Sail Away Home

When you first see The World, you’re likely to find the name quite apt. The 644-foot-long ship has a larger-than-life presence — massive yet elegant, commanding yet welcoming. But once aboard, you’ll find it feels more intimate than something so enormous as the world. It’s like a city — maybe a village, or perhaps most appropriately, a community that feels like home.

That’s because, to the residents of its 165 residences, The World is home. A home where you know you’ll run into someone you know in The Plaza — a sort of town square where you can join friends for cocktails or meet local experts from wherever in the world the ship is docked. A home where you can pick up some gourmet groceries in the market, grab a coffee at the café, take a spin class, worship — do virtually everything you’d do in your hometown — all in one singular place.

“The residents are all very socially active here,” says Eddie Wong, The World’s residential director. “It’s a very close-knit group of people.” That sense of community extends to Exclusive Resorts members who have the privileged opportunity to stay in one of four two-bedroom residences on board the ship. “The Exclusive Resorts members have a very big presence here,” Wong adds. “So many of them have even gone on to become homeowners here.”

The allure of living aboard The World is easy to understand. After all, the ship has taken its residents just about everywhere: It has sailed farther south into Antarctica than any other passenger ship, breaking the record for the most southerly navigation in Antarctica's Ross Sea, and has reached one of the northernmost tips of the Arctic. It has traversed all major (and most minor) bodies of water and has gone to the most remote islands and the greatest cities around the globe. To date, The World has visited more than 1,000 ports of call in 120+ countries. But wherever it anchors, the magic of being a citizen of The World remains as much a draw as the great big world outside, with gourmet dining, one-of-a-kind programming, or nowhere-else-at-sea amenities. Here’s what to expect when you come aboard.

THE RESIDENCES

Exclusive Resorts’ four two-bedroom residences are spacious apartments with wraparound terraces and elegant interiors. Each of the bedrooms has a king-size bed and en suite bathroom, plus a powder room and living room to accommodate up to a total of six occupants. True residences — nothing about these homes say “cabin” — they feature formal dining rooms and well-appointed kitchens where family meals (made with groceries sourced from the ship’s market full of fresh local ingredients and international gourmet items) are easy and comfortable.

CULINARY EXPERIENCES

There are six restaurants on board, ranging from the fine-dining Portraits to the Mediterranean-style Tides. East is the newest addition to the culinary offerings, serving traditional and innovative Asian cuisine from China, Japan, Thailand, and India. Casual spots around the ship include a poolside grill and a Parisian style bistro. Residents can also toast their latest adventure with inventive cocktails at six bars, or by opening one of the more than 15,000 bottles held in the wine cellar. Featuring the largest and most extensive wine collection on any passenger ship at sea, The World has been awarded "Best Ship Wine List in the World" by The World of Fine Wine magazine for seven consecutive years. The World’s Culinary Team ensures that the palette pleasing continues ashore as well, organizing one-of-a-kind market tours, private tastings, and hard-to-get reservations in ports around the globe.

Health & Wellness

There’s no shortage of ways to find the good life on The World—whether that means self-care or self-indulgence. The five-treatment-room spa includes a salon as well as steam, sauna, and hydrotherapy experiences. The world-class gym — recently renovated with the latest Technogym equipment — is run by a top-notch fitness staff that offers personal training, spinning, and other classes. For more pro instruction, head to the golf simulator room, or polish your game outside on the putting green. The ship is also home to a fitness deck with al fresco cardio equipment, a track for running and walking, and the only full-size, regulation tennis court at sea.

COMMUNITY

A well-rounded life awaits onboard The World. Residents come together for book clubs in the library, worship in the all-denominational Harmony center, and gaming in the poker lounge and billiard room. The holidays bring everyone together with tree-decoration contests and services for all faiths. Year-round, there’s varied activity in the teen center and kids club — and fun for everyone on the lively pool deck. In the Colosseo, the ship’s theater, visiting experts and naturalists give lectures. The ship’s World Plato Society special-interest group also meets there to explore topics of intellectual interest and give presentations to fellow residents and guests. And at each port, residents can connect with local communities by booking special destination experiences via The World concierges who work with local tour guides and outfitters.

Photos courtesy of Jackie Caradonio.