When The World first came to London, just after her launch in Spring 2002, things were very different from now. Her third visit to the capital in September 2007 was that of a very sophisticated lady, truly come into her own.

Just to look back briefly over the history of this most unusual ship, several years of development lead to the commitment to build a ship substantially smaller than the original plans had called for, with a mixture of apartments and ‘guest suites’ on board. As the first of her kind, it has taken time for the operation of this ship to settle into the well-oiled machine it now is, and there has been some confusion over the years as to what, exactly, she is – words such as ‘time share’, ‘tax haven’ and ‘gin palace’ have been bandied about, and many sophisticated travellers have chosen to ignore the opportunities to travel in this unique environment.

Now, however, things are much clearer. The ship is wholly owned by the residents – some own extensive apartments boasting three or four bedrooms, and choose to live on board year round. When they leave the ship, it is to go on holiday! Others keep a small studio apartment and come on board from time to time. Some have a large apartment in which they live, and own a smaller one where they welcome guests. Either way, every single unit of accommodation on board is owned by the residents. During the year, they may or may not choose to sublet their apartments while they are not on board, and thus the rental programme was born, whereby non-residents can come on board for 6, 60 or indeed 600 days at a time. Just as land-based residences enjoy, at any one time, a complement of guests some of whom own and some of whom are renting their apartments, so The World. Rental guests pay an inclusive ‘per unit per night’ price, starting at an excellent value $1300 (so at current exchange rates, £325 per person per day including all meals, drinks and gratuities).

Again like an apartment block, the ship has a number of public areas where the guests can gather and meet, if they wish. A choice of four very special restaurants offer an alternative to cooking and dining in your apartment. Two pools, one indoor and one outdoor, are easily accessible. Sports facilities include a full-size tennis court, a very well developed golf programme, and a well equipped gym. The spa, operated by Banyan Tree, features a range of special treatments. A cinema is available, with a stage to enable it to double as a concert hall or theatre. An extensive library is a haven of peace and tranquillity, adjacent to an internet café.

Unlike a cruise ship, The World travels the world at a leisurely pace. Key ports of call merit long stays – she was in London for a full five days, during which many of the residents were taking the opportunity to entertain friends and business contacts, whilst others caught up with theatre, shopping and dining out. Whilst in the Mediterranean, there are many such long stays with two and three days in port, and then just a short trip to another location nearby. A stay on board could be considered as a series of short breaks, with the advantage of not having to pack and unpack, let alone subject yourself to the miseries of air travel, in between.

But if you take a look at the itineraries, there are periods of time which are like ‘cruises’ within the annual programme of this extraordinary ship. A week exploring the islands of the Seychelles, another in the Maldives, an exploration of the coast of India, an investigation of the Persian Gulf. These are times when the residents are likely to take more of a holiday from their day to day lives, and when the magnificent marina comes into its own. The back wall of the ship folds down to water level, creating a teaked platform for watersports, in front of the indoor pool, surrounded on three sides by tiered seating areas, with full restaurant service. The whole area is flooded with light, creating a perfect seaside location.

The World is the perfect choice for the sophisticated traveller who enjoys space, privacy, and the opportunity to meet, from time to time, like-minded people in a stylish environment.