The World, luxury residential yacht with $33million penthouse apartments docks in Wyndham

It’s not every day The World comes to Wyndham, but on Wednesday the largest luxury residential yacht on earth berthed at the East Kimberley port carrying some seriously wealthy cruisers. The World Residences at Sea is operated like a floating apartment block where cruisers purchase or lease an apartment, with a penthouse costing around $33 million dollars. The vessel sails a continuous itinerary around the world with residents living onboard full or part time. The 196m-long vessel, with 12 decks and 165 residences docked at the Port of Wyndham on August 28 on its cruise around Northern Australia. Locals greeted the arrival of one of the world’s most luxurious cruise ships with a sausage sizzle and plenty of selfies. Cambridge Gulf Limited organised bussing about 200 locals, including school children, onto the wharf to view the enormous vessel. Cambridge Gulf Limited CEO Mat Dear described cruise ship as, “monstrous.” “It took up two thirds of the wharf. It was a beautiful and enormous vessel,” he said. It is understood a number of The World residents disembarked and travelled to El Questro and Lake Argyle. The World has an average of 150 to 200 residents and guests who live on the vessel either permanently or periodically throughout the year. It is reported that residents need to prove they have a net worth of between $7 and 14M to secure an apartment. On board amenities includes four restaurants, three bars, a cigar lounge, a grocery store, full-size tennis court, jogging track, golf simulator and putting greens, billiard room, swimming pool and spa. There are about 280 staff to attend to the residents. The Swedish built vessel was first launched in March 2002 and is registered in The Bahamas. Although the vessel is operated by ROW Management, the residents, through an elected board, decide on the ship’s itinerary and the lifestyle on board. The World was set to depart Wyndham on Wednesday 5pm to return to Darwin.