Maiden Visit of 'The World', 2024
Report from Kelly Green. Photos individually credited
On the 19th February 2024 around noon time we got sight of the spectacular vessel The World carrying 80 residents and guests (R&Gs) and 300 crew, who all said they had striking views of island.
Drone view of "The World" off Tristan. Photo: Jim Minarik, with permission
My team and I have been planning and coordinating this visit since even before my predecessor Dawn Repetto left in 2020. It couldn't have gone better!
The sun-bathed view of the settlement and cliffs that greeted "The World" on arrival. Photo: Kelly Green
The weather was beautiful! The immigration team was very organised, and the crew soon had the Atlantic Dawn in the water ready to go off to the ship. Joining the team was Administrator Philip and wife Louise. In no time, I received a radio call from Conrad to say the first boat was coming in with their shore-side party and a member of the onboard concierge team, who I worked alongside for the entire visit. It had already been decided that the ship would use island boats to ferry R&Gs ashore, and all the boat crews did an amazing job on both days.
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| Tristan immigration officials stamping passports, and in their RIB off "The World"s bow. Photos: Philip Kendall | |
Administrator Philip Kendall and his wife Louise went on board with the immigration team to exchange plaques with the Captain.
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| Captain Dag Sævik and Administrator Philip Kendall exchanging plaques on the ship's bridge. Photos: Philip Kendall | |
Everything ran so smoothly. The Residents and Guests were so pleased to be ashore and they were all so pleasant. At 1.30pm, two walking settlement tours headed off with Judy and Randall. We had wonderful feedback for all of our guides! At 3.00pm two Volcano hikes started with Joe and Jerry, one going up the volcano first and the other starting at the Thatched House Museum, where Jean was the curator. The feedback I got from one Resident was that day had been the best day of her whole trip so far!
A view from above of hikers atop the 1961 volcano. Photo: Jim Minarik, with permission
All venues were open: the Albatross Bar, the Rock Hopper Gift Shop, the Island Store, and a craft fair in the Prince Philip Hall. We got continuous great feedback on all these venues as well.
Drone view of the settlement and the 1961 lava flow, with Inaccessible Island on the horizon.
Photo: Jim Minarik, with permission
A few months prior to the visit I had also been corresponding with the onboard sports manager who wanted to organise a game of golf for some of the R&Gs. This went ahead and they all said they had a fantastic time. They made it to the last and most important hole, the clubhouse, a.k.a. Café da Cunha, for a cold one, and to then receive their certificates and become members of the world's remotest golf club! As the day went on the weather was getting better and better! The garden at the Post Office & Tourism Centre was filled with laughter and smiling faces.
Happy golfers by the 'Welcome to the Remotest Island' sign. The ship generously gave the pictured set of clubs to the Tristan da Cunha Golf Club. Photo: Jim Minarik, with permission
At 2.00pm a few of the R&Gs were able to get a private tour of the fish factory, which they immensely enjoyed. Wynand, the factory manager, did a superb job and answered loads of questions.
Whist this was all going on, the island RIBs were still working hard transporting people back and forth to the vessel. Just after we got the 3.00pm volcano tour set off, myself and part of my team were able to go on board to sell souvenirs, stamps and postcards. Before starting business we were offered a tour around this amazing vessel, which we were so honoured to have been able to experience. The team shore-side worked so hard whilst we were on board. We headed back to the harbour just after 7.00pm and prepared for the next day. It was amazing to see the ship light up the calm ocean next to our little village. Seren my son was so excited to see the beautiful lights!
"The World" lit up at night off the settlement. Photo: Julia Gunther
The morning of the 20th, I awoke to the sound of the fishing gong, letting me know for sure that it was going to be another gorgeous day. The sea was even calmer than the previous day. Once again the island RIBs and crew did a magnificent job ferrying people back and forth. Judy hosted another settlement walking tour at 9.30am. R&Gs and crew spent the day exploring the village and also walking out to the Patches. Some even hired private taxis to take them wherever they pleased. But mainly they enjoyed taking in Tristan's breath-taking scenery.
An island fishing boat passes in front of "The World" towards Big Point. Photo: Nick Schönfeld
At 11.00am Peter Foster, Head of Education gave a tour around St Mary's School, and the R&Gs were even able to watch and get involved with a science project taking place outside with class 2. Meanwhile, Philip and Louise entertained the captain and his wife with tea at the Residency.
It was another very successful day with lots of smiles and fun, but by 3.00pm everyone had left the island. In no time The World blew her horn to say farewell and she was gone. All the hustle and bustle was now over, but we were all still very excited and giddy from the fabulous two days. They were, honestly, the R&Gs and crew, some of the nicest visitors we've had!
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| The ship's shore-side team entering the harbour and at the harbour steps. Photos: Kelly Green | |
After she left Tristan, The World headed over to cruise around Nightingale and Inaccessible Island to watch the sunset and stay there for the night. She then headed to Gough Island before continuing her voyage.
The World describes itself as the largest private residential yacht on Earth, owned by a unique international community of adventurers who live aboard. The Residents play a direct role in shaping the incomparable lifestyle they enjoy aboard - each having a voice in selecting future destinations of the journey and the remarkable amenities on board.