M/S The World, the biggest private residential ship in the world, arrived in Bohol on Friday morning bringing 131 tourists mostly from Europe and the US.
According to Jaypee Orcullo of the Department of Tourism, the luxury liner dropped anchor in waters off the Tagbilaran Tourist Port at 9 a.m. as it was too big to dock at the pier.
Visitors were taken to Loboc for a river cruise on board the floating restaurants of the town, Panglao for diving activities and other destinations before the ship departs at 10 p.m., said Orcullo.
The World, deemed one of the most exclusive residential liners in the world, is home to 165 luxury apartments.
The 644-foot floating condominium is manned by 246 crew members and service staff.
“Stepping onto The World feels like boarding a 21st-century Titanic, such is its scale and grandeur,” a CNN report said.
The vessel is home to the world’s only full-sized at-sea tennis court while it is also replete with a 7,000-square foot spa and fitness center, and a 12,000-bottle wine collection.
According to Forbes, the on-board apartments of The World were sold at $2 million to $15 million (roughly P104 million to P780 million) apiece.
The luxury liner has various apartments from spacious studios to three-bedroom condos.
Forbes said that residents of The World and its captain gather every year to come up with an extensive travel itinerary.
The ship has been to Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu, among other destinations.
Prior to reaching the Philippines, The World was in Hong Kong where its residents welcomed the New Year.
The World is the first luxury liner in 2020 to visit Bohol which is fast becoming one of the country’s top cruise ship destinations. (rt)