnavigation, it tends to be distinctive.

The 146-night 2027 "Australia & South Pacific Panorama" departs 4th January on the 458-guest Seabourn Quest, visiting 67 ports across 19 countries. The route includes a near circumnavigation of Australia, New Zealand and Central America, crossing the Pacific Ocean twice. Full world cruisers receive business class flights, shipboard credits, unlimited laundry and access to special events.

The 2028 world cruise, also on Seabourn Quest, runs 120 days from Miami along the western coasts of South America and Africa. Highlights include the Panama Canal, Easter Island, Antarctica and the Falkland Islands, with the added convenience of ending in Dover for UK guests.

Who this suits: Travellers who want fewer guests, more unusual ports and an expedition-influenced atmosphere.

4. Crystal Cruises

Best for: classic ocean liner experience with Pacific focus

Crystal's world cruises focus on the Pacific, offering access to remote islands that few other lines reach.

The 2027 "Stories of the South Seas" sails on the 740-guest Crystal Serenity, covering Japan, Alaska, Easter Island, Fiji and more across 29 countries with 14 overnight calls.

The 2028 voyage on the 606-guest Crystal Symphony charts a trans-continental route across Central and South America, the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, India, the Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean, with special events in Lima, Ho Chi Minh City and Dubai.

New for 2029: Crystal Symphony sails from Melbourne to New York between 7th January and 13th May 2029. The 127-night voyage visits 72 destinations across 22 countries with 13 overnight calls, exploring cultures across the Pacific, Asia and the Americas.

Who this suits: Guests who appreciate Crystal's refined service, Nobu cuisine and elegant public spaces. Those drawn to Pacific itineraries.

5. Cunard

Best for: no-fly world cruises from the UK

Cunard offers the most accessible world cruise option for UK guests, with round-trip sailings from Southampton removing the need for long-haul flights. While the ships are larger than others in this list, the value and convenience are hard to match.

The 2027 world cruise on the 2,061-guest Queen Victoria begins with a transatlantic crossing to New York, then transits the Panama Canal before continuing to Australia, Southeast Asia and South Africa.

In 2028, two options depart Southampton. Queen Anne (2,996 guests) sails from 11th January with overnights in Los Angeles, Sydney, Hong Kong and Cape Town. Queen Elizabeth (2,081 guests) departs 18th January, visiting Japan, Hawaii, Costa Rica and the Azores.

Who this suits: UK guests who prefer to avoid flying. Those looking for a more traditional, competitively priced world cruise.

6. Oceania Cruises

Best for: the longest world cruise with culinary depth

Oceania's 2027 "Epic Global Adventure" is the longest voyage in this collection at 244 days on the 1,200-guest Oceania Vista. Shorter segments are available for those without eight months to spare.

The full route covers Hawaii, French Polynesia, lesser-visited Pacific islands including Tonga, Niue and Vanuatu, then Australia, Southeast Asia, a week in Japan, the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, the Mediterranean, British Isles, Baltic, Norwegian Fjords, Iceland and Greenland. Optional mid-cruise overland programmes allow deeper exploration in select destinations.

Who this suits: Guests with time for a true epic. Food lovers drawn to Oceania's culinary reputation.

7. Explora Journeys

Best for: a new approach to world cruising

Explora Journeys enters the world cruise market with a 2029 voyage structured differently to the rest. Rather than a single continuous loop, the 128-day journey is designed as seven connected "passages", allowing guests to join for specific sections or the full voyage.

Beginning in Dubai, the route travels through the Middle East, India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, then continues to Southeast Asia, Oceania, Central America and the Caribbean, finishing in Barcelona. Highlights include Bali, Komodo, Fiji, Bora Bora, Tahiti and New York.

Registration is now open for the 2029 voyage.

Who this suits: Guests interested in a contemporary, European-designed ship. Those who appreciate flexibility in how they structure a longer journey.

When to book

World cruises sell quickly. The most sought-after suites often go within days of release. Booking early secures the best accommodation and typically includes additional benefits: shipboard credit, included flights, pre-cruise hotel stays and exclusive events.

If a specific voyage appeals, speak to us sooner rather than later. Waiting rarely improves availability or price.

How to choose

For all-suite luxury with exceptional service, Silversea delivers. For all-inclusive fares with shore excursions, Regent offers the best value. In-depth exploration with expedition heritage is Seabourn's strength. Classic Pacific itineraries are Crystal's speciality. No-fly convenience from the UK makes Cunard the practical choice. The longest voyage with culinary depth belongs to Oceania. And for a fresh approach with flexible passages, Explora Journeys brings something new.

A round the world cruise is a significant investment. Getting the right fit matters more than anything else.