| A roving home on the high seas may sound like a | | | | jewel, while simultaneously including the cushion it sits |
| thing of fairy tales or pirates, but the world's largest | | | | upon. This is luxury at its finest, as well as all the |
| residential cruise liner makes it a reality for its | | | | comforts of home. |
| residents. | | | | Residents on boat come from as many as 40 |
| Aptly named The World, the apartments on this giant | | | | different countries at any one time. While capable of |
| yacht range from studios to three-bedroom | | | | accommodating more than a thousand individuals, the |
| apartments, and homeowners spend all or parts of | | | | yacht carries a varying number of passengers and |
| the year in their luxury suites. | | | | their guests that tops off around 300. This honors |
| Different itineraries are chosen each year by vote of | | | | part of the original concept that drove the creation |
| every passenger on the boat. The length of time the | | | | of The World: to keep a higher crew-to- passenger |
| yacht stays in each port varies from 2 to 5 days, | | | | ratio in order to provide the finest possible service |
| during which time passengers enjoy the culture and | | | | for all onboard. |
| experience of each destination. | | | | The liner boasts a library, a business center, even a |
| The World finished up 2007 visiting Spain, the Canary | | | | museum. Food options on board are numerous. Four |
| Islands, and Morocco. According to the boat's | | | | restaurants are available, and there's even the |
| website, 2008's circuit includes the coast of Africa, | | | | opportunity to have a chef come to your home and |
| Greece, Egypt and the Spanish island of Mallorca, | | | | prepare a meal of your choice for yourself or your |
| among other inspiring destinations. | | | | guests. There is also a small grocery store and a |
| The boat is 44,000 tons and built of Norwegian | | | | delicatessen and even a poolside grill. In addition to |
| engineering. The 12-story yacht carries, in addition to | | | | these choices, many ports-of-call have local markets. |
| her passengers, more than 250 crew members. At | | | | For those with a sports bent, a gym, spa and tennis |
| 644 feet long and nearly 100 feet wide, the yacht | | | | courts, among other amenities, are present within this |
| clips along at a maximum speed of 18.5 knots. She | | | | floating city, not to mention sailboats, kayaks and |
| sailed her maiden cruise in spring 2002; since then at | | | | water skiing. It's all there. |
| least four more similarly conceived ocean residency | | | | Entertainment on board ship takes many forms. A |
| ships have been built. | | | | movie theatre, musical performances, as well as |
| There are a total of 165 apartment or studio units on | | | | classes scheduled in everything from cooking to |
| this luxury liner. The price of an apartment ranges | | | | photography are available. This says nothing of the |
| anywhere from just under a million to $6.3 million | | | | exciting possibilities ashore at every port. |
| dollars. Each residence includes all furnishings and | | | | Potential buyers who are uncertain about investing in |
| appliances, a private veranda, and a gourmet kitchen. | | | | home ownership aboard The World can vacation on |
| The vessel's website presents the yacht in the light | | | | the ship in luxury residences for upwards of a |
| of a community where everyone has equal | | | | thousand dollars a night. Additional guests pay a more |
| ownership of the experience. While there is plenty of | | | | nominal fee. Reservations must be for at least six |
| personal space, there is also the element of a social | | | | nights, but they may be as long as desired. |
| atmosphere where residents enjoy each other's | | | | And not to worry. There's high-speed internet access |
| company. Descriptions of the amenities give the | | | | in every residence to keep you connected wherever |
| impression of the glittering facets of a shimmering | | | | you are in The World. |