An apartment on the luxury ship 'The World' costs this much.

A yacht that serves as a home. A global traveling holiday house. A floating apartment.

Resident Jim Minarik stated that while the World, a luxury liner, has numerous descriptions, "cruise ship" is not one of them.

"The only similarity between the world and a cruise ship is that they both float on water," he stated. "If our ship were a cruise ship, there would likely be 1,500 passengers. When we're at our busiest, we have between 200 and 300 people on board."

There are 167 privately owned apartments in the world, with sizes ranging from 290-square-foot studios to 3,240-square-foot four-bedroom residences.

In 2020, Minarik and his wife purchased their apartment with the intention of spending one to two months a year on the ship. However, he stated that they now spend up to half of the year on board.

"He said, "We love the community and the way of travel so much. It's leisurely and comfortable. You're always seeing something new.""

The couple, enamored by the onboard experience, eventually bought a second, larger apartment on The World, keeping the first apartment for family and friends.

Life aboard the ship

The World offers a variety of amenities, including restaurants and bars, yoga classes and a gym, two pools, a medical center, and round-the-clock room service.

On this vessel, the proprietors exercise significant influence.

Residential Director Eddie Wong stated, "Our society on board is democratic. We hold votes on itinerary, refurbishment choices, and even our board of directors."

Wong stated that itineraries are modified annually, and the 2026 schedule has been finalized, featuring stops in Antarctica, French Polynesia, and Easter Island, which he described as "one of the most popular destinations globally."

Wong stated that the World visits approximately 100 ports annually, staying for two to five days instead of just a few hours.

"We'll dock at a port, similar to the Amalfi Coast," said Minarik. "We'll remain for three to four days, so we may not venture out on the first day … we might simply go out for dinner."

He stated that while several individuals reside on the ship permanently, the majority of them are temporary visitors who arrive and depart at their leisure.

Minarik and his wife disembarked in Cape Town after cruising from South America to South Africa for two weeks. They went on safari before heading home to Orange County, California. The friends they were traveling with caught up with the ship, which had moved up Africa's west coast by then.

The residents of The World

Wong stated that many owners are North American, but they also have residents from around 20 different nationalities, including Australians.

The former CEO of a large consumer electronics business, Minarik, stated that all owners have achieved some level of financial success.

He stated that while it's a fact that everyone has a story, what's truly fascinating is the uniqueness of each individual's narrative.

The cost of residences varies from $2.4 million to $15 million, but it doesn't include the quarterly maintenance fees, which can amount to 10% of the purchase price annually.

Yet money is not a big topic aboard The World, Minarik said.

"No matter how wealthy you are, there will always be someone wealthier, so instead of focusing on keeping up with the Joneses, let's discuss our shared love of travel and the memories we've created."

One of his friends from the ship is an 82-year-old guy who gives "more money than I could even imagine" to charity. What do they talk about? "Diving," said Minarik.

Wong stated that potential buyers undergo a vetting process, which includes financial and criminal checks, as well as requiring two letters of recommendation from existing residents.

A company representative informed CNBC Travel that approximately 10% of residences are put up for sale annually.

Wong stated that the average length of ownership is seven to eight years. By that time, owners have experienced the world multiple times over, he said. Some individuals choose to relocate to be near specialized medical care or to spend more time with their loved ones.

Minarik acknowledged that the greatest disadvantage of ship existence is the time spent apart from his offspring and grandchildren. He stated that he and his spouse devise their existence to harmonize their passion for family and travel.

Another drawback? Minarik said he can't bring his dogs on board.

He stated that if he came up with anything other than the rule that pets and family cannot coexist, he would be fabricating.

Only ship of its kind?

While other companies have attempted, The World remains the sole ship of its kind.

The MV Narrative, a luxury residential ship constructed by Storylines, has experienced multiple delayed departures. Originally slated to launch in 2024, it is now expected to commence operations in 2027. The vessel is significantly larger than The World, with a capacity of 500 rooms to house approximately 1,000 passengers.

In November 2023, Miray Cruises canceled the three-year voyage of Life at Sea, which was scheduled to set sail for the first time in the same month. Some travelers had reportedly sold their businesses and homes before learning of the cancellation.