Live on a cruise ship… without breaking the bank: Inside the ‘affordable’ new residential vessel offering apartments from £268,000

• Storyline’s MV Narrative, a ‘residential community at sea’, has one to four-bedroom apartments and studios
• The ship, which launches in 2024, also features two-storey penthouses that are on the market for £5.8million
• Amenities on board include a 10,000-book library, three pools, a spa, a cinema, and 20 bars and restaurants

Renderings were recently unveiled for a stunning floating condo called Somnio, which will offer ultra-luxury apartments starting at £8.1million. 

But she’s by no means the only option for a cruise-ship-style life at sea. The Utopia and The World residential ships have already attracted buyers. But they too are expensive, with residences costing from $4.4million (£3.2million) in the case of Utopia and from $2million (£1.4million) for The World.

However, there is good news for those with shallower pockets who want to live on a cruise ship. MV Narrative, a ‘residential community at sea’, has one to four-bedroom apartments and studios starting at just $366,667 (£268,170).

The new Storylines boat MV Narrative (pictured) has one to four-bedroom apartments and studios starting at just $366,667 (£268,170)

There will be 627 residences on the 741ft- (226 m) long Storylines ship, which is currently being built in Croatia and is due to launch in 2024. 

Florida-based Storylines says that its primary focus is on ‘providing more affordable entry-level options into the condo ship market’. The lowest-priced home is the 237-sq-ft (22 sq m) ’Discover’ apartment. 

The cost will soar, however, for those in the market for one of the two-storey penthouses, which are worth up to $8million (£5.8million). These homes can stretch to 1,970 sq ft (183 sq m).

There will also be the option to avail of a 12 month or 24-month lease, and owners can rent out their properties to make some money through Storylines’ ‘Guest at Sea’ rental program.

The ship will be all-inclusive, but residents will be charged a ‘living fee’ to cover expenses like maintenance and food.

Storylines’ MV Narrative, pictured, is billed as a new ‘residential community at sea’

This rendering shows one of the more affordable options – the ‘Breeze’ home. The bedrooms will feature queen-size Murphy beds and ‘luxury’ mattresses to ‘ensure maximum comfort at night’

Pictured is a lower-priced ‘Explore’ home on MV Narrative. The most affordable residence is the 237-sq-ft (22 sq m) ’Discover’ apartment

Each home will be fully furnished with ‘Italian designed’ furnishings, and residents can choose between two different layouts for their properties. Pictured is a mid-range ‘Dream’ apartment 

Each apartment will be fully furnished with ‘Italian-designed’ items, and residents can choose between two different layouts for their properties. 

Every home will be decked out with full kitchens, flat-screen TVs, ‘climate control’ systems, adjustable mood lighting and stereo speakers, and the bedrooms will feature queen-size murphy beds and ‘luxury’ mattresses to ‘ensure maximum comfort at night’.

When the MV Narrative is offshore, homeowners can wine and dine at the ship’s 20 bars and restaurants, which include an oyster bar, a Chinese restaurant, and an ‘ice creamery’. They can also order twenty-four-seven from a home delivery service.

A bathroom in a ‘Global’ two-storey penthouse. These homes are priced up to $8million (£5.8million)

A kitchen area of the ‘Global’ two-storey penthouses on the ship, which is due to launch in 2024

Each home will be decked out with flat-screen TVs, ‘climate control’ systems, adjustable mood lighting and stereo speakers. Pictured is a bedroom in one of the penthouses

There will be ‘resident choice’ days on the ship, where those living on board get to choose where the MV Narrative docks next. Pictured is the upper level of a penthouse

As for entertainment, the ship will feature one cinema, a microbrewery, three pools and a 10,000-book library.

The Spa and Wellness Centre will encompass a salon, a juice bar, a yoga studio, and a whirlpool. A statement notes that the spa is ‘perfectly situated with sweeping 180-degree views’.

What’s more, there’ll be a golf simulator, an art space, and a dance floor. A statement adds: ‘Residents are encouraged to start special interest clubs; perhaps you are a chess, photography, wine, astronomy or bridge aficionado? Start a club or join in on the fun.’

Lectures and workshops ‘on and off the ship’ will also cover topics such as architecture, finance, local geography, philanthropy and art history. 

Pictured is the ship’s 10,000-book library. Lectures and workshops ‘on and off the ship’ will also cover topics such as architecture, finance, local geography, philanthropy and art history

One of three pools on board. The ship’s Spa and Wellness Centre will feature a yoga studio, and a whirlpool

Pictured is the ship’s Marina Lounge. Residents will be charged a ‘living fee’ to cover expenses such as maintenance and food on board the ship

The ship will spend between one and five days docked in ports around the world. A sample itinerary shows that residents will be able to explore the likes of Venice, the Maltese capital of Valletta, and Athens on a tour around the Mediterranean. 

There will also be ‘resident choice’ days, where those living on board get to choose where the ship docks next. Residents are welcome to invite guests on board when the ship is docked.  

For more information visit storylines.com.

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