MS The World
.JPG) The World in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name: | The World |
| Operator: | ResidenSea in Miramar, Florida, United States |
| Port of registry: |
 Bahamas |
| Ordered: | 2000 |
| Builder: | Fosen Mek. Verksteder A/S in Rissa, Norway |
| Yard number: | N.71 |
| Laid down: | 2001 |
| Launched: | March 2002 |
| Completed: | 2002-03-13 |
| Status: | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 43,524 GT |
| Length: | 196.35 m (644 ft 2 in) |
| Beam: | 29.8 m (97 ft 9 in) |
| Draft: | 6.7 m (22 ft 0 in) |
| Decks: | 12 |
| Installed power: | Marine diesel |
| Speed: | 18.5 knots (34.3 km/h; 21.3 mph) |
| Capacity: | 150-200 passengers average |
| Crew: | 280 |
The World is the largest privately owned residential yacht. The residents, from about 45 countries, live on board as the ship travels, staying in most ports several days. A few residents live on board full-time while most visit periodically throughout the year.[1] It is operated by ROW Management, Ltd., headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States.[2]
It has 165 residences (106 apartments, 19 studio apartments, and 40 studios), all owned by the ship's residents. Average occupancy is 150 - 200 residents and guests.
The World (IMO ship identification number: 9219331) flies the flag of The Bahamas and has a gross tonnage of 43,524 tons. It is 196.35 metres (644 ft 2 in) long, 29.8 metres (98 ft) wide, and has a 6.7-metre (22 ft) draft, 12 decks, and a maximum speed of 18.5 knots (34.3 km/h; 21.3 mph). The crew numbers approximately 280.
Original concept and construction
The ship was the idea of Knut U. Kloster, whose family had a long history in the marine industry.[1] Her hull was built in Landskrona, Sweden, by Öresundsvarvet, and it was then towed to Fosen Mekaniske Verksted in Rissa, Norway, for completion. The vessel was launched in March 2002 and purchased by its residents in October 2003.
The management company is responsible for operations and administration of the ship, including hiring the employees. The residents, through their elected board of directors and a network of committees, provide guidance to the management about the ship's itinerary, finances, and lifestyle.[1]
Facilities
The ship has a large lobby, gourmet deli and grocery store, a boutique and showroom, fitness center, billiard room, golf simulator and putting greens, a full-sized tennis court, jogging track, a spa, swimming pool, and cocktail lounges.[1]
There are six restaurants for dining that also supplement the kitchens or kitchenettes in most of the residences and dining ashore.[1] For on-board entertainment there is a movie theater, library and music performances.[1] In addition to shore excursions, classes have been offered on board in topics such as dance, navigation, language, cooking, arts and crafts, music, computers, and photography.[1] The World provides internet access in each residence.
Northwest Passage trip 2012
Setting sail from Nome, Alaska, U.S. on 18 Aug 2012 and reaching Nuuk, Greenland on 12 Sept 2012, the ship became the largest passenger vessel at the time to transit the Northwest Passage.[3][4] The ship, carrying 481 passengers and crew, for 26 days and 4,800 nautical miles (8,900 km) at sea, followed in the path of Captain Roald Amundsen, the first sailor to complete the journey in 1906.[5]
See also
- Utopia (cruise ship), a similar resident-owned vessel under construction
- Seasteading, the concept of creating permanent dwellings at sea
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hallman, J. C. (October 2009). "A House Is a Machine to Live In". The Believer. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
- ↑ "The World — Contact Us". aboardtheworld.com. ResidenSea. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
- ↑ "The World gets green light to transit Northwest Passage". nunatsiaqonline.ca. Nunatsiaq News - Nortext Publishing Corporation. 31 Aug 2012. Retrieved 2 Oct 2012.
- ↑ "Shrinking ice makes Nunavut more accessible to cruise ships, but money stays on board". nunatsiaqonline.ca. Nunatsiaq News - Nortext Publishing Corporation. 4 Sep 2012. Retrieved 2 Oct 2012.
- ↑ The World's transit of the Northwest Passage documented by National Geographic photographer Raul Touzon.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The World (ship, 2002). |
- Aboard The World
- The World at marinetraffic.com including the actual ship position via Automatic Identification System (AIS)