From the original announcement of Residensea's The World - the Spring 1997 edition of the Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine reported:

A new Norwegian company, ResidenSea Ltd., plans to build an 85,000 ton ship, with 280 apartments aboard. That is right, apartments, ranging from 1,100 square feet to more than 2,800 square feet and costing from $1.2 to $4.2 million each.

To be named the World and expected to enter service in 1999, the ultra-sleek ship will offer a unique new concept: a residence at sea – a private home – that will sail around the world in pursuit of fair weather, special international events and the natural attractions of the world.