We know that world cruises have been popular. But just three hours to sell out a Regent Seven Seas world cruise where even the cheapest tickets were around $100,000?

Regent Seven Seas president and CEO Jason Montague said: “With a waitlist longer than we have ever experienced, we knew that the 2024 World Cruise was going to be popular, but this outstanding response has surpassed all expectations and is without a doubt our strongest world cruise launch day ever.

“For our guests, the 2024 World Cruise represents so much more than just a cruise vacation – it’s a return to normality.”

Perhaps it is the post-pandemic pent up demand that’s driving us to spend on that bucket list holiday before it’s too late. But by any standards, the demand for circumnavigations is remarkable.

Silversea’s epic 139-day world cruise departing Sydney in January 2023 sold out in just a day. The Silver Shadow will cruise from Sydney to New Zealand before heading to the Pacific, Asia, Africa, South America and the Caribbean.

Fares started from $104,000 and went up to $388,000 per guest, based on double occupancy. The price includes business class Qantas flights and private transfers from passengers’ homes to the airport and ship.

“We want to support the local Australian economy, and tourism is a major growth driver. By starting the world cruise in Sydney our high net-worth demographic will be a win for local tourism,” Silversea Asia-Pacific managing director Adam Radwanski said.

The Regent Seven Seas cruise is a 132-night extravaganza, that stops at 66 ports across 31 countries and four continents. Guests will be offered 442 free shore excursions and access to 61 different UNESCO World Heritage sites, the most Regent has ever had on a single tour.

Departing from Miami, January 6, 2024, the itinerary will take passengers through Central America, Hawaii, the US West Coast, South Pacific Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Bermuda for 132 nights.

Regent Seven Seas Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Asia Pacific, Steve Odell spoke further on the success of world cruising bookings.

“It is also promising to see that interest has not just come from our past guests, but we have seen a strong increase in first-time Regent travellers as well. Many of these guests were eager to book our higher-level suites. The incredible response has surpassed all expectations and is definitely our strongest world cruise launch day ever – in fact, even better than our 2023 World Cruise, which sold out within 48 hours.”

Regent is not alone.

Over at luxe line Crystal Cruises, it’s the same story. The Crystal’s 2022 world cruise has already sold out, but the line has two 2023 world cruises, with one 140-night cruise being sold out and another 119-night cruise close to selling out.

The spokesperson is confident that the sales aren’t about to slow down.

“We are on the verge of releasing [a world cruise] for 2024 and I can only imagine it will have the response. The demand is always there for world cruises as the itineraries and destinations are extremely attractive. It’s a wonderful and appealing way to explore the world,” Crystal spokesperson said.

So what’s left? Here’s a run down of the epic journeys still available.

Crystal Cruises

Miami to Athens

Crystal Serenity

119 nights

Jan 11 to May 10, 2023

Close to fully booked, this 119-night world cruise starts from $73,678. You’ll be in luxury as you wander through French Polynesia, meet the wilderness in Papua New Guinea, spot lions in Kenya’s Serengeti and so much, with Indonesia, Myanmar, India, Central America, Singapore, Egypt are also some of the parts of your adventure.

More info

Cunard

New York roundtrip

Queen Mary

117 nights

Jan 3 to April 30, 2023

Some of the highlights of this epic voyage included overnight port calls in Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Cape Town, as well as two Transatlantic Crossings. You’ll see Portugal, Greece, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Kangaroo Island, Margaret River, Namibia, Spain and so much more. Available rooms start from around $68,000 but can more than triple in price if you’re going for something pricier.

More info

Viking

Los Angeles to London – 120 nights – Jan 9 to May 9, 2024

There is still some limited availability on this action-packed Viking world cruise in 2024. You’ll be able to say you visited 23 countries and there are 50 guided tours across the 121-day itinerary. Booking by September 30 will also earn you more than $30,000 worth of bonus value. The itinerary takes you from French Polynesia and across the South Pacific to New Zealand and Australia. You’ll then sail through Asia and cross the Arabian Sea and explore the Middle East. The most affordable room starts at $79,995 but places are going fast if you want to be on this once-in-a-lifetime journey.

More info

Hurtigruten

Canada to Antarctica

65 nights

MS Fram

Sep 2 to Oct 6, 2022

This Hurtigruten voyage sensationally takes you from pole to pole, with you reaching both the Arctic and Antarctica within the 66 days. As well as meeting these bucket destinations you’ll also pass through countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Greenland, Canada, Panama and many more. It’s perfect for wildlife and nature lovers as you’ll see all kinds of unique biodiversity. Prices begin from $52,861, and you’ll want to act fast with the 93 day installment of the itinerary already sold out.

More info

Princess Cruises

110 nights

Island Princess

Jan 5 to April 27, 2023

Aboard Island Princess you’ll sail through spectacular highlights such as Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, Hawaii, French Polynesia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand and so much more. You’re looking at just under $40,000 for the lower suites or about $56,500 if you want to score yourself a balcony. Some suites are already sold out so don’t wait too long to snap one up.

More info

Silversea

133 nights

Silver Shadow

Jan 21 to April 30, 2024

Hosted aboard the 388-guest Silver Shadow, the voyage will depart San Francisco on January 15, 2024. Travelers will journey from east to west, from one of the planet’s extremes to the other, on a round-trip itinerary that will encompass most of the Pacific Rim, from Hawaii and remote Pacific isles, to Australia and New Zealand, through Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and the Russian Far East, and back across the Pacific to Alaska, Canada, and California. The remote Russian Far East and America’s Alaska will feature for the first time on a Silversea World Cruise.