Austin Wells, originally from San Diego, has embarked on a unique adventure by purchasing a flat on a cruise ship to fulfil his dream of affordable world travel. He shared in an interview with CNBC that he made a $300,000 investment in a 12-year lease studio apartment on the MV Narrative, a modern cruise ship offering permanent and temporary residences. This amounts to approximately £19,840 per year or £1,652 per month in rent, making it a cost-effective alternative to buying a house, especially considering the high property prices in the UK, particularly in London.
The MV Narrative boasts a range of amenities, including 20 restaurants and bars, a 10,000-square-foot gym and spa open 24/7, three swimming pools, a school, library, bank, office spaces, a farmers market, and medical services, providing all the essential facilities for daily living. For Wells, who works remotely in Meta’s augmented and virtual reality division, this lifestyle allows him to maintain his routine while exploring the world without the need to uproot his life every time he travels.
Although the cruise ship is not yet ready to set sail, Wells and approximately 1000 other residents will soon be able to call the MV Narrative home. Reports suggest varying estimated departure dates, with some sources indicating 2025, others proposing 2026, and some even anticipating a three-year delay until 2027. In comparison to the average cost of a flat in San Diego, staying on the MV Narrative proves to be a more economical choice for Wells.
The minds behind the MV Narrative, Alister Punton and Shannon Lee, aimed to provide more affordable living options at sea, in contrast to other similar concepts that offer luxury apartments at exorbitant prices, such as the ‘The World’ liner costing around £17 million. The MV Narrative, a refurbished cruiser using old and retired cruise ships, will embark on global tours lasting three years, reaching destinations as far as the Arctic Circle and departing from Croatia.
In addition to this innovative housing concept, an airline has recently introduced an all-you-can-fly yearly membership priced under £450, catering to travellers seeking budget-friendly and flexible travel options. As the world of travel evolves, individuals like Austin Wells are pioneering new ways to explore the globe while redefining the traditional notion of home.