Luxury 'Homes at Sea': Ex-Norwegian Cruise Chair on Floating Residences

Development of Floating Residences

• 💡 The design phase for the 'Homes at Sea' project is complete, with partners Sony and March and White involved in spa, pool, and interior design.
• 🛠️ The company is currently in discussions with shipyards to commence work, aiming for a delivery in December 2026.
• 🚢 This marks the first of three planned ships, with the second, 'Insignia,' due in December 2027, and a new build in 2032.

Concept of Luxury Residences at Sea

• ⚓ The concept is to offer luxury residences on ships, leveraging the fact that 71% of the Earth's surface is water.
• 🏠 Units are created by combining existing cabins, resulting in true residences with private ownership of interior space and shared common amenities.
• 🛥️ The experience is likened to owning a private yacht, but without the responsibility of managing the vessel, captain, or crew.

Unit Features and Amenities

• 🛌 Residences include bedrooms and salons, with all units featuring small kitchens.
• 🍽️ While cooking is not the primary focus, a common chef's kitchen is available for parties, with the option to hire a ship's chef or utilize room service from six onboard restaurants.
• 📚 Onboard amenities include a large library, geographical center, observation decks, pools, and spas.

Costs and Maintenance Fees

• 💰 Initial unit costs range from $750,000 to $8 million.
• 💸 Annual maintenance fees can reach up to $210,000, which are inclusive of significant expenses like fuel, all onboard employees (including butlers), real estate taxes, and insurance.

Target Demographic and Connectivity

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Contrary to assumptions of it being solely for retirees, the demographic includes families who want their children to experience the world firsthand.
• 🌐 Advanced satellite communication, including StarLink, ensures absolute clarity, allowing residents to work remotely from anywhere, making it indistinguishable from an office in Tokyo or Berlin.
• 🩺 A full-time doctor and two nurses are onboard for medical needs, including emergencies, though not for major operations or ongoing treatments.