The world’s first residence at sea where the apartments are sold like condominiums in the Sun Belt landed in the water in 2002, at first selling like hotcakes, then the market pretty much died until the owners took over control of the ship and hired a management company top operate it. Now virtually 100 per cent sold, although there is naturally a turnover of ownership, the ship known as The World roams the globe.
Fleet & Itineraries
The 43,188-ton ship seeks the best weather and being on handfor significant events such as the Cannes Film Festival, Carnival in Rio and the Americas Cup Races. In major ports such as Sydney, Hong Kong and Barcelona, The World may tie up for several days.
Dining and Decor
The World operates much like a cruise ship with most of theamenities one would expect to find on a luxury vessel, such as multiplerestaurants, sports, including a marina and water-based activities. Somepassengers choose to prepare meals in their apartments - mostly breakfast orlunch - which come with fully equipped kitchens, but most prefer to eat out onboard or ashore when docked. Apartments vary from studios to multiple bedroomsuites, and the décor may be off-the-shelf or customized.
Programs
There are special interest talks and on occasion, localentertainment in port.
Onboard Experience
The World may be a second, third or fourth residence andowners generally spend only a fraction of the year aboard. The numbers sailingat any one time will vary widely depending on where the ship is located. Thelong ocean voyages see the fewest and the ship may seem empty then. Owners mayrent out their units, so there will be people on board who are not owners andwho may liven up the place. Most of the social activity revolves around thepiano lounge bar located off reception lobby and in the restaurants that areopen on a rotating basis.
Competitors
The World will soon have a competitor in Residential CruiseLine when the firm’s much larger Magellan is expectedto be delivered in 2010.
