The World of ResidenSea

In a Nutshell

The World of ResidenSea, is the only resort community circumnavigating the globe. It offers the choice of owning a home aboard or staying as a vacationing guest. A strikingly beautiful ship, The World is intimate yet elegant and likens their service and amenities to that of a private yacht, seaside villa or exclusive country club.

History

In 1996, Norwegian born, Knut Kloster Jr., called on a group of key shipping industry figures to develop his concept of ResidenSea – a unique seagoing community where residents could live in self-contained apartments while exploring exotic worldwide locations. The experienced team was made up of ship builders, designers, financiers, hospitality guru’s and sales and marketing specialists.

Barely five years later, and with around 80% of the available residences pre-sold, in March 2002, The World was delivered by ship builders Fosen Mek. Verksteder A/S, Norway.

The World was designed by Petter Yran and Bjorn Storbraaten who are designers of some of the world’s best luxury ships, including the Silversea Cloud and Wind, Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend and Sea Goddess I and II. The acclaimed design pair bestowed clean sweeping lines upon the ship and assured a comforting a sense of space is conveyed by having wide-open public spaces.

The Concept

The World was conceived to appeal to a small fraction of the millions of passengers who cruise annually. Indeed with purchase prices ranging from USD $900,000 to $6million+ and an annual maintenance fee of around $160,000 the concept was very bold and many in the cruise industry predicted it would not to get off the ground.

Those preferring to travel in grander style, with the comfort and convenience of having their own living room, kitchen and bedroom – indeed, having their own private home, at sea could purchase the 50 year lease being offered by ResidenSea.

In addition to the residences aboard, around a third of the cabin space would be made available for the vacationing public, or guests of those with residences aboard.

Cruise Line Strengths

*Long port stays.

*Imaginative and stunning itineraries.

* Superb golf, full size tennis court and sports facilities.

*Worlds ‘Greenest’ Cruise Ship.

Cruise Line Weaknesses

*Finding perfect balance between the wants and needs of the residents and those renting vacation cabins.

Who’s Aboard?

Vacationing guests of The World are prosperous individuals and experienced travelers – a combination of luxury cruisers and frequenters of luxury spas and resorts.

Residents are successful entrepreneurs who have two or three residences, average age is 55, most have built their wealth via real estate or computing, they are very active, have an affinity with the sea and guard their privacy fiercely. Some 40% are European, 40% North American and 20% rest of the world, such as Australia, Asia, the UK and South Africa. Residents, some of whom are household names, spend just 3 months aboard each year, on average.

Who’s the Competition?

For residences, there is no competition – The World is quite simply one of a kind.For vacationing guests, many frequent the usual suspects of luxury cruise lines but also holiday at 5-star land based resorts and spas.

The Lifestyle

The World serves two very, very different customers, the residents and the vacationers, and this is very much reflected in the lifestyle aboard. If you are the kind of person who needs structure in your cruising day, then The World is definitely not for you.

Not to say there is nothing to do, indeed there are four theme restaurants featuring French, Italian, International and Asian cuisine, plus a (little used) delicatessen; enrichment activities such as lectures and seminars, full-sized tennis court; a retractable marina for water activities; two pools; open air full-shot driving range, 40-course golf simulator, real grass putting greens, two artificial greens, a real sand bunker, a fitness centre; Swiss Spa, Clinique La Prairie; an art gallery; a casino that sees little action and several boutiques. The Abercrombie & Kent tour desk, next to reception on deck 5, assists those not confident enough to plan their own, in-port arrangements. There is also no need to worry if you fall sick, aboard is a full-time Doctor and Nurse, three emergency wards and a telemedicine hookup with the Mt.Sinai-Ceders Hospital in Miami.

But, having said that, with residents needing pay to dine at the restaurants aboard, (unlike the vacationers whose fare includes all meals, drinks, tips and the like) often the ambiance aboard is very subtle, with most people, either dining ashore when in port or using their kitchens in their homes. Main-stream ships of her size carry around 1,200 passengers, The World, on the rare occasion that she is full, carries around 400. Never a queue or elbow jostle on this ship, but be aware this can translate to an eerie kind of emptiness…or is that, exclusivity?

A totally unique feature of The World is her longer port stays. The residents are involved in the planning of the ships itinerary, with many port stays ranging from 2 to 5 days. Aimed to co-inside with major events such as the Cannes Film Festival, Formula 1 Grand Prix, British Open Golf and the Americas Cup Yacht race in New Zealand, The World seldom visits any port more than once per year.

The Wardrobe

In totality, a great deal less formal than aboard traditional ‘passenger cruises’. There are no formal nights at all. Casual, country club or designer ware is the norm and the only time a jacket with optional tie is recommended is in the formal dining venue, Portraits, of an evening.

The self-styled, successful, individuals aboard, have no need for the bounds of a neck-tie.

Showtime

Most nights residents are holed up in their technologically advanced homes complete with blue tooth internet access and satellite TV, their very well sound-proofed accommodations double as wonderful spaces to listen to music, read and pursue personal interests at their leisure. Shows, as a result are non-existent. A pianist entertains at the bar, and occasionally a head-line entertainer provides intimate evening shows.

Information talks focus on the history of ports due to be visited in the near future.

The Casino on-board feels like your own private facility, if it is your thing, you will often be the only one using it.

Crew Facilities

Well planned and comprehensive, the Crew facilities are great, with a mess, laundry, bar and e-mail provided. The staff’s biggest challenge remains - staying motivated in an underutilized environment.

Past Passengers

Past passengers are eligible for a repeat purchase discount.

Best advise - snap up one of the very few remaining homes aboard and get, “Set for Life”.

How to book

Via your travel-agent or direct with the ResidenSea. (Link to the Residensea Home Page below)

Fielding’s Guide to Luxury Cruises will soon publish a list of it’s recommended luxury cruise agents throughout the world. Subscribe to Fielding’s Ocean Views to stay informed of this development.

Skeletons in the closet

Difficulties rationalizing the needs and wants of the residents and the vacationing guests aboard translated to initial mixed reviews about service delivery and food freshness. The refit in May 2004 of some of the narrow studios into larger 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, acknowledged that they made a mistake initially in forecasting the space wants of the vacationing guests.

The Bottom Line

An amazing and un-paralleled luxury cruise ship, The World delivers its vacationing guests a subdued ambiance of private luxury. The studios, albeit small for a luxury vessel, are adequate for week-long journeys but not suitable for long trips. The higher grade 2 and 3 bedroom apartments are perfect for multi-generational families or those with adult children. The delivery of the product is suited to those who understand the strengths, and weaknesses of the concept and a ship of this size.

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