In an era when the term “sea change” has become a metaphor for anything remotely transformative, Crescent Seas has put literal wind in the sails of the phrase. With the announcement of its second floating residence, the aptly named Insignia, the company is anchoring itself as a true pioneer of the at-sea lifestyle—and it’s doing it with more polish than a freshly buffed brass porthole.
Scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage in time to toast New Year’s Eve 2027, Insignia is not your average cruise liner. It’s a luxury block of flats with a world map as its backyard. This is not just travel; this is a real estate revolution at sea, and it’s got pedigree.
Crescent Seas first made headlines in March 2025 with Navigator, a vessel that shook the barnacles off the traditional cruise model. Now, riding the wake of that success, they’re bringing in Insignia—acquired from Oceania Cruises (under the umbrella of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd)—and giving it a glamorous refit to US$50 million. That’s enough to make even the most jaded of billionaires glance twice.
Once spruced up, the ship will boast 290 private residences priced from US$650,000 to US$10 million. In true Crescent fashion, each home will come decked out with all the trimmings: butler service, fine dining, curated on-deck experiences, and that all-important Starlink Wi-Fi—because, heaven forbid, you miss your Zoom meeting from the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Russell W. Galbut, the man behind the wheel of this venture and a name synonymous with upscale urban real estate, puts it best: “In property, they say location is everything. We’ve thrown out the rulebook. Why be tied to one postcode when you can have the whole planet?”
A serial developer and cruise industry stalwart, Galbut’s resumé reads like a Monopoly board of blue-chip addresses—from Ten Thousand Santa Monica Blvd. to New York’s 25 Broad Street. And now, with Crescent Seas, he’s steering his expertise into deeper, and decidedly more aquatic, waters.
“I’ve spent over two decades watching the cruise industry ebb and flow,” Galbut adds. “What we’re offering now is the future: permanent, portable luxury homes where the view changes daily.”
Sales for Insignia’s floating penthouses opened in late summer 2025 via a swish gallery on the eighth floor of the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences. But for those itching to get on board sooner, Navigator is just around the corner, setting sail in December 2026 with 210 homes priced between US$750,000 and US$8 million. Sales for Navigator opened this April and, by all reports, interest has been brisker than a sea breeze in Sydney.
The real magic of Crescent Seas isn’t just in the high thread-count sheets or the caviar canapés—it’s in the experience. Each vessel will linger in ports for two to five days, letting residents properly immerse themselves in local cultures, cuisines, and curios. It’s slow travel, minus the faff of suitcases and customs queues.
Marisa Galbut, President of Crescent Seas and someone who’s inherited her father’s flair for grand visions, says, “Imagine exploring the world without ever leaving home. It’s adventure, comfort, and family time—all rolled into one extraordinary lifestyle.”
And running the show behind the scenes is The Apollo Group—hospitality veterans with over 50 years of keeping guests happy on the high seas. They’ll manage everything onboard, from five-star feasts to fluffing your pillow just as you like it.
While the ships are modern marvels, there’s something wonderfully old-fashioned about Crescent Seas’ philosophy. In many ways, it’s a nod to the grand liners of the 20th century—when the journey mattered just as much as the destination, and everyone dressed for dinner (even if it was just Tuesday).
But Crescent isn’t stuck in the past. With Starlink keeping digital nomads plugged in, these homes are tailor-made for the Zoom-era elite. It’s where you can sign a contract in Singapore, take a Pilates class in Phuket, and sip sundowners in the Seychelles—all in the same week.
Looking forward, Crescent Seas has flagged three more ships for the fleet within the next five years. The message is clear: this isn’t a passing tide. This is a new current in how the affluent travel, live, and—perhaps most importantly—escape the mundane.
In a world increasingly driven by noise and speed, Crescent Seas offers something rare: elegant continuity and a sense of adventure. It’s a concept that says home doesn’t have to be still—it can sail.
So, whether you’re a retired executive, a remote-working millennial with a taste for truffles, or someone simply tired of mowing lawns, Insignia may be your next address—with no postcode required.
For more, visit crescentseas.com.
By Sandra Jones
