Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas returned to Miami, Florida, after completing the cruise line's first-ever world cruise. Passengers spent 274 days traveling the globe exploring diverse cultures, marveling at iconic landmarks, and creating lifelong bonds with other guests, so it's no surprise that returning to land has been a hard adjustment for some.
Dr. Jenny (@drjennytravels) was one of the most popular social media creators onboard the cruise. Throughout the 9-month journey, she documented her travels abroad, even doing handstands in front of famous monuments like The Leaning Tower of Pisa and The Great Wall of China.
A few days before the Ultimate World Cruise ended, Dr. Jenny shared her feelings about the journey coming to a bittersweet end, reflecting on the sense of community that had formed among passengers and the once-in-a-lifetime experiences around the world.
When Serenade of the Seas arrived in New York, many passengers opted to use the "Luggage Forward" service to have their suitcases shipped home, making the disembarkation experience more convenient. As such, Dr. Jenny shared a video to TikTok showing suitcases placed in the hallways.
"This is just bizarre," she says, "We have watched...people put their luggage out here as they've come and gone, but now this is...world cruisers. Sad day."
"I would 100% do it all over again"
Dr. Jenny sat down in her cabin one last time to make a final video aboard the Ultimate World Cruise.
"I'm not gonna be able to get this out without crying," she begins, "We have just said all our goodbyes to everyone, and this moment is just so surreal and so incredibly difficult to process."
She explains how she and her husband booked their adventure in 2021 and dedicated three years of their lives to the world cruise experience.
Though Royal Caribbean already confirmed they're planning on doing another world cruise, Dr. Jenny thinks it wouldn't be "as long [or] as grand as this world cruise." She's steadfast in her belief that the 274-day cruise onboard Serenade of the Seas was the adventure of a lifetime.
Despite the tears, she can't help but buzz with excitement as she talks about winning trivia. "Y'all, I won this shirt..at trivia," she exclaims, "I won the Ultimate World Cruise Trivia out of 600+ people, which is crazy!"
"[It] means I went to a lot of stuff onboard. I listened to all the Captain's announcements; I...really tried to take advantage of this opportunity...within this grand adventure."
"This transition is tough"
Dr. Jenny says she felt like she had an "emotional hangover" on the first full day off the cruise.
After living on a cruise ship for 9 months, constantly thinking about the next port of call and navigating the flow of ship life, she admits to having trouble staying in the present. For example, when she and her husband were preparing for a bike ride, they felt like they were preparing for a cruise ship excursion, not a bike ride in Florida!
"I'm realizing that I really need to journal to help me process this trip sooner rather than later," she continues, "I know I'm going to start forgetting things...It's just so important to me."
However, she talks about the positives of the moment, saying that she got to watch her interview for The Today Show and was even recognized on the beach!
Royal Caribbean's first-ever Ultimate World Cruise ended on Sept. 10, when Serenade of the Seas returned to Miami, Florida
The 9-month world cruise departed on December 10, 2023, and took passengers to over 55 countries and eight world wonders, including Machu Picchu, The Great Barrier Reef, and The Great Wall of China! Not only that, but they visited all seven continents and Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, twice!
The journey wasn't without its fair share of drama, though. In February, for instance, one passenger died onboard, and in March, an entire segment was rerouted to avoid the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea. Even after it has ended, it continues to be talked about on social media. One TikTok user went as far as stating a crew member got fired due to having intimate relations with a guest!
Still, it was a fun adventure to follow along, with countless highlights that captivated audiences around the world.
"Thank you for taking us on this journey for 9 months!!!😭," commented Kisha Peart on one of Dr. Jenny's videos, "Can't wait to see what you do next 🥺 Your light radiates!! 🥰".
✨ND✨ added, "I'm going to miss watching your videos from the [Ultimate World Cruise]. It was such a pleasure meeting you in person and sharing this incredible journey. Can't wait to see what's next for you💕💕".
"I have watched every minute of every video," said Lee Ann Newberry, "I have lived vicariously through all of you! I loved every port, every sea day and I'm sad it's over. Thanks for along us along for the ride!"
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
