SAILING PAST:

First you must be clear about what constitutes a world cruise. Many companies market long cruises (60 days plus) under names such as “world voyages” or “world journeys” but most do not make a full circumnavigation of the globe. Crystal Cruises’ 102-day “world cruise” round-trip from San Francisco in January 2016 is actually a “Grand Pacific Panorama” that circles the Pacific via, among other places, Sydney, Singapore, Shanghai, Alaska and Vancouver. Such cruises may actually be better suited to your needs but if you want the satisfaction of circling the globe, look to companies such as Cunard, P&O and Fred Olsen that have long experience of fullcircumnavigation voyages.

Whether you book a full or partial world cruise, the most important factor is the list of ports and destinations en route.

Look closely at the number of days at sea and the actual number of ports visited and nights spent in key cities. Cunard’s January 2016 full circumnavigation aboard Queen Victoria lasts 120 days. Of these, 72 are spent “at sea” and others involve scenic cruising or “cruise bys” — also effectively “at sea”. Some 26 ports are visited, but only on three occasions in four months will you be in port overnight (in Sydney, Cape Town and San Francisco). P&O’s 114-day full circumnavigation in 2016 has 71 days at sea, visits 36 ports and overnights in just four cities (Sydney, Cape Town, Hong Kong and San Francisco).

So before choosing a world cruise, be sure they are for you. However sunny your disposition, four months at sea may incite boredom, frustration, and irritation with fellow passengers, the same dining venues, or your cabin.

Next, decide whether you really want to make a full circumnav the Atlantic and Pacifi immediately adds a mi at sea: and most cruise or two stops in the latt Papeete (French Polyn This is where partial w