Travel the world without leaving home or Own a home in over 100 countries or Buy an apartment that travels the world With just a year to go before the world's first residential liner takes to the seas on its maiden voyage around the globe in January 2002, these concepts are now a reality. The World of Residensea is a revolutionary new venture - an ocean-going luxury resort whose residents can circumnavigate the globe in pursuit of good weather and special international events such as the Cannes Film Festival, Carnival in Rio and the Telstra Yacht Race from Sydney to Hobart, all from the comfort of their own home. At a minimum cost of $2,000,000, the 110 floating apartments are selling like hot cakes with 80 per cent of them already sold. 'Luxury' is indeed in vogue again and what a way to celebrate it! Four internationally acclaimed designers have been brought in to produce different design styles for the homes, all of which have spacious living and dining areas; two or three bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom; completely equipped kitchens and a terrace with an optional jet pool. Eighty-eight guest suites will be available for rental by residents' friends or business associates. The World is brainchild of Norwegian Knut Kloster Jn, a veteran in the cruise industry, whose family started Norwegian Cruise Line which he headed, along with Royal Viking Line and Royal Cruise Line. The 40,000-ton ship has a maximum capacity of 1000; the 345 crew to an estimated 285 residents and guests is indicative of a potentially pampered lifestyle for prospective residents. The only problem one foresees is that waking up each morning you're faced with the difficult decision of whether you're on holiday, at home or in the office. But that's the beauty of this idea - it's up to you! The facilities on the ship are such that you can combine all three. With five restaurants, two swimming pools, a theatre, a nightclub, a casino, a spa, a golf centre with driving range and tennis courts, even a jogging track; there's more than a fair share of ways to pass the time. On the home front, there's a village market, a hair and beauty salon, plus laundry and daily housekeeping services and a 24-hour delivery service from the on-board delicatessen. A series of continuous seminars will take place on topics as diverse as astronomy, photography, cooking, dance and history, to name just a few. Rotating art exhibitions, concerts and films are anticipated and for those who need to conduct business there will be a business and conference centre, secretarial service and computer and fax facilities in every apartment. Who wouldn't want to travel the world, visiting exotic locations and attending the world's most special events without compromising the course of everyday life? 2001 Itinerary January: The World leaves Oslo for South America via London, Lisbon and the Canary Islands. February: In Rio de Janeiro for the Carnival, then cruises around the southern half of the continent to Argentina, Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean Fjords. March/April: To Costa Rica and Panama via Panama Canal. Then cruises the Caribbean and the coast of America before heading on to Bermuda and the Azores. May: The South of France for the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix. Along the Italian coast stopping at Livorno, Portofino, Sorrento and Venice, then on to the Balearic and Greek Isles, Turkey and Malta. June: Stop-off at Casablanca before heading for Bordeaux and then Rouen in France. July: The fjords of Norway and on to Edinburgh for the British Open before continuing on to the Baltic and to St Petersburg in Russia. August: The United Kingdom and Southern and Northern Ireland, taking in the Isle of Skye before heading for Reykjavik in Iceland. September/October: Cruises to Canada, stopping at Montreal and Quebec with visits to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bar Harbor, Maine and Martha's Vineyard. Down the coast of America to Philadelphia, Savannah, Palm Beach and Key West. November: To the Mexican Riviera via the Panama Canal then north to San Francisco and San Diego. December: Hawaii and on to the South Pacific with Christmas in Australia and New Zealand for the Telstra Yacht Race from Sydney to Hobart, Tasmania. All this without the hassle of packing plus, after the first couple of years, itineraries are expected to reflect interests expressed by residents. For more information - the Residensea web site can be found at www.residensea.com.