Many people can’t imagine being “stuck” on a cruise ship for more than a few days.
But a group of travelers are so passionate about maritime tourism that they dream of living on an ocean liner.
This second group is exactly the target audience for the world’s longest cruise, which will last three years and traverse 135 countries on seven continents.
The package is offered by Live at Sea Cruises, a company that specializes in long ocean voyages.
But none is as long as the one it just announced.
Beginning November 1, 2023, the MV Gemini will sail from Istanbul, Turkey, touring 135 countries and calling 375 ports, 103 on tropical, postcard-perfect islands.
The entire voyage will take three years.
Don’t expect a mega-ship that dominates the seas with inner-city neighborhoods, huge water parks, and attractions like roller coasters and go-kart tracks.
This small ship has only 400 cabins and a capacity of up to 1,047 passengers.
The ship has been in service since 1992, has undergone several renovations, has changed its name several times, and has been operated by several companies, including the venerable Cunard.
It belongs to Miray Cruises, a company specializing in routes between Greece and Turkey.
In its current “incarnation”, the Gemini has a very modern and elegant design, with a clean environment without the extravagance that often characterizes cruise ships.
She has a swimming pool, spa, library, main restaurant, bars, lounges, and a small theater.
Among the common areas, the upper deck, known as the Observatory Deck, is particularly noteworthy because it has lunettes for stargazing.
The price for the most basic interior cabin starts at $30,000 per person.
Of course, those who want more comfort and a balcony must pay more: US$110,000.
The cheapest cabin with a window costs US$37,000.
The above values are annual, but the cabin must be booked for the entire trip period.
However, those who wish can share a cabin with other passengers.
Life at Sea allows up to three groups of passengers to book the same cabin as long as they share.
For example, three couples can team up and book the same unit, and each can enjoy a year on board.
The amount of money invested makes you sit up and take notice.
However, it entitles you to all meals per day, alcoholic drinks during dinner and soft drinks and juice throughout the day, laundry service, port fees, gym, and even medical services, which are usually charged separately and are usually quite expensive.
Passengers will also be able to use free Wi-Fi all the time.
As for the internet on board, the tour operator promises that it will have a quality and speed worthy of that of mainlanders.
The idea is that travelers can work remotely during the cruise.
To this end, the ship will have a business center with meeting rooms, 14 offices, and a lounge that can be used as a coworking area.
To make passengers feel even more at home in their floating home, they can invite friends and family to stay in their cabin for up to one month at no additional cost.
ITINERARY DETAILS
Due to its small size, the MV Gemini can dock in traditional ports and regions that mega-ships cannot reach.
An example of this is the route that will take her through Brazil.
In addition to exploring the entire coastline, with stops from São Luiz do Maranhão to Rio Grande in Rio Grande do Sul, it will sail through the Amazon, with stops in Macapá, Belém, Santarém, Parintins, and Manaus.
In South America, the ship will sail to the Chilean glaciers, the Pacific coast of countries such as Peru and Ecuador, the beaches of Colombia, the Río de la Plata region, and the southernmost tip of the continent, such as Port Stanley (Malvinas), Ushuaia (Argentina), Punta Arenas (Chile) and from there to Antarctica.
The itinerary includes dozens of stops in the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, the United States west coast (including Hawaii), and Canada.
In Asia, there are 12 landings in Japan alone.
In China, passengers can disembark in Tianjin, among other places, with short excursions to Beijing and the Great Wall.
The ship will also visit Taiwan, allowing travelers to see the differences between the “two Chinas.”
Southeast Asia, Oceania, the islands of the South Pacific, and the Indian subcontinent are also on the itinerary, as is the Indian Ocean.
In Africa, most stations are in the south and on the west coast.
And in Europe, practically all coasts from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia are explored.