Despite sounding like the premise of a low-budget horror movie on the high seas, it’s true: A number of people have willingly signed up to participate in a nine-month-long cruise around the world. Launching from Miami on December 10th, the cruise has become TikTok’s new favorite reality show, according to the New York Times.


The cruise has four legs: starting in the Americas before sailing to Asia and the Pacific, followed by the Middle East and the Mediterranean before ending its journey in Europe “and beyond” (“beyond” includes Greenland, Newfoundland and New York). The cruise will finish back in Miami on September 10th, and the cheapest tickets start at $59,999 per person.


@whimsysoul Ultimate World Cruise Bingo Card!!! who's playing with me? ️ #ultimateworldcruise #royalcaribbean #worldcruise #cruise #bingo #travel #whimsysoul ♬ original sound - Kara • Bingo Girl


There are several content creators on board feeding the hungry masses a steady stream of posts about their lives on board the ship, leaning into the reality TV of it all by teaming up to collaborate and make videos set to the Full House theme song.


@brooklynschwetje The Ultimate Real World Cruise Full House Edition #ultimateworldcruise #royalcaribbean #serenadeoftheseas #royalcaribbeancruise #royalcaribbeaninternationalcruise #worldcruise2023 #cruisetok #worldcruise #royalcaribbeanworldcruise #uwc #fullhouse ♬ Full House - The Hollywood Prime Time Orchestra


Despite the hype for the potential for drama being trapped on a ship for nine months brings, few dramas have actually emerged yet, although there was some panic about a potential COVID outbreak after a crew member caught COVID and had to be isolated in their cabin, and there has been word of a wine shortage.


@uksecrettravel Ultimate world cruise staff covid outbreak #royalcaribbean #Ultimateworldcruise #royalcaribbeancruise #9monthcruise #cruisetok ♬ original sound - UK Secret Travel️ ✈️


One thing passengers have had to deal with is terrible weather, including a recent storm that resulted in flooding on Deck 12 of the ship, the Serenade of the Seas. In a video posted to TikTok and sent to passenger Adita by a friend of theirs, the floor is visibly flooded, and in the caption the user added that forward elevators were closed until further notice.


@aditaml2759 Our first storm of the Ultimate WC, 60mph winds, flooding, forward elevators closed until further notice. We’re really swinging now A friend just sent me this video of flooding on Deck 12! #ultimateworldcruise #9monthcruise #flooding #worldcruiseflood #floodonthehighseas #pineapple #pinnacle #swinging #worldcruisestorm ♬ Solas X Interstellar - Gabriel Albuquerqüe


Commenters were delighted, with one person asking, “Did you have to pay extra for the authentic Titanic experience,” while others commented that the Drake Passage, through which the ship will be passing later this month, is going to be rough if the current weather is any indication.


@aditaml2759 Here is an update on Deck 12 today! Everything back to normal, elevators functional again, almost all dry, no smells! Royal Caribbean was definitely prepared and took care of everything quickly! #ultimateworldcruise #9monthcruise #worldcruise #serenadeoftheseas #floodatsea #floodingship #flood #royalcaribbean #cruising #cruise #pineapple #pinnacle ♬ original sound - Adita


In an update posted a day later, Adita showed the current state of Deck 12: Far from a Titanic-level disaster, the carpet was now drying, the elevators were working again and the storm had abated, leaving “beautiful blue sunny skies” in its place. While the people are holding out hope for more nine-month cruise drama to keep them entertained, I do hope this is as close as the passengers come to experiencing Titanic IRL. After all, that one didn’t end so great for pretty much everybody.