We take you aboard the largest privately- owned residential yacht on Earth, aptly christened The World, where luxury and exploration know no limits
By Dina Spahi, Fotos By „The Dovetail Agency
Imagine being able to travel the globe without ever leaving your home. Now imagine that your ‘home’ is a state-of-the-art luxury yacht with world-class amenities, personalised service, and a plethora of dining, fitness, and leisure activities to enjoy while exploring remarkable destinations. Unlike cruise ships, The World is a purely residential ship with 165 luxury homes privately owned by 142 families, and on average only 200 residents and guests on board at any one time, making for a very exclusive experience.
The vision
The vision behind The World was to create a way in which travellers could sail for as long as they wished from the comfort of their own private residence. From design to completion, it took five years to realise this lofty vision, and in 2002, the sleek 196.35-meter, 12-deck ship designed by Petter Yran and Bjørn Storbraaten set sail from Oslo. Since then, The World and its community at sea have visited over 900 ports in over 140 countries. With a continuous worldwide itinerary that enables the vessel to span the globe every two to three years, the ship is a complete floating city, equipped with high-end facilities and luxurious amenities to create an intimate, refined atmosphere for its owners. Residents travel for as long as they desire, spending an average of three to four months on board every year. The residences tend to attract self-made business people from a variety of industries, who are very active yet have the time and luxury to travel.
The personal touch
Both at sea and on land, it’s all about the ultimate lifestyle, where everything is taken care of according to your preference while you explore breathtaking destinations. Your favourite wine? The sommelier already has it noted and ready to be served; that booking for a cycling tour in Italy? Already made. The premise is that residents can enjoy customised experiences as the crew ‘brings the destinations alive’ through one-of-a-kind events like dining at acclaimed Spanish Chef Ferran Adrià’s three Michelin star elBulli before it closed its doors, or savouring champagne and caviar atop an Antarctic glacier after arriving by private helicopter. Fancy something different? No worries, as The World Concierge is on hand to help you fulfil your wish. Whether it’s sightseeing in Casablanca in your own in a private car, strapping on hiking boots for a trek to Cape Town’s Table Mountain, or joining other residents for an overnight stay at Sri Lanka’s Udawalawe National Park, a World Heritage site, the concierge will make it happen.
If luxury and personalised service are the goal, then why not go for individual yacht ownership, one may ask. First off, the quality and scope of the services and facilities offered aboard The World are not easily attainable on a single-owner yacht. Then there are reduced costs, particularly with respect to general upkeep and fuel, crew and guests, and berthing and dockage. And most importantly of all, for explorers, The World takes care of all the planning, logistics, security, and other hassles in order to discover remote, exotic, and well-known locales around the globe. We also love the camaraderie that can be forged with fellow residents, making for a warm community.
The luxury
Traveling the globe is all good and well, but it’s the creature comforts that count once the excursions are over, and to that end, the private residences certainly deliver. The 165 residences range from studios to expansive three-bedroom apartments and a palatial six-bedroom penthouse suite, which can accommodate up to 12 people! While all of the homes have been sold, there are a few available for resale. The breakdown of the residences includes 106 two- and three-bedroom apartments, 19 one- and two-bedroom studio apartments, and 40 studios. Owners can choose their own interiors, and of course furnish and decorate as they wish, according to their own taste and desires.
When not exploring the four corners of the globe or enjoying the many culinary delights at one of the 12 restaurants and bars onboard, residents can head to the 7,000-sq.-ft. Spa & Wellness Center that offers a combination of wellness, fitness, and beauty. Prepare to be pampered with a complete menu of body, massage, and facial treatments; take care of your aches and pains with their physiotherapy programme; and increase flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular capacity thanks to the training equipment, workshops, personal trainers, and group exercise options. There are also two swimming pools, a full-size tennis court, golf facilities with a golf simulator, driving ranges and putting greens, a jogging track, and a retractable marina for water sports. Fancy something a little more challenging? There are a variety of off-ship fitness excursions also available from hiking and cycling, to snorkelling, diving, and kayaking.
The destinations – 2018
The World’s Captains and residents collectively determine the yearly itinerary based on the best sea routes and residents’ personal interests. Continuous worldwide journeys, with a focus on extended stays of an average of three days in any port, ensure sufficient time to explore the destinations. This year, the ship will sail approximately 40,000 nautical miles and visit more than 120 ports of call in over 30 countries.
This year, The World will be in Europe until November 2018 to explore the Mediterranean, undertaking a deep exploration of Western and Northern Europe, and the cultural capitals and iconic cities of Casablanca, Barcelona, Venice, Dubrovnik, Rome, and more. In Barcelona, explore the Codorniu cava cellars. The oldest family business in Spain and a producer of cava since 1551, Codorniu is the setting for an exclusive cava tasting and cocktail with entertainment by a 12-strong guitar orchestra and flamenco fusion performance in the magnificent vaulted cellar. Later this year, a 14-day summer expedition to the Svalbard Archipelago, just 600 nautical miles from the North Pole, offers prime viewing of Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, walruses, and whales.
In autumn, the British Isles Exploration beckons with its remarkable combination of history, rugged coastlines, and visits to Scotland’s finest single malt whisky distilleries. Dave Broom, one of the most prolific and widely respected Scotch whisky writers, will conduct a series of tastings and will lead visits to local distilleries like Highland Park, Ardberg, Laphroaigh, and Lagavulin.
Sailing on from Europe in December, The World will traverse the Mid-Atlantic from the Canary Islands to South Africa via the remote British Overseas Territories of volcanic origin, Ascension and St. Helena, and following a visit to Namibia will arrive in South Africa to see in the New Year in Cape Town.
To learn more call +1 954-538-8449
or visit www.aboardtheworld.com