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Holt, the army veteran, said he has spent the last 30 years traveling the world and can't wait to do so without passport lines or lugging suitcases through airports. But Lee and Punton had already moved on to their next venture. In July 2016 they founded ItsAFloat, the company that would one day become Storylines. In the dust of Black Rock City, they sketched out the basis of Storylines' vision and pitched the idea to potential investors. "I set out to really create the world's best lifestyle that's available, and I think that's what we're achieving," Punton told Insider in an interview in July. Explore this 3 month sample itinerary in two ways - Click on Rome and follow the story, or choose your interest and see the fabulous destinations you will experience.
Interim Vessel before MV Narrative’s Completion
When Helmers called Mariners Escrow, he was told by an employee that Storylines was not a client. Michael Perisi, told Insider in August that Mariners Escrow was "not able to handle the type of escrows" Storylines required at the time. Helmers confronted Punton, who told him that he simply called the wrong person at Mariners Escrow. The salesman quit soon after, calling Storylines "unprofessional and half-assed." A consultant who worked with Storylines in about 2020 says the startup lacks the expertise to pull this off. Building such a ship, the consultant said, isn't like constructing a luxury apartment building.
RU4 Dream
They instead bought a new house in Florida to live in until the ship is ready. Nuran said she would leave her husband behind if the 73-year-old's health failed before the MV Narrative launched. In November 2022, Punton and other Storylines executives told the hundreds of people who had put down deposits that their sales contracts would arrive imminently. Ten months later, the first batch of contracts was sent out to a small group. Some former employees said they enjoyed their time at Storylines. But even some of those who say Punton and Lee operate the startup in good faith told Insider that they no longer believed the founders had the funding or expertise to actualize their vision.
Designing the hospital is tricky
It isn't just retirees signing on for life aboard the ship. A 28-year-old Meta employee signed on for a $300, year lease (which are no longer being offered). The 753-foot ship will also have a school for young residents. LNG fuel, an on-board zero-waste farmers market, and philanthropic opportunities to contribute to the societies its residents encounter, all help minimize the ship’s footprint.
Residential Reselling and Profitability
"We're not going out West, but we're all pursuing a dream and a lifestyle that we dream of." From education to entertainment, enjoy your own theater onboard. There will be a similar structure of an HOA in place where residents can get involved with the steering committee to shape the community bylaws for the community standards. There will also be sub-committees of special interest groups. Storylines will have demand/refund guarantees in place so that any investment (by banks or residents) is secure.
RU5 Global
Residential cruise ship startups like Storylines, Life at Sea are struggling - Business Insider
Residential cruise ship startups like Storylines, Life at Sea are struggling.
Posted: Sat, 18 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The MV Narrative isn't due to set sail until 2025, but has already wooed many buyers excited to leave their life on land behind. Insider spoke with some of them about choosing to live at sea, how they're preparing, and how much it's costing them to live their dream. There will be plenty of opportunities for spontaneous adventures. After the first voyage is complete, residents may vote preferences for subsequent itineraries. Uniquely, as a resident of the ship, you always have input into what happens next.
An all-inclusive annual fee, which covers everything you need to live a five-star luxury lifestyle, ranges between $60,000 to $210,000 per person, per annum. Storylines supports lifelong learning with guest speakers and local experts sharing their knowledge. We provide ongoing education and enrichment for our residents. Immerse yourself in the places we visit to learn about the history, flora and fauna. Lectures and workshops on and off the ship cover topics such as architecture, finance, local geography, philanthropy and art history.
A Tillberg partner, Michal Jackiewicz, said the company didn't pay its rent, while the Storylines representative said a "work-from-home model" was better suited for their team. Lentz and four other former employees say Storylines withheld pay for months, or never paid in full. Krzysztof Kontek, who worked as an IT telecom manager at Storylines from 2021 to 2022, said Storylines still owed him at least $10,000 for additional labor, such as his renderings of the ship. (The Storylines representative said the company was not aware of Kontek's claims, but correspondence between him and multiple Storylines employees viewed by Insider says otherwise.) Consultants also struggled to get paid. The industry expert hired in 2021 said Punton told him he would get his money only when Storylines hit a certain financial milestone. He said the company still owed him about $55,500 for his work.
As such, he's working with his accountant to figure out the state where he'll claim residency. Onboard entertainment includes a sophisticated blend of activities to fit all lifestyles. Engaging indoor and outdoor spaces include a hobby lounge, golf simulator, art space, dance floor and areas for games/cards. Enjoy dancing, hobbies, sports, music, cooking, movies, classes, crafts and more. Residents are encouraged to start special interest clubs; perhaps you are a chess, photography, wine, astronomy or bridge aficionado?
It's "like building a city." But when he asked Punton for more details, he said, the CEO began "pitching me their canned speech." The vast majority of the ship's residences feature balconies to ensure that our residents get direct access to the great outdoors. Watch beautiful sunsets and sunrises over the water every day from your Home at Sea.
MV Narrative features a comprehensive onboard Spa and Wellness Center. You will enjoy a state-of-the-art fitness facility, relaxation rooms, full-service salon, juice bar, and more. Take a yoga class, meditate in the quiet space, get a pampering massage or take a dip in the whirlpool followed by a refreshing freshly pressed juice. And enjoy the passing scenery - the Spa and Wellness Center is perfectly situated with sweeping 180 degree views. Optimistic buyers said Punton's willingness to address concerns has soothed their fears, even in the face of delays. When the cruise lovers Nuran and Cosentino sold their home in 2022, they imagined the MV Narrative would launch in a few years.
The 37-year-old marketing director didn't particularly care about cruises, but he was intrigued by the community-at-sea concept. According to Lentz, Lee and Punton told him near Christmas 2020 that he was being promoted to chief operating officer. To receive the promotion, however, he had to move to Poland, where Tillberg Design had offered Storylines workspace in the firm's office in Wrocław. But Helmers and another person on the 2020 sales team said they became concerned that Storylines was misleading buyers about the escrow.
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