EXCLUSIVE I'm a travel expert - this is how you can see the world on a cruise without spending months at sea
But finding the time to do what can be tricky, and taking months away from home isn't always a practical choice.
Now a cruise insider has unveiled a clever hack for chartering a course around the globe in shorter stages.
Audrey Hobby, who leads travel agent training for Cunard, shared with MailOnline Travel how travellers can curate a series of shorter voyages over three years – letting them see the world in the process.
'Many guests don't realise that you can piece together a world voyage in stages,' she says.
'By selecting shorter segments across different years, you can still explore five continents and 14 countries – but with more flexibility, and more time to savour each destination.'
Cunard has even put together a suggested itinerary that takes in cities and remote destinations, all reached by sailing on the line's famous 'Queens': Queen Mary 2, Queen Anne, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
You could start out with an 11-night Alaska cruise on Queen Elizabeth, setting sail from Seattle, Washington on 11 July.
The 2,000-passenger ship, which recently underwent a massive transformation, sailed on a voyage around the state for the first time last month.
Then next year, tackle the 24-night Sydney to Singapore cruise in March aboard Queen Mary 2, the world's only ocean liner.
The itinerary features stops in Vietnam – where you could visit the Imperial City of Hue, a UNESCO Heritage Site – and Indonesia, where excursions include the Minahasa Highlands on a tour from Bitung.
Come summer, tackle the Adriatic and western Mediterranean from July to August.
Immerse yourself into European culture with ports of call from Marseille to Corsica, Barcelona to Corfu.
The final corners of the world to tick off the cruising bucket list can be done aboard the newest 'Queen'.
Queen Anne will be making her maiden call to South America as part of a 29-night adventure to Rio de Janeiro, departing in January 2027 from Southampton.
It includes an overnight stay in the iconic Brazilian city when the Rio Carnival is in full swing.
Along the way, there are visits to Bermuda, Florida, and Barbados.
Spreading out a cruise around the world with this itinerary costs just over £10,000 per person.
To elevate the experience, Audrey suggests holidaymakers 'plan your voyages to coincide with signature moments like Rio Carnival or Alaska's summer solstice.'
Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, says the company understands that 'modern travellers seek flexibility and accessibility without compromising on luxury.
'That's why our segmented alternatives to a world voyage offer the perfect solution, as our incredible itineraries allow guests to explore the world on their terms – but in true Cunard style.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Sydney Trains delays and cancellations today: Warning issued
Trains and buses across NSW have been thrown into chaos after an intense weather 'bomb cyclone' struck the state. Sydney Train Commuters are being warned to check before they travel and be prepared for delays. On the Central Coast to Newcastle Line, trains were not running early on Thursday morning between Wyong and Fassifern due to overhead wiring repairs at Dora Creek. Limited buses replacements were introduced between the two stations and a shuttle train service has been put in place between Fassifern and Newcastle Interchange. NSW TrainLink North said response crews have attended to repair the overhead wiring but 'due to extensive damage, repairs may continue for the next two days'. 'Please delay non-essential travel if possible or consider using other transport,' the statement on social media said. 'If you must travel, allow plenty of extra travel time.'
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
5 of the world's most picturesque road trips
By Road tripping is one of the best ways to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world at your own pace and freedom. Whether it's driving your own vehicle or renting an iconic car in the country you're visiting, a road trip offers the flexibility and control to see as much of stunning locations as you can. They often represent good value for money, especially when you're going off the beaten track to find unearthed beauty spots, quiet areas not overrun by tourists, and sights you simply wouldn't experience on a guided tour. But which roads trips are the most picturesque of all? A study by used car retailer Cinch looked at the 40 most iconic driving routes spanning six continents, then rattled the order down to the top five that have accumulated the highest volume of photos posted on Instagram - with the most snapped of all clocking a massive 2.4 million hashtag mentions. And while three of the standout picturesque road trips are a long-haul flight away on the other side of the globe, two are much closer to home - and the reality is you could jump in your car this weekend and enjoy their breathtaking views. 5. North Coast 500, Scotland At 516 miles long - hence the NC500 name - it will take between five and seven days to complete if you're really soaking up the scenery and stopping regularly. Though it can easily be completed in a weekend, if you're willing to take in the scenery while on the move. 4. Blue Ridge Parkway, USA The Blue Ridge Parkway secures fourth place with 722,047 Instagram hashtag mentions, with the majority from #blueridgeparkway. This 469-mile scenic route connects Virginia and North Carolina, linking Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While the full journey takes approximately 10 hours of driving time, visitors typically allocate between three and five days to fully explore the parkway's scenic views and natural wonders. And the leisurely 45mph speed limit (with some stretches at lower speeds of 25 or 35mph) encourages travelers to take in the mountain vistas slowly and carefully. 3. Great Ocean Road, Australia With over 1.6 million hashtag posts - #greatoceanroad accounting for 1.5 million and #greatoceanroadtrip over 113k - Australia's Great Ocean Road is a worthy entrant in our list of most picturesque road trips. This 150-mile route spans from Torquay to Allansford is one of the shorter journeys on the list. But visitors recommend taking between two and four days to soak in everything it has to offer. Travelers who have taken it in recommend driving from east to west to stay on the same side of the road as the ocean. With a TripAdvisor rating of 4.8, the Great Ocean Road lives up to its name. 2. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland Another of the world's most amazing - and most snapped - road trips is the second on our list that's extremely close to home. Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way secures second place in this list with over 1.9 million Instagram hashtag mentions, mostly driven by the #wildatlanticway hashtag alongside breathtaking coastal imagery. This amazing 1,600-mile stretch takes holidaymakers from the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork, claiming the title of the world's longest defined coastal route. Those who can secure long holidays or those who are enjoying retirement can extend the trip to weeks to enjoy everything this road trip has to offer. Though, it can be done in just days, if you're willing to miss out on some of the attractions Ireland's most picture-perfect route offers. With a 4.8-star TripAdvisor rating, this route continues to blow visitors away. Many said they were surprised by how pristine the beaches are - while the emerald green rolling hills are never ending in parts. 1. Route 66, USA It might sound like a cliché but Route 66 is by far the world's most Instagrammed road trip, amassing a whopping 2.4 million posts by visitors who have driven it in full - or just parts. The latter is understandable, given the entirety of Route 66 is almost 2,500 miles long and takes at least two to three weeks to complete start to finish. For the true experience, it's best completed in an American muscle car, like a convertible Ford Mustang. The legendary 2,448-mile highway connects Chicago to Los Angeles, cutting right through America's heartland. Route 66 attracts adventurers seeking authentic American experiences, from major cities to ghost towns and everything in between.
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
TSA announces huge change to security checks in 10 major airports across the US
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced a major change to security checks at 10 airports across the country. The administration shared that it would be adding a new expedited lane and discounts 'to enhance the travel experience for members of the U.S. military community,' per PR Newswire. Gold Star families - those who have lost a loved one in military service - will also now have TSA PreCheck fees waived. Additionally, TSA will now offer a $25 discount on TSA PreCheck enrollment for spouses of military and uniformed service members. The change will go into affect at some airports on Tuesday, July 1, and is part of the 'Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease' initiative. Ahead of the changes, Ha Nguyen McNeill, TSA's Acting Administrator, explained how they will make it easier for the military community to travel efficiently. 'This Independence Day and beyond, TSA reaffirms its commitment to ease travel for the military community through its TSA PreCheck program by providing it free to Gold Star families, discounting it for military spouses and creating expedited lanes for service members,' she said, according to the publication. 'By expanding access, easing enrollment, and partnering with our TSA PreCheck enrollment providers and industry partners, we strive to honor those who serve and the families who stand beside them.' To make things as accessible as possible, TSA PreCheck is hosting mobile enrollment events near major US military locations. The new lanes will be implemented at 10 American airports in cities including: San Antonio, Texas, Anchorage, Alaska, Atlanta, Georgia, Austin, Texas, Colorado Springs, Colorado, El Paso, Texas, Fayetteville, North Carolina, Nashville, Tennessee, San Diego, California, and Seattle, Washington. In other airport news, TSA was recently forced to issue a hilarious statement about which ID cards qualify as official identification while traveling. It came after a user on X, formerly known as Twitter, posted a picture of a bright yellow Waffle House customer card with the caption, 'TSA might want REAL ID, but I have the realest ID.' It read 'Matthew Cappucci, Meteorologist,' with an American flag in the right corner. The post amassed over 2.2 million views and thousands of replies - including one from the official TSA account. 'Respectfully, no… Waffle House IDs will not suffice as a Real ID alternative (sorry),' the organization's comical response read. People all across the globe were entertained by the post and TSA's involvement. 'How does one even acquire this?' one user asked. 'You didn't have to flex on us like this,' a different person wrote, while another said, 'Where do I get my Waffle House identification?' Cappucci followed up his post by writing: 'One of my greatest life accomplishments is being one of the only 90 people in this world that Waffle House follows.' TSA has also responded to travelers who attempted to use their Costco cards as valid ID at the airport. US travelers are now required to have a federally approved REAL ID or passport to board a domestic flight, with a standard driver's license no longer cutting it.
