Prior to the pandemic, cruise vacations were the fastest growing sector of the travel industry according to a study by KPMG.
Now, as we emerge from this world-changing event that grounded tourism to a halt, we expect the cruise industry to pick up where it left off.
Especially now that strict new safety measures are being implemented across the board.
However, there is another emerging trend within the cruise industry; residential cruise ships.
As COVID has many people rethinking their life and work, especially in regards to what’s most important to them, the idea of living at sea while cruising the world seems to be taking hold as the floating homes continue to sell.
There are only a handful of residential cruise ship companies so far and prices vary widely from $500,000-$30million.
However, is the market becoming more accessible as time goes on?
If start-up Storylines residential cruises is an indication, then possibly. Storylines residences on their first ship, The MV Narrative, are selling from just $366K USD, however, this range is almost sold out.
Their average price now sits at around $875K for larger-sized condos.
Moreover, Storylines are building an environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient ship, and even have their own vegetable and herb garden on board for fresh organic produce.
So, taking that into consideration, if you are considering selling your “land-locked” home for a proper sea-change, then here are 5 reasons to buy a home on a residential cruise ship.
1. It’s the easiest way to see the world
You’ve probably heard it before from a cruiser on why that love cruise travel so much:
All you have to do is unpack.
They have a point. It’s arguably one of the easiest ways to see the world with very few logistics involved.
One of the best things about cruise travel is that besides unpacking everything else is done for you.
No having to buy that next train ticket, check in and out of hotels and line up at immigration.
Your itinerary and transportation are taken care of, all your meals provided, and all the amenities you need are within walking distance.
As a resident of a condo onboard a ship, you can go even a step further.
The ship is your new floating home, which means that you travel the world without ever leaving home. Is that not the best of both worlds?
2. You will always have a home to return to
Although you are travelling the world you will never get that all-too-familiar feeling of unsettledness and disconnection when jet setting around the globe.
After being out all day in an exotic bustling city, there is something nice about coming home to the familiarity of your own belongings, sleeping in your own bed, familiar comfort foods, familiar language and surroundings.
But home is not only about a roof over your head.
It’s about your community. Unlike a traditional cruise liner, your fellow travelers are not single-serving friends, but your neighbors.
More than that, they are a community of like-minded and free-spirited people who share your passion for travel and exploration.
Now, that’s home sweet home!
3. The ship is like a playground for young and old
You may be wondering what you will do in between ports while at sea for days.
There is always plenty to do, whether that’s tending to the ship’s garden, retreating to the library, getting some work done in the business center or lounging on the open air bali beds on deck.
Besides living in luxury, you will have an endless supply of amenities and activities to keep you and your children (if you have them) occupied. These may include:
- Pools
- Gym
- Spa
- Library
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Disco’s
- Casino’s
- Business centre
- Marina
- Movie cinema
4. Technological advancements make it easy to work and communicate
One of the reasons more people are choosing to live a life at sea is because we now live in an age where technology enables many of us to work from anywhere in the world.
The pandemic has only accelerated this trend.
Business owners, entrepreneurs, freelancers and digital nomads are choosing life at sea while working, studying and traveling the world.
The aforementioned Storylines know this and have designed their ship accordingly.
Besides some of the condos having their own home office, the ship has high-speed WiFi, and a business centre complete with conference rooms, meeting rooms, function spaces, and resident lounges.
Combine this with work from anywhere technologies like Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, and Slack, and the dream of working while cruising the world is quite feasible.
5. The all-inclusive cost is comparable to the cost of living in many cities
Living on a residential ship incurs ongoing fees starting at $70 per day per person.
On Storylines, for example, this is an all-inclusive amount that covers all your living expenses, eating, drinking, dining out, laundry, housekeeping, maintenance, utilities, and all those business and entertainment amenities mentioned above.
As a result, you end up living a life of 5 star luxury for a price that is comparable to the cost of living in most major cities worldwide.
Oh, and did we mention you also get to see the world?
There you have it, five good reasons for becoming a global citizen of the world. Who knows, perhaps one day we will have entire floating cities!