The world's only luxury residential liner, measuring 643 feet and weighing 43,524 tons, docked in Dublin Port yesterday bringing its tightly-guarded millionaire clientele for a one-night stay.
The ship, called The World, which reportedly is inhabited by a few Irish residents, offers its guests and residents unprecedented sea-going extravagance. It features a spa, casino, driving range, four restaurants, an on-board florist and a "house of worship," according to its website.
The ship's lists of residents and guests are kept firmly under wraps and reporters wishing to visit the ocean liner had to register with the ship's owners, ResidenSea, at least 96 hours prior to visiting.
Cruise liner visits, with their wealthy shoppers, have been a boon to Dublin's economy, adding an estimated € 13 million in direct expenditures in 2003, according to Dublin Port.
Last year 54 cruise liners visited Dublin, with a total of 54,000 visitors. This year 60 cruise liners are expected, a spokesperson for the port said.
Prices for one-bedroom apartments - measuring from 674 square feet - begin at €1 million, increasing to €1.4 million for two-bedroom apartments.
A three-bedroom apartment will set you back €3.4 million while the ship's most expensive residences are said to sell for about €6.1 million.
The apartments come fully furnished and with audio and video appliances, a kitchen, and a private veranda that often features a "jet pool".
The two and three-bedroom apartments, which measure up to 3,242 square feet, have been furnished by four "premier interior design firms" - Nina Campbell of London, Juan Pablo Molyneux of New York, TMT Design by DiPilla of Milan, and Yran & Storbraaten of Oslo.
For those not interested in purchasing, apartments may be rented, with studios starting at €655 per night and three-bedroom apartments costing up to €2,400 per night.
The ship's most opulent feature may be its 7,000 sq ft wellness, fitness, and spa centre. Operated by the Swiss company, Clinique La Prairie, the facility offers anti-stress treatments, anti-aging techniques, massages and body wraps, and thalassotherapy, whereby seawater is used to revitalize the body.
Hair styling, manicures and pedicures are also offered.
ResidenSea has provided plenty of amenities for the ship's golfers, including on-board putting greens, chipping areas, and a driving range, where environmentally conscious golfers can hit biodegradable balls that dissolve within 96 hours in the sea.
The World is due to set sail today and is scheduled to arrive in Liverpool tomorrow.
The ship will spend the next few months touring Europe, stopping at ports in Norway, France, and Monaco, before it moves on to Africa, culminating in a stop in Capetown, South Africa, for New Year's Eve.