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A floating city

HONG KONG (May 11, 2017): A giant size gleaming white vesicle ‘The World’ is the largest and probably most exclusive residential yacht on the Earth.

‘The World’ has visited 1,213 ports and sailed 641,000 nautical miles. It has a 7,000-square foot spa and fitness center and 12,000 bottle wine collection.

This year alone it has undertaken expeditions to two of the most remote regions on earth — the Ross Sea, in Antarctica, and Melanesia, near New Guinea.

It is pertinent to mention here that none of the suites on this 12-deck vessel are available for rent. Dubbed a “condo cruise liner,” every one of the 165 luxury apartments on board — worth between $3 million for a studio and $15 million for a three-bedroom pad — are owned by residents who must have a net worth of $10 million. To get on board, you’ll need an invite.

The ship was launched in 2002. Initially, the ship was partially owned by a hotel company. In 2003, the business model changed and ‘The World’ be no tourists on board. Just residents of a very high net worth. It became — and remains — the only entirely residential cruise liner in the world.

All residents are shareholders who vote on everything from the ship’s route each year, to the type of fuel used and the Christmas decorations. By 2006, all of the residences had sold out.

Today, 142 unidentified families reside on the ship, who all have undergone a strict vetting process before being allowed to buy. Roughly half of those on board are North American, about 45 are European and another 20 are South African. The average age is 64 years old.

General manager Sandra Mooney says that, on average, most residents spend about six months a year on board the ship, which flies the Bahamas flag and adheres to that country’s rules when in international waters. Occupancy peaks at Christmas, when many guests invite their families and friends on board.

There is WiFi coverage wherever the boat is, doctors on board, and even a pilates teacher on hand.