Royal Caribbean’s nine-month world cruise, which embarked in December 2023, swiftly captured the public’s attention, becoming a social media sensation. The allure of spending nine months on a two-decades-old ship, journeying to over 60 destinations with a diverse group of passengers, sparked widespread intrigue. Passengers shared their adventures on TikTok, transforming the voyage into what resembled a real-life reality show.
For a time, the concept of this floating social experiment captivated audiences worldwide. Followers eagerly speculated about potential romance, conflict, drama, and unexpected twists. “Anything can happen,” one social media user remarked earlier in the year.
As the Ultimate World Cruise nears its conclusion, with its final port of call set for Miami on September 10, we revisit the journey to uncover what it was truly like to spend nine months at sea under the gaze of a global audience.
The nine-month world cruise by Royal Caribbean, which began in December 2023, became an unexpected social media sensation, with passengers documenting their experiences on TikTok. Among them was Anthony McWilliams, a widowed solo traveler in his fifties, who aimed to inspire others to live life to the fullest. South African influencer Amike Oosthuizen, 26, provided a glamorous take on life at sea, while Joe and Audrey Martucci, a lovable boomer couple new to social media, shared their journey under the handle @spendingourkidsmoney—though Joe humorously clarifies there’s still plenty of money left for their children.
Fortysomething sisters Brandee and Shannon Marie Lake showcased the dynamics of living with an adult sibling, while Gen Z traveler Little Rat Brain posted chaotic, wry updates. Former NASA employee Bobbi Waterman and her partner Tam, known as @tam.and.bobbi, drew attention for their candid discussions about traveling as an LGBTQ+ couple and Bobbi’s experiences as a trans woman. American traveler Angie Linderman also made headlines with her poignant story, which included the loss of her parents and her own health struggles related to the BRCA gene.
Royal Caribbean crew member Julian Mendoza, under the handle @cooljul1, created “day in the life” videos, and performer Daniele Salvatore Arbisi, known as @singing.sailor, even featured a cameo from the ship’s captain.
Each of these voices contributed to the cruise’s viral success, offering diverse perspectives that resonated with different audiences. British social media user Beth Anne Fletcher, who followed the cruise from land, noted that the combination of travel and psychological intrigue was akin to a long-form reality TV show. “It’s almost like ‘Below Deck,’ but a nine-month episode,” she remarked.
Despite the buzz, many passengers found the early social media frenzy surreal. Joe Martucci admitted he was unfamiliar with TikTok before his first post, while Oosthuizen was surprised by the extent of her videos’ popularity. As the cruise progressed, the viral interest grew, with billions watching and speculating about the potential drama.
However, the anticipated controversies largely did not materialize. While there were reports of at least one onboard death, such events are somewhat expected on extended voyages. The ship’s itinerary did shift occasionally due to global events and extreme weather, but such changes are not unusual.
Ultimately, the cruise’s social media spotlight dimmed as time went on. “We definitely saw the interest wane,” McWilliams observed, noting that some passengers felt emotionally impacted by the drop in engagement. The anticipated dramatic moments did not come to fruition, leaving some viewers disappointed as the cruise approached its conclusion.
The nine-month world cruise by Royal Caribbean, which began in December 2023, became a social media sensation, with passengers sharing their experiences on TikTok. Among them was Anthony McWilliams, a widowed solo traveler in his fifties, who aimed to inspire others to live life to the fullest. South African influencer Amike Oosthuizen, 26, provided a glamorous take on life at sea, while Joe and Audrey Martucci, a lovable boomer couple new to social media, shared their journey under the handle @spendingourkidsmoney—though Joe humorously clarifies there’s still plenty of money left for their children.
Fortysomething sisters Brandee and Shannon Marie Lake showcased the dynamics of living with an adult sibling, while Gen Z traveler Little Rat Brain posted chaotic, wry updates. Former NASA employee Bobbi Waterman and her partner Tam, known as @tam.and.bobbi, drew attention for their candid discussions about traveling as an LGBTQ+ couple and Bobbi’s experiences as a trans woman. American traveler Angie Linderman also made headlines with her poignant story, which included the loss of her parents and her own health struggles related to the BRCA gene.
Royal Caribbean crew member Julian Mendoza, under the handle @cooljul1, created “day in the life” videos, and performer Daniele Salvatore Arbisi, known as @singing.sailor, even featured a cameo from the ship’s captain.
Each of these voices contributed to the cruise’s viral success, offering diverse perspectives that resonated with different audiences. British social media user Beth Anne Fletcher, who followed the cruise from land, noted that the combination of travel and psychological intrigue was akin to a long-form reality TV show. “It’s almost like ‘Below Deck,’ but a nine-month episode,” she remarked.
Despite the buzz, the cruise faced its share of online drama. Amike Oosthuizen’s account was banned and then deleted after being wrongly flagged for selling counterfeit goods. Although she set up a new account, it never reached the same level of engagement as her original videos, which had captivated over six million viewers with their depiction of the Serenade of the Seas crossing the Drake Passage.
For many travelers, the decline in online scrutiny was a relief. Angie Linderman appreciated the reduction in attention as it allowed her to focus more on the experience itself. “The attention sort of evened out as the trip went on, which I think was good as it allowed some of the pressure or energy around the trip to normalize,” she said. Yet, even nine months in, Linderman continued to connect with people discovering her story for the first time.
Audrey Martucci, from @spendingourkidsmoney, recalled a surreal moment when she and her husband were recognized by fans in Halifax, Canada. “We had people messaging us to say, ‘Thank you so much for taking me along on this journey,’” she said. Meanwhile, McWilliams noted, “I have people that have been along for the whole nine months,” though some were surprised to learn they were still active after hearing rumors otherwise.
Preparing for the End Life After the Nine-Month Cruise
As the nine-month world cruise aboard the Serenade of the Seas draws to a close, many passengers are bracing for a significant adjustment as they step back into life on land.
Brandee Lake, who relinquished her California rental to embark on this journey, reflects on the freedom of leaving everything behind. “It was liberating to give up everything before I came,” she says. “Now I’m like, ‘Oh, shoot.’”
While passengers maintained connections with loved ones through regular video calls and occasional ship visits, the distance sometimes strained these relationships. “These kinds of experiences, I think, sometimes prune your friendships at home,” Lake observes. “Some will stay strong and maintain after – some might fall away.”
Little Rat Brain, who experienced both breathtaking destinations and moments of disconnect, echoes this sentiment. “At times, it felt like a bit of a disconnect,” she says. “Friends would be texting, ‘Oh, I had a sucky day at work,’ and meanwhile, you’re like, ‘I saw the Great Wall of China, or I snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef.’”
To stay informed, passengers adopted different strategies. For Amike Oosthuizen, traveling the globe provided a new perspective. “It was so educational, seeing different cultures, seeing how different people get by,” she says. “I wouldn’t say I felt removed on the cruise.”
Joe Martucci emphasizes the need to stay engaged with world events. “You can’t go away for nine months and stick your head in the sand like an ostrich,” he notes. “The world keeps changing so fast.”
However, Brandee Lake chose to stay in a “bubble,” which made returning to the U.S. particularly jarring. “We haven’t been in the U.S. since February, since we stopped in LA. It’s much different now, because it’s high election season,” she says.
Some American passengers found the cruise’s atmosphere more tense as the U.S. election approached. “I’m waking up to realizing that a couple of the people that I genuinely care about have different political views than me, and that has been something to navigate,” says Anthony McWilliams.
Despite the camaraderie onboard, not everyone meshed well. “There is of course a small group of people that I will be completely fine never interacting with again,” says Angie Linderman. “But that is how it goes; sometimes you don’t connect with everyone.”
Passengers traveling with family developed their own coping mechanisms for conflicts. Lake, who traveled with her parents and sister, learned to manage disagreements by taking breaks. Similarly, Little Rat Brain, who shared a windowless cabin with her mother, found solitude when needed.
Amid the challenges, many travelers expressed gratitude for the shared experiences. “Especially with my parents,” Lake says. “You just think how lucky that they’re here.”
The cruise also saw new faces joining for shorter segments. American TikTok influencer Marc Sebastian, sponsored to join the voyage briefly, promised to “cause chaos” but instead was spotted moved to tears by the sight of Antarctic icebergs. “That makes sense that he gets it. He understands,” McWilliams recalls thinking.
As the cruise concludes, passengers will soon be navigating their return to everyday life, carrying with them the memories and lessons from their extraordinary journey.
A Trip of a Lifetime Reflections on the Nine-Month Cruise
As the nine-month world cruise aboard the Serenade of the Seas draws to a close, the travelers are taking stock of their remarkable journey and processing the array of experiences they’ve accumulated.
For many, pinpointing a single highlight is challenging. Brandee Lake, for instance, found the ship’s time in Antarctica particularly memorable. “The water was perfectly flat, creating a mirrored reflection of the gigantic icebergs. The variety of whites was absolutely incredible,” she recalls. Little Rat Brain echoes this sentiment, highlighting the breathtaking beauty of the icy landscapes.
Angie Linderman fondly remembers her time traveling across India and a picturesque stop in Portofino, Italy. “I spent a day swimming in the crystal-clear water of a small beach with colorful houses perched above on the hills,” she says. Linderman also treasures the moments of watching the sunrise over Iguazu Falls and marveling at the Great Wall of China illuminated at night, surrounded only by fellow cruisers.
The days spent at sea also hold special memories for Linderman, who enjoyed numerous nights dancing at the Vortex Lounge, attending silent discos, and participating in movie nights with friends. “We just kind of had a perfect storm situation, and luckily, we haven’t sailed through any actual storms,” she reflects.
With the cruise coming to an end, the TikTok-famous passengers are now contemplating their next moves. While some generate income from their social media presence, it’s not enough to sustain them fully. “But it’s enough to go out to dinner with friends when I get back,” notes Little Rat Brain. Their primary motivation remains connecting with their loyal followers.
Many travelers are already planning their future journeys and intend to continue documenting their adventures on TikTok. Angie Linderman, for instance, will share her upcoming surgery to remove her ovaries with her supportive online community.
There’s also talk of a reunion cruise, though it would be significantly shorter than the current voyage and likely to be documented online as well.
While major cruise lines offer shorter world voyages, such as those by MSC Cruises and Princess Cruises, nothing matches the length of the Ultimate World Cruise for now. Royal Caribbean has not commented on any plans for future nine-month cruises.
Beth Anne Fletcher, a social media observer, remains intrigued by a prospective three-year cruise operated by start-up Villa Vie Cruises, currently docked in Belfast. However, she notes that there has been limited social media content from that ship.
“I don’t think anything’s ever going to match the virality of the nine-month cruise,” Fletcher says.
Little Rat Brain agrees, suggesting that the cruise represented a unique convergence of circumstances. “We just kind of had a perfect storm situation, and luckily, we haven’t sailed through any actual perfect storms. I’ll take it,” she concludes.
Reflecting on the experience, she adds, “Everything has been as well as you can expect, for nine months living on a very small ship with the same people. Incredible memories that will last a lifetime.”
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