The Luxury of Sailing Around the World

0 Comments | Insight on the News, Jan 10, 2000 | by Stephen Goode

For those who would like to spend the years granted them during the new millennium traveling without leaving home, there's now what's billed as "the world's finest residential ocean liner." The World (as it's rather grandly named) is now being built in Trondheim, Norway, and its maiden voyage is planned for 2001.

What The World will do is go on continuous circumnavigations of the globe. Those who live on board will spend 250 days in port attending such events as the Cannes Film Festival, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, regattas in Sydney, Australia, and the theater in London.

Summer in Newport, R.I., Greek Island tours and New Year's Eve in the South Pacific also will be part of the fare. Homes on board range from 1,100 to 3,500 square feet and come completely furnished: crystal, china and your choice from one of four designs by famous firms. Each home comes with a private terrace.

Oh, yes, Christie's Great Estates, which advertises The World, guarantees that state-of-the-art business facilities will be available -- which is probably a very good idea, considering the fact that the the homes begin at $1.9 million and the small print in the ad warns: "Offers to purchase a Residency Right will be accepted only from persons with a minimum net worth of $5 million and who meet certain other qualifications."