Crescent Seas, a USA-based luxury residential cruise line, has announced plans to introduce its second residential vessel, a refurbished version of Oceania Cruises' ship Insignia.
The agreement with Oceania Cruises entails a US$50 million renovation to transform the Insignia into a floating residential community featuring 290 private residences, with prices ranging from US$650,000 to US$10 million. The vessel is scheduled to commence service under Crescent Seas in late 2027, with an inaugural voyage planned for New Year's Eve 2028.
Residence sales are set to begin in late summer 2025 at a dedicated sales gallery located on the eighth floor of the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences. This initiative further establishes Crescent Seas' presence in the U.S. luxury cruise and real estate markets.
The Insignia, originally launched in 1999 as R One, was the first of eight R-class ships built for Renaissance Cruises. The 30,277-gross-ton vessel underwent a significant refurbishment in 2018. Under Crescent Seas, she will be completely redesigned for permanent luxury residential use while retaining her technical and operational functions under an agreement with her original operators.
This transformation signifies a notable development in the luxury maritime market, repurposing an existing ship for full-time living and travel without reliance on traditional cruise programming. Crescent Seas' design emphasizes extended stays, allowing the ship to remain in ports for up to five days, providing residents with in-depth exposure to local destinations without the rush of traditional cruise itineraries.
All vessels will be serviced by a dedicated hospitality provider, managing luxury food and beverage offerings, wellness programs, concierge services, and onboard recreation. Residents will have access to co-working lounges, wellness centers, entertainment venues, and educational programming. The onboard design focuses on comfort, connectivity, and community living, accommodating digital nomads, families, retirees, and second-home buyers seeking long-term floating lifestyles.
This announcement follows Crescent Seas' earlier reveal of its first ship, Navigator, a converted version of Seven Seas Navigator. That vessel, featuring 210 residences priced from US$750,000 to US$8 million, is expected to launch in 2026.
Over the next five years, Crescent Seas plans to introduce three additional residential cruise ships, each providing permanent oceanfront living experiences while traveling to multiple global destinations. The Crescent Seas residential cruise model allows owners to live full-time at sea while traveling the world, offering a dynamic alternative to traditional homeownership.