ROCKLAND — A rainy, fog shrouded weather welcomed The World into Rockland Harbor this morning, Oct. 12. Members of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce tolerated the weather as they waited patiently for the passengers to disembark.

At 644-feet, The World is the world’s largest private yacht. Residents own one or more of the 165 private onboard residences.

Shari Closter, director of operations for the chamber, said they had been trying to get the ship into Rockland Harbor since 2005.

“We’re very proud and it’s very exciting to have them come to our city,” she said.
 
Shari said that Rockland is their first port of call on Penobscot Bay. From here they go to Portland.

From studios to three-bedroom suites and a palatial six-bedroom penthouse suite, residents spend an average of four months on board every year.

One hundred and thirty families from 19 countries own residences on the yacht; 49 percent are from North America, 36 percent from Europe; residents of Asia, Australia, South America and South Africa make up the remaining 15 percent. At any given time there are between 150 and 200 owners, their families and their guests on board.   

I spoke with Dr. Steve Kollins from Las Vegas, Nev., who was just starting his Midcoast experience. He is touring with his wife, Elayne, and their guest, Phyllis Schwartz, aboard The World.

“We’re new residents," he said. "We got on in Montreal so this is our first time on the ship. It is just absolutely phenomenal. The esprit de corp of the crew and the quality of service is unrivaled. It’s a life style change and you can’t appreciate it until you are on it.”

It is rumored that a condo on the ship goes between $2 million and $8 million. And then there are yearly fees associated with upkeep and maintenance to pay. The residents decide a year in advance what the itinerary will be. To date the ship has visited more than 800 ports in 19 countries.