The World, the luxurious, private residential community at sea, is an extraordinary vessel on many counts. The vessel is owned by her Residents, who play a decisive role in planning the ship’s yearly itineraries, which…
The World, the luxurious, private residential community at sea, is an extraordinary vessel on many counts. The vessel is owned by her Residents, who play a decisive role in planning the ship’s yearly itineraries, which allows her to constantly traverse the globe. The 2007 itinerary has just been announced, and promises another year of thrilling adventures, in-depth exploration and unforgettable journeys, when the vessel will visit 36 countries.
What sets this itinerary apart from others is its focus on celebration: The World will visit a number of countries during national festivals and ceremonies, including Carnaval in Rio from Feb. 17-20; the Cannes Film Festival from May 16-27; and the 2007 America’s Cup in Valencia from June 23-July 7.
A month-by-month breakdown of the itinerary follows:
January
The World begins 2007 in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southern-most city, and capital of Tierra del Fuego. By Jan. 10, the vessel will arrive in the United Kingdom’s South Georgia Islands, for five days of “Captain’s Choice” treks, which are planned – although unannounced – stops sprinkled through the year. From here, the vessel will sail into the icy waters of Antarctica on Jan. 22, for a week.
February
February sees the vessel returning to Argentina, beginning her journey through this vibrant South American country in Mar del Plata, Argentina’s premiere beach resort. After two days of frolicking on some of the world’s best beaches, surrounded by wind-swept dunes and charming fishing villages, The World will arrive in Buenos Aires on Feb. 6.
Following two days in Uruguay’s capital city Montevideo, the vessel will visit Punta del Este, one of the region’s most fashionable seaside resorts. Residents and Guests can then expect to put on their dancing shoes when the vessel arrives in Rio de Janeiro on Feb. 17, just in time for four days of Carnaval.
March
Continuing her journey in Brazil, the vessel will dock in Salvador for three days. After a brief stop in the charming beach town of Natal – or the City of the Sun – the vessel will sail to Santarem, where the Amazon meets the Tapajos River, on March 11, before visiting the colonial port of Belem, her last port of call in Brazil. By March 22, having bid farewell to South America, the vessel will arrive in Trinidad’s capital city, Port of Spain, and then explore St. Georges, the capital of Grenada, also known as the “Spice City.” The vessel will then sail to the Caribbean haven of Barbados for three days, until March 31.
April
After sailing into the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands on April 9, the vessel will make a stop in Funchal, Madeira’s almost 500 year-old capital city, before arriving in Lisbon, Portugal on April 15. Here, Residents and Guests will disembark for the rest of the month, while the vessel undergoes a 14-day drydock period.
May
Taking further advantage of the fine European weather, the vessel will sail to Bordeaux. Following two days in Gijon, Spain, the largest city and major seaport of Asturias, The World will pay homage to the stylish city of Barcelona before arriving in Cannes on May 22, during the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival. After three days of fine cinema and celebrity, the vessel will sail to Italy, where visits to Portofino along the Mediterranean coast, the “Eternal City” of Civitavecchia, Rome, and the resort town of Sorrento, rumored to be the city where the mythical Sirens tried to lure Homer’s Ulysses and his men, will round off this busy and exciting month.
June – July
During the months of June and July, the vessel will remain in Europe, with brief stops in Croatia and Slovenia, as well as a three-day visit to the gloriously romantic city of Venice, Italy. Other notable ports of call include Calvi, Corsica, where Prince Ranier of Monaco and Princess Grace honeymooned, and Sardinia, Italy. The highlight of June, and the beginning on July however, is the vessel’s eight days in Valencia, where Residents and Guests will have the opportunity to view the action of regatta racing at the 2007 America’s Cup Event, from their onboard balconies and the ship decks. Following this adrenaline-infused event, the vessel will visit the beach town of Portimao, Portugal and the small town of Lorient, off the Brittany coast, while making its way to Germany, arriving in Hamburg on July 18. Highlights of the vessel’s Germanic journeys will include two days in the Medieval-influenced city of Timmendorf and a brief stop in the fishing town of Warnemunde. The vessel will also make a four-day stop in Gdansk, Poland.
August
Continuing the nautical theme, The World will arrive in Szczecin, Poland on August 4, in time to witness the Tall Ships Race, the biggest annual event for large sailing vessels in the world. By August 7, the vessel goes to Stockholm, for three days of touring the city’s waterways and parks and strolling through Old Town. In Visby, Sweden, passengers may experience the annual Medieval Festival, where merchants, jesters and musicians will fill the streets in celebration. The end of the month will be spent in Finland, visiting capital city Helsinki, and in Russia, where the vessel will tour the palace-lined waterways of St. Petersburg from Aug. 28-31.
Septmber
This month, The World will travel to a few lesser-known regions of Europe, including the 14th century-inspired city of Tallinn in Estonia and Latvia’s vibrant coastal capital, Riga. After two days spent soaking in the rich culture of Klaipeda, Lithuania, the vessel will then arrive in Oslo by Sept. 13, where Residents and Guests can tour the Akershus Slott & Festning, a 13th-century, medieval castle, and the Vigeland Park. Returning to the United Kingdom by Sept. 18, the vessel will spend five days exploring London before returning to France, where tours to Renaissance-inspired Rouen and the scenic harbor town of Honfleur will complete the month.
October
Taking advantage of the Fall, The World will treat her passengers to the delights of changing foliage while sailing through Santander, along the northern coast of Spain, and the Spanish-Moroccan city of Ceuta, located on the North African coast. Arriving in Africa by Oct.16, the vessel will visit the ruins of ancient Carthage and historical Medina in Tunisia before journeying to Greece for a week, highlights of which include visits to scenic Piraeus, mythology-laden, bustling Athens and Crete, the birthplace of Zeus.
November
A confluence of culture that draws on Europe and the Middle East, Cyprus will introduce Residents and Guests to crusader castles, ancient vineyards and frescoed monasteries come November. After three days in Limassol, the center of Cyprus’ wine-making industry, The World will visit Lebanon, once known as the Paris of the Middle East, from Nov. 4-7. The well-laid out, 16th century city of Valletta, Malta and Benghazi, Libya, once part of the Ottoman Empire and a stone’s throw from ancient Cyrene ruins are mid-month attractions, before the vessel returns to Italy, to end the month with a cultural journey of sorts. Passengers will explore innumerable historical sites including the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain and Villa Medici in Civitavecchia, Rome, the famous San Lorenzo Cathedral in Genoa and the exotic Cathedrale Orthodoxe Russe St-Nicolas in Nice, France.
December
The mild winter climate of Barcelona will welcome Residents and Guests in the first week of December. The vessel will also visit the Balearic Islands, floating between Spain and the North African coast, and the vibrant Spanish port city of Malaga, before bidding a final farewell to Europe and sailing to the cosmopolitan African getaway of Tangier, Morocco, by Dec. 16. After a quick visit to romantic Casablanca, the vessel will embark on a Holiday Voyage for the rest of the month, beginning in the Canary Islands on Dec. 23, with a New Year’s Eve gala planned upon departure from Funchal on Dec. 31.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
