THE largest privately owned residential ship in the world is coming to Cowes.

The MS World is visiting the Island on July 12 as part of the Cowes Harbour Commission's cruise liner season.

The ship is the size of a cruise liner but is a luxury vacation home, owned collectively by the residents who continuously circumnavigate the globe.

Every year the residents choose the ship’s destinations, in consultation with the management team and the captain.

They have chosen to come to Cowes, and the residents are expected to come ashore and visit the town.

Instead of cabins, The World has 165 homes with their own private veranda. The owners are offered the highest standard of luxury by the ship’s 200-plus crew.

Spread out over twelve decks, it has six world-class dining venues, a large lobby, three bars, cigar lounge, boutique, showroom, grocery store, deli, fitness centre, billiard room, putting green, jogging track, spa, swimming pool, theatre, and library.

It is also the only ship at sea which has a regulation size tennis court.