Insights from a 9-month sailing trip

The Ultimate World Cruise, which departed from Miami in December, attracted a lot of attention in the weeks following its departure.
During the 274-day cruise, which included visits to more than 60 countries, the ship was able to visit numerous different destinations.
The trip did not always go as originally planned. Royal Caribbean rerouted the ship at the beginning of the year and there was even a flood.

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Audrey Martucci had never been on a cruise before booking a nine-month voyage with Royal Caribbean International.

The trip was an attraction, but the 60-year-old had another reason. Her husband, Joe, had “no intention” of retiring, according to Audrey. “When the travel agent contacted us and called me, my first thought was, 'That means you're retiring, so I'm saying yes to this cruise,'” she said, laughing.

She and Joe – an avid cruiser – took a few cruises to warm up for the Ultimate World Cruise, which departed from Miami in December. “But nothing can prepare you for nine months,” said Joe, 67.

The Orlando, Florida, couple, now both retired, threw themselves into travel. They sold their car and their nephew moved into their house while they made the ship Serenade of the Seas their home.

The 274-day cruise, visiting more than 60 countries, attracted a lot of attention in the weeks following its departure, with accounts from passengers going viral on TikTok, amplified by other users summarizing the latest developments and the media coverage that followed.

Before the sailing ended on Tuesday, USA TODAY spoke with several guests about what it was like sailing around the world for nearly a year.

“This ship went to places I had never been before”

The length of the cruise allowed the ship to visit a wide variety of destinations, a big draw even for guests like Joe Martucci, who traveled extensively for work. “This ship went to places I'd never been,” he said. They included Buenos Aires, Argentina – where he and Audrey were able to see the sunrise over Iguazu Falls – and Copacabana Beach in Brazil.

Adita Larson, a guest from Houston, said Antarctica is her favorite destination. “You can't capture on video or photos how beautiful it is to stand in front of these icebergs and see them so close to your eyes,” said the 64-year-old.

Royal Caribbean has also put together experiences for passengers. Brandee Lake, 47, had been on the Great Wall before, but this time the cruise line offered an exclusive tour of the Badaling section. “So it was super exciting to have it practically private for our group,” said Lake, who was previously based in Los Angeles. “When does something like this ever happen?”

She also took advantage of opportunities to venture out on her own. For example, when the ship skipped a stopover in Madagascar because of a storm, Lake flew there herself for a short visit.

But visiting even the most exciting places can take its toll after a while. The ship's European leg, which began in July, was fairly port-heavy, with only a handful of sea days in the first few months. Larson said many people on board complained of being “exhausted.”

“It's all a blur,” she said. “We don't know where we were yesterday; we don't know where we're going tomorrow.”

The Martuccis agreed. At one point during the cruise, a friend of theirs stayed behind while their partner went on a shore excursion. “And I remember coming back and saying to Joe, 'You can do that? We don't have to go?'” Audrey recalled. “That was a huge revelation to me.”

At the beginning of the cruise, they said, many guests “hated” nonstop days. “Now we all think, 'Oh my God, a day at sea. This is so good,'” she said.

The journey also did not always go as originally planned. For example, earlier this year Royal Caribbean changed the ship's route due to ongoing attacks in the Red Sea. Instead of sailing through the Suez Canal, the ship took an alternative route around Africa.

Lake said the canceled ports during the voyage served as a “reminder to be flexible.”

“I think if I’ve learned anything, it’s to expect the unexpected,” she said.

In January, rough weather off the coast of South America also caused flooding in parts of the ship, and the shipping company confirmed the death of a passenger in February.

The story continues below.

“Just like any other community”

Cruise ships are often described as cities at sea, and the Ultimate World Cruise fostered a neighborly sense of camaraderie, passengers said.

“I mean, it's just like any other community, of course,” Lake said. “There are people you're really close to, some of them are acquaintances, some of them may not be the same people, but that's okay. You just have your group that you naturally get along with.”

Aside from the Ultimate World Cruise's roughly 650 guests, the cruise was also sold in segments, so new people were added every few months or so. If passengers ever need space, they can find solace in their cabins, Audrey Martucci said. “Or there are plenty of spaces on the ship to retreat to and hide away,” she said.

And although the Martuccis put a lot of effort into preparing for the trip – they even explored the ship during one of her sea trials – it was an adjustment to spend so much time together. “He was working full time and suddenly we're in these little spaces together all the time, and we've done that,” she said. “Everything else will be a breeze now.”

“And you didn’t throw me overboard,” Joe added.

Guests also help each other. Larson said there is a group chat on Facebook where passengers can ask for things they need or post things they no longer want to trade with each other.

Lake advised anyone considering a world trip not to overpack – a lesson she learned from experience. She took three large suitcases, a rolling suitcase and a backpack. “I've pared down everything, but it's still too much,” she said. “It's like your closet: You really only wear about 10 to 20 percent of it.”

Although she felt like she had too many shoes and rarely wore her accessories, other things like closet compartments came in handy.

Still, the logistics of life on a ship can be more complex. Larson pointed to her condo, which sustained minor damage during Hurricane Beryl. “So it wasn't possible to take care of things like that,” she said. “Of course, we could have gone home, but it wasn't that big of an emergency.” Other tasks, like paying bills, she was able to easily handle online.

The Martuccis even managed to buy a car remotely, so they'll have one when the cruise ends, and a house in Audrey's native Scotland, where they plan to spend the summers. “We were able to function,” Joe said.

When asked if they were tired of the food, Joe said: “It's like at home, you open the fridge and think, 'This is all we have' and decide to go out instead of eating (at home). That's the feeling you get sometimes.” But he stressed that the culinary team had “upped their game” for the nine-month voyage compared to their previous cruise on Serenade of the Seas.

What is a world cruise?:It is not a spontaneous decision

Go viral

The attention the cruise received online surprised passengers like the Martuccis. They originally planned to share videos with their children, who suggested they post them on TikTok. According to Joe, their follower count went from “almost zero” to nearly 100,000 within a week.

“We fell for it and got hooked on this daily video,” Audrey said. “But it was great.”

Lake, who has also documented her journey online, agreed, calling the experience a “surprise.” She and the Martuccis both noted that they had been recognized by strangers on board.

Larson didn't have a TikTok account when she boarded, but she enjoyed sharing videos from the trip. She hopes to continue doing so on land, “especially when we're back home and we have to get used to the nine months of being away from home and sleeping in a bed that doesn't rock anymore.”

Nine months at sea haven't spoiled their travels. Larson has booked nearly 30 cruises, the first of which will take place in October. Lake, who gave up her apartment and a job in advertising and marketing to travel full-time, plans to start a new career organizing group tours.

The Martuccis also have plenty of travel plans, including a family cruise on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas in January. “We're not letting our hands slip,” Joe said.

Insights from a 9-month sailing trip

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