Luxury cruise makes history offering around the world travel in 245 days

Luxury cruise company Viking is offering travel-loving guests the chance to climb aboard and experience its most ambitious itinerary yet. The Ultimate World Cruise is a 245-day voyage spanning six continents, 59 countries and a full circumnavigation of the globe – making it the longest-ever continuous world cruise. 

From £66,990 per person, the grand eight-month journey, which can accommodate 930 guests departing from London on 31 August 2019, allows discerning travellers the chance to tick top destinations such as Rio de Janeiro, Ushuaia in Argentina – specifically the Escondido and Fagnano Lakes or the Tierra del Fuego National Park – and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to visit the famed Cu Chi Tunnels, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Reunification Palace. Other stops that make up the 22 overnight stays include the Temples and Tombs of Luxor in Egypt and eight all-new South American ports including Peru, Pisco, Ecuador and Panama.

“For more than 20 years we have been offering guests the most culturally immersive journeys available in the industry and we are pleased to announce the most extensive itinerary in our history,” said Viking chairman Torstein Hagen, who cites it as ‘the thinking person’s cruise.’ “Our World Cruises offer guests the rare opportunity to unpack once and explore dozens of the best destinations on earth – at a value that is unprecedented in the travel industry.”

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The ship, known as Viking Sun, boasts world-class amenities including a first-of-its-kind glass-backed Infinity Pool for a scenic dip, and LivNordic Spa offering holistic wellness treatment options such as a traditional Scandinavian ‘Snow Grotto’ which descends snowflakes through the cold air – inspired by Viking’s Nordic heritage. 

From Swedish limestone and fragrant junipers in the public spaces, to Norse Mythology characters subtly incorporated into the interiors, the ship's design features subtle Nordic accents throughout, while in the way of accommodation, guests have the choice of five room categories onboard which all boast private verandas presenting unrivalled views of each destination. 

Premium amenities in each of the rooms include king-size beds with luxury linens, huge wardrobes to house all your beach gear, interactive flat-screen TVs with movies-on-demand, and grand bathrooms with heated floors. In the way of dining, there are eight restaurants to take your pick from including the World Café serving international fare, a sushi and seafood bar and bespoke dining experiences at The Chef’s Table which offers a multi-course tasting menu and wine pairings. 

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