Revealed: Global cruise from San Francisco lasting half a year and costing £38,000 a person sells out in ONE DAY
- The 2023 odyssey on Oceania Cruises ship Insignia will start from San Francisco
- The itinerary includes more than 60 Unesco sites and 20 overnight stays
- Insignia’s 684 berths, some of which cost £74k, were snapped up within hours
In a sign that cruisers are desperate to sail again, a world voyage costing upwards of £38,000 ($52,000) a person has sold out in just one day.
The 2023 odyssey on Oceania Cruises ship Insignia will take 180 days to circumnavigate the globe from San Francisco, visiting 96 destinations in 33 countries across four continents, including Antarctica.
But even with prices of up to £74,000 ($102,000) a person for a penthouse suite, the 684 berths were snapped up within hours of going on sale. A fifth of guests even extended the mammoth voyage to 218 days.
A world voyage costing upwards of £38,000 a person on Oceania Cruises ship Insignia, pictured, has sold out in just one day
Insignia, built in 1998 but given a £25million ($34million) refit two years ago, boasts four restaurants as well as eight lounges and bars
‘The response to our epic around-the-world voyage clearly illustrates the enthusiasm that experienced travellers have for immersive and memorable travel experiences,’ said Bob Binder, president of Oceania Cruises. ‘Despite the challenges the world faces today, travellers are clearly bullish on the future and are embracing these new opportunities to travel the world and create lifelong memories.’
Insignia, built in 1998 but given a £25million ($34million) refit two years ago, boasts four restaurants as well as eight lounges and bars. Of the 342 suites and cabins, nearly 70 per cent have balconies.
Leaving California on January 15, 2023, the ship will visit Central and South America, Antarctica, Africa, the Middle East and Asia before returning on July 13.
The itinerary includes more than 60 Unesco world heritage sites and 20 overnight stays in ports. Highlights include an Argentinian tango exhibition, a visit to a South African vineyard, a Bedouin meal in the Arabian Desert, a Burmese monk ceremony in Burma and a candlelit evening in a Vietnamese cave.
During the nearly six-month cruise, Insignia will cross 24 time zones, visit 27 islands, cruise three oceans and 14 seas, and pass over the equator four times.
During the nearly six-month cruise, Insignia, pictured, will cross 24 time zones
Leaving California on January 15, 2023, Insignia will visit Central and South America, Antarctica, Africa, the Middle East and Asia before returning on July 13
As if all that were not enough, some guests have decided to add another 38 days by joining beforehand in Miami on December 28, 2022, and carrying on to New York after the trip ends in San Francisco.
As a premium line, Oceania normally attracts a lot of repeat passengers, but a third of the bookings for the world cruise came from people who had never sailed with the brand before.
‘The quick uptake from our loyal repeat guests and new first-time guests alike underscores the tremendous pent-up demand for immersive, destination-focused cruises and the strong allure of our acclaimed small-ship experience that features the finest cuisine at sea and an unmatched reputation for service from our warm and welcoming staff,’ said Mr Binder.
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