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Residential cruise ship offering a 'more affordable' life at sea

[Jan 11, 2022: Kirk Miller]


Storylines is looking ahead to 2024 with its “luxury residential community at sea,” which is basically a global cruise with fully furnished residences. (CREDIT: Storylines)


Forget getting a place near the water. A new company called Storylines is now offering you a luxury dwelling on the water — on a cruise ship, to be precise.


While the cruise industry itself is still grappling with COVID-19 (much like everyone else), Storylines is looking ahead to 2024 with its “luxury residential community at sea,” which is basically a global cruise with fully furnished residences priced from a modest six figures up to $8 million, as reported by CNN.


 
 

This isn’t the first live-at-sea option, but it’s definitely aiming for a slightly younger generation, and the prices are a bit more modest than other current options. On-board you’ll find three pools, 18 decks, a microbrewery, a “full education” program for children, 20 restaurants and bars, and one garden.


The cruise ship Storylines, dubbed a "residential community at sea," sets sail in 2024 as a "more affordable" alternative to other luxury marine residences with units starting at $400,000. (CREDIT: Storylines)

As for the residences? Averaging about $875,000 (although the website suggests some are available under $300K), these fully-furnished apartments feature up to four-bedroom configurations, two stories and 2,121 square feet of space, at least at the higher end. They’re available in a 24-year lease or as an outright purchase, with rental income available at times when you’re not on board (although good luck kicking out deadbeat tenants). Most residences include “generous” balconies.


 

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That said, residents will also be spending anywhere from $65,000 to $200,000 per unit annually on a “living fee” to enjoy the all-inclusive cruises.



The ship, the Narrative, is currently under construction. When it sets sail in 2024, it’ll start with a 1,000-day maiden voyage across six continents, spending an average of three to five days in each port.


 
 

So far, the residences — estimated to sell out by the end of 2022, according to the company — are attracting a wide range of clientele.


“We have retirees and children and everyone else in between, including younger digital nomad types,” says founder and CEO Alister Punton. “And a lot of families are coming on board. In this arena, it’s those in their 30s and 40s with young children. We’ve got the whole range.”





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Note: Materials provided above by Kirk Miller. Content may be edited for style and length.


 
 

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