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THE world's longest cruise is about to set sail from London with 100,000 bottles of champers on board for the ultimate round-the-world trip in 245 days.

The Viking Sun ship is docked on the River Thames in Greenwich and will embark on the longest passenger sea crossing in history this weekend, spanning six continents, 51 countries and 111 ports.

The Viking Sun ship is currently docked on the River Thames in Greenwich
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The Viking Sun ship is currently docked on the River Thames in GreenwichCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Docked in Greenwich Pier, the ship comes in at an impressive 745ft long
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Docked in Greenwich Pier, the ship comes in at an impressive 745ft longCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The Queen's House lies in the foreground of the docked cruise liner
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The Queen's House lies in the foreground of the docked cruise linerCredit: London News Pictures

Over eight months, the voyage from London will aim to set a Guinness world record for the longest continuous passenger cruise.

With stops including the southern-most tip of South America to the vibrant Indian city of Mumbai, it is sure to tick off plenty of bucket-list adventures.

And 54 passengers,  including four from the UK, have reportedly signed up for the full 245 days.

The voyagers can expect to return to London on May 2 of 2020.

'ULTIMATE WORLD CRUISE'

But circumnavigating the globe on board the 930-guest cruise liner does not come cheap - with prices starting from as much as £66,900.

Those wanting the most luxurious experience will need to fork out more than £194,000 for the best suites.

Viking Cruises bills the journey as the "Ultimate World Cruise".

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

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.

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Before arriving in the Caribbean, the ship will cross the transatlantic via the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland.

Two months will be set aside for exploring South America before calling on the remote tropical islands of the South Pacific.

The Viking Sun will then continue its journey to America's west coast before crossing the Pacific to the coast of Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Passengers will finally return to the Mediterranean and Europe and arrive back in London in May next year.

Guests will stay overnight in 23 cities including Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Luxor in Egypt.

Most guests will be on board for half the itinerary, with a changeover of passengers in Los Angeles.

ON-BOARD LUXURY

The cruise promises to offer guests the ultimate in luxury on-board entertainment.

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, 5000lb of icecream, 10,000 bottles of champagne, 20,000lb of coffee, 35,000lb of cheese and 900,000 eggs.

For those staying in the 1,448 sq ft Owner’s Suite - the largest suite on board - guests can enjoy 24-hour personalised 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.

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And for those with even more cash to spend, superyachts are a popular choice for the rich and famous. 

superyacht that is for hire to the mega rich.

The world's richest stars are often spotted lounging in top-deck Jacuzzis and jumping into crystal clear waters from multi-million pound boats.

The Flying Fox is equipped with almost every luxury imaginable but you'll need a reported £2.5million to hire it for the week.

The Viking Sun 'Ultimate World Cruise'

Length: 745ft

Width: 94.5ft

Crew: 480

Capacity: 930 guests

Speed: 20 knots

Route: London - Scandinavia - The Caribbean - South America - Islands of the South Pacific - Australia - Asia - The Mediterranean - Europe - London

Voyage: 55,700 nautical miles

Price: Starting from £66,900 and up to £194,000

Restaurants: 8

Cruise length: 245 days, or eight months

Destinations: 6 continents, 51 countries and 111 ports

Features: An on-board infinity pool, spa with thermal suite and snow grotto, yoga and cookery classes, theatre, bars, restaurants.

Bottles of champagne: 10,000

Meals: 680,000

Guests can indulge in the ultimate in luxury with multiple pools and spas on board
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Guests can indulge in the ultimate in luxury with multiple pools and spas on boardCredit: vikingcruises.co.uk
An expansive six-person dining room welcomes guests staying in the Owner’s Suite
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An expansive six-person dining room welcomes guests staying in the Owner’s SuiteCredit: vikingcruises.co.uk
Guests can relax in spacious open-plan lounge areas and indulge in eight on-board restaurants
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Guests can relax in spacious open-plan lounge areas and indulge in eight on-board restaurantsCredit: vikingcruises.co.uk
A view from one of the pools on the ships deck offers the ultimate in cruise relaxation
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A view from one of the pools on the ships deck offers the ultimate in cruise relaxationCredit: vikingcruises.co.uk
An on-board movie theatre gives guests a range of entertainment options
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An on-board movie theatre gives guests a range of entertainment optionsCredit: vikingcruises.co.uk
The 338 sq ft penthouse comes complete with a private veranda, dining room, kitchen, and extensive wine collection
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The 338 sq ft penthouse comes complete with a private veranda, dining room, kitchen, and extensive wine collectionCredit: vikingcruises.co.uk
The large master bathroom features a spacious glass-enclosed shower, double-sink vanity and heated floors
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The large master bathroom features a spacious glass-enclosed shower, double-sink vanity and heated floorsCredit: vikingcruises.co.uk
The Owner’s Suite is fitted with a private living room with original artwork
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The Owner’s Suite is fitted with a private living room with original artworkCredit: vikingcruises.co.uk
The ship is about to set sail from London with 100,000 bottles of champers on board
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The ship is about to set sail from London with 100,000 bottles of champers on boardCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Over eight months, the voyage will aim to set a Guinness world record for the longest continuous passenger cruise
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Over eight months, the voyage will aim to set a Guinness world record for the longest continuous passenger cruiseCredit: London News Pictures
Two onlookers take in the enormity of the ship's size
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Two onlookers take in the enormity of the ship's sizeCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Video of the Flying Fox - the world's largest yacht for charter

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