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Royal Caribbean’s nine-month global voyage began a few weeks ago and has already gained widespread attention on social media as passengers share their experiences onboard the ship.
The Ultimate World Cruise began its journey on December 10th, departing from Miami, Florida on the Serenade of the Seas. According to Royal Caribbean’s schedule, the trip will last 274 nights and visit 11 “world wonders” as well as over 60 countries. Some of the stops include Aruba, Barbados, Japan, Italy, Greece, Spain, Denmark, Germany, and France. The cruise will end in the United States with a stop in the Bahamas on September 9th, 2024 and then returning to Miami on September 10th, 2024.
According to the website of Royal Caribbean, passengers will be able to form connections with other travelers who share their sense of adventure and explore all seven continents. They will also have the chance to immerse themselves in diverse cultures, take in breathtaking views, and admire impressive World Wonders that demonstrate the endless possibilities of human creativity.
Since the start of the cruise, travelers have been recording their adventures on the ship, including details about their accommodations, dining options, and any special privileges for members of Royal Caribbean’s Pinnacle Club. This exclusive club is open to those who have earned over 700 cruise points from previous trips. On TikTok, passengers frequently use the #UltimateWorldCruise hashtag, which has gained over 119.2 million views as of December 27th.
From how to do your laundry to the cost of a room on board, here’s everything we know about the Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise from TikTok.
What is the type of accommodation on the ship and what is the price?
According to the official Royal Caribbean website, the cheapest option for a 247-night stay is $59,999 per person for an interior stateroom. Prices for other room categories are more expensive, with the junior suite starting at $117,599 per person. However, regardless of the room type, all passengers receive amenities such as a VOOM internet package, wash and fold laundry service, and a deluxe beverage package.
Numerous TikTok users have posted detailed room tours, showcasing the small size of their accommodations. One recent example is Ale Kenney, who uploaded a video featuring her and her husband Andrew’s living room area. The room contained a blue sofa with a blanket, as well as decorations on the walls such as a banner, photographs, and drawings. Kenney also pointed out a desk and closet, although she chose not to open the latter due to its compact size and fear of items falling out.
She proceeded to the compact bathroom, where a tall shower was situated opposite the sink. The bathroom also featured a white toilet, with a magnetic shelf installed by the couple for additional storage. She mentioned that apart from fitting her cosmetics and medication under the sink, she had a small mirrored cabinet that could be opened. Kenney then returned to the living room and ended her video with a view of the king-sized bed in her bedroom.
What types of cuisine are available on the cruise?
During the Ultimate World Cruise, passengers have access to a range of food choices, including snacks and specialty dining. According to Royal Caribbean, the Windjammer is a popular spot for all-day meals, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Passengers on TikTok have shared their daily dining experiences with some of the meals they have enjoyed.
Last week, a TikTok user named Amike posted a video showcasing her meals on a cruise. She began with breakfast at the Windjammer, which included fruit, yogurt, a muffin, oatmeal, and a smoothie. During lunch, she went back to the Windjammer and had a salad, a cheeseburger patty, a plate of vegetables, and a cup of coffee. For dinner at the buffet, she had fish, noodles, corn, and watermelon slices.
Amike also admitted that although she has received numerous inquiries about the food, she has found her meals on the ship to be “exceptional.”
How can passengers wash their clothes during the next nine months?
Royal Caribbean provides a laundry package to every passenger on the cruise. This package covers a free wash and fold service, allowing passengers to send out a maximum of three bags of laundry per week.
Brandee Lake, a passenger, shared a video on TikTok documenting her tenth day at sea. She mentioned her intention to do laundry that day and although she preferred to do it herself, she decided to use the complimentary self-service laundry provided on the ship.
Is there a specific age range for individuals who travel on the cruise?
During the initial weeks of the journey, numerous TikTok creators have raised inquiries about the identities of the travelers, considering the expensive cost and long duration of the trip. Observations made by social media users reveal that a majority of content creators seem to belong to Generation Z, defined as those born between 1997 and 2012. However, Kenney clarifies that this may not be entirely accurate.
During an interview with Today, she mentioned that the majority of passengers, specifically 90%, were retirees or seniors.
Despite this, there is no denying that cruises remain a popular form of travel for adults. Gavin Smith, the vice president and managing director of Royal Caribbean AUNZ, states that there is still a growing fascination with cruises among younger individuals.
According to News.com.au, our Caribbean and European cruises are becoming increasingly popular among younger Australian travelers. This includes our new Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas, which will debut in July and has received a great response for its short Caribbean sailings.
People have been making jokes on social media about potential drama on the nine-month Ultimate World Cruise, regardless of the passengers’ ages. A woman named Kates, also known as @whimsysoul on TikTok, shared her “Ultimate Bingo Card” for the next year, for those who are also joining in on this nine-month TikTok reality show.
On her Bingo Card, there were spaces such as “someone leaves early”, “crew member dates passenger”, “sunburn in the shape of a lobster”, “passengers sponsored by brands”, and “small mystery to solve”.
The Independent has reached out to Royal Caribbean for a statement.
Source: independent.co.uk
