Global cruise to set sail from Shanghai

An 83-day world cruise from Shanghai will set sail on March 22 in 2014 and the Costa Atlantica and its 1,800 passengers will visit 23 destinations in 16 countries.

With the lowest price at 79,000 yuan ($12,900) (the average is around 150,000 yuan), the Costa Atlantica will take passengers across three oceans and five continents.

Complicated visa applications and limited vacation time are problems for Chinese holidaymakers and cruise hopefuls, according to Cheng Juehao, deputy director of a research body under the Shanghai International Shipping Institute.

But the passion for travel is there.

At least 50 tourists have signed up for the cruise, according to the cruise company.