The Complete Guide to MS The World Residential Ship
August C. W. | Editor
Published on 2025-06-22
August C. W. | Editor
Published on 2025-06-22
Welcome aboard MS The World, the globe-trotting residential cruise ship where you don't just visit exotic ports - you live there (at least until the next port). This 12-deck, 644-foot vessel is the largest privately-owned residential yacht on Earth, home to an exclusive community of residents who spend their days exploring the planet and their nights in their own beds at sea. Below, we dive into everything you need to know about life on The World - from its luxurious residences and onboard amenities to the unique community vibe, itineraries, costs, and how you (maybe) can join the club. (Spoiler: It helps to have very deep pockets and an adventurous spirit.)
Living on The World means owning one of just 165 private residences ranging from chic studios to sprawling three-bedroom apartments (plus one truly palatial penthouse). Each residence is a fully deeded home - this is no timeshare or extended cruise stay. Every unit was custom-designed by renowned interior designers at launch, but owners often put their own stamp on them - personalization is the name of the game. In fact, residents are free to renovate and redecorate as they please: walls have been knocked down, floorplans combined, and decor swapped from ultra-modern to classic, all to suit personal tastes. One owner even flew in a team of contractors to gut a three-bedroom down to the steel hull and rebuild it as a roomy two-bedroom with a full dining room and king-size master - talk about a home makeover!
Amenities per unit? Think of a high-end city condo, then add ocean views that change daily. Every residence comes with a private balcony (yes, even studios have an outdoor perch), a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette, living and dining areas, and luxe finishes. Storage can be tight (closet space is inevitably at a premium when you live on a ship), but clever built-ins and upscale furnishings make it comfortable. Housekeeping is provided, so you'll always come "home" to a tidy space. And if the interior designers and bespoke furniture aren't to your liking - change them! Owners work with The World's design team or their own contractors to update their homes during scheduled refurbishments. Every three years the entire ship goes into dry-dock for a refresh, and residents often take that chance to do major upgrades to their apartments with guidance from The World's design consultants. The result? No two homes onboard look alike, and all are maintained in tip-top condition. (Think of it as HGTV meets the high seas.)
By the numbers, the residences break down into roughly 40 ultra-luxe studios, 19 one- and two-bedroom "studio apartments," and 106 larger two- or three-bedroom apartments. Sizes range from a cozy ~330 sq ft studio up to a palatial 3,200+ sq ft penthouse that could rival any land-based mansion. All homes have private balconies, and floor-to-ceiling windows are common - after all, what's the point of sailing around the world if you can't see the view? Interiors originally featured high-end materials like wood and stone flooring, gourmet kitchens, and spa-like bathrooms, and many have since been upgraded further by their owners. Each residence also has high-speed internet and satellite communications built in, so you can run your business from your "office at sea" just as easily as from a downtown high-rise. In short, these are real homes - just ones that happen to float. As one resident quipped after selling his land house to move aboard: "I live everywhere now".
(Editorial aside: Yes, even Arnold Schwarzenegger and Madonna have been rumored to own suites on board - it's that kind of place. And if you're imagining ritzy apartments with marble baths and designer art on the walls, you're spot on. One resident proudly showed off a $50,000 Picasso etching he grabbed from the ship's art gallery to hang in his hallway.)
If you think living on a ship might cramp your lifestyle, The World will prove you wrong. This floating city packs in amenities to rival a luxury resort - and then some. Here's a taste of what residents enjoy on board:
Fine Dining (and Yes, a Wine Vault) - You have six different restaurants at your disposal, from haute cuisine to casual bites. Craving a steak or fresh seafood? Head to Marina. In the mood for Italian or Mediterranean? Tides has you covered. Yearning for Asian flavors? East awaits. There's also a French-style bistro, a poolside grill, and even a gourmet deli and grocery for those who cook in their apartments. The culinary program is top-notch, helmed by world-class chefs, and the ship's wine collection is legendary - over 16,000 bottles from 19 countries, carefully stored in what amounts to a wine vault at sea. (Yes, there's a wine vault. No, you can't drink it all in one night - though with 1,100+ labels on the wine list and an award-winning wine program, you can certainly try!). Residents pay for meals and drinks a la carte, but a substantial annual food & beverage credit (around $30,000 a year) is built into those fees, so feel free to order that extra champagne at the Piano Bar.
Sports & Wellness - Staying active is easy when you have two swimming pools, a full-size tennis court (the only regulation-size court at sea), and a 7,000 sq ft spa and wellness center steps from home. There's a state-of-the-art fitness center with personal trainers on call, a Pilates studio, and even a golf club with putting greens and a simulator. Work on your swing with the resident golf pro or play a virtual round on Pebble Beach in the simulator - all while in the middle of the ocean. You can jog around the deck track, shoot hoops, or even practice your swing in a batting cage (on some voyages, the crew sets up a driving range off the aft deck - biodegradable golf balls into the sea!). After working up a sweat, indulge in the spa's treatments or soak in the jacuzzi. There's also a clinic and Medical Center onboard with a doctor 24/7, just in case, and a concierge team that can arrange anything from private shore excursions to dinner reservations on land. Translation: This ship is part luxury resort, part country club.
Entertainment & Enrichment - You'll never be bored. The World features a boutique cinema-style theater for movies and live performances, plus multiple chic lounges and bars (including a swanky Cigar Club and a nighttime Quantum nightclub). The community organizes enrichment classes and lectures regularly - think cooking classes, photography workshops, language lessons, navigation for beginners, dance classes, and guest lectures by Nobel laureates and experts in various fields. (Recent example: one voyage had Nobel Prize-winning physicist Shuji Nakamura aboard giving a talk.) There's an art gallery selling works by noted artists (fancy a Picasso for your living room? One resident did exactly that), and even a library stocked with leather-bound classics for when you want a quiet evening in. Shops and Services? Of course - a boutique for jewelry and fashion, and the aforementioned grocery/delicatessen so you can pick up gourmet ingredients or sundries anytime. There's also a helipad on deck for private helicopter transfers when residents feel like coming or going in style.
Tech and Connectivity - The ship might sail to remote corners of the earth, but you can stay connected. Each residence has high-speed internet and satellite TV, and there's shipwide Wi-Fi (so yes, you can Zoom call from Antarctica). There's even a business center and "office away from home" setup for those who need meeting space or printing, etc.. Many residents continue to run businesses remotely while aboard - The World makes it seamless.
(And just for fun: The ship's billiards table in the game room is gyroscopically stabilized so you can play pool without the balls rolling off, even if the seas get a bit choppy. It's little touches like this that remind you no expense was spared.)
In short, life onboard can be as pampered or as private as you wish. You can dine out every night or have dinner served in your residence. Hit the gym at 7am or sip cocktails on deck at sunset. As one travel writer described it, The World is "an amalgamation of an all-inclusive luxury hotel and a country club" rolled into one, except you wake up with a new view every few days. Six- or seven-star service is the norm - with roughly 300 crew members serving at most 150-200 residents on board at a time, the staff-to-guest ratio is outrageously high. They will know your name, your favorite wine, and how you take your morning coffee by the second day.
(Editorial aside: Yes, there's even a chef's garden and an herb farm on board for the freshest ingredients, and a 15,000-bottle wine cellar that won "Best Ship Wine List in the World" in 2024. You could literally circumnavigate the globe without ever running out of new wines to try - challenge accepted.)
What is it really like to live on a ship full-time (or part-time)? In a word: extraordinary. The resident community aboard The World is often described as a "floating United Nations of affluence." About 150 families from ~20 countries own homes on the ship. The majority are from North America and Europe, but there are residents from Asia, Australia, South America and beyond. Many are ultra-successful entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors, and retirees - the average age ranges around 50s to early 60s. Don't assume it's all grey hairs, though; there are younger owners and even families with children on board (some kids are home-schooled while traveling the world, which is one heck of a geography lesson!). What unites them is a passion for travel, adventure, and lifelong learning. These residents are extremely active, curious, and often philanthropic people who have "been everywhere but seen nothing" (as one owner put it) until they started exploring deeply via The World. They share interests in world cultures, history, wine & cuisine, and unique experiences - meaning cocktail party conversation is never dull.
Social life on board is as vibrant or low-key as you want. This is not a formal cruise with forced fun; it's a community of neighbors and friends. Residents often form clubs and interest groups: there are book clubs, a wine-tasting group, a poker club, a golf club, even regular karaoke nights and an onboard songwriting workshop series for the musically inclined. They celebrate holidays together (imagine a New Year's Eve gala on deck in some far-flung port), hold themed parties, and organize philanthropic events in some destinations (like donating supplies to remote communities they visit). Enrichment activities are big: you might attend a lecture on Antarctic penguin habitats in the morning and a photography class in the afternoon. Cultural events are curated to "bring the destination alive" - for example, when in Spain, they've hosted flamenco performances or talks by local historians, etc. There's even an onboard concierge team that helps arrange private tours or special excursions in port for groups of residents who share interests.
Despite the wealth and status of many residents, the vibe is described as friendly and unpretentious. People routinely meet up for dinner, plan outings together on shore, or simply chat over morning coffee in the cafe. Lifelong friendships form in this tight-knit setting. At any given time, only about 150-200 residents are on the ship (others are back at their land homes or traveling elsewhere), so it feels intimate - "like a small village where everyone knows each other," one resident says. Privacy is respected (it's said that onboard etiquette is to never ask someone what they do or how they made their money), and there's even an unofficial rule that residents do not publicly disclose each other's identities. It's a bit like a private members club; everyone values discretion. In fact, new buyers must agree to keep the community's privacy, which is why you won't see a passenger manifest or celebrity name-drop from official sources. (Rumor has it a few celebrities and royals are owners, but lips are sealed.)
Events and traditions develop over years. Imagine playing midnight golf under the Arctic midnight sun with fellow residents - yes, they've done that. Or having a Champagne toast amid the towering dunes of Namibia's desert, arranged as a special excursion just for the ship's residents. Some have stood on the rim of an erupting volcano in Vanuatu together. These brag-worthy moments are par for the course in this community - they love adventure and they have the means to chase it.
Day to day, community life can be as active or relaxed as you wish. Many residents remain busy with their businesses or projects (there are plenty of early-morning laptop warriors in the ship's cafe logging into global markets). Others are fully embracing retirement mode - lounging by the pool, indulging in spa days, and showing up for every wine tasting and lecture. There's a saying that on The World, "age is just a number" - 70-year-olds go scuba diving and hiking alongside 30-somethings. Everyone is bonded by the shared understanding that life is to be lived, and they're out here living it in style. As one resident told a reporter: "I'm living the dream!" - a sentiment few onboard would argue with.
(Editorial aside: Yes, an ABBA tribute band was once flown in for onboard entertainment during a special event. And no, Mamma Mia, they didn't hold back on the dancing queens. Life on The World can be full of these pinch-me moments - one week you're having a private concert at sea, another week you're off on a zodiac watching penguins waddling on an Antarctic ice floe.)
One of the most unique aspects of The World is that residents themselves choose the ship's journey. Each year's itinerary is planned about 2-3 years in advance by an Itinerary Committee of residents and the ship's management, then voted on by all the owners. They chart a continuous global route that circumnavigates the globe every 2-3 years, with the ship spending twice as many days in port as at sea to allow deep exploration. In practical terms: The World usually visits 90-100 ports per year across ~6 continents. It's not racing from one tourist trap to the next, either - the schedule favors longer stays (often 3+ days in each port) and ventures to places few cruise ships or even private yachts ever go.
The 2024 Journey - The year 2024 was a prime example of The World's boundary-pushing itinerary. Residents literally rang in New Year 2024 in Antarctica, exploring the snowy wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands on an expedition voyage complete with penguin colonies, glacier hikes, and Zodiac rides among icebergs. From the Antarctic summer, the ship sailed north to South America: tango in Buenos Aires, carnival spirit in Rio de Janeiro, then across the Atlantic to visit the remote Tristan da Cunha islands - one of the most isolated archipelagos on Earth. (Talk about bragging rights: very few travelers ever set foot there.) Next was a swing around Africa: iconic Cape Town, a safari stop in South Africa's bush, and cruising up the exotic east coast of Africa - Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya - before a jaunt to the idyllic Seychelles. Four months in Asia followed: bustling Hong Kong and Shanghai, the pop-culture capital Seoul, a deep dive into Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, and out-of-the-way islands like Ishigaki), plus calls in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia (Bali, of course). By mid-year, the ship made its long-anticipated expedition to Australia's Kimberley region - a wild northwest outback of waterfalls, gorges, and Aboriginal heritage. September 2024 brought a rare exploration of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, visiting virtually untouched villages and emerald jungles. The tail end of 2024 saw the ship sailing down eastern Australia (Great Barrier Reef dives off Cairns, city life in Brisbane and Sydney), hopping over to New Zealand for scenic fjords and Maori culture, and then setting a course through the South Pacific - Fiji, Samoa, Tonga - en route to a tropical holiday season in Hawaii. Finally, they closed out 2024 by arriving at Mexico's Baja Peninsula, where residents celebrated New Year's Eve on the beaches of Cabo San Lucas (margaritas and mariachi to toast the year's incredible journey).
The 2025 Journey - Not to be outdone, 2025's itinerary (voted on by residents back in 2022) spans six continents and nearly 100 ports. The year begins along the sun-drenched west coast of the U.S. and Mexico. In January, residents will embark on a dedicated Sea of Cortez Expedition out of Cabo San Lucas, sailing the wildlife-rich waters Jacques Cousteau once called "the world's aquarium" - expect whale encounters, desert-island beaches, and snorkeling among sea lions. By March, The World transits the Panama Canal (after stops in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia) and heads into the Caribbean, sampling gems like Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, and the Grenadines - think crystal-clear waters and colorful local culture. Spring 2025 has the ship crossing the Atlantic to the Canary Islands and Madeira, a touch of Morocco (Casablanca), and even a jaunt into the Mediterranean for stops in Italy, Malta, France, Spain, and Portugal. Come summer, The World points south again - down the Atlantic to Namibia's dramatic dunes and South Africa's coast.
The latter part of 2025 is anchored by two epic expeditions: a September exploration of Madagascar (the world's fourth-largest island, brimming with unique lemurs and baobab trees), followed by a November expedition through remote West Papua in eastern Indonesia, a paradise of coral reefs and tribal cultures. As the year ends, residents will spend the holidays in Australia - ringing in New Year 2026 with fireworks in Hobart, Tasmania after a festive season in Brisbane and Sydney. In total, the 2025 journey covers five oceans (yes, they literally go everywhere), with opportunities for everything from reef diving in the Coral Triangle to wildlife safaris in Madagascar to exploring classic European capitals. And crucially, residents themselves shaped this route - it's curated to include a bit of everything: natural wonders, cultural capitals, and off-the-beaten-path adventures.
In past years, The World has achieved some notable firsts: it navigated the Northwest Passage across the Arctic in 2012, and in 2017 it set a record for the southernmost voyage by any ship, reaching Bay of Whales in Antarctica. These folks don't shy away from ambitious undertakings. If a group of residents dream up an expedition to, say, the Seychelles or the White Sea in Russia, the itinerary planners figure out how to make it happen safely and in luxury. There's an Expedition Team on board (including scientists, dive masters, and wilderness guides) that joins for the hardcore segments, ensuring residents can kayak among icebergs or trek remote jungles with expert support. It's all about depth of experience - many ports include multi-day inland tours (e.g. a safari out of Cape Town or a overland trip to Machu Picchu when in Peru, etc.). And unlike commercial cruises, The World often stays a week or more in particularly rich regions (they once lingered over a month in Japan alone). Residents literally vote on this balance: do we want more cultural cities or more secluded islands next year? More Europe or more Pacific? Majority rules, and off they go.
(Editorial aside: Basically, no two years are the same on The World. One year you're watching the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle; another year you're snorkeling with whale sharks off the coast of Africa. Boredom? Not on this ship. If anything, residents sometimes joke they need a "vacation from their vacation" because the schedule of exploring can be delightfully exhausting.)
Alright, let's address the billion-dollar question (or at least the million-dollar one): How much does it cost to live on The World? In a word: a lot. This is one of the most exclusive addresses on Earth (or sea), and the prices reflect that. As of mid-2025, residences are available on the resale market starting around USD $2.5 million, and ranging up to about $15 million for the largest apartments. The exact price depends on size, floor plan, and location on the ship (an expansive three-bedroom with a wraparound terrace on Deck 10 will fetch far more than a studio on a lower deck, naturally). Occasionally, a penthouse or sub-penthouse becomes available - one 3-bedroom "sub-penthouse" of ~286 m² (3,078 ft²) was listed in late 2024 for $12.5 million. To give perspective, that's roughly $4,000-$6,000 per square foot, putting The World in the upper echelon of real estate worldwide (think Manhattan or Monaco prices). Even the smaller units (studio to one-bedroom) tend to command a couple million dollars at resale.
Annual fees: Buying in is just the start. Owners must pay hefty annual maintenance/ownership fees, akin to condo association dues - but covering a lot more than a doorman and a pool. These fees are based on the square footage of your residence. In 2023 the minimum annual fee for even the smallest apartment was set at $200,000, and it goes up from there for larger units (proportionally by size). In practice, a two-bedroom might incur annual fees in the several hundreds of thousands, while the largest penthouse could be around $1 million per year in fees. The fees are reviewed and adjusted via the residents' Board of Directors each year to meet the operating budget, so they can fluctuate, but expect high six figures annually for most residences.
What do these fees cover? According to the ship's management, everything to operate and maintain this luxe life at sea: your share of the ship's running costs (fuel, port charges at 100+ ports a year, ongoing ship maintenance and refurbishment, insurance, etc.), crew salaries (remember that ~300 staff looking after you), and a food and beverage provision. In fact, part of the fee is essentially a pre-paid dining credit - there is a required Food & Beverage minimum spend that's pooled into your fees (around $30k as noted) which you then draw down as you enjoy the restaurants and bars. Housekeeping, concierge, onboard entertainment, the spa and fitness facilities, and even basic medical care are included as well. The fees also contribute to a capital reserve fund for major refurbishments - so every few years when the ship goes to dry-dock for upgrades, owners aren't hit with a special assessment; it's been saved up. Essentially, think of it as paying not just condo dues, but also an all-inclusive lifestyle: your "rent" covers a big chunk of your meals, services, and travel logistics. Still, it's a steep annual bill - one former resident of a large unit mentioned about $900,000 per year in total charges for their home. If you have to ask whether the foie gras at dinner is complimentary, this might not be the community for you.
Ownership structure: When you purchase a residence, you're not just buying a cabin - you become a shareholder in the entire ship. The ship is owned by a company where all residents are shareholders proportional to the size of their unit. Together, the residents own the vessel outright (they famously bought out the original developers in 2003) and elect a Board of Directors to represent them. This board works with the professional management (ROW Management Ltd., based in Florida) to run operations. It's a bit like a luxury condo board or co-op, but one that floats and moves. Owners have voting rights (again proportional to unit size) on major decisions - including the itinerary, budget approvals, etc.. In essence, you're joining a private club/condominium at sea, with all the responsibilities and privileges therein. The upside is residents have control and input; the downside (if you can call it that) is you must play nice with others in decision-making.
It's worth noting that the original inventory sold out in 2006, and since then it's only resales when an owner decides to sell. At any given time, maybe a dozen or so units are on the market, and they tend to change hands discreetly. The community is intensely private about sales - prices aren't usually published openly, and listings often happen through word of mouth or specialized brokers.
(Editorial aside: If your wallet isn't already quivering, remember there's also an initial vetting process to even buy in - it's not enough to have the money; you need the right social fit. More on that next.)
So, you're a globe-trotting millionaire (or billionaire) and The World sounds like your dream lifestyle. How do you actually get a place on board? The answer: with patience, invitation, and a thorough vetting. The World's ownership is famously exclusive - you can't just show up with a check.
First, interested buyers typically need to be invited or sponsored by an existing resident or by the ship's sales team. Often, prospects are people who have cruised as guests of current owners, or who have been identified as potentially a good fit. There's a saying that getting in is a bit like joining a high-end country club - current members have a say. In fact, the official policy is that buyers must have a minimum verified net worth (reported to be USD $10 million+ in liquid assets) and secure recommendations from at least two existing residents. They also undergo background checks for security (the ship quietly ensures no one with a serious criminal record becomes a resident). The community is protective of its safety and camaraderie, so they want to ensure new owners will mesh well. As one article noted, The World's management "doesn't reveal who the clients are, but assures none have criminal records". And rumor has it, they like to see that you actually plan to use the ship (i.e. you're an active traveler, not just buying as a trophy asset).
The typical path to ownership might look like this: You express interest and demonstrate you meet the financial bar. You're then invited for a "Guest Stay" trial - a short stay aboard as a guest, often while accompanied by a resident or representative, to experience the lifestyle firsthand. This is essentially a try-before-you-buy visit, but it's by invitation only and subject to availability. During this stay, you'll meet residents and ship officers (and they'll be subtly sizing you up as well). If all goes well, you can proceed to arrange the purchase of a residence (whatever is for sale at the time that suits your needs). The transaction is handled like a real estate purchase, with transfer of the deed (residence agreement) and shares in the ownership company. Upon buying, you become a member of the community - subject to agreeing to all the rules and regs of the ship's Residence Agreement, of course.
Are rentals available? Officially, The World is not a rental cruise ship - you can't book a week's stay as a random tourist. However, they do have a tightly controlled Guest Program. This allows "interested and qualified potential residents" to come aboard for a short stay. It's not advertised as a vacation rental; it's more framed as a chance for serious prospects to experience life on board. The Guest Stay program is limited and by invitation only, and all guests must pass the same kind of security/background check. In other words, unless you're on the path to ownership (or a personal friend of an owner), you won't be vacationing on The World. The program explicitly is "not intended to drive rental revenue or occupancy" - meaning the ship isn't looking to fill beds with random renters to offset costs. This keeps the atmosphere private and club-like.
That said, friends & family of residents are absolutely welcome as guests. Owners frequently host friends or grandchildren for segments of the journey. If an owner's apartment is too small to host all their guests, they can arrange to rent an additional residence (from the inventory of unoccupied units) for their guests during that leg. There are policies to ensure the ship doesn't exceed its legal passenger capacity, but in general, having a few friends visit is part of the fun. Some residents essentially "sponsor" friends to come aboard via this mechanism - e.g. "I have a friend who comes to stay for a month at a time," one resident said. The key is those guests are registered under a specific resident host. This isn't Airbnb; it's more like houseguests on a yacht.
If you're determined to taste the lifestyle without buying, your best bet is to make friends with an owner or get on The World's radar as a prospective buyer. There are travel advisors who might arrange a limited guest stay if you have the credentials (and bank account) to be taken seriously. But for the general public, The World remains tantalizingly out of reach - which is exactly how the residents like it.
(Editorial aside: In the early years, there was talk of one deck of studios being available for regular cruise bookings - but that hybrid model was phased out once the residents took full ownership. Now it's strictly private. In other words, you can't just "book a cruise" on The World. And if somehow you finagle a short guest stay, be prepared for the crew to know exactly who you are - and for a polite but firm sales pitch about ownership opportunities after you've been wowed by the experience.)
Q: Is The World a cruise ship or something else? A: The World is not a typical cruise ship at all - it's often called a private residential yacht. Externally it may look like a cruise liner, but inside it's a floating condo community. All 165 residences are owned by individuals, and together the residents own the ship. Think of it as a mega-yacht where every cabin is owned by someone (and those owners collectively run the show). So, there's no "cruise director" shuffling you to buffets; it's your home. The atmosphere is more private club than theme park.
Q: Do people live on The World year-round? A: A few die-hard residents do live aboard full-time, treating it as their primary home. However, the majority split their time - many spend a few months on board, then time at their land homes. The average resident is on the ship about 3-4 months per year. There are also those who chase the itinerary for longer: it's not uncommon for some to do 6+ months in a year, especially if the route is exciting. Tax considerations play a role too - technically, residents must maintain a land address for legal/tax reasons. And while the ship travels continuously, most owners hop on and off as desired. That's the beauty: you can rejoin the ship wherever strikes your fancy. At any given time, usually only 150-200 residents are on board, keeping things intimate. Fun fact: a handful of residents have indeed sold their houses and gone almost full nomad - one owner said she sold her big house, bought a small pied-a-terre on land, and spends most of the year living on The World.
Q: How are destinations chosen? A: The residents vote on the itinerary! Each year's global route is proposed about 3 years in advance by an Itinerary Committee of residents and the Captain/management. They present a few route options (tailored to residents' survey feedback - do folks want more Mediterranean, more South Pacific, etc.?). The community then votes, and the winning route is fleshed out port-by-port. The guiding principle is depth and variety: the schedule tries to include major cities, remote islands, and at least a couple of big Expedition voyages (like Antarctica, Arctic, or other off-grid regions) each year. Practical factors (weather, safe sea routes, port availability, fuel range) are all considered by the Captain and itinerary planners. Once decided, it goes to the resident-elected Board for final approval. So essentially, The World goes where its residents collectively want to go. Itineraries tend to ensure the ship makes a full circumnavigation every few years, rarely repeating ports too often (except beloved ones). And yes, if world events or resident interests change, they adapt - it's quite democratic in that sense.
Q: Can I rent a residence or book a trip on The World if I'm not an owner? A: Not in the traditional sense. The World is a private community and does not sell regular cruise tickets. There is a very limited Guest Stay Program where potential buyers (who meet strict criteria) can be invited for a short stay to experience life on board. These visits are by invitation and require background checks. Apart from that, the only way onboard is as a guest of a resident (owners can host friends/family and even arrange a spare unit for them through the ship's guest program). If you don't know an owner and aren't in the market to drop a few million on a condo, you're out of luck - you can't just pay to cruise for a week. This exclusivity is by design to keep the atmosphere private.
Q: What does ownership really include? A: When you buy on The World, you own your residence outright (like buying a condo) and also receive shares in the ship's holding company proportional to your unit's size. That gives you voting rights in the community and a say in major decisions. Ownership includes the right to live onboard (or leave the ship and rejoin at will), use of all the common areas and amenities, and the services of the crew. It's important to note you're buying into a lifestyle: your annual fees cover the operation of the ship and many onboard services (see above). Residences are bought on a leasehold basis tied to the ship's lifespan - effectively, the "deed" runs until around 2052, since no ship lasts forever. After that (or if the ship is ever sold and replaced), there's presumably a plan, but for now it's expected The World will sail several more decades. If you ever choose to sell, you can - just know the pool of buyers is small and picky.
Q: Is The World family-friendly? A: Surprisingly, yes - though the majority of residents are older, there are families with kids and even dedicated children's facilities on board. The ship has a children's playroom and teen center, and some programming for young ones (especially during school holiday periods when grandkids visit). Education is handled privately (some families homeschool or use remote learning), but the world travel itself is an incredible classroom. Residents say kids onboard learn global cultures firsthand and are doted on by the crew. That said, The World has no hordes of children; it's a very adult-oriented environment most of the time - so parents here are typically very engaged in showing their kids the world, not dropping them at a kids' club all day.
Q: What's the service like? A: In a word, impeccable. Many residents compare it to "six-star" service. With roughly 2 crew members for every resident on board at a time, everything is highly personalized. Staff learn your preferences quickly - from how you like your martini to arranging private trainers or spa therapists at your preferred times. Housekeeping visits daily (or on request), and concierge can handle shoreside arrangements worldwide. The crew hail from over 40 countries and are top professionals; many have been with The World for years because it's a coveted assignment. One neat aspect: The World has a no-cash environment - there's no awkward tipping or signing checks for every little thing. All expenses (drinks, boutique purchases, shore tours) are simply logged to your account and billed periodically. It feels more like a private club or your own yacht in that regard. Residents often befriend crew members; it's a close community all around.
MS The World truly offers a one-of-a-kind lifestyle: exploring the Earth from the comfort of home. It's equal parts ocean adventure, luxury living, and tight-knit community. As one resident famously said about life aboard, "You sail to places that you could never go even on your own yacht... These experiences - you can't buy them at any price." Of course, in this case you can buy the entry ticket - it'll just cost a few million and a couple hundred grand a year. But for those who do, the consensus is clear: they're living the dream.
Sources: The information above is compiled from official publications of The World Residences at Sea, press releases, and firsthand accounts by journalists and residents. Key references include The World's own FAQ and press kit, news coverage in Cruise Passenger and Bloomberg, and interviews with residents in outlets like Elite Traveler and Finance & Commerce, among others. These provide an up-to-date (2024-2025) glimpse into this remarkable floating community. Safe travels - or as the residents might say, "see you somewhere around the globe!"
Exterior view of The World residential yacht - 165 luxury homes sail the globe in this unique 12-deck ship (Photo source: The World Residences at Sea press image)
The main pool deck on The World, complete with sun loungers and hot tub - often uncrowded, as only ~150 residents are on board at a time (Photo source: The World Residences at Sea)