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 onboard as it travels. Some choose to live onboard full-time while others visit periodically. It is operated by ROW Management, Ltd., headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States.

It has 165 residences (106 apartments, 19 studio apartments, and 40 studios), all owned by 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 196.35 metres (644 ft 2 in) long, 29.8 metres (98 ft) wide, and has a 6.7-metre (22 ft) draft, 12 decks, and a maximum speed of 18.5 knots (34.3 km/h; 21.3 mph). The crew numbers approximately 280.

On 28 January 2017, The World broke the then world record for being the southernmost ship, which was later surpassed by the icebreaker ship Laura Bassi in February 2023. The voyage was achieved by its captain, Dag H. Sævik, and the 63 residents on board at the time as well as crew-members. It reached 78°43•997´S and 163°41•421´W at the Bay of Whales in the Ross Sea in Antarctica.

In March 2020 it was emptied of passengers and non-essential crew because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. The World returned to service in July 2021.

Several other residence cruise ships are under construction or planned, including Utopia, Njord, Dark Island, MV Narrative. and Ulyssia. At least one, Villa Vie Odyssey, is functioning as a residential cruise ship as of 2025.