T24 International News
The lavish private luxury residential ship „The World,“ which only accommodates multimillionaires and billionaires, features 165 apartments. Securing an apartment on this ship is only possible if you are invited. Essentially, one must be nominated by someone who has an apartment on the ship or be accepted by someone else.
One of the former residents of The World, Peter Antonucci, mentioned that there were „many wealthy people on the ship who sometimes did indecent things, sometimes scandalous things.“ Antonucci, who sold his apartment on the ship in 2019, began examining the diaries he kept during his years on the ship.
Since then, Antonucci has written three novels set on a fictional ship; the latest of these, „Tides of Betrayal,“ promises „secrets, sins, and scandals“ on the high seas.
Antonucci and his wife, who learned about the huge luxury residential ship in 2012 from The Wall Street Journal, which set sail in 2002, soon boarded the ship from Belize and embarked on a test trip through the Panama Canal.
Antonucci, „When I first dealt with it, I found it very valuable. I couldn’t believe how valuable the apartments were. I couldn’t believe how high the maintenance costs were, and I couldn’t even imagine why anyone would do that.“ But on the second day, I asked, „How many apartments do you have and when can I sign up?“ „I asked“ said.
Antonucci said he was fascinated by all aspects of the world, from the crew, whom he referred to as „the ship’s greatest asset“ due to their ability to anticipate all residents‘ needs, to the many special experiences on board and on land with a tightly planned itinerary.
Information emails are sent to other residents
Antonucci stated that when a resident goes on a trial run, an email is sent to all other residents. „There are one or two, three or more paragraphs about the potential resident’s background, and you are asked if you have anything in common with them. And when you see them, you are encouraged to buy them a drink, ask them to dinner, play some kind of tennis with them, do something.“ said.
Antonucci explained that current residents can act as bidders for the future resident if they like them, stating that after a successful „tasting tour,“ they signed a contract to purchase an apartment in „The World“ four months later.
The apartments on the ship are different from each other
Each apartment on the ship is different. Antonucci cannot recall the exact numbers, but he believes he bought his first apartment on the ship for around $1.6 million.
Unlike on a regular cruise ship, ship passengers can make renovations and decorations to their liking. According to Antonucci, this means that „some of them are equipped with contemporary furniture and truly exceptional appliances, while others have not been touched in 20 years.“
Antonucci said that during his five years aboard „The World,“ he owned four more apartments. Antonucci mentioned that he did not own every apartment simultaneously but had two apartments at the same time. „Each time, I got an upgrade to a slightly fancier apartment.“ said. Antonucci mentioned that the next apartments he bought cost around $4 million.
Many residents of the World Ship use their apartments as a kind of vacation home. These are people who likely have more than one residence in more than one country and travel around the world with private jets at any time.
A committee was established for the route
The World’s arrival in suitable ports also coincides with major events such as London for Wimbledon and Rio de Janeiro for the Carnival.
Antonucci stated that The World’s itinerary had been planned two to three years in advance. According to Antonucci, this planning is a „very complex“ process. He mentioned that a travel committee consisting of residents focuses on the experiences possible at each destination.
„Scandals and Secrets“
For many residents, social life on board The World is also a significant part of the attraction. Although children are welcome on The World, many of the ship’s amenities also appeal to adults.
According to Antonucci, a side effect of the social environment that developed on the ship was that „there were