Thursday, September 30, 2010

The World at our Doorstep


The article "the" does not often appear in a ship's name, but in this case it may seem appropriate. The World is a different concept in cruising, for the passengers in fact own the ship. Much like a condominium on shore, the "owners" on this ship own their apartment and pay a monthly upkeep charge to keep the ship running, pay the crew, etc.

The costs are not for the faint hearted - the cabins (called apartment, studio apartment or studio) are not cheap and the monthly charges are steep, but the advantages are there. You may use your own cabin whenever and wherever you wish - join the ship as you please- make the cabin available to friends-sail leisurely around the world, often spending two or more days in a port. It is a far cry from the typical high volume cruise ship.

There are only 165 cabins, and the passenger total is usually between 100 and 300 at most. The ship was built in 2002 by Fosen Mek.Verk. A/S of Norway and is a modest 43,524 gross tons.

Also in port today were Maasdam, Eurodam and Jewel of the Seas, which dwarfed The World, tucked in a pier 23. The World arrived today and will stay overnight, sailing tomorrow.

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