In Conversation with Leslie Jon: What Travelers Can Expect on Our 2025 Around the World Cruise

With more than 50 years at sea, Cruise Director Leslie Jon is the perfect person to shed light on what makes our Around the World cruises and Grand Voyages so special and unique.

We caught up with Leslie to ask what these epic world cruises are really like, plus discover some of his favorite world cruise moments over the years and much more.

Q: For guests who have never traveled on one of our Around the World Cruises or Grand Voyages, how would you describe the experience?

A: This question comes up quite a bit. I always ask the guests if they’re familiar with the song “We Are Family” – because that really says it all. The longer the voyage, the more our guests feel like honorary members of the staff. We become one big family on a grand adventure. From the moment you come on board, you can feel you are in for the experience of a lifetime. First-time Around the World guests quickly see they are welcomed into a world of hospitality, attentiveness, kindness and new friends. It is a 180-day family affair.

Q: What are some of your favorite experiences from prior world cruises that you’ve been a Cruise Director on?

A: I have to tell you that some of my favorite moments during our Around the World cruises always wind up being our Exclusive Shoreside Events. They illustrate what the destination experience is all about on a world cruise of this scale. Imagine a lavish dinner in Abu Dhabi, a festive dinner at the Underwater National Aquarium in Copenhagen, or an over-the-top gala event in Cape Town. Each one is an exquisitely planned, one-of-a-kind celebration that brings the local flavors and culture to life – and the settings are always memorable. One of my all-time favorite Exclusive Shoreside Events was in Buenos Aires where we were treated to an outdoor traditional churrascaria with singing and dancing and amazing food. The gaucho riders held the Oceania Cruises flag as a special touch. Every year, our return world cruisers look forward to the incredible events and our first-time guests are amazed.

Q: What stands out to you about our new 2025 Around the World cruise?

A: Looking at this new 2025 itinerary, what stands out to me are the different overnights in the very first month. The overnight in Manaus offers you the adventure of discovering the Amazon rainforest and to visit the famed Opera House, built in 1896. Sailing into Rio de Janeiro is one of the greatest arrivals in the world – and it’s certainly a personal favorite. A commentary from the bridge informs our guests the sights that await them including Corcovado, Sugar Loaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach. Guests will be dancing off the gangway in Rio as you can hear the samba beat from the moment we arrive. Buenos Aires is one of my favorite cities and an overnight is just what the doctor ordered. The culture, the food and the malbec wines await at every turn. The rest of the itinerary is just as extraordinary – South Africa, an extended exploration of Asia, the western coast of Australia and on to the always enchanting South Pacific.

Q: What are your thoughts and reactions to our new, first-of-its-kind Grand Voyage – Far & Wide: The Ultimate Odyssey?

A: I consider myself a seasoned traveler and after more than 50 years at sea, The Ultimate Odyssey almost makes me want to start my career all over again. I have never seen an itinerary so compelling as this one. From Australia to Chile gives new meaning to land, sea and air! Simply a wow itinerary – I encourage everyone to have a look at this one-of-a-kind journey.

Q: Why do you think there are so many guests that return to our Around the World cruises year after year?

A: It’s incredible that we have so many guests that continue to return to our Around the World cruises again and again. You know, I think part of it is the fact that the excitement never wavers…it’s a beautiful thing. There’s a wonderful energy on the ship with this concentration of travelers that have such a deep passion for exploring the world, and everyone feeds off of it and it becomes a really inspiring journey. In fact, during the past few years, we have noticed that guests near the completion of their Grand Voyage choose to continue their journey and book the next segment. With so many seasoned and curious travelers, the conversations are true delight and close sense of camaraderie quickly develops. There’s always someone to play a game of shuffleboard with and trade travel stories with.

Q: What are some of the less-talked about or underrated elements of ATW cruising life?

A: Perhaps less in the limelight on world cruises are the quiet moments guests enjoy on board along the way. In between the adventures, the thrills and all of the new discoveries, these moments of soaking in the onboard atmosphere are filled with a welcome sense of calm – and an easygoing “at home” feeling. Many guests are returning to places that mean very much to them and they are transported back in time with a great memory. I have had guests ask me when we would be passing a certain location as they want to open a bottle of champagne and go back in time. Your time on board is yours – you can enjoy it however you wish and make memories you’ll cherish.

The quest for Big O Points is another fun factor on an Around the World voyage. Guests sometimes have competitions with each other to see who will attain the most points during the many months on board. The friendly competition is fun to see unfold. We’re always delighted by how many guests attend the daily events to compete for Big O Points. It’s not really about the baseball cap or t-shirt anyone winds up with, but the laughter and camaraderie that deepens along the way.

Q: Why do you think guests who have not yet sailed on one of our Around the World cruises should consider one?

A: The Around the World Voyage is more than just a cruise or another travel experience. It is a life-changing 180 days. You unpack once and do not see your luggage for six months. You see the world in style, you experience countless natural wonders and cultural attractions, you sail to faraway lands. And throughout it all, you enjoy The Finest Cuisine at Sea, you’re entertained with showstopping entertainment, and you enjoy the wealth of knowledge and insights passed on from our passionate Guest Speakers. No two days are alike and the memories become a kaleidoscope of treasured moments by the time you reach disembarkation.

I still remember that at the close of the 2022 Around the World cruise, we sailed into New York harbor on the 4th of July. Passing the Statue of Liberty on this patriotic day was a grand finale to an unforgettable six months. However, the most memorable – and poignant – moment was when guests and crew were walking arm-in-arm down the gangway and saying their tearful, but happy, goodbyes. We Are Family!

About Cruise Director Leslie Jon
On April 2, 1971, Leslie Jon boarded his first cruise ship as a Guest Entertainer. This embarkation would ultimately change the course of his life forever. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Leslie began his theatrical career at the age of five. In his youth, he ballroom danced with Dame Margot Fonteyn. As an adult, he worked with some of the greatest entertainers in the world. Leslie’s credits include Battle of the Bands, Hollywood Bowl; The Mikado Theatre, Tokyo, Japan; The Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas; and the Village Gate in New York, just to name a few. Leslie joined Oceania Cruises in 2003. He’s very proud to have been their first Cruise Director and Master of Ceremonies for all Oceania Cruises inaugurations to date.