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AlexCherie

By AlexCherie,
in Residence Ships

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AlexCherie

AlexCherie

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One last thing to be clear, I am not an advocate for the line. 

It is well outside my price range, and beyond that we have a love of animals that I just don't see intersecting with this world. 

But there is no doubt in my mind it makes outstanding economic sense. I mean, I could see owning the cabin and making it available to clients ... or simply subletting it out.

For that matter a robust businessman would be immersing himself in a community with obvious financial freedoms. The appeal is not beyond my consideration.

Simply netting three or four cabins - and granted that might take a year or two - as your clients would pay for the better part of the monthly bill. 

Each their own.


 

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Hutcha Great Review Rare

Hutcha

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On 2/13/2022 at 9:12 AM, AlexCherie said:

Penthouse levels run around $112,000 a year for a pair of guests, for your ongoing, comprehensive fair. At roughly $5000 per person, per month,

 

 

On 2/13/2022 at 9:12 AM, AlexCherie said:

it's actually not expensive.

Are you not taking into consideration the purchase cost at all?

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Hutcha Great Review Rare

Hutcha

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18 hours ago, SaylorGirl said:

I am curious as to why they changed the wording on residences available to "Life of Vessel.  I believe before it stated you could transfer your ownership to a "newer ship".

Now they say you can transfer to the new ship if you own and are a gold circle member. Only other mention to Gold Circle is in the brochure, and they don't say how you obtain it.

 

Also, they got rid of the 12 year lease option

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commodoredave

commodoredave

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A number of things have changed since I first wrote about Storylines in my cruise blog: https://gentlemansportion.com/2020/09/07/the-mysterious-case-of-the-baffling-cruise-line/

But I am still concerned about the ability of Storylines to pull off a successful launch of the Narrative in the timeline and cost structure as advertised. Some additional concerns since my blog include the highest rate of inflation and oil prices in decades. My advice is that anyone contemplating a purchase of a unit on the Narrative should do so with the understanding that higher build and operating costs will eventually have to be absorbed by owners. 

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etoile

etoile

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There was an old thread about this maybe around 2019 but I can't find it now. As @Host Jazzbeau mentioned, Storylines has been working on this for a while. They did appear to do some odd things like use photos of a ship they hadn't bought, and use photos of actual land-based stores to represent their shipboard grocery market, etc. But I've been keeping an eye on them and they seem to be trucking along, albeit the launch is now said to be 2025. (Previously was, I think, 2020 and then 2023, though of course the pandemic affects that a lot.) Hopefully the Croatian government will give the authorization to proceed.

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ALWAYS CRUZIN

ALWAYS CRUZIN

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On 2/13/2022 at 9:12 AM, AlexCherie said:

I'm sure we've all talked about it, living on a cruise ship all year long.

Storylines is creating such an environment; you own your cabin. Penthouse levels run around $112,000 a year for a pair of guests, for your ongoing, comprehensive fair. At roughly $5000 per person, per month, given that it includes wine, beer, standard cocktails and all port charges, gratuities, etc ... it's actually not expensive. Also, roughly 20% larger at nearly 577 square feet, than an Oceania ship.

 

You can sub-let your cabin when not in it. 1000 guests. All manner of water play toys available. 20 dining locations, nearly all of it included (other than 90 day aged steaks, etc). 

Thoughts?

https://www.storylines.com/listings-3?s=unit

Was in the local paper today. Check again. A lot more expensive than you indicate for only a year plus that does not include a lot.

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Hutcha Great Review Rare

Hutcha

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23 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Was in the local paper today. Check again. A lot more expensive than you indicate for only a year plus that does not include a lot.

What the OP didn't factor in was the purchase price. You can, however, sell your lease when you're finished. 

 

$113.7K a year (538sq/ft unit) for 2 people is all inclusive. That assumes you're onboard for 365 days. If you only want to cruise 6 months out of the year, and their predictive rental income is correct, you'd pay $38.5K for the year, or $6.5k a month.

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ALWAYS CRUZIN

ALWAYS CRUZIN

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On 8/29/2022 at 11:55 AM, Hutcha said:

What the OP didn't factor in was the purchase price. You can, however, sell your lease when you're finished. 

 

$113.7K a year (538sq/ft unit) for 2 people is all inclusive. That assumes you're onboard for 365 days. If you only want to cruise 6 months out of the year, and their predictive rental income is correct, you'd pay $38.5K for the year, or $6.5k a month.

That is not even close what is in the local news paper.

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BubbaBoat

BubbaBoat

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I think it's an excellent concept.  I love the fact that the ship is not beholden to spending one day in port and then off to the next, and that it can stop at many ports too small for the gargantuan ships to visit. The cruise industry has literally destroyed culture in so many ways.  Ports fill up with ships, 30,000 cruisers invade a city, and all the old shops have turned into souvenir traps to feed the frenzy...and this happens over and over again from port to port.  If you cruise into a port, it requires a car rental to escape the white-washed commercialism to find the advertised culture.  The Narrative gives residents the opportunity to explore without punching a clock.

 

Having stated that.   there are definitely some yellow flagsLooking at the available residences, approximately 125 residences are still available (+/- 25%).  Inflation may take its toll and Storylines has disclaimed itself all over its website.  Everything is a rendering and open for change.

 

Has the "Interim Ship" language always been posted in the FAQs?  To me, this is stating it won't be ready on time.  Furthermore, to me, this sounds as if Storylines will have to cough up some $$$$.

https://knowledgebase.storylines.com/interim-vessel/

 

Lastly, "Where's the Beef".  They have massaged the truth in the past.  Their builder is in pre-BK and have there been any pics of the shipyard with construction even commencing?  Storylines need to refresh the story as the narrative to me is looking a little fuzzy.  Just my two bits.

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  • Host Jazzbeau changed the title to Storylines
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commodoredave

commodoredave

Posted
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Business Insider has today published the most insightful story into Storylines since I published my critical piece in September of 2020 at: Search Results for “storylines” – Gentlemans Portion. I was interviewed for this story:

 

Storylines Residential Cruise Faces Backlash From Investors, Ex-Employees (businessinsider.com)

Load of Ship

A startup is charging up to $8 million to live on a never-ending cruise. Investors and ex-employees say it'll never happen.

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VL1

VL1

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I expect this to go the way of Life at Sea, which oficially folded today leaving so many out of money and some stranded in Istanbul after selling everything to move to this non-existent ship.

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Host Jazzbeau Great Review Rare

Host Jazzbeau

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So far I don't believe any Residence ship except The World has actually sailed.  I would never put money down on a promise.  And that includes 7-day cruises from new cruise lines, or even new ships on established cruise lines.  I want to see reviews from paying customers!

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MacMadame

MacMadame

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I have been looking into these residential cruises with an eye to retirement. Much of the math that I see assumes you can rent your cabin out whenever you are not there but talk to any VRBO/AirBnB owner and they will tell you that this is not realistic. It also assumes you can sell the cabin when you no longer want it but will you? Given that they haven't sold out the ship, I would be surprised.

 

If you do buy in, you have to think of it like buying an RV or a yacht. It's an expense and a depreciating asset that, if you use it a lot, might be worth it. But it's not an investment.

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Host Jazzbeau Great Review Rare

Host Jazzbeau

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They continue to offer additional less-than-100% ownership, which tells me they can't sell out on the original terms.  If they don't sell all the residences, how will that affect each owner's continuing costs?

 

Storylines at Sea Introduces Co-Ownership Options

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