A cruise that lasts longer than a full calendar year is officially underway. Regatta departed Rome on September 1 for a 371-day journey designed to reach more than 220 ports across six continents.
The sailing is the launch voyage for Explorations by Norwegian, a cruise concept created by Australian travel company My Cruises in collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Line. Its scale is the part likely to stop travelers mid-scroll: the complete itinerary runs for 371 days, while the ship keeps moving through Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Pacific, North America, the Caribbean, and South America.
That does not mean every passenger has signed away an entire year. The route is divided into shorter sectors, some beginning at eight days, so travelers can join for one region or combine several portions of the itinerary.
What a 371-day cruise actually looks like
My Cruises describes the voyage as an unbroken world odyssey aboard Regatta, visiting more than 220 ports across six continents. Cruise Passenger, which reported from the launch, says the full route covers 62 countries and includes opportunities to see the Northern Lights, transit the Panama Canal, sail along the Amazon, and visit destinations from Greenland and Iceland to Madagascar and Zanzibar.
Regatta is much smaller than the megaships that dominate modern cruise marketing. The operator lists 348 rooms, while Cruise Passenger reports capacity for about 670 guests. Onboard spaces include a pool deck, spa, fitness center, library, lounges, and two specialty restaurants.
The smaller scale matters on a trip built around ports rather than roller coasters and giant waterslides. Explorations by Norwegian says the ship was selected to blend elements of ocean, river, and expedition cruising, with longer stays and some overnight experiences intended to give passengers more time ashore.
Shore activities are grouped into three broad styles: classic highlights, local discovery, and more active options such as hiking, walking, and kayaking. A resident ambassador also provides destination talks and briefings as the itinerary moves between regions.
The full-year fare entered six figures in Australian dollars
The complete voyage was not priced like an ordinary vacation. Cruise Passenger reports that launch fares began at A$99,990 per person and reached A$249,989 for the highest accommodation category. The original package included return business-class flights to Europe, two nights in Rome, the same cabin for the voyage, beverages, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and a US$50 shore-experience credit at each port.
Those figures are useful context, but they should not be treated as current quotes for a trip that has already departed. Availability, inclusions, exchange rates, and pricing can change, and travelers considering a future itinerary should verify the exact package directly before paying a deposit.
The next extended sailing is already being marketed. My Cruises lists a 367-day world exploration departing Australia in February 2027, along with many shorter regional packages. That gives curious travelers a clearer picture of the model: one long itinerary remains in motion while guests join or leave at different ports.
Why the “world’s longest” label needs context
The company markets the 371-day route as the world’s longest cruise, and multiple travel outlets have used the same description. It is longer than Royal Caribbean’s widely followed 274-night Ultimate World Cruise, which sailed from December 2023 to September 2024.
Still, “longest cruise” is not a universal industry category with one independent referee. Residential ships and continuous multi-year programs can remain at sea far longer, but they are structured differently from a single bookable world-cruise itinerary. The clearest verified claim is the least arguable one: this specific sailing is scheduled for 371 days and more than 220 ports.
You do not need 371 free days to try it
For most travelers, the shorter sectors are the practical part of the story. The line says guests can book selected portions from eight days, while longer regional combinations can stretch for weeks or months. That flexibility turns a headline-grabbing year at sea into something closer to a conventional vacation.
It also means comparisons require care. Some packages include flights, hotel nights, transfers, onboard credits, or other extras, while others may be priced differently. Travelers should compare the full package rather than simply dividing a headline fare by the number of cruise days.
Before booking any extended segment, check passport validity for every country on the itinerary, visa requirements, travel insurance limits, medication rules, and whether the policy covers a trip lasting several months. A long voyage can also cross multiple climates, so luggage plans and laundry access matter more than they would on a typical seven-night cruise.
What travelers should check before joining
The current 371-day sailing has already left Rome, but the operator’s Explorations by Norwegian page lists future itineraries and shorter sectors. Before putting down money, confirm the exact embarkation and disembarkation ports, what airfare and hotel nights are included, the cancellation schedule, required visas, and whether the same cabin is guaranteed when combining segments.
It is also worth asking how missed ports, medical disembarkation, and itinerary changes are handled. Over 371 days, weather, port congestion, mechanical issues, and geopolitical events can all alter a route. The scale is extraordinary, but the smartest way to evaluate it is the same as any complex trip: read the current terms, price every inclusion, and decide whether the route still works if a few planned stops change.
