nearly 630 passengers embarked November 23 from the Italian ports of Bari and Trieste on a 142-day world cruise aboard the Costa Deliziosa, signaling a continued surge in popularity for extended voyages [[1]]. The aspiring itinerary will span five continents and three oceans, with 51 stops scheduled across 33 countries. As travelers increasingly seek immersive and extended travel experiences, these multi-generational voyages offer a unique escape from routine and a chance to explore diverse cultures firsthand [[3]].
A world cruise embarking from the Italian port of Bari is setting sail with nearly 630 passengers, beginning a 142-day journey across five continents and three oceans. The voyage, operated by Costa Deliziosa, highlights the growing popularity of extended, multi-continental travel as a way to escape routine and explore diverse cultures.
Il giro del mondo in crociera parte da Bari: “Che bello non dover cucinare per quattro mesi”
Twenty-nine passengers boarded the ship in Bari on November 23, joining 629 others who began their journey in Trieste. The cruise will make 51 stops in 33 countries. For one passenger traveling with her husband, the prospect of not having to cook for over four months was a major draw. “The most beautiful thing is that I won’t have to worry about cooking for all this time,” she said.
A couple, both retirees, are embarking on their second world cruise. They previously attempted a similar voyage in 2020, but were cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We had already done it in 2020 but we only made it to Australia, then we were blocked by Covid. My husband wanted to try again, we hope to be luckier this time,” the wife explained.
The cost of the voyage varies depending on cabin selection and included amenities. One couple from the Marche region of Italy reported spending approximately 50,000 euros for a basic cabin with all excursions included, calling it “the trip of a lifetime.” Another passenger from Matera spent 30,000 euros on the trip, describing it as “a gift to myself.”
Another couple, traveling from Bari, expressed excitement about visiting the Caribbean and Polynesia, as well as Japan and Vietnam. “Everything is yet to be discovered, that’s why we choose this type of trip: we like to see new places,” the husband said.
Following stops in Naples and Savona, Italy, the Costa Deliziosa will traverse the Mediterranean and Atlantic, heading towards the Caribbean via France, Spain, Morocco, and the Canary Islands, before reaching Barbados. The itinerary then continues through Latin America, including Peru and Chile, and on to Easter Island.
The ship will then cross the Pacific Ocean, visiting Pitcairn Island and French Polynesia, before continuing to Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia, eventually reaching Australia. From there, the route heads north to Papua New Guinea, Japan – including a first-time visit to Tokyo, Kobe, and Nagasaki – and South Korea. The cruise will then proceed to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the coasts of Vietnam, before exploring Singapore and Malaysia.
The final leg of the journey will take passengers through the Indian Ocean, visiting Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Mauritius, before heading to South Africa, Namibia, and Cape Verde, and ultimately returning to Italy. “It’s a unique way to break the monotony,” said a retired couple residing in Geneva, who are also repeat cruisers.
For some, the journey is a solo adventure. One passenger noted that friends were unable to commit to the four-month voyage, to which she replied, “Once I return, home will still be here.”
