Luxury ship attempts record 245-day voyage

Viking Cruises is a cruise line providing river and ocean cruises, with operations based in Basel, Switzerland.

Viking Cruises is attempting to set the record for the world’s longest continuous passenger cruise.

Its “ultimate world cruise,” which set sail on 31 August from London, will spend a total of 245 days visiting 51 countries across six continents.

It will span six continents and stop on 111 ports before returning to London on 2 May 2020.

Destinations include Brazil, Vietnam and Tasmania.

A total of 54 passengers, including four from the United Kingdom, have reportedly signed up for the full 245 days. Tickets for the 930-guest cruise liner cost over $90,000 per person.

One of the dining areas inside the Viking cruise ship.

The cruise line is using its Viking Sun ship, which debuted in 2017, for the record attempt.

“(It) is the most extensive itinerary available in the industry, nearly double the length of our previous world cruise itineraries,” said chair Torstein Hagen.

After setting off from Greenwich, the cruise will sail around the British Isles stopping in Dover, Liverpool, Holyhead, Belfast, Ullapool, Kirkwall, Edinburgh, Invergordon and Lerwick.

Then the voyage will continue to Scandinavia, with the Norwegian port of Bergan as the first point of call.

Multiple pools and spas are dotted throughout the ship, with an on-board movie theatre.

The ship’s floor plan includes spacious open-plan lounge areas and eight on-board restaurants.

Guests staying for the full cruise experience can expect to eat an estimated 680,000 meals, 5,000 pounds of ice cream, 10,000 bottles of champagne, 20,000 pounds of coffee, 35,000 pounds of cheese and 900,000 eggs.

For those staying in the 1,448 square feet Owner’s Suite—the largest suite on board—guests can enjoy 24-hour personalized room service.

The suite includes an expansive six-person dining room, a private veranda, kitchen, living room and extensive wine collection with large master bathroom.

A private sauna offers ocean views and a 12-person boardroom even accommodates for the business person on the go. (Business Insider, Sun)