Day 24: Cruising: A Different Approach

The first step of my daily routine is reading the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.), a prominent German national newspaper. While I keep up with political updates during these eventful times, my favorite section is always "Travel." Recently, I came across an intriguing article about an unconventional type of cruise offering that has piqued my curiosity.  

In response to the recent U.S. elections, the American company Villa Vie Residences has launched a bold new concept aboard their 200-m ship, Odyssey. They offer extended cruises with names that are as quirky as the concept itself:  

  • "Escape from Reality": A 12-month cruise  
  • "Mid-Term Selection": A 24-month cruise  
  • "Everywhere but Home": A 36-month cruise  
  • "Skip Forward": A 48-month cruise, priced at $425,000 (all-inclusive).  

These itineraries are ambitious, including stops at 425 ports, a month in the Caribbean, Carnival in Rio, and even a touch of the Antarctic.  

Curious, I delved into the origins of this concept. The idea of "residence ships" began in 2002 with the launch of the MS World, a ship that operates as a continuously traveling luxury residential community. While it sparked interest, many subsequent projects failed, often due to financial difficulties. One notable approach is to sell ship cabins as condominium-style residences, akin to purchasing apartments. According to the article, prices for such cabins can start at $329,000, with a monthly maintenance fee of $7,000 for a modest 25-square-meter corner unit—similar to the cost of a new apartment in Munich, but with higher monthly expenses.  

Stepping back for a broader perspective, the concept of a "houseboat" as an alternative to traditional housing is far from new. Cities like Amsterdam have long embraced this lifestyle. However, transforming this idea into a floating apartment complex that continuously travels is a novel twist. With rising property prices and the growing popularity of remote work, such a lifestyle might become more appealing.  

The real innovation lies in the promise of bringing your social life aboard the ship. Leave behind pesky neighbors, strained family dynamics, and daily stresses. Instead, you can forge new friendships, reset your life, and sail into a perpetual sunset.  

Interestingly, this lifestyle seems to target "golden agers" rather than young singles or families. The perks are compelling:  

  • Daily dancing and live music.  
  • A low-crime environment.  
  • No need to worry about parking tickets, speeding fines, or even owning a driver’s license.  

Imagine it: a floating retirement paradise, where every day feels like a vacation and your horizon is limitless even with limited time left. The concept might sound extravagant or whimsical, but with shifting societal trends, who knows? This might be the golden age of cruising, quite literally.  

Think about it!

Logbook

Position: 18°04.60' S, 60°49,58' E
Middle of the Indian Ocean
Timezone: GMT+5

Speed: 31 km/h. Wind: 43 km/h. Heading: 65°
Time to next port: 7 days

Risk of sea sickness: MEDIUM
Risk of hallucinations: HIGH

"Hopefully, the appendix holds up."



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