A Retiree Was Planning To Pay $1 Million To Live On A Luxury Cruise Ship — Until He Changed His Mind: 'Is This Going To Happen In My Lifetime?'

Retiree Mike Kasperzak initially envisioned a luxurious retirement aboard a $900 million residential cruise ship by Storylines.

Initially captivated by a Facebook ad, he planned to purchase a $1 million condo on the ship, a venture that now seems uncertain due to repeated delays in the ship's launch.

In 2021, Kasperzak made a $10,000 deposit for a condo on the Storylines' ship, MV Narrative, according to a report by Business Insider. With over half of the ship’s 530 cabins already reserved (as per Storylines' co-founder and CEO Alister Punton), Kasperzak was not alone in his anticipation.

However, the project has experienced significant setbacks, leading to doubts among investors and potential residents.

"Is this going to happen in my lifetime?" Kasperzak wondered, according to Business Insider. 

Initially expected to set sail in 2019, the MV Narrative saw its journey pushed back to 2024. Most recently, Storylines announced that the ship would not set sail until December 2026.

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This has raised concerns among former employees, consultants and investors about the project's viability.

The allure of a permanent life at sea, with all the amenities of a luxury condo, had appealed to Kasperzak and many others.

Yet, the repeated delays and uncertainties surrounding Storylines' ambitious project have prompted him to reevaluate his retirement plans. In the fall, he reportedly asked Storylines for a refund on his deposit. 

"It still seems like an awesome idea," he told Business Insider, while noting that "personal changes" and the possibility for more  delays are "a little more than I can bear at this point in my life, which is why I finally decided I'm just going to get out."

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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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