As operators offer longer cruise itineraries there has also been a renewed focus of around the world itineraries. on 24th August P&O Cruises revealed its 2017 World Cruise Collection featuring two full world circumnavigations offering a choice of east or west, a 180th anniversary celebration cruise on aurora plus a 50-night cruise round trip Southampton to the Caribbean, USA and Amazon. in the year that P&O Cruises celebrates 180 years of heritage, Aurora’s world circumnavigation will be particularly poignant.

Echoing the trade routes of the British Empire, the aurora will sail a 104-night eastern circumnavigation from Southampton calling at 35 destinations in 21 countries and sailing nearly 30,000 nautical miles. Departing 9th January 2017, this cruise will feature 23 new ports of call, four overnight stays in Dubai, Singapore, Sydney and San Francisco and seven evening calls.

The Arcadia’s 114-night Polynesian and Asian adventure is a full world western circumnavigation from Southampton calling at 37 destinations in 21 countries and sailing over 36,000 nautical miles. Departing 2nd January 2017, the cruise will feature 22 new ports of call, five overnight stays in San Francisco, Auckland, and Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore and nine evening calls.

The 50-night cruise on the Oriana from Southampton will call at 17 destinations in 13 countries in the Caribbean, the USA and South America and will sail over 14,000 nautical miles including 1,500 nautical miles on the Amazon over six days. Departing 3rd January 2017, the Oriana will feature 10 new ports of call.

Cunard announced on 25th August that its fleet will again conquer the world in 2017 when each ship undertakes a World voyage. Between them the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria will visit 80 ports in 42 countries and, even after all these years, the Cunard trio will make 15 maiden calls including five where Cunard has never called before. also included is a history-making visit to the mighty Amazon for the Queen Victoria as she becomes the largest cruise ship ever to transit the river. Options include full World voyages of 118 to 120 nights as well as an extensive range of Exotic Cruises ranging from just 7 to 71-nights.

The Queen Mary 2 is sailing a 118-night east-west loop via South Africa, Asia and the Suez Canal, with five maiden calls. The Queen Victoria is sailing a 120 night Pacific loop via South America, Australasia and the Panama Canal that features two maiden calls whilst the Queen Elizabeth is sailing a 120 night western circumnavigation via the Panama Canal, Asia and South Africa that offers four maiden calls. in total the three ships will sail over 110,000 nautical miles. on 27th August Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ unveiled their new dedicated around the World voyage 2017 brochure showcasing the chance to explore the globe in 107 nights.