Living on a cruise ship full time is a long-held, but perhaps unrealistic, dream for many cruise lovers. Extended world cruises have become more popular, with future voyages announced despite the effects the pandemic, and various luxury residences at sea have entered the market in recent years. However, such experiences often come with a high price tag, which ultimately means that many ardent cruise fans are left out.
The upcoming MV Narrative ship from Storylines, a “residential community at sea,” launches in 2024. Storylines is offering a more affordable opportunity to live aboard a cruise ship for an extended period of time, or even permanently.
The company is offering fully furnished one-to-four-bedroom residences, along with studios and two-story penthouses, on board its upcoming ship, with prices starting at $400K. The homes are available as outright purchases, and there are a limited number of 12 and 24-year leases . Residents will also incur an annual “living fee” from $65,000 to $200,000 per unit, which covers expenses such as food and maintenance. The prices are considerably less than other floating complexes where units may start at $2 million and go for as high as $15 million, plus undisclosed annual fees.
According to Storylines founder and CEO Alister Punton, a number of the 547 units have already been sold, and the residences are on track to sell out by the end of 2022.
Life onboard
Fully furnished one-to-four-bedroom residences aboard the ship are currently on sale, with prices starting at $400,000 and rising to $8 million. The homes, which range in size from 237 to 1,970 square feet, are available as outright purchases, with a limited number of 12 and 24-year leases.
Community focus
While those keen to become a Storylines resident are interviewed in order to ensure they are a “good fit” and “understand the founding principles.” Punton stresses that there isn’t a typical resident as such. “Storylines is a true community, and a community needs everybody,” he says. “You need different types of people from all walks of life to make that community.”
Extended cruising
The Narrative is scheduled to begin a 1,000-day maiden voyage across six continents in late 2024, with the ship spending an average of three to five days in each port. “What a typical cruise line might do in one month or three weeks, we will take three to four months to do,” Punton says. Residents also have input into where the ship goes next.
Luxury lifestyle
“Once you pay your fees, you can pretty much put your personal wallet or credit cards away and save for the rest of the year if you choose to,” adds Punton. Owners are welcome to invite guests on board the ship, and can also rent out residences when they’re not using them.
Setting sail
The Narrative is scheduled to start a 1,000-day maiden voyage across six continents in 2024.
Resources
CNN Travel, The residential cruise ship offering a ‘more affordable’ life at sea by Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN. Updated 12th January 2022.
Contact: Rachel Maher, REM Public Relations, 310.497.6856 rachel@rempublicrelations.com
Image: Rendering of the upcoming MV Narrative ship – CNN/Storylines.