MS The World
MS "The World" is a private residential cruise ship operated like a condominium complex, with large apartments that can be purchased. The residents, from many countries, can live on board as the ship travels. Some residents choose to live on board full-time while others visit periodically throughout the year. The ship is operated by ROW Management, Ltd., headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. The ship has 165 residences (106 apartments, 19 studio apartments, and 40 studios), all owned by the ship's residents. Average occupancy is 150–200 residents and guests. "The World" is registered in  The Bahamas and has a gross tonnage of 43,188. It is long, wide, and has a draft, 12 decks, and a maximum speed of . The crew numbers approximately 280. In March 2020 the ship was emptied of passengers and non-essential crew because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. "The World" returned to service in July 2021. Original concept and construction. The ship was the idea of Knut Kloster, whose family had a long history in the marine industry. The hull was built in Landskrona, Sweden, by Öresundsvarvet, and it was then towed to Fosen Mekaniske Verksted in Rissa, Norway , for completion. The vessel was launched in March 2002 and purchased by its residents in October 2003. The management company is responsible for operations and administration of the ship, including hiring the employees. The residents, through their elected board of directors and a network of committees, provide guidance to the management about the ship's itinerary, finances, and lifestyle. Facilities. The ship has a large lobby, deli and grocery store, a boutique, fitness center, billiard room, golf simulator and putting greens, tennis court, jogging track, spa, swimming pool, and cocktail lounges. There are six restaurants for dining that supplement the  kitchens or kitchenettes in most of the residences. For on-board entertainment there is a movie theater, library and music performances. In addition to shore excursions, various classes have been offered on board. "The World" provides internet access in each residence. Northwest Passage transits. Setting sail from Nome, Alaska, U.S. on 18 August 2012 and reaching Nuuk, Greenland on 12 September 2012, "The World" became the largest passenger vessel at the time to transit the Northwest Passage. The ship, carrying 481 passengers and crew, for 26 days and at sea, followed in the path of Captain Roald Amundsen, the first  sailor to complete the journey in 1906. In 2019, the ship traversed the Passage from east to west, becoming the 300th vessel to make the voyage, and the largest to do so in both directions. COVID-19. In March 2020 the ship unloaded all passengers and non-essential crew because of concern about COVID-19 infection. In April 2020, the ship was asked to leave the port of Fremantle, Australia. The government of New Zealand received a request to let the ship shelter in a local port. This request was denied, as New Zealand had banned cruise ships (and non-New Zealand  residents) from entering the country. As of August 2020, the ship was in lay-berth in Falmouth, United Kingdom. As of 21 September 2020, the ship was in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, [Canary Islands] and in May 2021 the company announced the return to sailing in July 2021 from Piraeus, Greece.