We were not paid to write this story. The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising.
The first time I went on a cruise vacation, I was hooked and started planning many more short duration cruises around the world.
What I love about cruises is that there's a lot you can see in just one trip, and you don't have to worry about making the perfect itinerary, because that's all done for you.
If you're able to stay away from the casinos and spend less money on booze and other extravagances, you're in for a relaxing and affordable vacation that'll turn into a unforgettable experience.
Calling all cruise ship enthusiasts! A luxury cruise line recently announced the Ultimate World Cruise that lets you traverse the world in comfort.
In August 2019, you and your favorite person can aboard the longest-ever continuous cruise to set sail.
The Viking Ultimate World Cruise will take about 1,000 passengers on a nine-deck ocean-liner, called the Viking Sun, to 59 countries and 113 ports over the course of 245 days.
The itinerary for the eight-month journey is a dream come true for people who love sightseeing and adventure!
The cruise ship takes off from London, England on the last day of August, crossing the Atlantic to Canada.
Then it will make its way down the eastern coast of the U.S., through the Caribbean, down to Brazil.
Once it makes its way to the southern tip of South America, the ship will head north, stopping at more South American countries along the way.
Then the ship will go as far up as Los Angeles before making its way across the Pacific Ocean, visiting gorgeous paradise islands in the South Pacific.
From there, you'll get a chance to explore New Zealand and Australia. Then comes a tour of Southeast Asia, India, and Egypt.
The luxury cruise line will end off the trip through the Mediterranean Sea, making a few stops in coastal Europe before docking back in London.
If eight months sounds like a long time and a big commitment, you can choose shorter itineraries like the Viking World Treasures, a 127-day sailing from London to Los Angeles that visits 33 countries and 61 ports, or Viking World Wonders, a 119-day journey from Los Angeles to London that visits 29 countries and 55 ports.
Everything sounds and looks great, but how much does it cost?
You would think a luxury cruise ship sailing around the world would be expensive, and you're not wrong.
Fares start at $93,000 per person, and can go up to $269,990 for the Owner's Suite.
That being said, all passengers will receive complimentary shore excursions in each port and unlimited Wi-Fi.
And if you book your stay before the end of 2018, you will receive $4,000 in shore-excursion credit and $2,000 in shipboard credit.
Guests will also be eligible to receive business class airfare and other services included in their cost.
And don't forget, passengers have access to two pools, a spa, eight dining options, a fitness center, cinema, and more.
People are loving the idea of a ship that sails around the world, but they have one major concern.
On average, large cruise ships can use tons of fuel in just one day. It's estimated that a cruise ship like the Viking Sun could use 19,600,000 gallons of fuel for its whole trip (if 80,000 gallons of fuel are used per day).
If that sounds like a lot, it is.
Cruise tourism is one of the biggest carbon emitters, heavily contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, but that's not all.
According to Richard Hammond, the Guardian's green travel columnist, cruise ships aren't just bad for the quality of our air.
"The cruise industry has a poor record in terms of waste water treatment and disposal, and therefore it has to clean up its act if it is to be considered as an environmentally friendly means of travel."
[H/T: Time]
