Candice Lim is joined by Wailin Wong to dissect the drama and mayhem surrounding Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, a nine-month trip that TikTokkers on land and sea can't stop talking about. They explore the fascination with consuming and vilifying wealthy individuals, the rise of influencers on the cruise ship, and an amazing bingo card predicting various events that might happen on a nine-month cruise.
The Royal Caribbean Ultimate World Cruise has become a viral sensation on TikTok, attracting influencers and giving rise to speculations, drama, and online bingo cards predicting various outcomes.
The popularity of the cruise and the content created by young influencers may have a lasting impact on cruise culture, attracting a younger demographic and reshaping the perception of cruising as a travel option.
Deep dives
The Phenomenon of the Ultimate World Cruise
The TikTok community is captivated by the nine-month-long Royal Caribbean Ultimate World Cruise, which has become a viral sensation. Passengers, ranging from young influencers to retirees, are posting content showcasing their experiences on board. The allure of this cruise lies in the opportunity to visit multiple continents and iconic sites, including Machu Picchu, Taj Mahal, and the Great Barrier Reef. The popularity of the cruise has sparked fascination with the lifestyles of the wealthy and the dynamics among the passengers, giving rise to speculations, drama, and online bingo cards predicting various outcomes.
Influencers and New Characters on Board
The cruise has attracted many young influencers who see it as an opportunity to launch their travel influencer careers. These individuals document their daily routines, from room tours to meals at the buffet, as they traverse the world. The content has garnered millions of views, launching some influencers into fame. Additionally, the cruise has brought about the formation of new characters, segmenters who join for specific legs of the journey, creating an interesting dynamic with the world cruisers who committed to the entire nine-month adventure.
Curiosity, Class Dynamics, and Dramatic Possibilities
The internet's fascination with the cruise stems from the curiosity surrounding the lives of the wealthy and the prospect of dramatic events unfolding during the voyage. The cruise has been compared to the Hunger Games and Love Island due to its lengthy duration and potential for conflicts and relationships to develop. TikTok users have created bingo cards predicting various scenarios, including pregnancies, petty neighbor drama, and even pirate takeovers. The cruise has turned into a nine-month-long TikTok reality show captivating viewers with its unique dynamics.
Potential Impact on Cruise Culture and Future Industry
The Ultimate World Cruise and its popularity on TikTok could have a lasting impact on cruise culture and the industry. The exposure and positive representation may attract a younger demographic that previously may not have considered cruises. It could expand the audience and reshape the perception of cruising as a travel option. The success of the Ultimate World Cruise may inspire the development of similar immersive and long-duration cruises, catering to a generation seeking unique travel experiences and content creation opportunities.
Candice Lim is joined by Wailin Wong, co-host of NPR’s The Indicator from Planet Money. They dissect the drama and mayhem surrounding Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise — a nine-month trip that TikTokkers on land and sea that we can’t stop talking about. The cruise is scheduled to visit more than 60 countries over 274 nights, but since it left Miami in December, passengers have been uploading room tours, buffet reviews and excursion vlogs daily — if not, hourly — so land-dwellers can keep up with this reality show on water.
This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim and Rachelle Hampton.