Imagine a life where your home is a cruise ship, offering a new view every day without the hassle of packing. Sounds like a dream, right? Believe it or not, this lifestyle isn’t as out of reach as you might think.
For Austin Wells, a 28-year-old Meta employee, it became a reality when he chose to lease a studio apartment on the MV Narrative. Wells leased a 237-square-foot (22 sq meter) studio apartment on the ship for $300,000, choosing an unconventional path to save money while traveling the globe.
Speaking to CNBC, Wells explained, “The thing that most excites me is I don’t have to upend my daily routine in order to go see the world.” The financial benefits also played a key role in his decision.
While renting a flat in San Diego typically costs around $2,500 per month, Wells’ apartment on the MV Narrative costs him approximately $2,000 per month, saving him $500 on rent alone. Wells pays an additional $2,100 per month for all-inclusive living fees, covering meals, laundry, and medical services. This allows him to live comfortably while exploring new destinations.
The Floating City: Inside the MV Narrative
The MV Narrative is an 18-deck luxury residential cruise ship built by Storylines, set to launch in 2025. Designed for permanent living, it offers 547 private residences that range from cozy studios to multi-million-dollar penthouses, catering to a variety of lifestyles and needs. Wells’ studio, one of the more affordable options on the ship, represents a budget-friendly entry point compared to the ship’s larger, more luxurious residences.
Onboard, residents have access to a wide range of amenities, including 20 restaurants, a gym, spa, swimming pools, a library, a theater, and even a school for families. The ship also includes a bank and working spaces, making it a fully equipped floating community that rivals any luxury neighborhood on land.
Wells’ work at Meta is fully remote, which makes the ship an ideal home base. His working hours shift to evenings and early mornings to accommodate U.S. West Coast time zones while the ship travels to European cities. “This is probably the first time ever that there is even the ability to have a standard job and even consider working and living from a floating apartment complex,” Wells explained.
The ship’s itinerary is carefully designed to offer extended stays at ports, giving residents time to explore new destinations. Typical stops include iconic cities like Rome and Venice, as well as off-the-beaten-path spots such as coastal towns in Croatia and Greece. For Wells, this unique travel experience is a big selling point. “Revisiting all of Europe, I think, is what I’m particularly keen on … so much of the interesting parts, in my opinion, of Europe are towards the center,” he told CNBC.
Life Aboard the MV Narrative
Beyond its luxurious facilities, the MV Narrative is designed to create a close-knit community. Residents range from remote workers like Wells to retirees and families. The ship also features a “world schooling” program for children, offering both traditional education and activities based on the ship’s destinations.
Wells looks forward to making lifelong connections onboard. “The goal is to actually have a community of residents on this ship,” he said. “You will establish new friends, you will largely travel the world with them, which is potentially a way to create some of the deepest friendships you’ve ever had.”
With its strong sense of community and all-inclusive amenities, the MV Narrative offers a compelling way to live and travel. Storylines, the company behind the ship, has already sold nearly half of the available units and is planning a second ship to meet the high demand.
For Austin Wells, living on the MV Narrative is less about saving money or avoiding long flights and more about embracing a unique lifestyle of work, travel, and community. And as he prepares to set sail in 2025, he’s proving that the world truly can be your home—if you’re willing to think beyond the shore.
Why Living on a Cruise Ship Is Gaining Popularity
The concept of living on a cruise ship has become increasingly appealing to adventurers, retirees, and digital nomads. For some, the charm lies in waking up to a new destination every day, while for others, it’s about the convenience of all-inclusive living. Ships like the MV Narrative have redefined the idea of permanent residency at sea, offering fully equipped homes designed for long-term living.
One of the pioneers of this concept is The World, a luxury residential ship that launched in 2002. Known as the largest private residential ship on earth, it features 165 private residences that range from studio apartments to large penthouses. Residents onboard enjoy an unparalleled lifestyle, complete with fine dining, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and even cultural enrichment programs.
There are different ways to live at sea. Some people book back-to-back cruises to stay on the move, while others choose more permanent options like residential cruise ships. These vessels, such as The World and the MV Narrative, cater to those ready to commit to life at sea with flexible leasing options. Residents can choose from long-term leases, like Austin Wells’ 12-year agreement, or even lifetime leases. Some units can even be rented out when not in use, generating up to $4,500 per month in passive income.
What makes this lifestyle appealing? The predictability of all-inclusive living is a big draw. From meals and housekeeping to fitness classes and entertainment, residents have everything they need without the stress of maintaining a home on land. Some residential ships even include unique amenities like working spaces, schools, and libraries.
However, this lifestyle isn’t feasible for everyone. It’s best suited for those who can work remotely, like Austin Wells. If your job requires you to commute to an office or be physically present in one location, living on a cruise ship might not be a practical option.
Living on a cruise ship has many benefits, but it also has its downsides. Cabins can feel small, and isolation is sometimes an issue. However, residents often counter these with rich social connections formed through shared experiences onboard.
As more people explore life at sea, the market for residential cruise ships continues to grow. Ships like the MV Njord, launching in 2025, will cater to a mix of travelers, including families, with features such as youth activity programs, wellness centers, and even research partnerships.
Other upcoming ships, like the Dark Island, will offer a more intimate experience with only 101 suites, focusing on exclusive amenities like art galleries, rooftop spaces, and advanced fitness centers.
Whether it’s through leasing an apartment or taking a more flexible approach, living on a cruise ship is no longer just a dream—it’s a lifestyle that’s here to stay.
If you’re curious about this unique lifestyle and want to know more, read my full article: Can You Live on a Cruise Ship? What You Need to Know.
