Oceania wants travelers to live on its new luxury cruise ship for 6 months while it sails to 43 countries. A trip starts at $60K — see what it'll be like.

Sun, 03/10/2024 - 05:07

Pool deck on the Oceania Vista — Oceania says its 2026 world cruise aboard the new Vista ship is set to sail to 101 destinations — including 81 "UNESCO World Heritage sites" — across 43 countries.
Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Oceania announced a 180-day 2026 world cruise from Miami to 101 ports, starting at $59,700 a person.
The premium cruise brand tapped its new luxury ship, Vista, for the 43-country itinerary.
Oceania's 2024 world cruise set sail in January after it sold out in 30 minutes.

Oceania Cruises wants you to spend at least $59,700 — and 180 days — living on its newest cruise ship while it sails 360 degrees around the globe.

And if the itinerary's bookings are anything like the company's previous global sailings, this six-month cruise could sell out — fast. Bookings for this cruise officially open on March 13.

The brand's around-the-world itineraries have become wildly hyped over the last few years. In January, its most recent world cruise on the fully booked Insignia departed from Los Angeles on a similar 180-day, 96-port journey.

When reservations opened two years prior, that ship was sold out in 30 minutes. Oceania is a high-end brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

Looking ahead, Oceania’s 2026 global itinerary is set to be bigger, better, and on a newer ship.

The Oceania Vista and a walking track. — Vista joined Oceania's fleet in May 2023.
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The premium cruise line has frequently picked the 684-guest Insignia as its world cruise vessel of choice.

But this time, it's switching "ship" up: The company has tapped its newest vessel, the 1,200-guest Vista, for its 2026 itinerary. And it won't be a light trial run: The sailing is set to include 101 ports across 43 countries — and the cruise line says tours will hit 81 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

On January 6, 2026, Oceania says the Vista will depart Miami and spend the first six weeks sailing to destinations along the coast of South America.

Cathedral of Lima is a Spanish colonial-style church — Oceania's 2026 world cruise brochure shows the Vista sailing down and around South America's coastline, hitting destinations like Lima, Peru.
John Coletti/Getty Images

The ship would then head back north to ports in Mexico, Southern California, and Hawaii before chugging along to South Pacific islands like Bora Bora.

From there, the itinerary includes several ports in Australia.

Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island in Australia — According to Oceania, Australia's Whitsunday Island has the smallest population of all the itineraries' destinations.
Peter Harrison/Getty Images

After these stops, the ship would head north and west, continuing to destinations like Singapore and Mumbai as it sails from Southeast Asia to India.

From the world’s most populous country, the Vista would then journey to Middle East destinations like Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Muscat, Oman.

Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona — The 2026 world cruise includes a stop in Barcelona, among a handful of other Spanish cities.
Alexandr Spatari/Getty Images

After sailing through the Suez Canal, the ship would begin hitting a series of ports throughout the Mediterranean, Europe, and the British Isles.

And following a few stops in Iceland, the Vista would finally begin its journey back to North America.

Reykjavik — The itinerary shows the Vista sailing to three ports in Iceland, including Reykjavík.
Flickr/Bryan Pocius

After pit stops in Halifax, Canada, New York, and Charleston, South Carolina, the half-year journey would finally conclude where it started: in sunny Miami.

Whew, what a journey!

Throughout these six months, travelers would get to live out their “Suite Life on Deck” dreams.

mini golf course on the Oceania Vista — The ship has amenities like a putting green and pickleball court.
Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The new 791-foot-long Vista flexes cabins that start at 240 square feet.

Seafaring guests could spend their days at sea luxuriating in the ship's spa and library.

Folks who prefer to occupy their time with more hands-on activities can instead take cooking and art classes.

Oceania says its culinary program and “destination-focused” itineraries are its bread-and-butter.

Avocado toast in the Oceania Vista — Travelers can order avocado toast for breakfast and porcini mushroom-dusted bone-in ribeye steak for dinner.
Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The latter has already been covered: The 2026 world cruise is set to hit 101 ports, after all.

As for the former, Oceania's Vista could have enough restaurants to satisfy even the pickiest of foodies.

The almost one-year-old ship has 11 dining options, from afternoon tea to dishes created by the ship's godmother, celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis.

Guests could spend their mornings grabbing an espresso at the coffee shop.

Bartenders in the Oceania Vista — Vista has eight watering holes, lounges, and entertainment options on the ship.
Brittany Chang/Business Insider

And at night (or any time: it's five o'clock "somewhere" when you sail through every time zone, right?), guests can sip on flashy bourbon and rye-based cocktails at the Founders Bar.

Six months at sea isn’t for everyone. But for some travelers, the itinerary’s starting cost of $59,700 per person could be an absolute steal.

pool deck in the Oceania Vista — Cruises are often considered a convenient and economical way to travel.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Planning a multi-country trip can be complex: Think of all the hotels, flights, and land transportation you'd have to coordinate.

But on a world cruise, these logistics are all planned for you. Oceania's fare also includes first-class roundtrip flights and transfers, internet, and laundry.

The best part?

the bed on the Oceania Vista veranda stateroom — Bookings for Oceania's 2026 world cruise open on March 13.
Brittany Chang/Business Insider

You'll probably lose fewer pairs of socks on a world cruise versus a do-it-yourself vacation: No need to unpack and repack every few days when you'll be living in the same cabin for the entire vacation.

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Oceania wants travelers to live on its new luxury cruise ship for 6 months whil…