Sports and wellness cruise start-up Blue World Voyages has agreed to acquire its first ship from an unnamed ‘five-star cruise company’.
The vessel is to undergo a $80 million refit ahead of its planned launch in 2026, including the installation of 30 one- and two-bedroom luxury Residences as long-term accommodation.
The US line’s first ship will also feature 160 passenger suites. At about 352 square feet each, these are claimed to be nearly double the size of standard cabins on other ships.
They will feature in-room wellness amenities, large balconies, lounge areas and walk-in wardrobes.
The reconfiguration of the ship includes a seawater lap pool and marina deck with access water sports in addition to what is described as the largest athletic and fitness conditioning deck at sea.
Advanced energy-efficient systems, waste reduction technology and eco-friendly materials are planned.
Planned itineraries include the Mediterranean and Portugal.
While the line was not yet in the position to disclose more detail of the source of the ship, Blue World Voyages will be “enthusiastically” working with travel partners.
“Agents are an important part of our going forward plan,” a spokesperson said.
Founder and chairman Gene Meehan, a competitive rower, climber and golfer, said: “Nothing like this exists. We intersect wellness, personal enrichment, and adventure travel to place something new in the water, active lifestyle cruising with like-minded passengers and residence owners on board.”
Blue World Voyages is seeking to tap into what is seen as a rapidly growing $1.1 trillion wellness tourism market.
Co-founder and acting chief executive Fredy Dellis, a former head of residential ship concept ResidenSea and international president at Hertz and Burger King who is spearheading the project, said that several of the Residences have been reserved by interested buyers.
“Visiting exciting destinations without leaving home is the ultimate lifestyle for sophisticated travellers,” he added.