EXPLORE THE UNPARALLELED DESIGN, GOURMET FEASTS, AND INVIGORATING EXPERIENCES ABOARD THE WORLD, YOUR PRIVATE, EVER-CHANGING ADDRESS ON THE HIGH SEAS.
WRITTEN BY: IZABELA CANELLE
ONE COULD ARGUE THAT THE MOST CAPTIVATING HOMES ARE NOT DEFINED BY THEIR FIXED ADDRESS, BUT BY THE EVER-SHIFTING VISTAS GLIMPSED FROM THEIR WINDOWS.
For a certain class of cognoscenti, the notion of a static residence has been utterly upended by The World, Residences at Sea, a vessel of staggering chic and global ambition. This is not simply a ship; it is a meticulously appointed floating manor house, a vessel of impeccable taste perpetually charting a course for the horizon. It’s a design story told in a never-ending sequence of new port cities, pristine coves, and untamed ice floes, a curated existence where the entire globe is a mere extension of one’s exceptionally refined home.
The interiors of The World are a masterclass in enduring luxury. Rather than succumbing to the ephemeral whims of a passing design trend, the aesthetic is one of effortless sophistication, a testament to the belief that true style is timeless. The original interiors, conceived by the visionary Norwegian firm Petter Yran and Bjørn Storbraaten, established a foundation of classic grace that is continually burnished and refined. During meticulous dry-docks, public spaces are artfully updated, with firms like Schwarz Design and Inspired Interiors ensuring the ship evolves with the discerning tastes of its Residents. Think of the tactile pleasure of a rich, inviting fabric under your fingertips, the subtle sheen of lustrous woods that catch the light just so, and the glow of artful lighting that transforms a room into a serene sanctuary. This is an environment that whispers of provenance and quality, a backdrop of exquisite calm against the visual drama of the world outside.
The interiors of The World are a masterclass in enduring luxury. Rather than succumbing to the ephemeral whims of a passing design trend, the aesthetic is one of effortless sophistication, a testament to the belief that true style is timeless. The original interiors, conceived by the visionary Norwegian firm Petter Yran and Bjørn Storbraaten, established a foundation of classic grace that is continually burnished and refined. During meticulous dry-docks, public spaces are artfully updated, with firms like Schwarz Design and Inspired Interiors ensuring the ship evolves with the discerning tastes of its Residents. Think of the tactile pleasure of a rich, inviting fabric under your fingertips, the subtle sheen of lustrous woods that catch the light just so, and the glow of artful lighting that transforms a room into a serene sanctuary. This is an environment that whispers of provenance and quality, a backdrop of exquisite calm against the visual drama of the world outside.
The private apartments are the true heart of this floating community. Each residence, from a spacious studio that feels like a private pied-à-terre to a sprawling multi-bedroom domain perfect for entertaining, is a bespoke sanctuary, a personal gallery and haven for its owner. These are homes, not staterooms, where personal art collections, treasured furniture, and favorite family photographs find a permanent place. Imagine a professional-grade kitchen, ready for a midnight snack or a private dinner prepared by your personal chef, and an expansive private veranda—a front-row seat to the planet’s grandest spectacles. The ultimate luxury, after all, is not having to sacrifice a single personal comfort. It is this unique blend of boundless adventure and deep personal comfort that defines the experience. There is a delicious frisson to knowing that your utterly personalized, unchanging home is about to reveal a completely new view of the world. No more packing and unpacking, no more leaving behind a cherished book or a particular bottle of wine. The entire world is your oyster, and your meticulously appointed home is the pearl that travels with you.
The Residents, an international community of adventurers from over 20 countries, have the singular privilege of helping chart the ship’s course, ensuring that the next destination is one that genuinely captivates them. The idea of travel morphs into an extension of one’s own cultivated identity.
The ship’s design spreads far beyond its physical spaces and into the very fabric of daily life. The six distinct restaurants, for instance, are not merely dining rooms but curated culinary destinations. At Portraits, the menu offers a gustatory map of the current port of call, a direct homage to the flavors and traditions of the land you’ve just explored. Meanwhile, the delicate artistry of Asian fusion at East and the perfectly grilled prime steaks at Marina offer a sophisticated range of choices. The culinary team, led by Executive Chefs like Geoffrey Murray, ensures every meal is a conversation with the destination itself. They source the freshest, most vibrant ingredients directly from local markets, often with Residents joining in the fun—a true epicurean’s delight. And for those nights when only the comfort of one’s own bespoke residence will do, the “Call-A-Chef ™” program brings the world’s finest culinary talent right to your door.
The ship’s commitment to design and lifestyle extends to the cultivation of the mind and body. The sprawling 7,000-square-foot Spa & Wellness Center is a sanctuary for rejuvenation, a place to reset and restore. A state-of-the-art fitness center with personal trainers ensures that physical well-being is never an afterthought. For the active traveler, the ship boasts the only full-size tennis court at sea, a delightful eccentricity that is now quite popular for pickleball, and a golf simulator that lets you play championship courses from virtually anywhere. Beyond physical pursuits, The World excels at nourishing the soul and sparking curiosity. The entertainment and enrichment programs are unparalleled. The ship’s library, a quiet port in a storm of travel, is a space for contemplation. The theater, a jewel-box of a room, hosts everything from captivating performances to stimulating lectures from Nobel laureates. This is a lifestyle that not only travels the globe but actively engages with it, offering its Residents a tapestry of experiences as rich and varied as the interiors that house them. An exquisite finale to a truly exceptional journey—to be a Resident on The World is to possess something utterly singular: an inimitable home that is both a fixed point of sophisticated comfort and a veritable passport to perpetual wonder.
