Simulation shows insane route of 117-night world cruise that travels back in time

Ever wanted to get out there and see the world?

I don't mean just going abroad and sticking to one country; I mean actually see the world. Well, a new simulation of a 117-day cruise posted on TikTok has shown that's now possible.

The video, posted by @flightsaroundworld, has gone viral for showcasing a hypnotic simulation of a 117-night world cruise that quite literally sails backward in time - OK, well, not literally, but it does go through the International Date Line, which obviously is kind of time travelling, right?

And no, it's not a hotline for singles to call.

If you've not heard of the International Date Line before, it's an invisible line which runs from the North to the South Pole, when you cross it, you either gain or lose a day.

"Cross to the west and it's one day later; cross back and you've 'gone back in time'", the NOAA explains.

The short video, which features a cruise ship icon racing across a world map, reveals an itinerary so complex and expansive that viewers are left staggered at its ambitious route.

Offered by Cunard aboard their Queen Anne cruise ship, it is a very real experience you can take part in.

The trail begins innocently enough, following a well-known path through the traditional cruise hot spots.

However, as the journey progresses, the simulation illustrates the ship zigzagging across multiple continents, oceans and time zones.

The route is expected to span across Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, twisting and doubling back in manners more akin to flight paths than ocean journeys.

According to the Cunard website, these are all the stops the ship will make:

• Hamburg (departure)
• Rotterdam
• Zeebrugge
• Southampton
• Funchal (Madeira)
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• Mindelo (Cape Verde)
• Walvis Bay (Namibia)
• Cape Town
• Port Elizabeth
• Durban
• Le Port (Réunion)
• Port Louis (Mauritius)
• Colombo (Sri Lanka)
• Port Klang (Malaysia)
• Singapore
• Hong Kong
• Manila
• Bitung (Indonesia)
• Darwin (Australia)
• Airlie Beach
• Brisbane
• Sydney
• Port Vila (Vanuatu)
• Suva (Fiji)
• Cruising by (unnamed spot)
• Honolulu
• Los Angeles
• Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala)
• Transit Panama Canal
• Willemstad (Curaçao)
• Oranjestad (Aruba)
• Miami
• Ponta Delgada (Azores)
• Southampton
• Hamburg (return)

The trip covers nearly four months at sea, and is set to depart on January 6, 2026, for a whopping £11,359 per person.

While the exact ports aren’t listed in the video, the simulation implies dozens of stops in world-famous cities, islands, and coastal towns.

Whether you’re ready to set sail or just watching from your screen, the simulation offers a rare glimpse into what it really means to travel the world. It’s not just a holiday, in this case, it's also a journey through space and time, too.

So, if you've got 12 grand lying about, and fancy getting out of the house, this might be the cruise holiday for you next year.