Torstein Hagen-owned Viking Cruises has launched a bid to complete the longest-ever continuous cruise voyage.
The Ultimate World Cruise itinerary covers 245 days, six continents, 51 countries and 111 ports.
Guests boarded the 930-passenger Viking Sun (built 2017) in London this week to fully circumnavigate the globe. It is due back in the UK capital in May next year.
Viking will attempt to set a Guinness World Record title. This will be verified by the organisation’s staff next year.
“For more than 20 years, we have been committed to connecting travellers to culturally immersive experiences that allow them to explore the world in comfort,” Hagen said.
“Our Ultimate World Cruise is the most extensive itinerary available in the industry, nearly double the length of our previous world cruise itineraries. I am pleased to offer such a unique experience for our guests.”
Destinations include Scandinavia, the Caribbean and South America, then the South Pacific and Australia, before the return to Europe.
The voyage has gained positive media coverage for the company in a year when its vessels have been involved in two prominent casualties.
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TradeWinds often reports on innovative uses for shipping containers.
But nothing has been as depressing as reading news of a report by The Children's Commissioner for England, which found homeless children are being housed in them.
More than 210,000 kids are estimated to be homeless in the country, with some of these finding temporary lodging in repurposed boxes.
A further 90,000 are estimated to be "sofa-surfing".
Local councils have blamed a £159m ($192m) funding gap.
