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If your goal has been to see the world, this may be the way to do it. Life at Sea Cruises is setting sail for the world’s first — and only — three-year world cruise, visiting 135 countries and seven continents.
“Life at Sea Cruises offers the ultimate bucket list cruise without having to sacrifice the comforts of home,” says Irina Strembitsky, director of sales & marketing at Life at Sea Cruises. “It’s your home at sea with the world as your backyard.”
About Life At Sea Cruises
Life at Sea Cruises is owned by Miray International, which has been bringing unique cruising experiences since 1996. It owns and operates the MV Gemini throughout the Aegean Sea, and the vessel Amor, which gives dinner and entertainment river cruises.
3-Year Cruise Itinerary at Sea Miray
The 130,000-mile journey begins on November 1st, 2023, from Istanbul, with pickups in Barcelona and Miami. The MV Gemini will visit 375 ports, allowing travelers to spend multiple days in some to explore.
This ultimate bucket list cruise will take passengers to South America and Antarctica visiting 11 countries in 98 days. You’ll be able to explore cities, glaciers, and ice formations.
For 67 days, the ship will explore the Caribbean and Central America with 29 destinations including Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the ancient Mayan ruins of Mexico and Belize.
In North America and Hawaii, 98 days give you the chance to explore landscapes in Alaska, stunning beaches, interesting cultures, and go on adventures.
On this sea cruise, you will visit 23 destinations including ancient temples and vibrant cities in northern Asia. Stops in Tokyo, Seoul, Jeju Island, and Shanghai give plenty of time to explore over 70 days.
While on the longest leg of the journey for 206 days in the South Pacific and Australia, you’ll visit Sydney and Melbourne, the beaches of Fiji, the mountains of New Zealand, and the rainforests of Papua New Guinea.
Visit the ruins of Angkor Wat while sailing the South China Sea and Serengeti, Zanzibar, and Madagascar in southern and western Africa. You’ll spot big game on a safari and experience local culture in ancient cities.
In Europe, you’ll sail from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean visiting 38 countries and exploring art, historic monuments, and rich culture.
‘MV Gemini’ Amenities
It might seem hard to imagine living on a ship for three years, but the amenities on the MV Gemini make it possible. It has 400 cabins and room for up to 1,074 people. It has world-class dining, onboard entertainment, activities, and modern workspace facilities, which include a first-of-its-kind business center with 14 offices, a lounge, and a business library.
There will also be a 24-hour, on-call hospital, which will include free medical visits, learning and enrichment classes, and opportunities to volunteer.
“Professionals need connectivity, the right amenities, and the functionality to perform their jobs. There is no other cruise product that offers this sort of flexibility to their customers,” says Mikael Petterson, managing director of Life at Sea Cruises.
Cabins range from 130 square feet for Virtual Inside and Oceanview staterooms to 260 square feet for Balcony suites. Cruisers can enjoy a state-of-the-art wellness center, sundeck, swimming pool, and plenty of dining options.
Cost To Cruise The World
The three-year Life at Sea Cruises offers a starting price of $29,999 per year. Passengers have payment options from $2,499 per month. There is also the possibility that travelers can get additional tax benefits when working as international residents aboard the ship.
This cruise has been canceled.
2024 Update
Why Was Life at Sea’s 3-Year Cruise Cancelled?
The MV Gemini cruise ship was scheduled to set sail on November 30, with the original departure date having been rescheduled several times.
However, less than two weeks before its maiden voyage, Life at Sea has acknowledged to anxious passengers that there is no ship and that the once-in-a-lifetime trip has been canceled or ‘‘postponed’’, according to the company.
Miray Cruises said that anyone requesting a refund will get one and that it will reimburse travel expenses related to the cruise. The cruise company also claims it is planning a similar trip in 2024.
Future Still Looks Bright for Multy-Year Cruises in 2024
About a month after Life at Sea Cruises canceled its debut three-year voyage, Villa Vie Residences company upped the stakes by announcing plans to sail the world in 3.5 years.
The price starts at $89 per day and includes food, laundry service, weekly housekeeping, and internet service. At an added charge you’ll get spa and bar services, and shore excursions.
The ship will feature eight decks that will house three restaurants, a communal kitchen, a large pool with four Jacuzzis, a business center, and space for entertainment.
FAQs
What Happened With Life at Sea’s 3-Year Cruise?
Life at Sea Cruises announced canceling its three-year voyage in November 2023 because the cruise company couldn’t secure a ship after plans had already been delayed several times.
Is Miray Cruises Still Planning a 3-Year Cruise in 2024?
It’s quite possible. Miray Cruises owner Vedat Ugurlu said in a statement that the cruise wasn’t canceled but postponed until May 2024. He also stated that the reason for this postponement is the need for a bigger vessel capacity of more than 600 cabins.
What Did the Life at Sea’s 3-Year World Cruise Itinerary Looked Like?
The original itinerary was supposed to last 1,095 days, starting from Istanbul and Europe and then heading to South America and the Caribbean. The voyage would continue through the Panama Canal before visiting the U.S. West Coast, Hawaii, and Alaska and then heading west across the Pacific.
What UNESCO World Heritage Sites Can Be Visited on Life at Sea’s 3-Year World Cruise?
During the cruise of the seven continents, the passengers would see the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Great Wall of China, Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue, and India’s Taj Mahal.
Does Any Other Cruise Company Offer a 3-Year World Cruise?
Yes, Villa Vie Residences, plans to sail the world in three and a half years, after purchasing a 924-passenger ship that is expected to launch in May. The MS Breamer ship will undergo a renovation that will begin early in 2024 and take roughly eight weeks to complete.