The World Makes San Diego Its First U.S. Port of Call in Three Years

Friday, 29 May 2009

The only vacation home at sea will pull into the Port of San Diego on Sunday, May 31, after circling the globe for the past three years. May marks the first time since 2006 that "The World" has visited the United States.

The vessel is not your ordinary cruise ship. It has earned its spot in maritime history as the only ship where residents live in their privately owned homes.

"For some, it's their vacation home. For other residents, it's their permanent home," said Renato Chizzola, General Manager of The World. "The people who come to us want really want to be very special - they want to feel as being part of something that is really more of a very unique, homey lifestyle."

The World offers its residents and guest travelers the comforts of home while visiting some of the most exotic destinations around the globe.

"We've been as far south as Antarctica, we've been as far north as Spitsbergen, we've gone to places like Pangkor Lau, which very few cruise ships go to," said Emilio Freeman, Senior Vice President of Operations for The World. "In total, we've been to about 650 different ports of call in the world."

The World is visiting San Diego as part of its 2009 Golf Voyages itinerary. While in port, residents will enjoy a round of golf at the Torrey Pines Golf Course. And once in a port, the World stays in that city five times as long as a cruise ship stops.

The concept of the ship dates back to 1997. The ship was christened in 2002. There are 165 apartment homes on the World, which are owned by 120 families. And it's those residents who help determine the ship's itinerary.

"Our residents are very well-traveled, from around the world," Freeman said. "We have over 19 different nationalities represented. And as a result, each of them knows their own backyard and we've established a committee, a committee of seven different residents, who I work with very closely in designing a given year's itinerary."

Homes on the ship are just as incredible as the ports she visits. Homes range from studios, to 1-, 2- and 3-bedrooms. With luxury comes million-dollar price tags and something similar to an HOA fee that helps maintain the ship. Guests are also welcome aboard The World, but there is a six-night minimum stay to rent a private home at a cost of $1,400 to $5,000 per night.

"You can look at the itinerary and basically design your own customized stay, coming and going as you please, and that flexibility and spontaneity is something that permeates across the entire experience onboard the World," said Nikki Upshaw, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales.

The World boasts the lowest turnover in the industry, from captains to general manager and other employees, who have been there since day one.

"We are lucky to have an enrichment fund that is sponsored by our residents. We are offering tours for our crewmembers. Let's say we are going to Egypt - we will offer a tour to the pyramids just for our crewmembers," Chizzola said.

Among the other incredible amenities on the ship are the only gourmet supermarket at sea, Freddy's Deli; a steak & seafood bistro that turns into a marina watersports platform; four restaurants and two casual dining spots, which are always available for room service; a movie theater; doctors, housekeeping and dry-cleaning, and a one-of-a-kind spa.

"We have the only spa at sea by Banyan Tree," Upshaw said. "It's a very serene quiet space for everything from facials to Thai massages and Swedish massages. We also have an incredible gym - so between our gym and our sports and golf director, our full-sized tennis court, I think there's actually no real reason to not stay fit on here."

Don't expect any entertainment or traditional cruise ship events. The whole idea is The World is home on the water.

"We have this magic little bubble that we call The World that takes you to a given region and you can go out and explore and see so many great things, but then you always have the opportunity to come back to the comfort of your own home," said Freeman.

For information on homes for sale, contact ResidentSea Management at 800-970-6601 or visit their website.

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