This residential cruise ship has been sailing around the world for the last 20 years — but good luck buying one of its up to $15 million condos

Over the last few years, several startups have promised to build residential cruise ships.

Storylines says its 1,000-guest, 547-condominium floating community will sail in 2025 …

Source: Insider

… while Victoria Cruises Line says its Victoria Majestic ship will begin circumnavigating the world in September.

Source: Insider

But if you're curious about what life could be like at sea, there's no need to wait months or years.

There is only one large residential cruise ship currently in operation, according to the company that operates it. And it's been sailing around the world for the last 20 years.

Source: The World

The World first launched its 644-foot-long floating community in 2002.

Source: The World

Since then, it has been bringing its approximately 150 traveling families on a circumnavigation of the world every two to three years.

Source: The World

Of course, there's no need to live at sea if all you want is to travel around the world. But like any world cruise itinerary or residential cruise ship, you're paying for the convenience.

Instead of booking your own flight transfers and hotels, unpacking and repacking, and creating your own itinerary …

… residential cruise ships like The World allow travelers to leisurely explore the globe in the comfort of their own floating homes.

The itinerary is decided three years in advance by the management team and a committee of residents.

Every year, the ship travels to over 100 destinations, according to the company.

Source: The World

And unlike most non-residential world cruise itineraries, the vessel stays at each port for an average of three days …

… doubling the number of days it spends at port instead of at sea, the company says.

Source: The World

The World and its occupants have already visited over 1,000 destinations across 120 countries as of February 2022.

Source: The World

"People buy on our ship [because] they like to explore the world," Tom Wolber, the CEO of The World, told Insider. "They want to go to the less traveled parts."

Wolber previously worked for companies like Crystal Cruises and the Walt Disney Company, including Disney Cruise Line.

The ship's residents are from about 20 different countries but most are from the US.

According to Wolber, many of the owners are accomplished and active people.

Think business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders in their respective fields. Not retirees, he says.

The 165 condos range from $2 million to $15 million not including the annual ownership fees.

They're as small as a 330-square-foot studio and as large as a 3,242-square-foot three-bedroom residence.

The average age of The World travelers is somewhere in the 60s, a result of both newer young residents and people who have held onto their condos since the conception of the ship, Wolber said.

But only a handful of residents live aboard the ship year-round. Most have multiple homes around the world, Wolber said.

So for the most part, travelers spend an average of three to six months on the ship annually.

At any given time, about half — 150 to 200 — of the residents are aboard the floating community.

And many choose to sail on The World during holidays or to desirable ports, such as Antarctica.

Once a resident is ready to move out and move on, they can sell their residences.

But if you're interested in buying, just know there's not a lot of inventory: About 10 to 12 are resold every year.

Onboard amenities are similar to most expedition cruise ships.

This includes a video game room, a card room, a library, guest lecturers, various workshops, and a 7,000-square-foot spa.

There's even a tennis court, two pools, a track, and a marina with access to the water.

Similar to a traditional on-land community, there's also a non-denominational place of worship, a book club, and conference rooms.

For meals, the ship has four restaurants and a list of more casual dining, bars, and lounges.

Some of the ingredients used for these meals are purchased by the chefs at local ports, Wolber said.

But unlike a traditional cruise ship, food isn't included in the annual fees or cost of the condo. Instead, residents have an onboard prepaid food and beverage allowance.

For a private meal, residents can also ask the chefs to cook their meals inside the residents' condo.

Source: The World

The World is undoubtedly an old ship. So to keep it up to date, the vessel enters a dry dock every three years.

During these four to six weeks, residents can't stay on the ship.

But after the renovations are completed, the floating community could have more contemporary amenities, refurbished common spaces, or updated residences.

"The crew and our ship now have over 20 years of lifestyle experience that is incredibly hard to duplicate," Wobler said. "It's one thing to build a ship, but to bring it to life and to deliver on the expectation of very high-demanding and performing residents is not easy."