Australia’s first new cruise line in decades sets sail on epic 371-day voyage

• It’s the world’s newest cruise line, and it is already setting records.
• Explorations by Norwegian set out yesterday from Rome on the world’s longest cruise.
• Australians are among the passengers who will travel 371 days on the luxury ship Regatta.

Hundreds of Australians have begun the journey of a lifetime, setting out from Rome on a 371-day voyage that will visit more than 220 ports in 62 countries and mark the launch of Australia’s newest cruise line.

Explorations by Norwegian officially entered the cruise market when the 670-passenger Regatta sailed from Rome on September 1, beginning what its creators describe as the world’s longest cruise.

Sunshine Coast retirees Mark and Ingrid Dudley, whose previous longest cruise lasted just 22 days, remarked on the year-long cruise.

“We’ve talked about taking a year-long holiday for years,” the couple said after boarding Regatta. “It’s hard to put into words how exciting today was. The atmosphere on board is unlike anything we’ve experienced before. We are so excited to see what the next year looks like for us.”

Their new home will carry them across six continents and through the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, North America, the Caribbean and South America.

The itinerary includes chances to see the Northern Lights, sail through the Panama Canal and along the Amazon, explore Greenland and Iceland, go on safari in southern Africa and visit destinations including Madagascar and Zanzibar.

It is also a landmark moment for the Australian cruise industry.

How Explorations by Norwegian was created

Explorations by Norwegian was created by Australian travel company My Cruises in collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Line. My Cruises is part of Gold Coast-based Ignite Travel Group, which is owned by Flight Centre.

The new operation has chartered Regatta, ordinarily part of the Oceania Cruises fleet. Both Oceania and Norwegian Cruise Line are owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

My Cruises Global Head of Cruise Michael Middleton said watching Regatta leave Rome represented the culmination of years of planning.

“Seeing Regatta set sail on this incredible journey is a hugely exciting moment for everyone involved,” he said.

“After years of planning and months of anticipation, watching our first guests step aboard and begin their adventure was incredibly special.”

The full 371-day journey was launched with fares beginning at $99,990 per person and rising to $249,989 for the most expensive accommodation.

The original package included return business-class flights to Europe, a two-night Rome hotel stay, the same cabin for the entire voyage, drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, onboard gratuities and a US$50 shore-experience credit at every port.

Regatta has just 348 staterooms, giving the new line a smaller and more intimate base than the megaships carrying 5000 or more passengers.

Its facilities include a pool deck, spa, fitness centre, library, lounges and two specialty restaurants. Free self-service laundry—a small detail that becomes considerably more important on a 371-day cruise—is also included.

The experience has been designed to combine the social life and freedom of ocean cruising with the destination focus of river ships and some of the more adventurous elements of expedition travel.

A resident Explorations Ambassador, historian and author Dr Dean Allen, will help passengers understand the places they visit through talks, interviews and destination briefings.

Shore excursions are grouped into three styles: classic sightseeing, immersive local discovery and active adventures such as hiking, walking and kayaking.

From eight days to a full year

Not everyone needs to give up home for more than a year. The world itinerary has been divided into individual sectors, allowing travellers to sail for as little as eight days, combine several regions or remain onboard for the entire circumnavigation.

More than 10,000 Australian and New Zealand passengers are expected to travel aboard Regatta during the inaugural season as guests join and leave the ship at different ports.

Current packages include a 23-night Sydney-to-Bangkok journey from $5990 per person, including flights, a city stay and $4000 in bonus onboard value.

Other advertised options include a 26-day California, vineyards and Panama Canal holiday from $14,990 per person; a 37-night New York-to-Paris voyage through Greenland and Iceland from $14,990; and a 38-day Machu Picchu, Amazon and South America package from $19,990.

Prices and availability are subject to change, and travellers can browse the latest Explorations by Norwegian packages here.

The flexible model also allows passengers booking five or more sectors to gift selected legs to family members or friends. One traveller could complete the European portion, for example, before another family member joins the ship later in Asia or Australia.

Middleton said that flexibility was central to the concept.

“Our vision from the beginning was to create a world cruise experience that gave Australian and New Zealand travellers greater flexibility and the freedom to explore the world in a way that suits them,” he said.

“Seeing that vision come to life as Regatta left Rome was a milestone we’re immensely proud of.”

The inaugural departure follows a major branding and operational transformation aboard Regatta. Explorations logos were installed on the ship’s hull and funnel, a new production show was added, and entertainment was redesigned for an Australian, New Zealand and British audience.

The first two sectors sold out before departure, while early sailings through Christmas were also reported to have only limited availability.

My Cruises has already committed to a second year of Explorations sailings, with departures available into 2028.

But the history-making moment belonged to the inaugural passengers standing on Regatta’s decks in Rome.

For the Dudleys and other Australians taking the entire journey, this is no ordinary holiday.

Birthdays, Christmas, New Year and every other part of life over the next 12 months will unfold aboard the same small ship against an ever-changing backdrop of continents, countries and ports.

For Australia’s newest cruise operation, it is also the ultimate maiden voyage: not simply crossing an ocean, but circling the world.

See more here.