Austin Wells, a 28-year-old employee of Reality Labs, a branch of Meta that specializes in virtual reality, has made a unique decision to work and travel at the same time. He has rented an apartment on a cruise ship for 12 years. The MV Narrative, run by luxury travel company Storylines, offers permanent residence on the sea and apartments are available for purchase at a price of $1 million.
Wells stated that the idea of being able to see the world while maintaining the routine of work was what attracted him to the concept. He said, “I’m most excited that I don’t have to change my daily routine to see the world. I’m switching from a model where if you want to go somewhere, you pack a bag, get on a plane, rent a room to a model where my apartment, my gym, my doctors and dentists, all my grocery stores travel with me around the world.”
The 12-year rental period allowed Wells to limit the cost he will have to pay for this unique living arrangement. He explained that, “It’s a great opportunity to see the world and save money at the same time. I can’t wait to see all the different places and cultures that I’ll be able to experience.”
The MV Narrative, which is currently under construction, plans to set sail in 2025 and will visit all six continents over a 1000-day journey, with an average stay of three days in each port. This means that Wells will be able to see a variety of different cities, cultures, and landscapes while still being able to maintain his job and work schedule.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Wells acknowledged that working on a cruise ship can be challenging, as he will need to adjust his work schedule to accommodate the ship’s itinerary. He said, “When the ship is in Europe in 2025, I plan to still be working on the West Coast. This will probably mean working very non-traditional hours, including late nights and early mornings. But it also opens up the possibility of seeing a city in the middle of the day and then starting my workday at 6 or 7 am.”
The MV Narrative, which is being promoted as a “floating city,” will offer its residents all the amenities of a land-based city including gyms, swimming pools, and supermarkets. The project is being run by luxury travel company Storylines, which boasts a team of experts in engineering, architecture, and design, with the goal of creating a sustainable and livable environment on board.
Overall, Austin Wells’ decision to rent an apartment on a cruise ship for 12 years is a unique and exciting opportunity that allows him to see the world while still maintaining his daily routine and job. It is also a testament to the growing trend of remote work and the desire for people to find new ways to balance work and travel. As Wells put it, “I believe this is the future of living and working. It’s the perfect combination of adventure and stability.”