Around the world in 123 days?

The trips also require time away from home that most Americans, with a scant two weeks of vacation a year, don't have. Still, cruise lines say the boats aren't entirely populated with retirees. On-board Internet access, cell phones and BlackBerries are making long cruises increasingly popular among entrepreneurial 40- and 50-somethings, who are able to turn the ship into a virtual, floating office.

"People can fairly successfully run a business from being on a ship," said Jan Swartz, a senior vice president with Cunard.

Some are also fulfilling a lifelong dream while they are young enough to really enjoy the more adventurous locales. Weisband of Crystal Cruises said one recent world cruise passenger was a 36-year-old who had endured a nasty breakup and resolved to change her life. A Holland America world cruise even included a family with children under school age, Schimmelman said.

The cruise lines also say they see professors and other educators with more flexible summer schedules on some longer cruises. Rich Skinner, co-owner of the travel agency Cruise Holidays of Woodinville, recalls a 51-year-old teacher who saved for years to pay for a long, $40,000 cruise.

Despite the growing popularity, long cruises remain a relatively small portion of the overall cruise market. And Skinner said they are still primarily the bastion of older, wealthier people who are willing to pay high prices in exchange for being treated exceedingly well.

"It's really a very select sliver of people," Skinner said.

Even with e-mail and other modern on-board technology, getting away from it all for as long as 120 days can require plenty of pre-travel organizing.

The Magnis, who recently finished a 97-day cruise and expect many more long cruises in their future, have by now perfected a routine of prepaying bills, stocking up on medication and getting their mail held for months. They also have cultivated good relationships with their neighbors, who the couple says are more than willing to help but are sometimes mystified that they still bother making these arrangements for their short stays on solid ground.

"Our neighbors want to know why we don't sell our house and just rent a room," Linda Magni said.

If you go:

CRYSTAL CRUISES or (800) 820-6663.

CUNARD or (800) 728-6273.

HOLLAND AMERICA or (800) 426-0327.

SILVERSEA or (800) 722-9955.

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