Storylines was founded in 2016 to create and market floating retirement homes for those who wanted to live in the world’s “first affordable residential community at sea.” However, in one bizarre twist after another, the wannabe cruise line promoted ships that it failed to secure, sold cabins on a ship before it had a design or contract in place to build one, and ultimately abandoned its plan to buy old ships and convert them into floating condominiums. But while Storylines’ credibility has had trouble staying afloat, the company’s executives seem to believe the COVID-19 pandemic may be just the lifeline it needs.
The original concept behind the creation of Storylines was to redevelop existing ships into floating retirement residences, mainly because old ships were cheaper to buy and refurbish than building new ships. According to the company, two years of market research showed that there was ample demand for a floating retirement home, particularly if it came at an affordable price point. At the time, MS The World was the only large-scale floating condominium in the market, and it catered to ultra-high-net-worth individuals with net assets of more than US$10 million.
So the founders of Storylines, property developers and constructors Alister Punton and Shannon Lee, formed a company, hired some maritime consultants, and began promoting the concept of turning old ships into retirement residences at sea. It wasn’t long before a community of people interested in buying came together in a group called ‘The Founders Circle’ to share ideas with the management team about what should go into the new ships.
By 2018 the company had commitments from about 100 people to buy cabins and was eager to move forward with plans to build and refurbish an old ship. It’s about this time when the Storylines’ concept began to take on water.
After looking at several old vessels, Storylines settled on the Marco Polo, a 53-year old ship which was under lease at the time to Cruise Maritime Voyages of Greece. But after creating design plans for the required major refit and starting to market the ship, it became apparent that its age and size were not suitable for what “future residents needed in terms of value and quality of lifestyle.”
Why anyone at Storylines thought refurbishing a 53-year old ship was going to be cheap and easy remains a mystery. It retrospect, it appears that the company’s founders, who had never worked in the cruise or maritime industries, didn’t fully appreciated the significant difference between rehabbing old buildings versus rehabbing old ships.
Storylines soon found a more suitable 27-year old ship called the Grand Classica (formerly the Costa Classica) that was sailing under the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line banner, and began the redesign and marketing processes again. But after consulting with various countries to schedule the ship’s inaugural itinerary, it became apparent that new environmental laws coming into effect the following year would prevent the ship from visiting some ports. Once again Storylines had to do an about-face, stop marketing the Grand Classica, and face the reality that the only viable option was to secure a new, purpose-built ship. So Storylines hired Tillberg Design of Sweden to partner with them on designing a new vessel, which it released images of in late 2019. However, at this point there is no information on the Storylines’ website to indicate that a shipyard has been contracted to build the ship.
This change of plans pushed back the maiden voyage of the Storylines’ first ship by three years — from 2020 to 2023. It also increased costs for cabins, and resulted in confusion for prospective buyers who kept finding outdated pricing and deck plans from previous planned ship acquisitions on internet searches.
Other credibility issues damaged Storylines’ reputation, including the fact that it set up a company in the U.K., then dissolved it, then set up business in the state of Delaware, lacked a permanent address for its corporate offices, and initially seemed reluctant to share much detailed information. By now, there was also an active thread about Storylines on Cruise Critic that pointed out many of the company’s flip-flops, and cast doubt on its ability to deliver on its business plan.
In defense of Storylines, like many start-up companies that stumble in their early days, they did eventually deliver a concept that looks more appealing and viable. And design plans for their new ship, to be named the MV Narrative in keeping with the literary theme of the Storylines brand, show significant upgrades over the original model.
For example, the new build will have a lifespan of 60 years as opposed to 24 years for an older used ship. It will be a more environmentally friendly ship with a ‘Liquid Natural Gas’ (LNG) dual-fuel powered engines and onboard power generation. The cabins will be larger, 87 per cent will have balconies, and there will be more space dedicated to public areas.
The ship will also feature a number of sustainability initiatives, including the first-ever zero-waste food market at sea called ‘Sustain.’ In this store, residents will be able to shop for produce grown onboard without pesticides, including salad greens, vine-grown vegetables and strawberries for use in cooking home-made meals.
The MV Narrative will also be much more affordable than its older rival, MS The World, which was launched in 2002 and features 165 luxury apartments.
According to an article from Bloomberg, prices for the outright purchase of cabins on MS The World range from US$1.8 million to $15 million (about$4,285 to $6,200 per square foot). Maintenance fees, which include operations, crew compensation, and food and beverage onboard, range from about US$240,000 to US$900,000 per year. Ownership is restricted to people with at least $10 million in assets, and buyers must be endorsed by two existing owners and pass background checks. The ship sold out in 2006, but re-sales occasionally come on the market.
In contract, prices for one of the 627 cabins on the MV Narrative start at US$308,616 (for a 12-year lease) and all-inclusive maintenance fees start at US$2,365 a month per person (based on 2 people per cabin). Prices for a 24-year lease or an outright purchase start at about US$1.5 million, and sales appear to be brisk. Deposits are required to reserve a cabin, and the funds will be held in escrow until the vessel is complete.
For people who enjoy being at sea, and are prepared to place a bet on an upstart challenger rather than a more established brand, Storylines could well be a smart choice for a permanent home at sea. But despite their recovery from a shaky start, the Storylines’ management team continues to walk into sharp objects.
For example, in order to juice the appeal of its concept, the company recently implied that unlike the traditional cruise industry, the MV Narrative would be more immune from the impact of pandemics like COVID-19. In part, the statement, which appeared under the headline “Where is the safest place to be during a pandemic?” said:
There has been a lot of press lately on cruise ships and health during the epidemic. People are concerned for their safety and that of their families. … Large pleasure ships, cruise ships, often contain over 5,000 guests, have large food buffets, and visit a new country every few days. The turnover of guests on a weekly basis is problematic. It’s a constant battle against a tide of people, which certainly sounds appealing to a pandemic, as well as to vacationers, and of course, makes for great news stories when something goes wrong. The new purpose-built Storylines ship could not be further from this image. … We can control our own destiny and that of our families by choosing the safest possible living accommodations. Storylines’ state of the art air and surface purification systems make it the cleanest community on the planet.
What the authors of this statement seemed to have overlooked, however, is that MS The World – a smaller and more exclusive vessel – had to disembark all passengers and non-essential crew in March over concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, and at this writing has not yet deemed it safe enough for them to return.
In any event, Storylines may still live up to its future promise and deliver “the first affordable residential community at sea.” But if it can’t, the company may need to change the name of its ship from the Narrative to the Farce.
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Gentlemans Portion 
At these prices average person won’t be able to afford any of these cabins….again only the rich will be able to afford this!!!
Shame,
SB
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Given the cost of building and furnishing a cruise ship, I don’t think floating condominiums at sea will ever be affordable for the average person. Having said that, if someone near retirement age was sitting on a house worth over a million dollars (not that rare in big cities like Vancouver, Toronto, New York, London, etc.), they could sell the house, and use half of the proceeds to buy a cabin on the ship. The rest of the proceeds, and whatever retirement income they have, could be used to pay the monthly fees and other living expenses.
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Thanks for leaking this interesting story, David.
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As always, “Caveat emptor!”
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“If you can get up the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed”…..author unknown.
Good article, David! I liked it. Thank you for posting.
Only have a couple of thoughts. Just want to point out that this ship is filled with people of all ages, even families with school-aged children, and young men and women that work from home. It’s similar to a land neighborhood. I think your use of “retirement home” was just in reference to the founders first thoughts, but has developed into something very different.
You mention that Storylines sold cabins on their new-build ship before it had a design or contract in place to build one. I would like to point out that these purchasers were people that had already put their refundable deposits down on the Marco Polo or the Grand Classica, and were given the opportunity to transfer their deposit to the new-build if they wanted. It was very kind and generous for Storylines to make that offer considering the new-build was a ship that will last for 60 years, not 24. A much better deal for the purchaser.
You mentioned that a post on Cruise Critic suggested that their corporate offices lacked a permanent address. The person placing the post had a problem with the fact that the permanent address was not a brick and mortar establishment. Other Cruise Critic posts explained that is not necessary and very common in this modern international age of computers.
Dissolving the company in the UK and moving it to Delaware, I believe, was probably a smart tax decision.
When you talk about chosing to place your bet on a start-up or a more established brand, there are no choices…no established brands exist…unless you have $10 million, but even then, that ship is sold out. This is a new concept. It’s not for everyone, of course. You take a chance on any investment – stocks, real estate, financial advisors, companies, etc, etc. What crazy person would ever take a chance to invest in a couple of drop-out college kids named Wozniak and Jobs that had a company in their Cupertino garage? Wish I had been that crazy! At least they had a brick and mortar address! It’s just my personal opinion, of course, but I see a big…big, future for this new concept, and I want to be part of it.
Just a quick comment on the Covid 19 video posted on their website. There are lots of things out there in the world to get you…not just Covid19. Hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, fires, civil unrest. These are all things that I am more comfortable being on a ship rather than a house on land because the ship will just leave the area or won’t travel there. I’m safer on the ship.The pandemic is much more of an unprecedented problem. I can contract it just as well on land when the world opens again or at sea. I can get it going to the grocery store or getting gas. Hopefully things will be better by 2023 with the vaccine. One good thing…well, there is no good thing about the pandemic, but it happened in 2020 at a time before construction has started, giving Storylines the opportunity to install extra safety features, like overhead UV lights that will sanitize your residence every time you leave, or when the housekeeper leaves, and public surfaces made from special material that the virus won’t stick to (the video will explain). Everyone who gets on the ship will place their hands in a sanitizing machine, and their temperature taken. All of your neighbors on the ship will be required to go through these routines. Unlike a cruise ship, there will not be thousands of new people coming into your environment every week or two. The resident ship seems like more of a controlled environment and better odds to me.
Well, my quick comment has gotten a little lengthy, but if you’re still with me, I just want to end with this. To my knowledge, your article was so accurate and well said as to the problems and brick walls that Storylines has run into. Things are never easy in a start-up. I know this from experience. They have come a long way, and have hit a lot of brick walls. Personally, I believe that’s a testament to their brilliant leadership. It gives me comfort to know they can overcome problems and prosper, because there will be more in the future. There always are.
“Anyone can hold the helm in calm seas”
Rough seas require transformative leadership.
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Thank you, Suzanne, for the excellent information which sheds a bit more light on the evolution of Storylines. I admire your optimism and enthusiasm for the project, which if successfully carried off, will be a welcome addition to the cruising marketplace. I wish you and Storylines the best of success.
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How very kind of you, David Moorcroft. Thank you. I purchased my residence many years ago so I have first-hand knowledge of it’s history and why they have made the decisions they have. I was one of the first 100!
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I am guessing that they lady Suzanne jobs that the founder members had a previous company named ITS Afloat. I also guess she knows that another ship that they looked at was the DELPHIN. This was prior to Marco Polo and subsequent cruise ships. These men started in Australia, then UK then USA and seem to change plans at the drop of a hat. I would remind Suzanne that the people originally paid their deposits to reside on a older cruise ship and so if plans keep changing it shows you how little these people know about ships. I am also wondering how they will manage to get all those condos on board plus a brewery, distillery and restaurants and market garden on a ship of this size. Condos would need to be very very small.
It is now December 2020, and no word of where this ship is being build or who is building it or if it has been started, If not started how on earth is it Huntley possible to have a cruise ship up and running in 2023?
These kind of ships are not for children how will they get their school lessons. Perhaps Suzanne would tell us of other companies who do not have a corporate address.
Doug Gregory
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They are not “condos,” they are cabins. If you have ever cruised on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, et al, you would know that the “average” size for a balcony cabin – depending on line, age of ship, etc. – might hover around 200-225 sq’. On Narratives the Inside cabins are 237′, and others range from a 334′ “studio” to a 1970′ unit over two levels
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Thank you, Dagger Dan, for correcting my use of the word “condo” in relation to the residences on the MV Narrative. I notice that Storylines never uses this
word, but rather describes them as “residences”, which is much more fitting. It is hard to call the smallest 237 sq ft a condo, but equally hard to call a 1970 sq ft a “cabin”. I will follow Storylines example and call them residences since there is such a variety of sizes and prices.
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This is the first and only realistic article I have found on Storyline or THE WORLD for that matter. Thank you!
The designers came up with possibly the ugliest ship since the 1950s. It looks like a Bulgarian ferry (no offense to Bulgarians and ferries). It is butt UGLY!
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Can you research and provide an update to this story? I am seriously considering buying, now that they have signed a contract to build. I am told it will be ready to sail during the beginning of 2026. I would appreciate any further analysis you can share currently.
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LOTS can happen between now and 2026 plus most new vessels always run much later than expected it this early stage. Do not put down $1 that you cannot afford to lose. While this may sound like a dream it still is pure speculation that they’re actually going to get something off the ground
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I agree with yo kellyngu. An update to this story would be most welcome.
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This appears to be a scam operation that touts itself as a cloaked effort to give a person or couple an immunity from taxation by having a permanent ocean address, similar to the Micro nation idea. Please tell me I’m wrong. Ed.
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There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that Storylines was set up as any sort of tax scam. In fact, any American citizen living anywhere (including on a cruise ship) and earning money, including interest and dividends, still has to file yearly tax returns and pay taxes unless they want to give up their citizenship and become a citizen of another country. The real issue with Storylines is whether they have the know-how, experience and financial wherewithall to deliver on their promises. I am hoping to do a follow up story on Storylines later this year if company representatives will speak with me.
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David: We await your follow up story with breathless anticipation. N.
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Please do a follow up story David!
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I’m also thinking of buying into a shared option on the ship. I love the idea but will it happen is the million dollar question
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Will it happen, and if so, when is the other question.
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I knew this thing wouldn’t sail by now, and they started in 2016. 2026…we’ll see.
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Yes, we’ll see. I am still a believer, and so are hundreds of others. As I previously posted:
Things are never easy in a start-up. I know this from experience. They have come a long way, and have hit a lot of brick walls. Personally, I believe that’s a testament to their brilliant leadership. It gives me comfort to know they can overcome problems and prosper, because there will be more in the future. There always are.
“Anyone can hold the helm in calm seas”
Rough seas require transformative leadership.
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ALERT: Insider Business has just published a critical piece on Storylines that provides some interesting insight that should be mandatory reading for anyone thinking about buying a cabin on the Narrative. I was interviewed for the story. The title of the story is: 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. Insider Business requires a subscription, but will allow a few complimenary story view. You can find the story at: https://www.businessinsider.com/storylines-residential-luxury-cruise-ship-investors-ex-employees-2023-10
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Total scam…are all deposits held being held in trust?
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At this point it’s very obvious to people who are informed and have been closely following Storylines that it is NOT a scam. If it is a scam it’s one of the most complex and elaborate scams in history. There are too many high profile, reputable and distinguished partners, people, and companies that are well known in the industry that are involved. Some that have been in business over 100 years. Are they all willing to tarnish their long-standing reputation for Storylines?
It’s not easy building a ship, especially one
that is the first of it’s kind (much different from the “World” or any others) in which the concept is unknown to the public and unknown to the necessary support such as investors, bankers, lawyers, designers, builders, insurers, future residents, and hundreds of others. There’s a lot of brick walls that Storylines has had to battle, and there will be more, but being a scam is not one of them.
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Hi Suzanne. I admire your support of Storylines and agree that it is not a scam. However, it would be helpful to all if Storylines could provide some updated information, especially in light of the negative story by Business Insider. I would be pleased to write a fair and balanced story if you or someone at Storylines could speak with me and respond to a number of basis questions that I have. These include where the deposits are being held, dates for various milestones of the ship building, and if enough residences have been sold to meet any financing conditions. Thank you.
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David, As you probably know, I am not a representative of Storylines, not even an Ambassador. I am a future resident with opinions and beliefs of my own. It’s difficult for me to read, “It’s a scam” without contributing my knowledge and facts that it is not a scam. This new lifestyle of resident ships can change the life of many for the better, and it’s hard for me to see someone walk away because they read it was a scam. I seem to be true to my zodiac sign, a Libra, so I guess I’m predisposed with the Librae Scales of Justice ⚖ . Lol.
I’ll have some answers to your questions at a later date when the answers come available. Right now I can share with you that it was announced a couple of months ago that the ship has sold 50% of its 547 units, which is, of course, a constantly changing figure. All funds are held by a 3rd party, Deutsche Bank. I just viewed a video to the residents in which the Deutsche Bank Trustee explained the streamlining of the KYC and AML process and what they are doing to make sure they stay completely compliant. The Trusteeship overlooks funds and the use of those funds. They make sure that the requirements of any payouts have been met, and only then the Trustee will greenlight any payouts to the shipyard. Storylines has no access to the funds. Many moons ago Storylines hired a Contract Administrator to help the residents and speed up the document signing process.
Regarding the Business Insider article, many residents have knowledge that this was instigated by a disgruntled employee. I have personally spoken to several residents who said they were interviewed by Business Insider, who was not interested in their positive opinions, and none of their positive comments were used in the article. One of those residents was a man that wrote a book on business startups that has been on the Best Sellers List recently (“Start, Scale, Exit, Repeat”). He posted that he spoke with Business Insider for over an hour with nothing but positive comments, and nothing was used in the article. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and mine, and that of many, is that the author was prejudicial. There have been so many positive articles written about Storylines that I guess he felt the need to search out negativity and turn his back to the positivity. You will notice that the article is almost entirely negative. Certainly Storylines has done something right to get where they are!
There’s a lot going on behind the scenes at SL. The team is working hard on many things, including on finalizing their Wellness Center (the largest at sea), and their Longevity program, the World School program, and updating the website and a new brochure. I will try to get you more info when it is available.
Suzanne
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Suzanne, I really admire your positive attitude towards the entire project. I just do not know how you and so many others who have invested into this can so patiently wait after news of delay, delay, delay. It is now set for 2027! Years ago when people invested they were given launch dates that were years ago. They sold homes, downsized, made plans to sell their own business, and even bring kids on board for their education. Again now years later I know some of these people are completely lost as to what they can do next? The money they can not get back, the house they sold is gone, they kids are now done with high school, and moved on to University. If a person invest into this, and money means nothing to them, and they afford to forfeit it all, then fine. However I know so many in this project who are not like this. They trusted so many, their hopes and dreams were at the hands of others. Many of these people can not sleep at night, as they again think of ” what’s next? How long do we need to wait until the ship actually begins to be build?”
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