Man Finds Historic Cruise Ship On Craigslist, Uses His Life's Savings To Purchase The Vessel

Renting out properties and buying houses is a tale of the past. Now, it seems people have started to invest in housing opportunities by the sea. For one man, this desire manifested in the shape of a retired cruise ship on Craigslist.

Who Bought The Cruise?

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This bizarre story is about a man named Christopher Willson, who stumbled upon a ship for sale on the internet.

What Led To The Bizarre Buy?

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In 2008, Christopher Willson stumbled upon an unusual listing on Craigslist—a retired cruise ship up for sale. The ship's owner, for reasons unknown, chose this platform to part ways with the 293-foot vessel.

While Willson did not harbour any real desire to purchase a cruise ship, the recurrent appearance of the listing piqued his curiosity. He decided to indulge his intrigue by assuming the role of an interested buyer.

Where Was The Ship Moored?

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Journeying to Northern?California, where the ship was docked, did alter Willson's initial stance of disinterest in buying the cruise ship.

Originally engrossed in creating virtual reality tours, Willson's perspective shifted after witnessing the ship's neglected state and its underlying beauty. The thought of restoring the vessel gradually took over his mind as he recognised the ship’s potential.

Why Was The Ship Special?

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Speaking to?CNN Travel, he shared his exploration of the cruise ship's history. His research revealed that the vessel, constructed in 1955, held the distinction of being Germany's inaugural major cruise ship post-World War II.

How Did His Intentions For The Cruise Ship Change?

Before witnessing the brilliance of the ship in person, Wilson admitted, “I kind of posed as a potential buyer; even though I really didn’t have any interest in purchasing a ship, it was a little out of my comfort level, to say the least.”

However, he soon realised, “She has one of the most spectacular layouts of just about any ship I’ve seen. The staircases are magnificent.”

He explained, “It's almost the same as if you found an old '60s Corvette in the garage. You can see the quality is there, but it’s so neglected, you almost feel bad for it.” After realising the worth of the ship, Wilson wasted no time and pooled his savings together to buy the ship.

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