Most cruises that people book last for 1-2 weeks on average, but then there are still lots of people who prefer longer getaways too.
World cruises offer an amazing way to see the various cultures of the planet, and just enjoy the most relaxing sailing.
While it might be a pipe dream for now for many of us, it might be something you’re considering for your retirement (or if you get a nice lottery win!)
And there are some excellent tips from past world cruises on how to handle longer itineraries, that even experienced cruisers who only sail shorter itineraries might not have thought of!
1. Pack for different seasons
One of the biggest tips for longer cruises is to remember to pack clothes for different seasons.
Even if your itinerary mainly sticks to places that are supposed to be warm, over the course of a couple of months anything can happen with the weather.
And conversely, you never know when a colder destination might have a heat wave.
You don’t want to be stuck indoors on your cruise ship on a port day because you’ve forgotten a suitable outfit for the weather, so make sure you’ve got a range of options to suit most conditions.
Suggested read: 9 Things You Should Never Wear On A Cruise
2. Pack for different sizes!
A recurring joke (that’s semi-serious, really) is that cruise guests should always pack clothes with an elasticated waist, or at least make sure you save your looser clothes until the latter part of your cruise.
On a world cruise that’s really no joke at all, because the amount of food and drink you can enjoy can definitely make your wardrobe fit a little tighter – and if you’re onboard for a couple of months, that’s a long time to be uncomfortable in your clothes.
Pack baggy items or make sure you’ve at least got a few options in a size up, just in case.
Remember that you don’t need to pack 70 outfits for a 70-night cruise. There are laundry facilities onboard that you will absolutely make use of during a world cruise.
So you can pack relatively light – use the extra suitcase space to make sure there are some comfier items to wear if you are likely to indulge.
Suggested read: 43 Best Cruise Packing Tips & Hacks
3. Consider your dining options
I’ve always said that there’s a cruise ship for everyone, but it does mean doing your research to find which one is the best for you. And part of that is your dining options – which matters even more on a longer cruise.
If you’re on a 7-night sailing, you’ll be fine with a couple of different restaurants that you like, since between those and the buffet, you’ll probably get plenty of variety.
But on world cruises, menu rotations can get pretty repetitive.
That might not matter to you, but for those who want to avoid eating the same things every 2-3 weeks, try to choose a ship with more restaurants, so that you can mix things up throughout the voyage.
4. Find a bar you like
Cruise ships will have several bars onboard, with different themes and sometimes different menus.
Unlike restaurants, where you’re probably going to want to enjoy variety, with a bar it’s better to find one you like and then stick with it.
Try a few out and see which one has the best vibe, and then that can be your go-to. Sticking to a bar means that you’ll get to know the bar staff better, and you’ll likely have an easier time making friends with the other regulars.
Plus you’ll know that your favourite drink is always available there – a useful advantage!
5. Build up to longer itineraries
A top tip from world cruise passengers is to build up to longer itineraries. Don’t jump straight from 7-night cruises to a really long itinerary.
Start with a two-week itinerary and then look for a 3-4 week one.
As you get used to longer sailings, you’ll know whether you’re comfortable on long itineraries away from home, or if actually it’s not for you.
And it’s so much better to find this out on a 3 or 4-week cruise than it is when you spent tens of thousands on a world cruise that you’re stuck on.
Suggested read: The Perfect Cruise Length: Revealed
6. Mingle with others
Often world cruises will be sold in segments, so not everyone onboard is going to be sailing the entire journey with you.
But there will usually be some people who are on the ship for the full duration, and it’s worth getting to know them if you’re sharing a ship with them for a long time.
Even if you’re not someone who tends to mingle and chat with others on holiday, a world cruise is different.
Getting to know the other guests will help keep your evenings varied, as you can chat to people outside your travelling party swap stories of your adventures in port, or your lives back home.
If you’re someone who’s typically shy, it’s a good idea to overcome that on a world cruise because it’s a long time to spend with people and not say hi!
7. Make the most of onboard events
Every day on your cruise, there’ll be a range of events and activities held, and on a world cruise it’s a great idea to try as many as possible.
On a shorter cruise, it might be that you aren’t too fussed – you’d rather spend the time relaxing by the pool, or you’ll be too busy off the ship exploring the ports.
With longer itineraries, the scheduled events will help to make each day nice and varied, and you might be surprised by the types of event you end up enjoying, even if it’s something you’d never normally be interested in.
Use the events to fill your free time, and you can always ditch them if you find they’re not to your liking.
8. Pack plenty of medication
Balancing everything in your suitcase is important on a world cruise, but one thing that you will want to over-pack on is any medication you might need.
Not just prescription stuff, but even things like allergy tablets or painkillers that you might use. Paracetamol costs a lot more at sea than it does down the supermarket!
It’s not like it’ll take up much space in your luggage either, so being prepared for longer itineraries and having everything you ‘might’ need in advance, even if you end up taking it all back home with you at the end of your cruise, is the better option.
9. Pack your own entertainment
While cruise lines will put on varied entertainment for you, you might get a little bored of it in the latter stages of a world cruise.
Or there might be those nights where you just want to take it easy in your cabin, or in a quiet corner of a bar.
While many cruise ships do have libraries onboard, the quality and quantity of books available might leave a lot to be desired.
Take a couple of good, longer books with you, and if you’re an avid reader, pack a Kindle or other e-reader and load it up in advance.
Suggested read: The Best Books to Read on a Cruise
Portable games consoles such as a Nintendo Switch could also be a good idea if you’re into that kind of thing at all, though it’s certainly not the typical accessory for your average world cruiser!
Have a think about what you can take that doesn’t fill your suitcase, but will ensure you don’t have to worry too much about downtime during the cruise.
Suggested read: The Best Games to Bring on a Cruise
Final word
I’m sure nobody books a world cruise and then turns up expecting the same kind of holiday as a shorter itinerary. You’ll no doubt plan a little differently, and think about what you need to take with you for the longer trip.
Spend some time researching more tips like these from experienced world cruise guests, and get online on cruise forums or social media pages to ask others about their own experiences.
The more prepared you can be, the better a cruise you’ll have! And even if a world cruise feels like something you’re a long way from achieving, due to work or budget constraints, then you can at least enjoy the stories that guests are sharing about their own experiences.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.