Buying Into the Ultimate Houseboat

Here’s a big dream with a buoyant price: your own luxury residence, with daily maid service, on a cruise ship that perpetually sails the globe.

Knut Kloster Jr., scion of the family that founded Norwegian Cruise Line, and other Norwegian ship owners are creating what they call the world’s first exclusive residential community at sea, the 85,000-gross-ton World of ResidenSea. It will include 250 homes with 1,105 to more than 3,000 square feet, each with a balcony and a whirlpool; seven restaurants; business services, including an on-board stockbroker; a golf putting green; two swimming pools; a spa; a 300-seat theater; and 175,000 square feet of deck space.

The owners, who have circulated elaborate marketing materials, hope to begin building the ship in Europe by the end of this year and to launch it in 2000. It is expected to spend about 250 days annually in various ports.

The price of these floating homes? About $1.2 million to $5.4 million. Actually, that buys only residency rights for 50 years--ownership remains with the company. Then there’s the monthly maintenance fee of $5,000 and up. And don’t even think about buying unless your net worth is $5 million or more. That’s a requirement, said Robert Burnett, president of ResidenSea’s American arm.

As of last week about 65 people had plunked down $5,000 to reserve a home, Burnett said. Although the company is approved for sales in most U.S. states, it hasn’t yet cleared California regulations, he added. Information: telephone (800) 799-9792.