Whilst browsing the 2015 Southampton Cruise Ship Schedule (because that’s just what we like to do for kicks) we came across some exciting news; on 2 August 2015, residential cruise ship The World is scheduled to dock in the UK for two whole nights. While we are busy in negotiations to get a behind the scenes look at the mysterious, luxury vessel, we decided to take a closer look at just what it is that makes The World so intriguing.
The World launched in 2002; a brand new concept brought to life by Knut Kloster Jr, former chairman of Royal Viking Line and Norwegian Cruise Lines. At 644ft and 43,524 tons, The World became the only private residential community-at-sea and has circumnavigated the globe many times since its launch.
The World incorporates a total of 165 homes; including 109 apartments; 19 studio apartments; and 40 studios. A crew of approximately 270 is on hand to meet the needs of residents.
Only a handful of residents live aboard The World full time, with the majority keeping the space as a second home (or third, fourth, fifth…) and visiting regularly throughout the year. A helipad makes reaching the ship a breeze wherever in the world it may be. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Madonna are amongst the celebrities rumoured to retreat to The World, though privacy of residents is fiercely guarded.
Residencies range from Studios to Studio Apartments and Two or Three Bedroomed Apartments. Life aboard The World comes at a high price, though exact figures are rarely divulged to anyone other than those lucky enough to be seeking a place. Rumours place Studios at a starting price of £400,000, with apartments soaring as high as £9million! Residents are also expected to fork out an extra 10-15% of the purchase price for maintenance costs each and every year. Ouch!
Start your day with a laidback breakfast at Fredy’s Bistro before nipping to the gourmet deli and grocery store to stock up on essentials for back at the apartment. Don’t bother visiting the wine aisle; the ship’s sommelier will be happy to talk you through the 4,000 bottles of wine available in the wine cellar and will have your choice swiftly delivered.
Slip on your workout wear and head to the state-of-the-art gym. Alternatively take full advantage of the day’s sun with a spot of tennis on the only regulation-size tennis court at sea. Perfect your putting with the ship’s resident golf pro before retreating to one of the ship’s two pools to soak up the sun’s rays. Stay in your swimwear because afternoons are for water sports at The World’s open marina.
Slip into something a little more glamorous and take your pick of six restaurants in which to enjoy dinner. Indulge in Asian cuisine at East or haute cuisine at the ship’s main formal restaurant, Portraits. Wherever you choose to dine, you’ll enjoy a menu prepared by the ship’s award-winning master chefs.
Enjoy a cocktail in one of the ship’s cosy lounges; perhaps the Regatta Bar, home of the World Yacht Club, or the gentlemanly retreat of the Cigar Club. Finally, get comfy in ultimate peace and quiet with beautiful sea views in one of the coveted Bali Beds.
The World’s itineraries are carefully planned two years in advance, by a team made up of the ship’s residents, Captain and Itinerary Manager. The 2015 journey will take you to 104 ports in 30 countries, with 2-3 day visits in each.
The World begins its 2015 journey in Singapore, before travelling to the islands of Southeast Asia and then on to spend the winter months in the Seychelles and Maldives. An African adventure is next on the itinerary, before residents begin the voyage to Morocco, the Mediterranean, UK, Iceland and Greenland. The next leg will trace the coastline of Canada and the US, before traversing the Panama Canal and South America, and finishing its voyage in Antarctica.
Residents can choose to hop off for a while or stay on and start the next years’ itinerary.
A cruise ship you can live on? Forever? Where you decide the itineraries and wake up somewhere new almost every day? Count us in!
Would you live aboard a cruise ship if money was no object?
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