The World Cruise 2026 by Silversea Cruises will call on the highest number of destinations in the cruise line’s history.
On May 25, 2023, Silversea Cruises released details on its upcoming World Cruise 2026. Titled “The Curious and the Sea,” the 140-day sailing will be the most diverse and immersive voyage in the cruise line’s history.
After a curated travel experience including private executive transfers, business class air, and a dedicated meet and greet service, guests on the epic sailing will board the luxury Silver Dawn cruise ship at Fort Lauderdale on January 6, 2026 before visiting 70 destinations in 37 countries.
The 2026 World Cruise will include nine overnight stays in various ports, and 26 port calls that are either new for a Silversea World Cruise or unvisited by the cruise line since 2020.
The ship will journey through Central America before transiting the Panama Canal to South America. Easter Island, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific will follow, leading guests to New Zealand and a semi-circumnavigation of Australia.
Cruisers will then explore Southeast Asia, crossing the Bay of Bengal to Sri Lanka, India, and the Red Sea, before passing through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean. After several European port stops, the voyage will come to an end in Lisbon, Portugal, on May 27, 2026.
In a press release, Silversea promised that The Curious and the Sea World Cruise will introduce visitors to the rich history of navigation, motivated by the same curiosity that drove early sailors to voyage to unknown regions.
Bespoke events ashore, onboard activities, regionally inspired culinary experiences, and three optional overland tours (Uzbekistan, Luxor, and the Balkans), will enrich the voyage, channeling the same spirit of discovery that has fueled exploration over the years.
Cruisers will sail along historic trade routes, passing through the Panama and Suez canals and the waters that connected the Silk Road. They will also visit some of the most remote islands on Earth, notably those in the South Pacific, which Captain James Cook first encountered during his exploration of the region in the 18th century.
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Guests will also see places that have influenced scientific advancement, including Western Australia, which Charles Darwin first visited in 1836.
“Calling in more destinations than any voyage in Silversea’s history, our World Cruise 2026, ‘The Curious and the Sea,’ will connect the most enriching experiences across 70 destinations and six continents,” said Barbara Muckermann, President and CEO of Silversea Cruises.
“For this World Cruise, we took inspiration from history’s most pioneering explorers, each of whom has sailed to the end of the earth—driven by curiosity and a thirst for discovery. Appealing to the curious traveler within, we are inviting our guests to experience our planet’s beauty with new eyes, while celebrating the rich history of navigation. ‘The Curious and the Sea’ demonstrates our commitment to unlocking the most immersive travel experiences for our guests, broadening the largest collection of extended voyages in ultra-luxury cruising. We can’t wait to welcome our extended family aboard Silver Dawn for this special sailing.”
Highlights of Silversea’s 2026 World Cruise
Newly Scouted: 28-Day Deep Dive of the South Pacific
A 28-day immersion in French Polynesia and the South Pacific will be a highlight of the World Cruise, curated after months of thorough scouting by Silversea’s destination experts.
New ports include the Marquesas Islands’ Nuku Hiva and Atuona; Fakarava, with its UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve; Tonga’s Nuku’alofa; New Caledonia’s Lifou and Noumea; and Norfolk Island.
Bora Bora and Papeete in French Polynesia, Aitutaki in the Cook Islands, and Savusavu in Fiji will also be highlighted. Customized World Cruise events will showcase the history, traditions, and folklore of the South Pacific.
First Time on a Silversea World Cruise: Semi-Circumnavigation of Australia
For the first time on a Silversea World Cruise, Silver Dawn will cruise between Hobart (Tasmania) and Darwin on a 21-day semi-circumnavigation of Australia, venturing off the usual route via the country’s southern and western shores. Guests will marvel at some of the world’s clearest night skies, following the paths of early explorers who relied on stars for navigation. You’ll also experience some of Australia’s most stunning landscapes and wildlife species, some of which inspired Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.
Highlights will include the rarely-visited Phillip Island, where thousands of Little Penguins dash from the sea to the dunes during the penguin parade; Port Lincoln, for the Coffin Bay National Park and the Eyre Peninsula; and Esperance, with its pink salt lakes.
Other ports of call will be Melbourne and Adelaide; Exmouth for the Ningaloo Reef and the opportunity to swim with whale sharks, and the Kimberley Coast.
All-New Cultural Experiences in Northern Africa
In a fitting conclusion to “The Curious and the Sea” World Cruise, Silver Dawn will explore the cultures of Northern Africa for the first time on any Silversea World Cruise.
La Goulette in Tunisia, one of the most anticipated stops of the voyage, will bring insight into the cultures of the Ancient Carthaginians and the Roman Empire, with its UNESCO-listed medina, the Bardo Museum, and unique cultural offerings. La Goulette is a historic port that has long been important for international trade, connecting Africa and Europe.
Exclusive events on the 2026 Silversea World Cruise
Polynesian Dreams – the South Pacific
A one-of-a-kind event in French Polynesia will showcase the rich, historical seagoing cultures of local communities, complete with a seafood feast and cultural experiences that connect guests with the soul of these stunning islands. Guests will try native flavors, learn local dances, and enjoy the Polynesian sunset during the event.
The Magic of Mystery Island – Mystery Island, Vanuatu
Silversea has created a special event on Mystery Island in Vanuatu in collaboration with the area’s Chief and the tourism department. Dancers from the region’s many islands will perform a fusion of traditional rites, while visitors dine on the catch of the day on a picturesque beach setting and snorkel in crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life.
From Paddy to Plate – Benoa, Bali
World Cruisers will dine on regional cuisine while admiring the magnificent rice paddies of the five-star Tanah Gajah resort in Benoa, Bali. Authentic Balinese performances will enhance the occasion as guests learn about Southeast Asia’s sacred grain, which spread around the world with early mariners.
The Exotic Marigold and More – Cochin, India
For a customized afternoon of entertainment, guests will travel through the backwaters of Cochin to Alleppey. After a tuk-tuk ride through the city, cruisers will be welcomed with flower garlands and given access to special cultural experiences, including performances by martial artists and drummers from Kerala, a traditional Sadhya lunch served on banana leaves, and a traditional houseboat cruise down the Kerala River.
What to expect aboard Silver Dawn
Guests will enjoy the small-ship intimacy and roomy all-suite accommodations that are characteristic of the Silversea experience while sailing on Silver Dawn. With 68 GRT (gross register tons) per passenger, it has one of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea. The ultra-luxury ship offers personalized care to every cruiser—each passenger will even enjoy butler service in their suite!
Through Silversea’s S.A.L.T. culinary program, the newest Muse-class ship offers guests engaging culinary experiences both on board and ashore.
During the World Cruise 2026, passengers will have access to more than 60 culinary programs in the S.A.L.T. Lab—an onboard test kitchen—that have been carefully chosen by regional cuisine specialists. The S.A.L.T. Kitchen’s menu changes daily, and will be influenced by regional flavors. As an added bonus, S.A.L.T. Bar will feature approximately 70 custom-designed cocktails inspired by visited locations.
Two complimentary S.A.L.T. experiences onshore—only available to full World Cruise passengers—were created in conjunction with some of the best restaurants in the world, enhancing the travel experience. Additionally, the Roman-inspired Otium wellness program’s array of wellness experiences (including a complimentary treatment for each guest!) will pamper passengers while they sail.
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Video: Preview the Silversea World Cruise 2026
Booking the Silversea 2026 World Cruise
Members of the Venetian Society (Silversea’s loyalty program) can book early starting on June 14, 2023. World Cruise 2026 general sales begin on June 22.
Rates start at $76,900 USD per person (based on double occupancy) for the complete World Cruise sailing.
Can’t commit to a full 140-day World Cruise? Silversea is also offering nine shorter segments of the full itinerary, so cruisers can choose which part of the world they want to experience.
To access the complete PDF with details on each World Cruise segment, a complete list of dates, ports, and included amenities, click here: Silversea World Cruise 2026 Key Info Sheet
Silversea’s World Cruise Collection
The cruise line’s “South Side Story“-themed World Cruise 2023 is scheduled to arrive in Fort Lauderdale on May 28 after making 67 port calls over a period of more than 130 days. Highlights of the trip include an exclusive evening at Manaus’ opera house in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, an evening of authentic entertainment in the Cave of Descending Dragons in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, and a custom event on Kalanggaman Island in the Philippines, for which the cruise line rented the entire island and worked with more than 500 local residents.
Silversea’s World Cruise 2024, “Far East-West” and its World Cruise 2025, “Controtempo,” are each set to bring innovation to global cruise travel.
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Are you considering (or just dreaming about!) sailing on the Silversea 2026 World Cruise? Have you ever taken a world cruise or a very long sailing before? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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Janelle
Thursday 8th of June 2023
This cruise looks like a dream! I can’t take 140 days off work ha ha and I definitely don’t have the cash to do the entire cruise. But you mentioned that people can book sections of the cruise. How does that work?
Carrie Ann
Friday 9th of June 2023
Hi Janelle, I'm in the same boat as you (no pun intended!) But a portion of Silversea's 2026 World Cruise could be doable :) You would just choose one of the pre-selected "chunks" of the full voyage, and then book it like any other sailing! I love this concept because cruisers can choose a really unique itinerary without having to commit to the time and expense of a full world cruise. Thanks for the question!