New concept creates boutique housing idea for winter Olympics
Waterfront Lifestyles of Vancouver, a boutique maritime lodging company, is selling condos on a small cruise ship that will take weekly tours of the surrounding Pacific coastline. Purchasers may live aboard full-time, cruise only on weekends, rent out their condos as investment income, or any combination which suits their individual purposes. They are free to cultivate whichever lifestyle they choose. The vessel, Pacific Aurora, was a retired coastal cruise ship that was completely renovated and brought up to modern design and safety standards and can accommodate approximately 65 residents in 29 cabins.
For less than many country-club memberships, purchasers may now own a share in a cruise ship. Prices for individual condo cabins on Aurora range from $189,000 for a single room to a larger suite for $399,000 plus a nominal homeowners association maintenance fee.
The ship will cruise each weekend to area attractions which include whale-watching, cruising the incredibly beautiful British Columbia mountainous coastline, shopping junkets to Victoria and other port cities, and summertime fishing and scuba excursions. And, with the winter Olympic Games scheduled for Vancouver in 2010, Pacific Aurora will provide its residents unparalleled lodging and access to the events.
The ship will be operated, managed, and maintained by a highly qualified local crew.
During the week the ship will be docked in Vancouver within easy reach of some of the most vibrant entertainment and shopping areas on the Pacific coast. Two or three weekends each month it will take its owners to major events and sightseeing trips locally, then, each year it will take a two-week cruise to more distant destinations such as San Francisco and Alaska.
The concept of cruise ship condominium ownership is not new, however, in most cases the existing condo ships offered units for well over a million dollars and remained unaffordable for most people. Pacific Aurora will be the first ship to actually allow purchasers to own a cabin on a smaller ship for under a half-million dollars.
The developers see mass appeal for the idea among a wide variety of cruisers including: retirees looking for a viable retirement residence, young urban professionals who want to be near the hustle and bustle of Vancouver's night life and bohemian lifestyle, businessmen who need to entertain clients and prospects frequently, real estate investors looking for the latest trendy sales item, even the couple looking for an extra bedroom for out-of-town guests and visitors. Interest is even anticipated from international corporations looking for lodging for the winter Olympics.
Waterfront Lifestyles of Vancouver is a limited liability company formed specifically for the ownership of Pacific Aurora. Each condo owner has an equity share in the company and has a voice in the day-to-day operation and management of the ship.
Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
