LIFE AT SEA
Man buys entire apartment on a cruise ship – as it’s cheaper than home while still travelling the world
AN American has revealed how an apartment on a cruise ship will save him money - while still travelling the world.
Austin Wells, from San Diego, was one of the first to buy the studio flat on the new MV Narrative - a mega cruise ship with 500 private rooms and apartments.
7
7
7
Paying $300,000 (£246,465) for a studio, it comes with 12-year lease onboard.
Inside the 237 square foot - one of the entry-level rooms - is a foldaway bed, pantry, desk and separate shower room.
People who live on board permanently will get access to medical services, a farmer's market, private kitchens, a gym and spa, 24-hour room service and a co-working space.
There will also be 20 restaurants and bars on board, a swimming pool, a school, a library, a bank, a cinema as well as a champagne and whisky bar.
Read More on Cruises
Wells, 28, told : "The thing that most excites me is I don’t have to upend my daily routine, in order to go see the world.
"My working hours will be shifted towards evenings, nights and very early mornings, but that does open up the ability for me to see a city midday to afternoon.
"This is probably the first time ever that there is even the ability to have a standard job and even consider working and living from a floating apartment complex."
San Diego, California, where Wells is from, has an average rental price is $2,500 (£2,053.88) per month.
Most read in News Travel
His room onboard the ship will set him back around $2,000 (£1,643.10) per month - saving $500 (£410.77) on rent alone.
He said he also hopes to make friends onboard, as he will be "travelling the world with them too".
The MV Narrative is the brainchild of Storylines bosses Alister Punton and Shannon Lee who wanted to offer 'more affordable' apartments for life at sea.
The cruise ship will be home to around 1,000 residents when it launches in 2025.
The ship will be divided into 11 different types of homes including a Global residence, which will consist on two levels and have four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large balcony, a dining room and a walk-in closet.
Residents will also be given the opportunity to rent out apartments, with Wells' capable of fetching $4,500 (£3,696.97) a month.
Storylines boss Punton expects the ship to be docked at each port for around three to five days.
Passengers can expect to explore bucket-list destinations such as Rome, Naples and Venice as well as the seaside towns of Spari and Marsala.
The cruise ship is currently under construction and is due to set sail in 2025.
Wells isn't the only one buying a flat on the ship - Meredith Shay, a former flight attendant, has booked a room on the new ship too.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Having sold everything she owns, Meredith admitted she has gone for a fancier option with a seventh-floor cabin and balcony costing a whopping $562,000 (£452,293) over three years, working out to around £150k a year.
Meanwhile holidaymakers can also spend their time on a Disney cruise complete with an adult-only pool and live fireworks.
7
7
7
7
Topics