The world's largest privately-owned residential ship, MS The World (Residences at Sea), has completed its most extensive drydock refurbishment to date.
The 6‐week project, conducted at Navantia Shipyard (Cádiz, Spain), cost US$30+ million. It involved 200+ individual projects and the coordinated effort of ~1,500 technical and vendor personnel and crew members.
A central outcome of the work was the installation of a High-Voltage Shore Connection system (HVSC) in collaboration with ABB. On July 12th, 2025, during a visit to Valletta, Malta, the vessel made its first shore power connection, permitting engines to be shut down in port and allowing onboard systems to draw power from the local electrical grid. The HVSC includes more than 600 meters of high-capacity shore-power cabling and was commissioned ahead of schedule.
Additional efficiency enhancements comprised a redesigned and engineered bulbous bow to reduce hull resistance and improve performance in ice-prone waters; application of silicone foul-release paint to the underwater hull surface to limit marine growth; upgraded HVAC systems incorporating more efficient chillers and fan coil units; and expanded IT infrastructure to improve digital connectivity, including enhanced Starlink, IPTV, and WiFi services, even in remote locations.
Leisure and lifestyle facilities were also upgraded. Public-space enhancements included a reimagined pool deck and grill with improved acoustics and a canopy inspired by nautical sails, refreshed spa and wellness amenities with the addition of a cold plunge, heated treatment-room floors, upgraded salon areas; enhancements to golf facilities including a putting green and a high-technology golf simulator; and expansion of the Zodiac fleet with a 10-seat Zodiac Pro 850 for shore excursions. Approximately fifty private residences onboard underwent renovations ranging from new flooring and cabinetry to complete kitchen and bathroom refurbishments.
Following completion of the drydock, classification society DNV carried out an assessment and found that The World has a fatigue age of approximately 5.6 years—only about one-quarter of her chronological age—and awarded the vessel a rare “Statement of Extended Life.”
The vessel has resumed its global itineraries now that the upgrades are complete. The transformations reflect The World’s sustained strategy of blending ultra-luxury residential living with environmental stewardship at sea.