Oceania Cruises is pulling out all the stops for its newest trip around the world.
The company recently announced its 2026 world cruise, which is scheduled to visit an astonishing 101 ports in 43 countries, over 180 days.
What’s more, Oceania will offer this epic trip aboard its newest ship, Vista, a 1,200-passenger vessel that launched in 2023. That’s a major change for the industry, which typically operates super-long world cruises using older ships.
“It’s a very unconventional idea,” said Oceania president Frank A. Del Rio, in an interview with Travel + Leisure. “We never thought of putting Vista towards a world cruise.”
Del Rio said his perspective changed after talking to guests aboard Vista last year. The ship, which was the line’s first new vessel in more than a decade, is also one of the largest in the Oceania fleet — which in turn means it has more space, more amenities, and even bells and whistles like a pickleball court.
Nick Tortajada/Courtesy of Oceania Cruises
Nick Tortajada/Courtesy of Oceania Cruises
“All of our guests really like this ship,” Del Rio explained. “They said, ‘If you put Vista on a world cruise, maybe we can talk.’”
The result of that informal survey is the 2026 trip, a six-month odyssey that will start in Miami, circumnavigate South America, cross the Pacific Ocean, and spend extended time in Australia and Southeast Asia. The voyage then continues to India and the Middle East — current plans call for visits to Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — before transiting the Suez Canal. The final few months of the grand voyage take in the Mediterranean Sea and the British Isles, before an Atlantic Ocean crossing brings Vista back to Miami.
“It’s just an awesome itinerary,” Del Rio said, pointing out that the trip takes in an eye-popping 81 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. “We try to mix it up as much as possible.”
Nick Tortajada/Courtesy of Oceania Cruises
While many world cruisers are retirees who have the time — and budget — to make the trip, Del Rio said Oceania has had some early interest from younger guests.
“People are seeing that this is the most effective way to see the world,” explained Del Rio. “You’re starting to hear people in their fifties and sixties say, ‘I’m selling everything and I’m going to spend the rest of my life on a cruise.’”
Or, at the very least, 180 days.
Rates for Oceania’s 2026 world cruise start at $58,000 per person.
Source link : https://www.travelandleisure.com/oceania-cruises-world-cruise-180-days-vista-8620906
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Publish date : 2024-03-27 03:00:00
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