Brandy Lake's home address changes almost every day.
The 46-year-old will embark on Royal Caribbean International's Ultimate World Cruise in December and will live on the line's Serenade of the Seas for the duration of the nine-month journey.
Lake, who previously lived in Los Angeles, California, gave up her apartment, quit her job in advertising and marketing, and embarked on a 274-night voyage to more than 60 countries with her sister and parents to travel full-time.
“I always tease that I worked just to travel, that I worked to maintain my travel habit,” she told USA TODAY. “So, for me, it was a no-brainer.”
Lake, who had already visited 77 countries and lived abroad, decided to set sail and see more of the world, and her parents gifted the cruise to her and her sister.
Videos about the Ultimate World Cruise exploded on TikTok after it left Miami, but it's not the first cruise of its kind. World Cruises offer passengers an easy way to travel around the world, delivering them to a variety of far-flung destinations.
But there are benefits to booking these trips over other types of cruises. Here's what you need to know:
What is a world cruise?
World cruises visit multiple continents (usually at least three). Joanna Kusar, travel agent and owner of Portside Travel Consultants, says the average itinerary is three to five months, but it can be longer.
“You're in your room and you're there the whole time. There's no jumping around and packing and unpacking,” she said. Guests may run into each other by chance while at the resort, but World Cruise passengers are on the same itinerary for extended periods of time, making it a “very bonding experience,” Kusar said.
“I mean, I think if it was terrible people, it could go sideways,” she said. “But I think people usually find their own people.”
For travelers who can't or don't want to spend as much time at sea, many cruise lines sell some of their itineraries separately. This allows guests to participate for days, weeks, or months at a time, and adds new faces.
World cruises also often take place on older ships, especially on mainstream routes. “I think they don't want one of their newest ships to be out of commission for months,” Kusar added.
How do cruise lines plan their world cruises?
Planning for months at sea can take years. Luxury cruise line Silversea Cruises, for example, plans its world cruises three to four years in advance, said spokesman Brad Ball.
“SilverSea has a team of destination experts who select unique and culturally diverse destinations,” he said in an email. The line, also part of the Royal Caribbean Group, conducted its first world cruise in 2007 and is committed to creating destination themes and defining segments.
For example, Silversea's 140-day “The Curious and the Sea” voyage in 2026 aboard Silver Dawn will include 28 days of exploration of French Polynesia and the South Pacific, and a 21-day trip halfway around Australia. etc. are included.
“We strive to provide our groceries locally and source products from as many different regions of our travel destinations as possible,” Ball added.
Michael Bailey, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said the cruise line goes to great lengths to anticipate guests' needs on Ultimate World Cruises and even has a dentist on board. said.
The group also held a gala dinner for their guests before departing. “I said, 'The only thing we screwed up is we failed to get a marriage counselor on board' at sea.
When should I book my world cruise?
Many cruise lines only offer one world cruise a year, and staterooms run at high speeds. Michael Bray, owner of Bracation Travel, likened the home to “a really cool house that comes on the market.”
“Suites or larger cabins are likely to arrive fastest because people want space,” he added. Bray said customers are making reservations from 18 months to 21/2 years in advance.
“People know they have to plan on staying at home for six months,” Bray said. “They have to close their home. They have medicine, mail, and family to think about, so this is not a decision to make in haste.”
Lake, a passenger on the Ultimate World Cruise, said she left some of her belongings with a friend and packed the rest of her essentials.
Tips for enjoying a long cruise:What you need to know about sailing for 6 months or more
World cruises such as Cunard Line have been popular for years, but Kusar noted that more brands are leaning toward them in recent years.
Royal Caribbean's nine-month voyage is its first foray into the category, and Azamara is currently conducting its first global voyage since becoming an independent cruise line in 2021. Princess Cruises, which operated its first world cruise in 2008, is also planning its longest voyage. Voyages so far in 2025 (116 days).
Kusar attributed this to the rise in remote-friendly jobs such as content creation, especially among young people. “Being able to travel and work from anywhere has opened up a younger demographic and increased demand,” she said.
Silversea's ball followed suit. “Over the past 15 years, we have seen an increase in demand for world cruises, both from retired travelers as well as working professionals and digital nomads,” he said. “Advances in mobile connectivity technology and onboard internet have enabled more travelers to work remotely and enabled longer voyages.”
How much does a world cruise cost?
Starting fares for mainstream world cruises range from about $25,000 to $60,000 per person, depending on length, Kusar said. A luxury world cruise can cost upwards of $70,000.
These prices can include more than regular cruise fares.
According to Royal Caribbean's website, the entire Ultimate World Cruise price (starting at about $54,000 for nine months) includes gratuities, business class tickets, Wi-Fi, and wash-and-fold laundry service. etc. are included.
Luxury airlines, which already include more costs in their base fares, may also introduce additional fees. Ball said travelers who book Silversea's 2026 World Cruise will receive $1,000 in onboard credits per person (up to $2,000 per suite), spa treatments and other amenities.
For Lake, the trip is a chance to spend quality time with his family and see new places, including Antarctica, a continent he's “always wanted to go to” but never thought he'd get. No matter where in the world she is, she has her family dinner every night with her parents and her sister.
“I think that’s something I’ll look back on and never forget,” she said.
Although he doesn't have any concrete plans for work after the cruise, he has been posting about his travels on TikTok and is “enjoying the creator space.”
“I started seeing where this adventure and the world was taking me,” Lake said.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. Please contact us at ndiller@usatoday.com.
