T
ravel adviser Estee Gubbay had been dreaming of living on a luxury cruise ship for years, but her husband, Paul, a C-level tech executive, was initially hesitant. "I'm the kind of person who goes big," she explains, "so I put this on my vision board and started manifesting." She took baby steps to get him comfortable cruising, starting with a high-end river cruise that he loved.

    Gubbay worked on her husband for six years to get him excited about the idea. They eventually bought a two-bedroom residence on the Storylines MV Narrative cruise ship, which will set sail in 2027 and features over 500 apartments, ranging from 237 square feet to 1,970 square feet, starting at $675,000.

    The annual "all-inclusive" fee of $65,000 to $245,000 per unit covers all meals, beverages, Wi-Fi, spa services, fitness facilities, and more. Gubbay likes that it's an all-inclusive lifestyle, allowing her to know exactly how much she'll spend each month. The ship has 20 restaurants on board, as well as a yoga studio, art studio, and hobby areas.

    The couple is currently bicoastal, with homes in San Diego and Manhattan, but their floating residence will be their new home. They're even bringing their large dog along with them. Gubbay views this investment as a golden opportunity, saying, "We're getting in on the ground floor... I think people really want to see this concept in action."

    However, there is a risk involved, as the ship isn't built yet and may not be ready for three years or more. Gubbay compares buying an apartment at sea to buying a property in a new model home development. Despite this, she's excited about the community being built on the ship, which includes "Meet Your Neighbors" interviews that Storylines leads.

    Gubbay gained peace of mind after hearing about the available medical facilities on the ship, including a mini-hospital with MRI equipment and a helicopter pad for emergency transportation. Furry friends will also have medical care, with a vet on staff 24/7.