World Cruise Lasting 9 Months Takes Over TikTok With TV-Rivaling Drama
How does 274 nights on a boat sound to you?
Once again, the gauche goings-on of the woozily wealthy have taken center stage.
This time around, we’re hitting the high seas, from the comfort and safety of home, thanks to a slew of TikToks documenting the nine-month journey of passengers on Royal Caribbean’s The Ultimate World Cruise. As its name implies, this daunting trek is not only Ultimate, but it’s also a World-minded outing.
Per Royal Caribbean, the voyage launched in December and gives presumably well-to-do travelers the opportunity to spend 274 nights with “like-minded explorers” as they visit more than 60 countries across seven continents. The full nine-month trip started at just under $60,000 per person for the Interior Stateroom, while those who forked over more than $117,000 are given the Junior Suite treatment. Shorter (and cheaper) travel options are also available, including the Ultimate Americas and Ultimate Asia Pacific cruises.
But it’s hard to say whether Royal Caribbean could have expected the intense fandom spurred by passengers’ videos (not to mention reality TV-inspired edits) in recent days. The mania, as it were, received quite the boost following reports of the ship running into severe weather. Videos seemingly showed flooding aboard the vessel, an image that can’t help but call to mind elements of Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or-winning comedy Triangle of Sadness.
In a statement to USA Today, a Royal Caribbean rep confirmed “heavy wind and rain” had impacted a set of elevators and several rooms on the boat, thus requiring “minor cleanup and elevator repairs.”
Through a growing library of TikTok and other social media-shared videos, the story of the Ultimate World Cruise continues to expand, essentially giving those in search of such a thing a reality show, of sorts, that’s playing out in real time.
@brooklynschwetje The Ultimate Real World Cruise Full House Edition🥹🏠🫶🏼 #ultimateworldcruise #royalcaribbean #serenadeoftheseas #royalcaribbeancruise #royalcaribbeaninternationalcruise #worldcruise2023 #cruisetok #worldcruise #royalcaribbeanworldcruise #uwc #fullhouse ♬ Full House – The Hollywood Prime Time Orchestra
@little_rat_brain Another bingo card down . #ultimateworldcruise2023 #9monthcruisetok #ultimateworldcruisebingo #northsea ♬ It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere – Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett
@madisonschwetje Meet @Majid Michael Gichur on the Ultimate World Cruise! #ultimateworldcruise #royalcaribbean #serenadeoftheseas #royalcaribbeancruise #royalcaribbeaninternationalcruise #worldcruise2023 #cruisetok #worldcruise #royalcaribbeanworldcruise #uwc ♬ original sound – Madison Schwetje
@aa.kenney WAIT UNTIL THE END…. This is why we think we have the best room!! . #fyp #aak #uwc #ultimateworldcruise #worldcruise #travelingcouple #royalcaribbean #serenadeoftheseas #cruisetok #roomtour ♬ original sound – Andrew & Ale Kenney
@aditaml2759 Here is an update on Deck 12 today! Everything back to normal, elevators functional again, almost all dry, no smells! Royal Caribbean was definitely prepared and took care of everything quickly! #ultimateworldcruise #9monthcruise #worldcruise #serenadeoftheseas #floodatsea #floodingship #flood #royalcaribbean #cruising #cruise #pineapple #pinnacle ♬ original sound – Adita
@iambrandeelake Day 26 – Montevideo, to sum it up: city tour, wine, dancing (folk, tango, Mama Vieja), candombe, and more. 🍷😊 #royalcarribean #ultimateworldcruise #cruisetok #blackworldcruiser #serenadeoftheseas #foryoupage #fyp #BrannonFiles #melaninatsea ♬ original sound – Brandee Lake
@madisonschwetje Part ✌🏼 of not being able to sleep on the Ultimate World Cruise 🌎 #ultimateworldcruise #royalcaribbean #serenadeoftheseas #royalcaribbeancruise #royalcaribbeaninternationalcruise #worldcruise2023 #cruisetok #worldcruise #royalcaribbeanworldcruise #uwc ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim
@aditaml2759 Our first storm of the Ultimate WC, 60mph winds, flooding, forward elevators closed until further notice. We’re really swinging now 😎 A friend just sent me this video of flooding on Deck 12! #ultimateworldcruise #9monthcruise #flooding #worldcruiseflood #floodonthehighseas #pineapple #pinnacle #swinging #worldcruisestorm ♬ Solas X Interstellar – Gabriel Albuquerqüe
@caseyelizabethyt It is getting real on the 9 month cruise ship #royalcaribbean #ultimateworldcruise #royalcarribeancruise #9monthcruise #cruisetiktok #cruisedrama #fyp ♬ original sound – Tea with Casey
The 274-night trip aboard the Serenade of the Seas ship is set to wrap in September. Later this month, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, previously billed as the “biggest ship to ever set sail,” will officially begin welcoming travelers.
