2500 passengers, 9 months around the world. Ultimate World Cruise, an ultra-luxury cruise that wows on TikTok

An act omitted or done on purpose. If the Ultimate World Cruise lasts the duration of the pregnancy, and we wonder if it will give birth to a boisterous baby or a mouse. This particularly expensive 9-month round-the-world tour kicked off on December 10th in Miami and is already attracting millions of TikTok users as everything on this cruise seems extravagant and life is extraordinary. As more and more people become passionate about adventure Serenade of the seasmany already think that the next few months will turn into a real reality show on the water.

A ready target

The promise is almost unreal. sailing around the world on a giant ship, across seven continents. It is run by Royal Caribbean International and, for potential passengers to dream, all excellence is good; countless cultures and soak up some of the planet’s most stunning landscapes,” when the customer is directly invited to “let yourself be soothed by the wonders of the world that testify to the boundless imagination of man.” With so many options, the price is inevitably high, and the targeted passengers are naturally the ultra-rich, be they businessmen, influencers or billionaires. The roughly 2,500 people on board will pay between $53,000 and $117,000 (€48,000 and €106,000) to visit a whopping 65 countries, all within 9 months.

An incredible cruise, an incredible experience. Not entirely according to New York Times which refers to a fairly classic activity. zumba classes on the main pontoon, poker and other slot games, shopping, restaurants, not to mention the holy grail of sunbathing. But for something else entirely, the 2023-2024 vintage has been in the spotlight, particularly on TikTok, since its departure in Miami on December 10.

In troubled waters

Videos shared by Ultimate World Cruise customers quickly went viral on social media, garnering more than 138 million views in early January. American student and influencer Madison Schwettier has nearly 3 million views per video. You don’t have to belong to Generation Z or even Y to grow your community. This also applies to 67-year-old Saint-Louis retiree Joe Martucci, who after being encouraged by his four children to post on the platform, relays his. daily life on board, much to the delight of TikTok users. But the views aren’t completely disinterested… Many of them actually watch these videos as if they were watching reality TV, thirsty for potential future drama.

A reality show

This was the original promise of reality television. putting people indoors for a few weeks and letting it settle with the guarantee of nice (and juicy) images. With its 2,500 people packed into the high seas, the Ultimate World Cruise could be the pinnacle of its kind. Social networks, and TikTok in particular, are full of videos in which users comment on the cruise. Ryan Holland, an American TikToker, tried to explain this frenzy from home. “People are curious to know how they (passengers, editor’s note) were able to afford the cruise.” But above all, he wonders. “How can they stay together on this ship for so long?” According to him, there are two possibilities regarding the future of this water series. “Either it will stop, or it will change the future of reality television,” he explains unequivocally.

Sailing is fun (or not)

However, internet users seem to be confused at the moment as nothing much is happening on the ship. No timeless love stories, no black rage, no excessive drinking… Except for a racist event. Brandi Lake, a black passenger, shared on her TikTok account that she was mistaken for a crew member twice. If this incident is entirely regrettable, the cruise still turns out to be going great, against the somewhat voyeuristic wishes of TikTok users. From there, it’s only a step away from predicting a rosy future for months to come. Sailing today seems far removed from all the excessive trials ascribed to it. Gradually finding his rhythm.