The 2003-built Serenade of the Seas is currently undertaking an epic world cruise.
RICK FRENDT
Royal Caribbean International’s first ever world cruise departed Miami on 10 December 2023, on Serenade of the Seas. Somewhat ambitious for a first venture of this sort, the cruise is scheduled to last 274 days, with 60 countries to be visited, making this one of the longest conventional world cruises ever undertaken.
Starting with a trip around South America, the ship headed out across the Pacific. With the current trouble in the Red Sea, an itinerary change was required and passengers were asked to vote for either a fast run from Cape Town to the Canary Islands, and a run of sea days to Istanbul, or a more relaxed sail up the West African coast, calling at ports that would be new to the company. The latter option won. Serenade of the Seas will then pick up her original schedule in Italy in June, so the Black Sea element was lost.