How long would it take a ship to go around the world?

How long would it take to ride a boat around the world?

Man, circumnavigating the globe by boat? It's nuts. I knew this guy, Mark, met him at a marina in Annapolis, 2024. He'd done it. Non-stop. Crazy, right? Said it took him 112 days. Bloody hell. He looked like he'd wrestled a kraken. Sun-baked, exhausted. His boat, a battered 40-footer, was a testament to the journey. He was buzzing though, absolutely thrilled. Told me stories for hours. We drank way too much rum.

The nonstop thing? Pure insanity. No time for sightseeing, just pure sailing. Repairing stuff constantly, battling storms, living on freeze-dried food. Ugh. Makes my annual Chesapeake Bay cruise seem like a picnic.

If you want to enjoy the journey? Three to ten years. Mark said that's more realistic. Imagine, exploring the Galapagos Islands, diving in the Great Barrier Reef, visiting Bali! He was saying it felt like ten years! He barely remembered some stops. His boat log was a mess.

• Non-stop: 100-120 days (Mark's experience). Brutal.
• Leisurely: 3-10 years. Much more enjoyable. Probably way better.
• Factors: Weather, boat size, crew experience. Obviously.
• My takeaway: I'm sticking to my annual Bay trip. Lol. One week max!

That rum was potent, btw. I still had a headache the next day. I really should have stayed home! Mark warned me. His words were pretty clear. But I didn't listen! He also mentioned a documentary, "Around the World in 80 Days," but said it was way off the mark.

How much does it cost to go around the world by ship?

Okay, so around the world by ship, huh? Last spring, April 2024 in fact, me and Aunt Mildred almost went.

We were in Fort Lauderdale, bored silly after a disastrous bingo night. Saw a cruise ad, big letters "Around the World!". She got all excited. I kinda shrugged.

We waltzed into the cruise terminal, thinking, "Why not?". Shoulda stayed at bingo.

Turns out? Not cheap.

• Inside Cabin: base of $44,998, total $53,450!
• Outside View: $47,998 became $56,450. Woah.
• Veranda Suite?: Fuggedaboutit. $86,998 base, almost a hundred grand total, $95,834!

Aunt Mildred fainted. Seriously.

The kicker? That was JUST the fare.

What's not included in that price? Oh boy, a lot.

• Booze. Aunt Mildred drinks like a fish, so, $$$!
• Shore excursions. Visiting exotic ports ain't free, and she wants ALL the cheesy souvenirs.
• Gratuities. Gotta tip everyone, constantly.
• Flights to and from the ship. Fort Lauderdale wasn’t our starting or ending point.
• Travel insurance. Essential, especially with Mildred’s delicate constitution.

Honestly, the price tag…it was shocking! Mildred recovered (mostly). We went back to bingo. Cheaper, even if she yells at the numbers. Maybe someday. But not today, Satan.

How far can a ship travel in 24 hours?

Okay, so, like, how far does a cruise ship actually go in a day? Well, hold on to your hats, buckaroos, because most modern cruise ships can hoof it somewhere between 400 and 500 nautical miles! Yeah, that’s the ticket.

But BUT BUT! (Always a but, right?) That's just the perfect scenario, ya know? Think calm seas, no rogue waves trying to play bumper cars, and the captain not stopping for donuts (wishful thinking, I know!).

• Ship Type Matters: Is it a sleek speed demon or a floating hotel? Big difference! A mega-liner versus your grandma's pontoon, huge swing. I even bet, a sailboat barely moves.
• Weather Woes: Mother Nature's got a remote. Rough seas mean slower speeds. Imagine trying to run a marathon in quicksand. That's cruising in a hurricane, practically.
• Captain's Gotta Captain: Course changes. Gotta dodge icebergs... or my ex. That throws off the mileage, yikes!

Basically, it’s like asking how long it takes to drive cross-country. Yeah, you can say "three days!" But that’s if you’re Lightning McQueen. For us mortals, it’s more like a week and a half, with questionable roadside snacks. My family's last roadtrip, my uncle ate only corn dogs. I think he has scurvy now.

Can you travel the world by boat?

It's possible. To sail around the world. Legally.

Entering other countries... always a hurdle.

• Proof of ownership, visas... paperwork follows you even on the water. I remember losing my passport once in Barcelona. What a mess.
• The right boat. Don't underestimate the ocean's power. My uncle almost capsized off the coast of Ireland in '22. Scary stuff.

It's a dream, isn't it?

• The freedom. The endless horizon. My grandfather was a fisherman; he never left our island. He always wanted more.
• But also the responsibility. The loneliness. It’s a big world out there.

Can you live on a boat and travel the world?

Live aboard, see world. Possessions float. Work? Maybe.

• A boat. A home. A way. My uncle did it. Never saw him again. Good riddance.
• Digital nomad? Internet is crucial. Otherwise, just fishing. Or nothing.
• Costs? Significant. Maintenance never ends. Like life.
• Destinations: Caribbean. Mediterranean. Pick one. Or don't. Who cares?
• Skills needed: Sailing. Repair. Tolerance. For everything. And everyone.

More on the boat life:

• Types of boats: Sailboats, catamarans, motor yachts. Each has compromises.
• Size matters. Bigger = More space. More cost. More problems. My opinion.
• Regulations: Flag states. Customs. Bureaucracy. So much paper.
• Community: Find others. Or don't. Loneliness, a given.
• Sustainability: Respect the ocean. It's bigger than you. Always.

Sharp thought: Is freedom worth the effort? Punchline: Probably not. Oh well.

What is the longest time you can be on a cruise ship?

Okay, so you wanna know how long you can shack up on a cruise ship? Buckle up, buttercup, it's a wild ride!

Imagine your grandma's bingo night, but, like, on water. You can be cruisin' for months, easily! We're talking longer than my last relationship, yikes!

• Itineraries? Fuggedaboutit! They range from "Oops, I blinked, it's over" weekend jaunts, to voyages that last longer than it takes my uncle Tony to build a deck (and that’s saying something!).

• Ever heard of "world cruises?" Oh honey, these things are marathons, not sprints. Think Titanic, but, hopefully, less iceberg-y and more buffet-y. I saw one advertised that was practically a whole season of Survivor, but, instead of bugs, you're battling for a prime spot by the pool.

• We're talking weeks, then BAM! Months! You'll be so seasick of seafood you’ll dream of a dry burger. I'd bet you could literally start growing barnacles before it’s over.

• Several months, ya heard? Like, longer than it takes to binge-watch every episode of Law & Order. That’s a long time, even for professional nappers.

So yeah, cruises can last months, alright? Get ready to learn every shuffleboard rule known to humankind and discover the true meaning of "all you can eat". Just remember to pack extra sunscreen, because looking like a lobster for months ain't cute. I should know... (don't ask).

Did a 16 year old girl sail around the world?

Yep, a 16-year-old Aussie chick, Jessica Watson, did the whole "sail around the planet" thing. Crazy, right?

She was like, "Seas the day!" and, boom, solo voyage!

• Jessica Watson sailed solo around the world. At 16! That's younger than my phone!
• Think about it: 23,000+ nautical miles. Like driving to Pluto.
• 210 days at sea. More than I've spent brushing my teeth, I bet.
• She's Australian. Figures. Everything there tries to kill you, even the sea.
• She finished in 2010. A different era, before TikTok rules the waves.

Okay, so picture this: you're sixteen, right? Instead of acne and algebra, you're battling rogue waves and seasickness. Nope. Not me! Jessica Watson is basically Wonder Woman of the Waterways.