The Arcadia World Cruise by P&O Cruises visits 26 ports in 20 different countries. This cruise departs Southampton, England, on Jan. 5, 2011, for an 82-day journey around the world. From there Arcadia sails west across the Atlantic and on to Panama, Mexico and the Hawaiian Islands. Six full days are divided between Fiji, New Zealand and Australia, after which the ship sails on through Asia, visiting China, Vietnam and Thailand. The final leg of the journey includes stops in Egypt, Italy and Greece. Standard staterooms on board the Arcadia offer televisions, vanities and wardrobes, while suites provide additional luxuries like the services of a personal butler, full-size whirlpool bathtubs and private balconies. The ship itself boasts a collection of over 3,000 works of art, a spa, piano bar and casino. Staterooms start at $15,900 per person as of August 2010.
Long considered one of the most luxurious cruise liners in the world, Cunard offers an around-the-world cruise aboard its new Queen Elizabeth liner. Also departing Jan. 5, from Southampton, this cruise circumnavigates the globe in 103 days, sailing first to the U.S. cities of New York and Fort Lauderdale before heading south to Aruba. The ship docks in Mexico, Los Angeles and Honolulu and then sails hard south to New Zealand and Australia. The second half of the cruise drops anchor in locations including China, India, Greece, Italy and Spain, finally disembarking in Southampton. Guests aboard the Queen Elizabeth enjoy the opulence of the ship's Royal Court Theatre, two-tiered library, white-gloved afternoon tea and the grand ballroom. Six accommodation options are available, ranging from standard staterooms to the lavish Princess Grill Suites, which include specialized amenities like personalized stationary and personal concierge services. As of 2010, fares for the Queen Elizabeth's World Voyage range from $22,370 to $77,926 per person.
Upon departing Los Angeles on Jan. 17, 2011, Crystal Serenity sails the seas for a total of 110 days. This luxury Crystal Cruise liner docks first in Hawaii and then heads south, stopping in Tahiti, the Cook Islands and Fiji. The ship stops overnight in Auckland, New Zealand, and Melbourne, Australia. Two days are spent in both Indonesia and Singapore prior to heading west to Thailand and India. The final portion of the trip traverses the waters of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, where the ship docks in locations like France, South Africa and Portugal before reaching London, its final destination. Guests of Crystal Serenity--voted the No. 1 cruise ship in the world by readers of "Condé Nast Traveler"--partake in piano lessons taught by certified Yamaha instructors, language programs and golf clinics hosted by PGA pros. The Crystal Spa offers a variety of treatments, and entertainment is available at the Hollywood Theatre and on-board casino. Standard staterooms are complemented with Egyptian cotton and Italian linens, while suites and penthouses include a wide variety of additional amenities. Fares for the Grand Exotic Expedition begin at $53,240 and exceed $279,895 per person as of 2010.
