The Vasco da Gama sailed from the port of Hamburg on Friday to kick off Nicko Cruises’ 175-night world voyage.

Sailing roundtrip from Germany, the global voyage will be the third operated by the company since acquiring the vessel in late 2020.

Before returning to Hamburg in early May, the Vasco da Gama is scheduled to visit over 90 ports in approximately 40 countries.

Highlights of the itinerary include visits to destinations in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, as well as transits of the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal.

In related news, Nicko recently changed the itinerary of the cruise to ensure a safe passage through the channel that links the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.

Due to safety concerns in the area, passengers will disembark the Vasco da Gama in Oman for a land program that will end in Saudi Arabia.

Nicko is taking guests to the country via chartered flights while also offering hotel stays and a selection of shore excursions.

Guests will then rejoin the vessel in Jeddah before crossing the Suez Canal and heading to additional destinations in Europe.

Unique port calls include the island of San Andrés in Colombia and São Vicente in Cape Verde.

The itinerary features overnights in in Cartagena de Indias in Colombia, Santo Tomás de Castilla in Guatemala and Papeete in Tahiti.

Guests looking for a shorter voyage were also able to embark in Hamburg for a 148-day segment that will end in Bali, Indonesia.

Upon returning to Hamburg, the Vasco da Gama is set to offer a series of cruises to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.