Following a full conversion, the vessel will become residential cruising platform Avora’s flagship, with a view to turning it into a collection of "floating homes" rather than traditional cruise cabins.

Avora was founded by Mikael Petterson, creator of Villa Vie Residences; he is positioning the brand between Villa Vie’s residential cruise offering and ultra-luxury residential ship The World.

Petterson said the launch marked "the next evolution" of residential cruising, targeting long-duration living at sea with expedition capability and higher-end residential features.

The deal includes a nine-year charter arrangement with Regent Seven Seas parent Norwegian Cruise Line Holidays, which will continue to provide operational expertise.

Avora said it plans to retain elements of the ship’s operational structure, including existing systems and supplier relationships, while converting the vessel for residential use.

Co-founder and chief executive Kathy Villalba said the strategy was to evolve the ship rather than overhaul it entirely. "Navigator has a soul built through years of disciplined operations, experienced crews and trusted relationships," she said.

Ahead of its relaunch, the ship will undergo a residential refit to reconfigure accommodation and shared spaces for long-term living. Residences will range from about 300sq/ft to 1,173sq/ft, with owners able to personalise the interiors.

The vessel’s relatively small size will allow access to smaller ports while still supporting full residential facilities, according to the company. It is also polar-certified, enabling itineraries to destinations such as Antarctica and the Northeast Passage.

Avora Lumina is scheduled to launch from Lisbon in January 2028 on a three-year continuous circumnavigation covering more than 140 countries and 400 destinations across seven continents. Port calls are expected to last up to five days.

Avora president Chris Cox said the model would shift towards owner-led route planning after the initial global voyage.

The ship will feature 242 private residences sold under two ownership models – life-of-ship ownership priced between $545,000 and $4.2 million, and a five-year programme starting at $219,600. Sales for Avora Lumina are now open.

Residential cruising is a concept on the rise, and one that promises "immediate and long-term revenue potential" for agents, according to Crescent Seas founder and chief executive Russell Galbut.