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Audrey Martucci had never experienced a cruise before she booked a nine-month journey with Royal Caribbean International.

Travel was part of the attraction, but the 60-year-old had another reason. Her husband, Joe, had no plans to retire. “So, when the travel agent reached out to us, I thought, ‘This might encourage him to retire, so let’s go for this cruise!’” she chuckled.

They took a few shorter cruises to prepare for the Ultimate World Cruise, which launched from Miami in December. “But nothing can really get you ready for nine months,” Joe, 67, admitted.

Now both retired, the Orlando couple fully embraced travel. They sold their car and invited their nephew to stay at their home while they made the Serenade of the Seas their floating residence.

The extensive 274-night cruise, covering over 60 countries, gained a lot of attention after it set sail. Passengers shared their experiences on TikTok, drawing additional followers and media coverage.

As the voyage neared its end on Tuesday, YSL News spoke with several travelers about what it was like to spend nearly a year exploring the globe.

‘This ship visited places I’d never seen before’

The long duration of the cruise permitted visits to a diverse array of locations. This was an enticing aspect even for seasoned travelers like Joe Martucci, who had worked extensively in various regions. He remarked, “This ship went to places I’d never been before,” including iconic sites like Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he and Audrey enjoyed the sunrise at Iguazu Falls, and Copacabana Beach in Brazil.

Adita Larson from Houston described Antarctica as her top destination. “You can’t capture in a video or photo how breathtaking it is to stand before those icebergs, seeing them up close,” shared the 64-year-old.

Royal Caribbean also orchestrated special outings for its guests. Brandee Lake, 47, had previously visited the Great Wall of China, but this time, the cruise offered an exclusive tour of the Badaling section. “It was incredibly exciting to have the place mostly to ourselves,” said Lake, who once lived in Los Angeles. “When does that ever happen?”

She took advantage of some opportunities to explore independently as well. When the ship had to skip Madagascar due to a storm, for instance, Lake arranged her own trip there for a short adventure.

However, even visiting the most stunning destinations can become tiring over time. During the cruise’s busy European segment starting in July, guests experienced little downtime, leading to reports of exhaustion among passengers. Larson noted that many were saying they were feeling “worn out.”

“It was all a blur,” she recounted. “We couldn’t keep track of where we were or where we were going next.”

The Martuccis shared similar feelings. At one point, a friend accompanied them but decided to stay behind while their partner went on a shore excursion. “I came back and told Joe, ‘You can actually do that? We don’t have to go on every excursion?’” Audrey reflected. “That was a big discovery for me.”

Initially, many passengers “disliked” days without ports of call. “But now we all cherish those sea days. They feel so refreshing,” she added.

There were also unexpected changes during the trip. For example, Royal Caribbean decided to redirect the ship earlier this year due to incidents in the Red Sea, opting for a different route around Africa instead of passing through the Suez Canal.

Lake mentioned that the canceled ports served as a “reminder to adapt.”

“If I learned anything, it’s to prepare for the unexpected,” she emphasized.

Throughout the cruise, the ship also experienced flooding during severe weather off South America in January, and, unfortunately, a passenger passed away in February.

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‘Just like any other community’

Cruise ships are often likened to floating cities, and the Ultimate World Cruise fostered a strong sense of community among its passengers.

Apart from the approximately 650 passengers on the Ultimate World Cruise, other segments were also sold, bringing in new travelers.

Every few months, the Martuccis like to mix things up by spending time with friends. If they ever need a break from others, Audrey Martucci points out that they can retreat to their cabins. “Or there are plenty of quiet spots on the ship to find some alone time,” she shared.

While preparing for their journey, the Martuccis did their homework and even checked out the ship on a practice trip. “We transitioned from him working full-time to being in close quarters together all the time, and we’ve managed it,” said Audrey. “So, anything that comes next will feel easy in comparison.”

“Plus, you haven’t thrown me overboard,” Joe chimed in.

Passengers support one another too. Larson mentioned that they have a Facebook group chat where travelers can request necessary items or offer things they want to give away.

Lake shared some advice for those considering a world cruise: travel light. She learned this the hard way, bringing along three large bags, a rolling carry-on, and a backpack. “I ended up having to reduce my luggage, and it still felt like too much,” she said. “It’s similar to your closet: you really only wear about 10% to 20% of what you bring.”

Although she found herself with an excess of shoes and rarely used her accessories, some items, like storage cubbies for her closet, proved useful.

Life on a ship comes with unique challenges. Larson noted that her condo encountered minor damage from Hurricane Beryl during her absence. “Not being there to handle issues like that is different,” she said. “We could have gone back if it were an emergency, but it wasn’t urgent.” Fortunately, she could manage tasks like bill payments easily online.

The Martuccis even successfully purchased a car online so they will have it ready for when their cruise wraps up, along with a home in Scotland where they plan to spend summers. “We’ve managed to handle everything just fine,” Joe noted.

As for the food situation, Joe said, “Sometimes you feel like at home when you look into the fridge and think, ‘This is all we have,’ which occasionally makes you want to eat out instead. It can feel like that now and then.” However, he pointed out that the culinary team has really stepped up their game for their nine-month voyage compared to their last trip on the Serenade of the Seas.

Going viral

The unexpected online popularity of the cruise surprised passengers like the Martuccis. Initially, they meant to share videos with their children, who encouraged them to post on TikTok. According to Joe, their followers skyrocketed from “almost none” to close to 100,000 in just a week.

“We just stumbled into this and got wrapped up in making daily videos,” Audrey explained. “But it’s been an exciting adventure.”

Lake, who has also been documenting her travels online, described the experience as “a wonderful surprise.” Both she and the Martuccis have received recognition from fellow passengers during the cruise.

Larson didn’t even have a TikTok account before getting on the ship, but she’s found joy in sharing her experiences now. She plans to keep posting once she returns home, “especially as we adjust back to life after nine months away and a bed that’s not swaying beneath us.”

Spending nine months at sea hasn’t dampened their love for travel. Larson has nearly 30 cruises lined up, starting with one in October. Lake, who left her apartment and a job in advertising and marketing to travel full-time, aims to begin a new career organizing group trips.

The Martuccis have plans too, including a family cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas in January. “We refuse to let ourselves slow down,” Joe remarked.