MS The World stops in Darwin with cashed-up holiday makers

The world’s largest residential yacht, on which residents require a minimum US$5m, has berthed in Darwin. Read what makes it so special.

The “planet’s largest private residential yacht”, MS The World, made a spectacular visit to Darwin on Monday, with dozens of well-heeled passengers spilling into the CBD with time to spare and money to burn.

Described by its backers as the only ship of its kind currently operating, The World sails a constant itinerary around the planet at the direction of the investors who have bought into the vessels ocean-borne apartments.

The World has 165 luxurious shipboard condos ranging in price from about US$1m to US$10m, with prospective purchasers’ needing a minimum US$5m before they can get their foot through the cabin door.

Jed Wood was off to see Darwin after arriving in The World. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

On top of that, add an additional 10-15 per cent to the purchase price for annual maintenance, body corporate and other fees.

Passenger Jed Wood, his wife and two kids aged 15 and 10 have been on The World for two-and-a-half years.

“It doesn’t get any better, literally,” he said.

“We’re through East Asia now, we’ve just finished Bali, we were in Manilla, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and that’s been probably for the last three months.

“We came through the Seychelles, Maldives, up through the east side of Africa over from Rio de Janeiro. We started the first year in Ushuaia, Argentina and we also spent six weeks in Antarctica.

“It’s very easy to travel the world without having to go through airports, even when you see clearance today, all our clearance is looked after, we just show up. We don’t have to get stuck down in a lot of different countries through regulations and visas, it’s very seamless.

“We have a concierge service that looks after anything we want to be doing that interests us. The ship does a great job at making sure that it’s seamless our travel, without a lot of effort. There’s great food, great people who are like-minded and all travellers.”

Born in Canada and currently a permanent resident in Mexico, Jed was looking forward to exploring Darwin.

“Remote, unique, my perception is not that affected by what’s happening out in the rest of the world,” he said.

“I wanted to be able to experience a level of discovery that typically isn’t afforded to most people in the world.”

The World has 12 decks, a large lobby, four restaurants, three bars, a cigar lounge, boutique and showroom, grocery store, deli, fitness centre, billiard room, golf simulator and putting greens, full-size tennis court, jogging track, spa, swimming pool, theatre and library.

The World departs Darwin on Tuesday.