TikTok Goes Crazy for an Epic Nine-Month World Cruise

TikTok has become a hub for developing niche interests and connecting with like-minded individuals. Occasionally, these obsessions break out of their online spaces and gain popularity, spreading across various platforms and sparking discussions. This trend has been observed with phenomena like the #BamaRush craze and the private chefs of TikTok. Now, the latest obsession on the internet is a nine-month world-spanning cruise that commenced on December 10.

Known as the Royal Caribbean Ultimate World Cruise, this extraordinary journey takes place aboard the Serenade of the Seas ship and will visit over 60 countries across all seven continents. The cruise is divided into four legs: The Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, and Europe & Beyond. Individuals have the option to join any part of the tour or stay for the entire duration. The cost starts at $59,999 per person for the cheapest option, with more expensive choices available at $117,999 per person.

The Serenade of the Seas has garnered significant attention on social media, with hashtags like #UltimateWorldCruise and #WorldCruise accumulating over 155 million and 128.9 million views respectively. Content creators have transformed the voyage into a captivating “nine-month-long reality show” by sharing glimpses of their daily lives onboard the cruise ship. They have gone viral on TikTok by showcasing their cabins and discussing their extravagant experiences, including spending their children’s inheritance on this grand adventure. Additionally, videos from creators who are not on the cruise but are commenting on the journey have also gained substantial popularity.

One TikTok creator, @whimsysoul, has even created a virtual bingo card for followers interested in tracking updates from the cruise ship. The bingo card includes categories such as “staff dates passenger,” “pirate takeover,” and “minor mystery to solve.”

Another creator, @nchimad, who is currently on the ship, has taken on the title of “Sea Tea Director” and has promised to share any drama that unfolds during the nine-month voyage. In a video posted on December 14, she mentioned that the price of admission also includes a deluxe unlimited beverage package.

However, concerns about a potential COVID-19 outbreak on the ship have been raised by some creators. @nchimad stated that an anonymous source informed her about a positive case on the cruise on December 22, but it does not appear to have resulted in an outbreak (which is also on the bingo card).

Videos from most passengers indicate that they are enjoying their time on the cruise. However, a Black TikTok creator named Brandee Lake shared her experience of facing microaggressions from both fellow passengers and the crew. She recounted instances where she was mistaken for a ship employee and questioned about her ability to afford the cruise.

In her recent videos, Lake has been providing general updates from the ship. Royal Caribbean has yet to respond to TIME’s request for comment on the matter.

As the cruise ship continues its journey towards Antarctica, TikTok creators and influencers are planning to produce even more content. Marc Sebastian, a popular TikToker, has announced that he will join the ship for a couple of days to observe the drama and interact with passengers, reporting back to his followers.