Here's what the Ultimate World Cruise passengers got up to while docked in Cork
Of Seas Previous Picture: The Cobh, Serenade A Dan Liner During The Ms In Pictured Cruise Visit Linehan Cork
If you’re on TikTok, chances are you have heard of the Ultimate World Cruise.
The now-viral Royal Caribbean cruise commenced in December 2023 and has been touring around the world ever since. Passengers have been sharing their experiences along the way on TikTok and those of us watching at home have been fascinated by the concept of the nine-month cruise.
The cruise is a never-before-offered Royal Caribbean adventure that undertakes a whopping 274-night journey. Stops so far have included Barbados, Brazil, Antarctica, Australia, China, South Korea and many more.
After sailing around Africa and Southern Europe in May and June, the cruise ship made its way to northern Europe in July, starting this leg of the trip in Barcelona before eventually landing in Cobh.
The cruise selected Cork as a special destination during its European itinerary, before returning to the US in September.
According to TikTok user drjennytravels, the journey through the Bay of Biscay was “rough” but the cruise ship finally arrived in Cobh early on Sunday morning.
From here, passengers enjoyed excursions to landmarks such as Blarney Castle and Killarney National Park.
Meanwhile, some cruisers stayed local and visited the Titanic Experience in Cobh as well as some of the town’s landmarks such as the cathedral while others headed into the city for the day.
In the evening, cruisers enjoyed their final “Royal Escape”. This is one of the four unique experiences that are included for Royal Caribbean cruisers and typically revolve around wineries and similar tours.
Previous escapes have included a winery in Cape Town, Montevideo in Uruguay, and an event at the top of the Taipei skyscraper in Taiwan. While in Ireland, passengers enjoyed an event at the Midleton Distillery, making Cork an important stop in the cruise ship's itinerary.
During the special visit, cruise guests enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour and hospitality at the recently refurbished whiskey attraction, showcasing the history and craftsmanship behind seven whiskey brands including Jameson, Redbreast, and Midleton Very Rare.
Clips from the excursion on TikTok show Irish dancing performances, a whiskey tasting and according to one user, each attendee also received a mini bottle of whiskey to take home.
The stop in Cobh marked day 224 of the cruise, which will have visited over 60 countries when it comes to an end.
The next stop on the Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise is Cherbourg in France followed by Paris, Southampton, and Bruges. The cruise finishes in September, with final stops in New York, Bermuda, the Bahamas and finally, Florida.