FANTASY CRUISES: Part 2--The Ultimate Home at Sea

President Joe Biden today signed that bipartisan gun rights legislation that drew 15 Republican votes in the U.S. Senate.  Not much, but the first such action in 30 years.

The Supreme Court yesterday actually passed two abortion banning bills:

• 6-3 to uphold the Mississippi abortion ban being challenged.
• 5-4 to overturn Roe vs Wade.
• Interestingly enough, Chief Justice John Roberts voted with the liberals on RvW.  He lost his swing vote status with the 6-3 Conservatives majority.  He thought this issue was moving too fast.
• 
  If Merrick Garland, now the Attorney General, was  confirmed during Barack Obama's second term, Roe vs Wade would not have been overturned.
• The U.S. Senate had 293 days to act on the nomination.
• However, the Senate was controlled by Republicans, and they just refused to act.

• 
  Early in 2021 Democrats in the Senate discussed expanding the Supreme Court from 9 to 13 justices.
• All you need is a majority vote.
• Democrats would need to change filibuster rules, which has in the past occurred.  If they have the majority in the Senate, this can be accomplished.
• Historically, there have been from 6 to 10 justices. The Constitution does not mention a number.
• 
  President Joe Biden formed a Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court, and they reported to him with their report at the end of 2021.  However, they chose to not expand the Supreme Court.
• In any case, as of today, Biden says he doesn't support expanding the Supreme Court.
• He can always change his mind, and after the mid-term elections in November, if Democrats strengthen their numbers in both chambers, he would have two years to do just that.

This is part two of my series on fantasy cruises, which began this past Sunday.  Today, stop reading if you're not ultra-rich, unless you enjoy fantasizing.  This blog site now and then tosses in postings of vicarious hedonism.  This is a good example.

• The first residence at sea was the MS the World in 2002.
• Four Seasons signed on to manage.
• 165 residences, with crew of 280.
• 12 decks, six restaurants, movie theater, etc.
• Max speed of 21.3 MPH.

• 
  Owners are worth at least $10 million, and among them are Arnold Schwarzenegger and Madonna, and no known criminals.
• You can today buy a studio for $600,000, with suites about $12.5 million.  However, annual fees range from $60,000 to $300,000.  There is first an entry fee of $8 million, for which your lease will end in 2051.
• In 2002, the $2 million cabin today costs $4.8 million.
• 
  Ship serves as a tax haven.
• Generally stays a few days in port, with an itinerary determined by vote.
• Has so far been to 900 different ports in 140 countries.

• 
  Goes everywhere, holds the world record for southernmost voyage to Antarctica's Ross Sea, and in 2012 became the largest passenger vessel to transit the Northwest Passage, following the 1906 path of Captain Roald Amundsen, the first sailor to complete this journey, then in 2019 went east to west.
• Was shut down from March of 2020 to July 2021 because of the pandemic.

• 
  Utopia is a $1 billion ship that will have 190 residences, selling for $3.9 million to $36 million, and 218 hotel rooms, with a crew of 600.  
• Not to be confused with Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas.
• Hopeful for first departure this year.

Like all residential ships, Utopia Residences itinerary program is based on global circumnavigation (around the world cruises) visiting various top-rated port cities and also world's most popular (and many exclusive) festivals and well-known annual events, including America's Cup (sailing yacht racing), Wimbledon Championships (tennis tournament), Rio Carnival (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Cannes Film Festival (Cannes, France), Tour de France (bicycle race), Monaco Grand Prix (Formula 1 car race), Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival (Hong Kong, China), Dubai World Cup (horse race in Dubai UAE), Ozumo Nagoya Basho (grand sumo tournament in Nagoya, Japan), Sydney's New Year's Eve (in Sydney NSW Australia).

Too expensive for you?  There are five more in various stages of operation, some more affordable, and some not:  

• 
  MV Narrative
• Began by a thought to refurbish a 27-year old ship called the Costa Classica, but found out that environmental regulations made it more sensible to build a new one in Croatia.
• Should be floating by 2024.
• 547 residences.
• Can get a 12-year lease for $308,616, with fees of $2,365/month.
• 24-year leases start at $1.5 million.
• Marketed as the greenest ship in the world.
• 
  Dark Island
• Operations in 2025.
• 18 decks and 20 restaurants.
• 101 residences, but not cheap, selling for $10 million to $135 million.

• 
  M/Y Njord.
• 134 cabins
• Enter services in 2025.
• 117 residences, from $8 million and up.

• 
  The Marquette.
• A riverboat in U.S. rivers.
• Will cruise where weather is best.
• $110 million.
• 180 units.
• 2-months for 54,600-$84,900.  Full year between $299/000-$499,000.  Plus maintenance fee.
• Launch date?
• From $161,000 for six months, plus a monthly maintenance fee.
• 
  Blue WorldA hybrid of 40 residences and 200 staterooms.
• The ultimate fitness cruise.
• 
  Was supposed to sale in 2021.
• Hope to have three ships in five years.
• Seeking founders.

• 
  Somnio superyacht.
• 39 apartments
• 728 feet long.
• 10,000 bottle wine cellar.
• Prices start at $11 million.
• Only available by invitation or referral.
• Ownership identity will be a tightly guarded secret.

The history of these ocean residences is murky.  Big promises, and very little else.  A good example is the Freedom Ship in the late 1990's.

• 
  Idea came from Jules Verne's Propeller Island, featuring no taxes.
• 40,000 residents, 20,000 crew members, 30,000 daily visitors and 10,000 tourists.
• $11 billion.
• 25 decks.
• Almost a mile long.
• Will it ever be built?  Unlikely.

I end with a segue into memory lane:

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