THOSE WITH boom-gained millions who want to escape recession-depression Ireland could sail into the sunset by buying a penthouse on The World, a luxury residential ship.

You may think that you have arrived when you are able to pay $13.5 million (€9.675 million) for a six-bedroom penthouse apartment but if you buy “The World Suite” you will never really arrive anywhere because it is on a cruiser that circumnavigates the globe (visiting ports for a few days at a time).

Normally you have to travel considerable distances to view an overseas property but if you can wait until August this sumptuous apartment will sail to you.

The Norwegian-built ship is coming to Dublin between August 4th and 8th and, if you can splash the cash, you can book a viewing. Accommodation on the ship first went on sale in 2002. Four years later many of the homes on the 12-deck, 644ft vessel had been sold, some as holiday homes and others as permanent residences.

Now the biggest apartment on board, at 371.6sq m (4,000sq ft), has come up for sale and it includes five double en suite bedrooms, a double en suite study bedroom, two living rooms, two dining areas, two kitchens and a 150ft verandah graced with a couple of whirlpools.

The layout even allows for an au pair’s quarters (although there is no mention of a school on board), or owners can hive off two, three or five en suite bedrooms for some rental income. The ship offers a cruisy experience with its restaurants, fitness centre, spa, theatre and art gallery.

If all this floats your boat then Savillsis the agent who will bring you aboard for a deck at the apartment.