If in search of the ultimate experience, enter The World®, Residences at Sea. Today’s largest, privately owned yacht is nothing short of mind-blowing: six restaurants, golf facilities with onboard putting greens, the only full-size tennis court at sea, swimming pools, a spa, a fitness center with personal trainers, expert destination lecturers, a library, cinema, game rooms, and more. Yet while this at-sea community is famous for innovative design and amenities, its mission is most notable: The World is your catalyst to connection. No other travel itinerary fully celebrates — with private access, of course — the globe’s most coveted destinations and far-flung cultures. What to expect? An onboard, private country-club vibe while traversing the globe, plus three expeditions annually that will bring your imagination to life.

The Ship

The World is lauded for bespoke services, while spacious onboard residences are customized to personal preferences — a lifestyle akin to a private yacht. Since 2002, this exclusive residential ship has been continuously circumnavigating the globe. This luxe floating home-away-from-home whisks you to travel bucket list ports while onboard pursuits include a library, tennis court, spa, and six restaurants.

The Itinerary

Every year The World releases a new itinerary featuring travel bucket list ports from the White Continent to the Mediterranean to Iceland. Past itineraries have included stops in the Hawaiian and Pacific islands before heading to South America, with landings in Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, and Colombia. The vessel has cruised through the Caribbean, where white-sand beaches and vibrant seaside towns beckon. From Northern and Western Europe to stops in Oman and Qatar, The World is an ultra-exclusive gateway to the farthest corners of the earth.

The Expeditions

Residents and guests can embark on three expeditions annually to the world’s most untrammeled lands, including a rare opportunity to experience back-to-back, 15-day expeditions. Led by a team of experts and specialist lecturers, expeditions fully immerse guests in particular regions, fostering hands-on education. What’s more, professional photographers lead workshops to capture indelible landscapes and cultures.

The Scene

A diverse group of 150+ residents from 20 countries own The World’s homes and share similar interests in world cultures, history, and exploration. Onboard restaurants host guest chefs such as Soenil Bahadoer, Jonas Andre Navik, and Alastair McLeod, while sommeliers take residents to wineries unopen to the public. Additionally, The World’s chefs bring destinations alive via cuisine — residents accompany chefs to local markets and speak with growers to enrich culinary knowledge. After working up an appetite, wellness remains top of mind aboard The World, too. At-sea amenities include swimming pools, a state-of-the-art gym, and a decadent spa, and while on terra firma, expect non-stop action. Discover ancient treasures on a private guided tour of Athens’ New Acropolis Museum, hike the sub-tropical mountains of San Juan’s El Yunque National Forest, or scuba dive Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

No matter where you roam, or what you choose to explore while a resident of The World, “wow factor” remains your compass.