Residence Clubs: If you spend more time at sea than in your home on land, there's a simple solution that could make your mortgage obsolete. As the only residential community at sea, The World offers its residents a new approach to traveling with the added luxury of a permanent address. Offering 165 private apartments, The World, is a sea vessel unlike any other in its class. In fact, it stands alone in its class as it cannot (and should not) be compared to a cruise ship. It may be more appropriate to compare The World to a luxury yacht; however, its opulence and grandeur far exceeds that of anything privately owned.

The concept, "travel the world without leaving home," was developed in 1995 and implemented in 2002 as sailing aficionados and travel gurus established residence aboard The World. While The World officially sold out in July 2006, there are a select number of residences available for resale. Available accommodations include an apartment designed by JP Molyneux Studio. Renowned for its European approach with overtones of neo-classicism, this four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath penthouse apartment features a marble foyer, five plasma TV's, three large walk-in closets and a dining room that seats ten. Listing price for the JP Molyneux Studio is set at nearly $7.5 million.

If you're looking for something with a port location, you will find a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath penthouse boasting more than 3,000 square feet. Both elegant and modern in design, this penthouse offers an open floor plan, a verandah jet pool, and elegant columns designed by TMT by Di Pilla of Milan. Listing price is nearly $7 million.

Residents of The World have full access to onboard amenities such as The World Spa, offering head-to-toe beauty treatments as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center and a complete aqua spa. Other amenities include The World Golf Club, the Colosseo Theatre, an onboard casino, an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, and much more. But the real satisfaction of living at sea comes as you awaken in a new country with each passing day. Imagine waking up to a gleaming Caribbean sun piercing through your window, or starting the day against a backdrop of ancient Greek architecture.

Previous year's nautical miles have been spent cruising Spain, Italy, Germany, Russia, Greece, Morocco, and more. The 2009p line-up kicks off with a tour of the Caribbean, and the 2010 itinerary includes a variety of ports in Australia.

For those who can't fathom the idea of spending 365 days at sea, The World also offers luxury vacation opportunities, as residents will make their apartments available to guests when not onboard. Travel by Design allows patrons the flexibility of joining The World at any of its ports for extended lengths of time.

For LxM Christina Stewart