Luxury cruise ship Viking Sun has arrived in Australian waters today to mark the 160th day of her attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the ‘longest continuous passenger cruise.”
Arriving in Tasmania today, she was welcomed in Hobart as she continues her mission to complete 245 days of sailing, which would become a world record.
The state-of-the-art ship, carrying 930 passengers called into Hobart for the first of her seven Australian ports she will visit as part of the Ultimate World Cruise .
The voyage will also include a three-day visit to Sydney on 10 February 2020 and is part of an itinerary that includes stops in six continents, a total of 51 countries and a record-breaking 111 ports. This is effectively considered a full circumnavigation of the globe. In order to qualify as a “continuous sailing” the ship will sail for eight months in total.
Once the journey has been completed, this will officially make the record, and with 23 overnight stays, the journey will become nearly double the length of previous world cruise itineraries.
The journey will end and be recorded when the Viking Sun returns to London, with an estimated arrival date of 2nd May 2020, where an official Guinness World Record Adjudicator will confirm the successful attempt with a certificate presentation.
Where she has already been:
- United Kingdom
- Scandinavia
- Canada
- United States of America
- The Caribbean
- South and Central America,
- New Zealand and a number of Pacific island nations like French Polynesia, Tonga and Fiji
Where she is going next:
Following nine days in Australia waters, the Viking Sun will continue on through Asia, the Middle East, the Suez Canal and finally, returning to the Mediterranean.
Who’s on the cruise:
- 56 passengers in total have signed on for the full cruise (245 days)
- 12 from Australia
- 4 from the UK
- 40 from the US and Canada
Others passengers have joined two large segments of the cruise, from 127 and 119-days.
What they’re experiencing:
The journey is providing a boost to tourism in ports of call, with an estimated $1.6 million for the Australian economy through passenger spend due to shore excursions for up to 930 guests disembarking in each destination.
Michelle Black, Viking Cruises Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand says “No true world cruise itinerary would be complete without visiting Australia, where stunning beaches, world class cities and a vibrant cultural and culinary scene go hand in hand. We’re thrilled our intrepid world travellers will have the opportunity to spend over a fortnight exploring Australia, from Hobart to Sydney and all the way up to Thursday Island and Darwin.”
What it costs:
Ultimate World Cruise fares start $117,995 in a Veranda Stateroom, the lowest cabin category available on Viking’s fleet of all-balcony ships.
What’s included:
- An excursion in each port of call
- unlimited Wi-Fi
- all meals including alternate dining
- beer and wine served with lunch and dinner
- 24 hour room service
- self-service laundry
- complimentary access to the world-class LivNordic Scandinavian spa, featuring Viking’s exclusive snow grotto
- Return Business Class airfares
- transfers
- complimentary visa services
- Silver Spirits Beverage Package for unlimited premium beverages and
- Shipboard credit allowances to use on optional shore excursions, spa services and onboard shopping.
Viking Sun was launched in 2017 and is considered a small luxury ship at 228 metres in length and boasts eight destination-inspired dining options, including several specialty and alfresco options.
