It costs between $2.5 and 15 million to buy a room, plus a $200,000 annual maintenance fee.
As the last one to go ashore in a remote area of Papua New Guinea, Tim Hockey, retired CEO of TD Ameritrade and TD Canada Trust, trod cautiously on the narrow, overgrown dirt path that led him through the lush tropical jungle. His tardiness caused him to lose his group, so he quickened his pace to catch up. Suddenly, he heard a blood-curdling cry as a man jumped out of the bush, his eyes wide, his skin smeared with mud and his mouth and teeth stained red. Hockey’s heart raced as he jumped back, waiting for his fight-or-flight reflexes to kick in. The man tightly gripping a long, wooden spear was soon joined by another man in what appeared to be tribal war paint. Hockey feared the worst when all of a sudden the men burst out laughing and posed for pictures. This was the welcoming committee. Just another day in the life of a resident of The World––a mega-yacht that continually circumnavigates the globe.
“It was one of those extra special experiences. This might have been what it was like 100 years ago,” said Hockey. “I don’t care where the ship is because it’s always somewhere interesting. And when we have bad weather days, we just call an ’emergency’ poker game.”
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Other residents recall meeting locals and learning what life is like on Tristan da Cunha, the most remote inhabited island in the world that’s more than 1,500 miles from the nearest port; painting girls’ nails and singing nursery rhymes with the local children in the Solomon Islands; and swimming with a pod of Hector’s dolphins and going on a photo hunt of the elusive kiwi bird in Kaikōura, New Zealand.
The Residents
Life on board The World is full of adventure and bespoke luxury. The affluent, entrepreneurial, and philanthropic residents are from about 20 different countries and live on the ship as much or as little as they want. Typically, there are around 150 to 200 residents at one time. Most come and go from their home(s) on land, with an average time of four months living on board intermittently. While most residents are retired, some do work remotely from the yacht—thanks to the Starlink satellite internet connection, which also allows them to easily keep in touch with friends and family from anywhere in the world.
Those who choose this lifestyle typically share an interest in learning about the world and its various cultures and enjoy exploring fascinating destinations. In this close-knit community, residents get to know their neighbors intimately and often form lifelong friendships through memorable travel experiences and through affinity groups where they share a similar interest, such as hiking, cycling, photography, or poker.
The Residences
There are 165 privately owned, custom-designed apartments on The World yacht, which range in size from studio to three-bedroom, three-bath––all with private verandas. There are a few residences available for resale each year with prices ranging from $2.5 to $15 million, based on square footage.
There is also a minimum annual maintenance fee of $200,000 that covers things such as operations, crew compensation, and food and beverage onboard. The residents own the ship and homes are paid in full, with no mortgages. Residents can welcome friends and family to cruise with them, either in their apartment or in one of the rental units available through the Guest Stay Program.
Dining
The World features six restaurants with rotating menus based on season and destination, as well as indoor and outdoor seating. Residents can enjoy fine dining at Portraits, Pan-Asian fare at East, steaks and seafood at Marina, or Mediterranean-Italian cuisine at Tides. The cuisine is accompanied by an award-winning wine list, with a wine cellar that holds more than 15,000 bottles. A “smart casual” attire is required for evening dining (no blue jeans or shorts). For a casual bite, grab-and-go food, or a morning latte, there’s Fredy’s Deli, which also includes a marketplace for everyday items such as ingredients for cooking at home, toiletries, snack foods, and fresh produce. Poolside dining is also available at the Poolside Grill.
Don’t feel like getting out? Residents can utilize the “Call-A-Chef” amenity to have a chef prepare a meal in the privacy of their residence. For those who want to socialize, there are about a half-dozen bars on the ship.
One of the biggest luxuries is the bespoke service. Unlike a vacation cruise, the staff on The World knows each resident and their preferences. That means residents don’t have to ask for what they want, the crew already knows.
Wellness, Recreation and Entertainment
There is no shortage of things to do on the ship. For wellness activities, there is a state-of-the-art golf simulator and pro, the only full-size, regulation tennis court at sea, an outdoor jogging track, two swimming pools, and a fitness center with personal trainers, workout classes, and cardio and weight machines. While in port, residents can book tee times at local golf courses, go snorkeling or diving, take a guided walking tour, or hop on a bike (their own or a rental) to explore the new destination. An onboard physician and physical therapist are also available.
“This is not a floating retirement village,” said Fernando Arroyo Fassio, general manager of The World. “Our residents are very active.”
For some relaxation or rejuvenation, there is a full-service, 7,000-square-foot spa and wellness center with services that include skincare, body sculpting, massage and hair and nail services, and facilities that feature a Vichy shower, massage beds, hot stone lounge chairs, steam baths, whirlpool, and relaxation room.
Each morning, residents receive a daily newsletter that provides general information about the destination, port protocols, shuttle services, hours of operation for restaurants and bars, and chef’s specials. Also listed is the nightly entertainment, lectures by residents or special guests, and movie screenings in the onboard theater. If that’s not enough, residents can also browse for a book in The Study, peruse the Art Gallery, get creative in the Arts & Crafts Room, play poker in the Poker Room, shop at the boutique, or head to The Zone for board or video games.
On-Shore Activities
One of the biggest draws to living on The World is the opportunity to explore more than 100 exotic destinations across the globe each year. Commercial cruise ships are typically in port for less than a day, while The World will spend three or more days, allowing time for an immersive experience. The yearly itinerary is voted on by residents three years in advance. In 2025, some destinations include the Canary Islands, Aruba, France, Spain, Italy, Namibia, Madagascar, Tasmania, Cabo San Lucas, and West Papua.
At each stop, a variety of custom daily shore excursions are available with expert guides. There are also overland journeys for those who want to go further afield and stay on land for two or more nights. Approximately three times a year, the ship embarks on revered expeditions that span several weeks in a typically less visited location. These include education before arriving and debriefing––that includes a photo slideshow of the experience––after it has concluded, as well as nightly gatherings to discuss the destination. The expeditions are planned and guided by a team of experts from EYOS Expeditions.
“The World provides the perfect blend of comfort and luxury while exploring the most challenging destinations,” said Ben Lyons, CEO of EYOS Expeditions. “Meeting the chief of a distant Pacific island, observing ancient rituals, observing a polar bear hunting, or seeing a whale breaching in Antarctic waters are all great memories, but on The World, these memories are all accessed directly from your ‘home’ and immediately shared with friends and community.”
Giving Back
There is a no-tipping policy on The World. Residents and guests can show their appreciation by making a donation to the Crew Enrichment Fund, which provides the crew with financial assistance for education, family emergencies and hardships, personal enrichment, and natural disasters, as well as social events and shore excursions.
“The well-being and support of our crew is paramount for our ship’s residents,” said Fassio.
Residents also often give back to underserved local communities they visit by donating items such as furniture, clothing, or school supplies.
Try Before You Buy
Those interested in becoming a prospective resident can stay overnight, but in order to protect the residents’ privacy, it is by invitation only and guests must be pre-qualified with a security and background check, as well as meet the net worth requirements.
Although there are no apparent tax benefits, investment gains, or travel savings with the purchase of an apartment on The World, the indulgent and intrepid life at sea seems to be priceless.
