These are the longest upcoming cruises from 5 major cruise lines

Traveling around the world nonstop for nine months sounds like a dream. But would you still be interested if you had to go by sea?

If you're one of the thousands of cruise fans booking up these extended sailings, the answer is probably yes.

Over the last few years, extended sailings and around-the-world cruises with brands like Regent Seven Seas and Oceania have been selling out or selling well at a "record-breaking" rate.

Source: Insider

For travelers who enjoy life at sea, these extended vacations to multiple countries are a convenience.

Booking a similar around-the-world vacation using planes, trains, cars, and hotels could be a logistical nightmare.

But on a world cruise, almost every aspect of the itinerary (minus shore excursions) is already planned for the traveler.

And there's no need to worry about meals, airport transfers, accommodations, or unpacking and packing between destinations.

Multiple days at sea with no land in sight are inevitable, especially on world cruises. But to some travelers who enjoy this slow form of travel, they provide relaxation and the opportunity to unplug.

Source: Insider

Amid the growing demand for these longer sailings, major cruise lines have been releasing their lengthiest itineraries yet.

If you're curious about these sailings, here's a roundup of Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Princess, and Norwegian's longest upcoming cruises.

Royal Caribbean Cruises' 274-night 2023 world cruise

The longest sailing on this list is Royal Caribbean's 274-night world cruise aboard the Serenade of the Seas.

The itinerary, roundtrip from Miami, is set sail December 2023 and conclude September 2024.

Throughout the nine months at sea, the "Ultimate World Cruise" itinerary will sail to 150 ports and 65 countries across all seven continents, according to the cruise line.

Source: Insider

According to the itinerary, travelers are set to explore the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Europe, and Antarctica with the chance to see up to 11 Wonders of the World.

And of course the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas — Perfect Day at CocoCay — is on the itinerary twice: Once at the beginning and again at the end.

For those who can't commit to over a year of vacationing, Royal Caribbean is still selling shorter legs of the world cruise, including 29 days from Los Angeles to Brisbane, Australia with stops in Hawaii and Tahiti.

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruises 

Prices start at $61,000 for an interior stateroom. Some interior and ocean-view staterooms are still left, the cruise line told Insider in March.

Source: Insider

Carnival Cruise Line's 30-night transpacific cruise

Carnival is known for its more affordable fares. But the cruise line also has a "Journeys" segment dedicated to unique and longer itineraries.

The shortest of these itineraries is currently two 10-day round trip cruises from Sydney, Australia to New Zealand.

But in February, Carnival unveiled one of its longest itineraries in this segment yet, a 31-day transpacific cruise sailing from Brisbane, Australia to Seattle in 2024 aboard its recently acquired Carnival Luminosa.

Source: Insider

For $3,450, Carnival says guests on this sailing will see ports in Japan, Guam, and Alaska, including views of the Hubbard Glacier.

But like any transoceanic cruise, over half of the itinerary will be spent at sea with no ports of call.

Transoceanic itineraries are often created to reposition a cruise vessel. In this case, this month at sea will move the Luminosa stateside to begin its itineraries from Seattle.

MSC Cruises' 127-night 2024 world cruise

MSC's longest cruise is, likely unsurprisingly, its 2024 world cruise sailing aboard the MSC Poesia.

The itinerary has several departure and arrival port options.

The longest will span 127 nights and about $15,680, according to MSC's bookings page.

Source: MSC Cruises

This itinerary is set to sail from Barcelona on January 7, 2024 and conclude in Copenhagen on May 13, 2024.

From early January 2024 through mid-May, MSC's itinerary notes that the ship will sail to destinations like Egypt, South Africa, Brazil, Barbados …

… and MSC's private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Princess Cruises' 115-night 2025 world cruise

In April, Princess Cruises announced its longest itinerary yet, a 116-day world cruise setting sail in January 2025.

Source: Insider

Travelers have the option to cruise roundtrip from either Los Angeles or Fort Lauderdale, Florida starting at $20,540.

Source: Princess Cruises

Along the way, the cruise brand says the Island Princess vessel and its globetrotting passengers will sail to 51 locations across 26 countries and 33,500 nautical miles.

This gives travelers the opportunity to see 27 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and several destinations that are either new to the brand or its world cruise segment.

Norwegian Cruise Line's 21-day 2024 sailings

Norwegian's longest cruise itineraries pale in comparison to the rest of the journey on this list.

But at 21 days, these cruises are still fairly lengthy.

In March, April, and October, 2024, the cruise line will operate various 21-day sailings through the Panama Canal on either the Norwegian Encore or Dawn.

Depending on the month, these five itineraries are slated to either sail from Miami, Seattle, or Cape Town to Los Angeles, Seattle, Miami, or Barcelona.

The ports of call all vary. Some will sail to Mexico and Jamaica while others will bring travelers to Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala, for example.

The 21-day sailing from Cape Town to Barcelona will bring cruisers up the coast of West Africa.

These cruises range from $1,329 to $5,049 depending on the itinerary.