Want to see the world without living out of a suitcase? One San Diego man thinks he’s found the ultimate workaround — a home on a cruise ship.
Austin Wells has swapped life on land for a studio apartment aboard the MV Narrative, a residential cruise ship designed for full-time living. He says it’s a smarter deal than renting at home, and he can keep his remote job while waking up in a new country.
Wells told CNBC he paid $300,000 for a 12-year lease on a compact studio. The ship is still being built in Croatia and is expected to start sailing in 2025.

His space is around 237 square feet, with the essentials: a desk, small pantry, shower room, and a foldaway bed. In return, residents get access to amenities more like a floating apartment complex — including a gym, market-style shopping, medical services, room service, and shared kitchens.
Best of all? He won’t need to pause his career to travel. Wells plans to work West Coast hours while cruising Europe, leaving his afternoons open to explore each port.
And if you’re thinking, “Sign me up,” there’s more. Storylines, the company behind the ship, says demand is strong — and a second residential vessel is already in development once units on the MV Narrative are close to sold out.

Owners can also rent out their cabins when they’re not onboard, creating an extra income stream alongside the travel lifestyle.