If you go: The 2009 World Cruise

Baltimore Sun reporter

September 28, 2008

Seven Seas Voyager will launch its 116-night world cruise from Los Angeles on Jan. 12. It will return to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., May 8.

Itinerary segments: Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand, 19 nights; Auckland to Sydney, Australia, 12 nights; Sydney to Shanghai, China, 21 nights; Shanghai to Singapore, 12 nights; Singapore to Dubai, 14 nights; Dubai to Istanbul, 17 nights; Istanbul to Fort Lauderdale, 20 nights.

Highlights: Humanitarian Terry Waite will be a special guest lecturer on the Los Angeles to Auckland sail. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor will serve in the same capacity during the Shanghai to Singapore segment. The final segment, from Istanbul to Fort Lauderdale, will feature Regent Seven Seas Cruises President Mark Conroy, Le Cordon Bleu cooking workshops, and the ship's "Astronaut Series."

Cost: Full world cruise fares range from $64,995 to $224,995 per person, based on double occupancy. Segment fares start at $7,995.

Note: Voyager's sister ship, Seven Seas Mariner, will also conduct a world cruise, departing Jan. 26 from Fort Lauderdale for Buenos Aires. For a roundup of world cruises, visit Cruise Critic at cruisecritic.com.

5 things to know before you go

1. Secure your travel visas. We had to get two visas, one for Australia and the other for China, in advance of our world cruise. Australia was easy -- we did it online. But China, and many other countries, can be more complex.

2. Visit your accountant. World cruises occur during tax season, so be sure and settle things with your accountant before your trip.

3. Pack for both warm and cold climates. We wore shorts in Australia and heavy coats in snowy Japan a mere three weeks later.

4. Stash up on your meds. Obviously, you need to get prescription refills that will last for the 100-plus days of your cruise. It's also a good idea to ask your doctor or check at cdc.gov/travel for any vaccinations that might be recommended for your itinerary.

5. Anticipate rough seas. As we discovered, the Pacific doesn't always live up to its placid name. On cruises, we always pack anti-nausea ginger gum, Dramamine and acupressure-based "sea bands" that you wear on your wrist.