Looking to cruise your way to a longer life? The MV Narrative might be your ideal voyage.
This floating luxury community from Storylines is designed to be the world’s first “blue zone” at sea, drawing inspiration from the diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits of regions known for their remarkable longevity.
Onboard, you’ll find nearly every health and wellness service imaginable, from PRP injections and dentists to chefs preparing Mediterranean diet staples—and even cosmetic treatments to help you look younger.
“I don’t know about you, but I usually don’t feel healthier after a cruise,” said Dr. Brian Martin, the MV Narrative’s chief health officer. “This is probably the only cruise ship where you’ll actually feel better and have more energy the longer you stay.”
The MV Narrative is a residential cruise ship where cruisers buy homes — and as such, all their health needs are met on board.
On this 753-foot megaship, you’ll discover a 10,000-square-foot wellness center featuring a gym, yoga studios, a lap pool, relaxation pods, a steam room, infrared saunas, and hydrotherapy. There will also be group fitness classes and private trainers, all aimed at keeping you in top form.
The ship’s all-inclusive living fee covers wellness checks, dental cleanings, eye exams, and hearing screenings. The onboard medical clinic will be staffed with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and mental health professionals.
In the event of emergencies, the vessel is equipped with a hospital and a helicopter landing pad for evacuations.
Martin is also working on establishing a compounding pharmacy to provide residents with personalized medications and supplements tailored to their individual needs. He mentioned that the pharmacy will offer compounded GLP-1s for those seeking alternatives to diabetes and weight loss treatments like Ozempic and Wegovy.
Foodie Essentials & High-Tech Tracking
To help residents make the most of the ship’s amenities, personal wellness coaches will be onboard to create customized fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle plans tailored to each person’s health goals.
The MV Narrative will offer three diets, all renowned for their life-extending benefits: one based on blue zone principles, emphasizing whole foods, legumes, and plant-based eating; the Pritikin diet, which is heart-healthy and low in fat and sodium; and the Mediterranean diet, celebrated for its balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil.
The MV Narrative has several wellness and relaxation spaces, including three pools.
Martin mentioned that the community will also include a research component, with doctors exploring other dietary models and practices—such as intermittent fasting—to determine their impact on longevity and overall well-being.
This research initiative will be supported by the MV Narrative’s “wearable technology” program, utilizing devices to monitor residents’ key health metrics, including oxygen levels, blood pressure, temperature, nutrition, fitness, and sleep quality in real-time.
“These tools will help us determine what’s working and what’s not,” Martin said.
Anti-Aging – For Your Body and Your Face
In addition to the medical center, residents will have access to the MV Narrative’s Optimal Aging Program, which blends Eastern and Western medical practices.
The clinic will offer a wide range of treatments, including nutraceuticals (foods in capsule form to maximize nutrients), chelation therapy (to remove heavy metals from the body), and vitamin injections.
They will also provide genetic testing, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, and red light therapy. Cosmetic treatments, such as Botox, will be available as well.
Residences on the MV Narrative cost between $1 million and $8 million.
The ship will also provide advanced regenerative treatments, including stem cell therapy and plasma-rich platelet injections, which use the patient’s own body to alleviate pain and promote healing.
“Every time we dock at a port, we’ll engage in medical tourism by inviting local experts to teach us, so we can integrate those insights aboard the ship,” Martin explained.
“This ensures the program is always evolving, continually offering new benefits to residents.”
Vitamin injections and IV therapies will be offered at the MV Narrative’s Optimal Aging Clinic.
Blue Zone Must-Have
Beyond medical amenities, Martin emphasized that community is a key element of blue zones worldwide. Being surrounded by like-minded, health-conscious individuals, engaging in volunteer opportunities, participating in onboard learning programs, and exploring the world will all enhance residents’ well-being.
“When people retire, they may think they just want to relax on the beach, but after a few weeks, that gets old,” Martin said. “This gives them a chance to feel purposeful, contribute, and build a sense of community—and that alone can make you feel great.”
At 60, Martin has already secured his place on the ship.
“We want to plan for a happy life, but we also want to ensure a peaceful, fulfilling exit. I know that if I’m on this ship, I won’t end up stuck in a hospital, dying alone,” he added.
Dr. Brian Martin is a naturopath who opened Canada’s first Optimal Aging and Living Clinic.
“No matter how much money or success you have, I’ve seen too many people lose their power when they get sick,” Martin shared. “That’s one of the main reasons I invested in the ship—I’m doing it for myself.”
The Cost of Living Forever—at Sea
The MV Narrative offers 530 private, fully furnished residences for purchase, ranging from one to four bedrooms.
Prices start at $1 million and go up to $8 million, with ownership lasting for the “lifetime of the vessel,” which Storylines estimates will be about 60 years.
For a more budget-friendly option, limited residences are available with 24-year leases, starting at $647,000.
The ship is expected to set sail in 2027, assuming no further delays (it was originally slated to launch in 2023).
Still unsure if this luxury cruise to longevity is for you?
“Less pollution, cleaner air, more sun, vitamin D, and immediate care can’t be a bad thing,” Martin said.
Who’s Moving In?
John and Melody Hennessee are already on board for the ultimate retirement.
While their home state of Florida offered its own version of paradise, the Hennessees wanted to see the world.
“We’d never live in a retirement community,” Melody, a 65-year-old former real estate agent, told Realtor.com. “We’re kids at heart. We don’t feel our age.”
John and Melody Hennessee purchased a $2.7 million cabin on the MV Narrative.
After selling their small business, the couple set off in a motorhome, traveling across the country. However, after 18 months, John, a 76-year-old retired doctor, grew tired of the constant planning, driving, and maintenance.
That’s when the MV Narrative came into the picture—thanks to a Facebook ad that caught their attention. Without hesitation, the Hennessees placed a $10,000 deposit on a one-bedroom, 1.5-bath apartment with a balcony, priced at $2.7 million.
“It felt like the perfect fit,” John said.
While waiting for the ship’s launch, the Hennessees have been hopping from cruise to cruise, booking extended stays aboard one ship after another. They’ve embraced the thrill of waking up in a new destination each day, all while escaping the routine of everyday life.
“I haven’t cooked, cleaned, or done laundry in two years,” Melody shared.
