Cruising the world, aboard "The World". A different world, indeed!

The sun setting on "The World" -  in Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island.

Here's something a little quite different. We see a lot of vessels, large and small, around our part of the Salish Sea - British Columbia Ferries, freighters, ocean tugs, cruise ships, dragon boats, Nuu-chah-nulth carved canoes, and, of course...the occasional sea kayak.

Arriving in Nanaimo, from Gabriola Island the other day, we came across the 43,524 ton, 644 foot "The World", tied up at the cruise ship dock. There are more and more such ships stopping here these days but there was something a little unusual about this one. It seemed just a little smaller than some of the other passenger vessels that overnight here, but there was something else I couldn't put my finger on.

After doing a little research on the cruise ship, "The World", I discovered that it is, indeed, a little different. Here's the thing: The passengers own the ship. Yes, you read correctly, those who are on board and circumnavigating the globe, own the vessel. It is billed as, and is, a private residential community-at-sea.  The ship is operated by ResidenSea, out of Miramar, Florida.

Thinking about maybe purchasing a unit aboard the vessel? No problem. You can buy a 328 square foot studio unit for USD 600,000. Tight quarters perhaps? Well, for $2,950,000 you can have two bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Joan and I both feel that this would be much more suitable for us. We don't like to feel too cramped when we're sailing around the world. And for those with slightly larger bank accounts there is a lovely unit for $13,500,000. Mmm, I'll bet it's nice!

Oh yes, and monthly "homeowner dues" are $20,000 - for the smaller units.

A different "world", indeed.

Duncan.