Frequently Asked Questions

No. Every home is fully owned by a Resident(s). Together, the Residents own the Ship.

Launched in 2002, The World® is the largest privately owned, residential yacht on earth with 165 luxury Residences. A diverse group of Residents from 20 countries own the homes onboard and share interests in world cultures, history and adventure, and exploring fascinating destinations. They circumnavigate the globe every two to three years following an extraordinary itinerary that they select. In-depth expeditions and one-of-a-kind experiences are complemented by world-class amenities and impeccable service. To learn more about this unique lifestyle call 954-538-8449 or visit www.aboardtheworld.com.

The Resident community is comprised of approximately 150 families who hail from 20 countries throughout North America (U.S. and Canada), Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and South Africa.

There are some Residents who live on the Ship year-round, with the majority continuing to be active in their professional lives and spending three to four months on board. The average occupancy at one time is approximately 150 to 200 Residents so the atmosphere is quite intimate.

The World embodies depth of travel and global exploration, with multiple days in most ports to facilitate strong shoreside experiences. Three years out Residents are given an option of three routes around The World based on a collaboration of planning and design by Management and the Itinerary Committee, which is made up of members of the Resident Community. The starting point is based on where the previous year’s Journey ends and is strongly focused on input from the Resident Itinerary Survey to meet and address the varied interests of the Community. Once the route has been selected and voted on by the Residents, the Itinerary Committee, along with Management create the day-by-day itinerary taking into account world events, special festivals, expedition opportunities, as well as distance, fuel charges, port costs, etc. The final Journey is submitted to the Board of Directors for approval and then the final day-by-day itinerary is made available to the Residents.

Yes, annual ownership costs are additional and are based on the square footage of the apartments. These fees include a Resident’s share of Ship preservation, operations, crew compensation, and food and beverage onboard.

Like any condominium/resort community, the operating and capital budgets are shared by the community. The minimum annual maintenance to be paid has been set at $200,000 in 2023 and may increase or decrease by any amount of future approved annual budgets. The minimum annual maintenance aggregates all Apartments owned by any Resident. The annual budget is proposed by the Ship Manager every year and is subject to change and approval by the Board of Directors. The budget is always intended to reflect what makes sense for the community and maintaining an excellent lifestyle, service, and quality of the product. A significant portion of the annual operating costs, such as fuel and port charges, is variable based on the itinerary chosen by the Residents. Annual ownership costs also include a contribution to future capital reserves.

There are five major elements to the annual ownership costs including a) Operational Expenses, b) Capital Reserves Contribution, c) Administrative Expenses, d) Food & Beverage Minimum, and e) Fuel.

1. Operational Expenses
Covers all aspects of the Ship’s operations, including port expenses to over 100 ports of call each year from iconic, cultural capitals to Expeditions voyages visiting the most remote regions of the planet, highly personalized service and a high ratio of space per Resident/Guest, concierge services, daily housekeeping, spa and exercise facilities, onboard enrichment lecturers, medical facilities, medical evacuation insurance, internet and phone access, and overall up keep of the Ship.

2. Capital Reserves Contribution
In order to keep the Ship at the standard of a luxury offering, and to ensure the functionality of the Ship, a renovation of the Ship occurs every three years and is funded through annual contributions and the initiation fee.

3. Administrative Expenses
Covers expenses related to the Management company, including billing, financial reporting, purchasing, human resources, and other management-related costs.

4. Food & Beverage Minimum
Can be used at any of the Ship’s restaurants, bars, or for room service. A portion may also be used for purchases at the Ship’s onboard grocery. The Food and Beverage Minimum is charged per beneficial owner. Spouses and domestic partners are considered one beneficial owner.

5. Fuel
Varies based on the Ship’s itinerary in any given year and the current fuel price.

A Guest Stay Program allows interested and qualified potential Residents to experience firsthand the unique and luxurious lifestyle aboard The World prior to a purchase decision. However, due to the exclusive, private nature of The World, Guest Stay access is quite limited and by invitation only. Guests are also required to go through a rigorous security and background check. The Guest Stay Program is not intended to drive rental revenue or occupancy and should not be considered a way to underwrite annual ownership costs.

Just like your home on land, friends are welcome to stay with you in your Residence on board The World. Alternatively, if you prefer your friends/family stay in a separate accommodation, you can rent one from a selection of Residences through the Guest Stay Program. Residents are required to register their friends/family as their Guests. During periods of high occupancy, certain Guest policies may be in effect to ensure the total passenger occupancy does not exceed the legal capacity of the Ship. In these rare instances, Residents may host their guests according to a predetermined allocation calculated by the number of bedrooms in the Apartment(s) owned by the Resident and the total Maintenance paid by the Resident.

The original inventory of Residences was sold out in June 2006, however there are currently a select number of Residences available for resale.

In general terms, Residents acquire a bundle of three elements:

(a) Residency Rights, which provide the exclusive use and occupancy of the Residence and the non-exclusive use and occupancy of the common areas of the Ship;
(b) Shares of stock in TWRH, which are issued in proportion to the square footage of the Residence; and,
(c) The contents of the Residence on the date of transfer with the exception of any items expressly excluded in the purchase documents.

The voting units under the Residence Agreement and shares in TWRH are proportionate to the square footage of the Residences. For example, a Residence consisting of 1,391 square feet has 1,391 voting units.

Upon the transfer of a Residence, the new Resident is entitled to acquire any shares in TWRH that the selling Resident owns. If the selling Resident does not own shares, the new Resident may apply to subscribe for shares. If you have further questions, we can refer you to the Ship’s General Counsel.

The World is operated in accordance with the terms of the Residence Agreement, which serves as the constitutional document of The World’s residential community. The World is managed on behalf of the Ship Owner by ROW and its professional management team. ROW is responsible to the Board of Directors of TWRH, which is elected by the Residents

The Board of Directors of TWRH, currently comprised of seven members, is elected by the members of TWRH, each of whom is also a Resident. Each member is entitled to one vote per share for the election of Directors or any other matter coming before the members.

The original inventory of Residences was sold out in June 2006. From time to time, there are a small number of resales available for purchase.

Since we only have resales available for purchase, each Residence will vary as to décor and furnishings. Most of the Residences are sold fully furnished, including linens, kitchen appliances, tableware, etc. Each Seller has completed a list of exclusions, if any. It is possible to bring aboard personal furniture, works of art, and other personal items. Modifications to the Residence may be made with the approval of the Board of Directors and are subject to applicable safety requirements and Ship scheduling. All modifications are at the Residence owners’ cost. Limited additional storage space is also provided on the Ship.

The Ship is equipped with state-of-the-art satellite Internet equipment and wiring. Each Residence is wired for Internet access with an individual IP address, and international telephone service. The World utilizes satellite service providers Starlink and Speedcast with an extensive number of antennas to minimize equipment failure disruptions. Ship bandwidth allocation is up to 510 Mbps, dependent upon location and occupancy levels. A special mailing address in Europe and the U.S. will forward all mail to the Ship, and the list of the port agents to receive mail is provided to the Residents.

Prospective buyers may request the legal and other documentation for review upon signature of a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Once a purchase offer has been accepted and a purchase agreement has been signed by both buyer and seller, a 10 percent (10%) deposit is required and held in escrow by ROW. The Buyer is also responsible for a transfer fee when closing upon the Apartment.

The length of time a Residence is listed for sale depends on many variables. Some sell very quickly, while others require more time. The average length of time to sell a Residence is six to nine months.

No, the shares and rights may not be used as collateral.

No. Payment terms are negotiated between the Seller and the Buyer. While the terms are almost always for cash, a few Sellers have occasionally agreed to short payment terms.

It is possible to purchase the Residence as an individual, trust, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company. Other forms of ownership may be used, subject to approval by the Ship’s General Counsel.

Prospective Residents must have (i) net worth of USD$10 million or (ii) net income after taxes of USD$1 million for each of the most recent two (2) years and reasonably foreseeable future years. In addition, prospective Residents must have acceptable references, no criminal record, and two letters of recommendation from existing Residents on board The World other than the Seller. In addition, a security deposit is required for each owner in the amount of 12.5% of the annual maintenance cost and is held in an interest-bearing account for the duration of ownership. A background check will also be conducted for all Prospective Residents.

ROW is not aware of any tax or visa benefits associated with ownership aboard The World. Each potential buyer is encouraged to consult his or her own advisors regarding questions of tax and domicile. The length of stay on board the Ship is up to each Resident. Several of the current Residents spend a majority of the year on board the Ship.

The insurance policies of the Residence and the Ship, including but not limited to casualty and property damage, and emergency medical evacuation services covering each Resident, are included in the annual operating costs. Residents may also purchase additional homeowner’s insurance, international medical insurance and security evacuation coverage through our partners.

There are four primary documents: the Apartment Rights Purchase and Sale Agreement (purchase agreement), an assignment of the Residence Agreement, an assignment of the Residency Rights to the Residence, and an assignment of the shares in TWRH. The forms of these documents are prescribed by the Ship Owner and have been signed by every Resident to date. Of course, each prospective Resident has ample opportunity to review the documents and to consult with his or her legal advisors regarding their legal effect.

Apart from the initiation fee, annual ownership costs and a security deposit, purchasers are required to pay a transfer fee when acquiring an Apartment on board.

The purchase and ownership of rights to a Residence have been carefully structured to minimize the extension of risk to the Residents. While no assurances can be made, we believe that Residents are largely insulated from the liabilities of the Ship Owner and its affiliates. Nonetheless, each prospective purchaser should consult with his or her own legal advisor for an independent evaluation.

No, the Ship is owned free of any debt.

The Medical Center on board The World is fully equipped and exceeds all recommendations of the Cruise Lines International Association. The Medical Center is staffed full time by a qualified physician and nurse, and their qualifications meet or exceed the healthcare guidelines of Cruise Ship and Maritime Medicine Section of the American College of Emergency Physicians. The Center has emergency, trauma, and diagnostic equipment for adults. A full list can be supplied upon request.

The World has partnered with the highly respected Global Rescue for their medical evacuation services. Should medical evacuation be necessary for any Resident of The World, Global Rescue’s highly trained medical personnel are available to provide expert guidance, support, and service. Global Rescue include exclusive relationships with Johns Hopkins Medicine, Elite Medical Group and Partners HealthCare to provide the best-in-class services.

The World is primarily an adult Ship, and yet much of the enjoyment of travel is sharing with loved ones – children and grandchildren. The minimum age aboard The World is six months except during Expeditions, when the minimum age is one year. In the December holiday period and from the May to September months, youth coordinators offer creative onboard youth activities and events. Details of the Ship’s youth guidelines and youth program (Camp Caravel) are available upon request.

ROW is not aware of any tax or visa benefits associated with ownership aboard The World. Each potential buyer is encouraged to consult his or her own advisors regarding questions of tax and domicile. The length of stay on board the Ship is up to each Resident. Several of the current Residents spend a majority of the year on board the Ship.

The Ship undergoes regular inspection by our flag state (The Commonwealth of the Bahamas) and adheres to all IMO regulations. Management is mandated to ensure all inspections are met and to date The World has never failed an inspection. We have experts within our marine operations department and, as and when necessary, outside consultants are engaged for technical work.

As with all ocean marine vessels, The World will be technically modified and upgraded from time to time to comply with applicable carbon reduction and other emission requirements for ships going forward. We are always staying abreast of this development and preparing upgrades as regulations are being imposed and technology becomes available in the years ahead. There are, however, no absolute date or time of certification set for such requirements that would make the Ship cease operations.