Cruise around the world

One world cruise passenger brought so much jewelry with her that she had to have a second safe installed in her stateroom. One couple always books two staterooms because the husband snores. And still another passenger had his private jet follow the ship's itinerary in case he had to fly off for a spell to tend to business.

World cruises last around 100 nights and can cost into six figures per person - so, yes, they cater to a mostly affluent crowd. Still, one might expect even wealthy people to spend less on such a big-ticket expense in this troubled economy - but that's only somewhat true.

These wide-ranging voyages are going strong: Fifteen cruise ships are making world cruises in 2011. That's perhaps twice as many as just a few years ago. And most of them seem to doing well. While the general economy may be in the doldrums, the cruise economy is healthy, says Maurice Zarmati, president and chief executive of Costa Cruises North America. "We're doing better than land-based resorts," he says. Indeed, Carnival Corp., which operates 98 cruise ships as owner of Costa, Princess, Holland America, Cunard, Seabourn and Carnival cruise lines, reported this week its fourth-quarter income is up 29 percent.

That's why Costa is embarking on a world cruise this year for the first time in a decade. "Most of our passengers are taking the full cruise," Zarmati says. "We're almost sold out."

Nevertheless, the recession is making itself felt in some ways. "We see fewer full cruisers for 2011 and more segmenters," says Crystal Cruises spokeswoman Mimi Weisband.

ABOUT WORLD CRUISES

To be accurate, "world cruise" is a bit of a misnomer. First, not all such cruises actually circumnavigate the globe, although they may visit several continents. Second, many passengers do not book the entire cruise but go on just a shorter leg of the journey - a segment, as it is called. It's not necessarily that they may not be able to afford the cost of the full cruise; they simply may not be able to take three months away from home or work. In fact, on many world cruises, segmenters outnumber full cruisers (also known as "worldies").

But both kinds of cruisers take these trips for the same reasons: They enjoy the long days at sea, the faraway ports of call, being able to visit many locales without having to pack and unpack, and perhaps most of all, the camaraderie and socializing that develops aboard when hundreds of passengers sail together for weeks and months.

"It's almost like a family reunion," says Helga Hahneiser of South Pasadena, Calif., who has sailed on five Holland America world cruises with her husband, Jurgen.

"There's an incredible atmosphere onboard," agrees Stein Kruse, president and chief executive of Holland America. "It's like a country club at sea."

WHO SAILS

Of the 15 ships making world cruises, 13 will begin their voyages in January and eight of them call at United States ports. Most passengers book their trips months ahead of time, though most cruises still have some availability for segments in 2011. Reservations are now being taken for 2012 world cruises.

Who are the people who book world cruises?

Most are retirees, as one would expect. "But more and more are not," says Weisband. "With improved technology they can still be involved in business while on a trip. We've even had some with children."

Indeed, Regent Seven Seas had two families aboard during the luxury line's last world cruise, says chief executive Mark Conroy.

And although most world cruise passengers are affluent, some are not.

"I know of one lady that saves every penny so she can go on our world cruise," says Holland America's Kruse.

However, even for successful businessmen, three months or more is a long time to be away unless special arrangements can be made.

That's the case with Bill Mason of Memphis, Tenn., who has accumulated more than 400 days of cruising. His son takes over his manufacturing business when he is on vacation, but even so, his wife, Barbara, was unsure about being away for 131 days on their first full world cruise, on Holland America, last year.

But everything went well.

"We both loved it. It was a fantastic experience," says Mason.

Whether they go on a full world cruise or a segment, passengers have to like ship life, because these cruises usually spend more time at sea than in port. Many lines bring on more-than-usual guest lecturers and beef up onboard learning opportunities for those sea days.

WHAT IT COSTS

World cruise fares vary widely, depending on cabin category. The least expensive inside cabins and the top-of-the-line penthouse suites usually are the first to be booked, often a year or more in advance. Per-person fares start at around $20,000 on many ships that cater to American travelers - not a bad deal for three months of housing, meals, entertainment and travel. (Gratuities and onboard expenses such as cocktails are extra, as are many excursions and fees.)

On luxury liners, the fares are higher, but gratuities and alcohol are included as well as special perks. Seabourn's rates, for example, run from $49,999 to $233,285 for its 111-night cruise in 2011. On occasion, some lines offer special promotions such as two-for-ones, advance purchase, onboard credits, free air travel, fare discounts and other deals that can reduce costs.

Europe-based ships that do world cruises, such as P&O and Fred. Olson, generally have lower fares (some as low as $11,000), but cater primarily to Europeans in such areas as cuisine, customs and language.

Those who book a full cruise receive special perquisites from most lines. Cunard, for one, gives full cruisers exclusive use of one lounge aboard ship, plus some special off-ship excursions. Seabourn offers them free first-class air or airfare credit, a $1,000 onboard credit and five special events exclusive to them. Crystal full cruisers also get first-class air, larger shipboard credit and special excursions. Full cruisers also are often given a special kickoff party, free laundry and Internet access.

SEGMENT CRUISES

For those who can't get away for long periods, segments work well. They run from as few as 12 days to perhaps 60-75 days, and the cost, of course, is much less than a full world cruise.

Some lines also offer long regional voyages. Holland America has four such "grand voyages" visiting specific regions in 2011, ranging from 62 to 70 days, and Regent has a 71-night cruise that circles South America.

Because a world cruise visits so many places - often 50 or more ports of call - a lot of planning goes into mapping the itinerary.

"We plan our cruises two years out, looking at past cruises, who sailed on them, durations, port time, consult with focus groups," says Holland America's Kruse. To keep service at a high level, key members of the world cruise staff, including the captain and hotel manager, are hand-picked. Many establish a relationship with repeat passengers that last for years.

A SAMPLING OF WORLD CRUISES

Listed are some 2011 world cruises. Embarkation for segments is at selected ports en route. Starting prices are per person, double occupancy, for an inside cabin as of press time.

COSTA DELIZIOSA

100 nights

DEPARTS Dec. 28 from Savona, Italy

Ship is sold out.

CRYSTAL SERENITY

110 nights

DEPARTS Jan. 17 from Los Angeles

RATES From $53,240 a person; April 17 21-night Cape Town-London segment from $9,925

888-722-0021, crystalcruises.com

CUNARD

QUEEN ELIZABETH

103 nights

DEPARTS Jan. 5 from Southampton, England

RATES From $22,369 for full cruise

CUNARD

QUEEN MARY 2

96 nights

DEPARTS Jan. 14 from New York City

RATES From $22,369 for full cruise.

800-728-6273, cunard.com

HOLLAND AMERICA - AMSTERDAM

110 nights

DEPARTS Jan. 5 from Fort Lauderdale

RATES Full cruise sold out; 16-night Athens-Fort Lauderdale segment from $2,449

877-724-5425, hollandamerica.com

PRINCESS

PACIFIC PRINCESS

107 nights

DEPARTS Jan. 19 from

Fort Lauderdale

RATES From $18,995;

Sydney, Australia-Singapore segment from $2,995.

PRINCESS

DAWN PRINCESS

104 nights

DEPARTS May 25 from Sydney

RATES From $18,529; Fort Lauderdale-Los Angeles segment from $1,949.

800-774-6237, princess.com

REGENT SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER

145 nights

DEPARTS Jan. 13 from San Francisco.

RATES From $94,998; 25-night Bangkok-Dubai segment from $15,499.

877-505-5370, rssc.com

SEABOURN SOJOURN

111 nights

DEPARTS Jan. 5 from Los Angeles.

RATES From $49,999; 14-night Hong Kong-

Singapore segment from $6,500.

800-929-9391, seabourn.com

SILVERSEA SPIRIT

119 nights

DEPARTS Jan. 20 from Los Angeles.

RATES From $62,308; March 1 21-night Sydney-Hong Kong segment from $9,638.

800-722-9955, silversea.com

EUROPE-BASED SHIPS

All depart from Southampton, England - some segments are sold out for 2011.

FRED.OLSON - BALMORAL

108 nights

DEPARTS Jan. 5

RATES From $17,959; 29-night Callao (Peru)-Sydney segment from $6,190.

fredolsencruises.com

P&O - ARTEMIS

98 nights

DEPARTS Jan. 4

RATES March 25 17-night Cape Town-Southampton segment from about

$2,419.

P&O - ARCADIA

Six segments totaling 246 nights.

DEPARTS Jan. 5

RATES April 12 26-night Southampton-San Francisco segment from about $3,215.

P&O - AURORA

95 nights

DEPARTS Jan. 9

RATES 2011 voyage sold out; from about $13,209 for 2012 world cruise.

pocruises.com

SAGA RUBY

110 nights

DEPARTS Jan. 5

RATES 24-night Southampton-Port Said, Egypt, segment from about $6,282.

travel.saga.co.uk