If you’ve ever lamented that your holiday is over too soon, one cruise line has an enticing offer – if you have a few million euros to spare, that is.

Newly launched Crescent Seas, founded by former Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings chairman Russell Galbut, is offering “floating homes” on its forthcoming fleet of residential cruise ships.

The first of these ships is due to set sail in 2026. But a permanent residence comes with an eye-watering price tag. The lowest price starts at €570,000. The highest? A jaw-dropping €8.8 million.

This cruise travels the world and never ends

The company’s first ship, a refitted version of the Regent Seven Seas Navigator, will host 210 private residences and embark on a global voyage, starting in December 2026.

Forever cruisers can expect four-day port stops in destinations like the Seychelles, Singapore, Iceland and Barcelona, with onshore excursions designed to immerse travellers in local cultures.

Three ships have already been confirmed: Navigator, Insignia – a former Oceania Cruises vessel set to relaunch in 2027 – and a new one dubbed The Ocean, expected to be finished in 2032. Two additional ships are in the pipeline for 2028 and 2029.

Onboard, Crescent Seas promises all the trappings of ultra-luxury living, from Michelin-inspired restaurants, wellness centres and Starlink-powered co-working spaces to cooking classes and “6-star” service by white-gloved butlers.

Residents are also required to purchase around €30,000 worth of annual food and beverage credits.

“As a developer, I know real estate has always been defined by location, location, location, as we say. With Crescent Seas, we’ve eliminated that limitation,” Galbut told The Telegraph.

“Now, your home isn’t bound to a single address – it moves with you, taking you to the world’s most breathtaking destinations.”

From the seven seas to space, the ultra-rich look beyond

Crescent Seas isn’t the only venture offering the wealthy a radical rethinking of how – and where – we live. While some opt for floating mansions, others have looked to the stars.

From Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic to Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, billionaire executives have putspace tourism on the map for the world’s elite.

Earlier this year, US-based company Space Perspective opened bookings for its space balloon experience. For around €120,000, travellers can ascend to the stratosphere in a capsule the size of a lounge room, complete with a bar and bathroom.

Elon Musk’s Space X, meanwhile, has set sight on Mars. Though a one-way ticket is not yet on sale, applications for future missions have already opened, and some ultra-wealthy pioneers are queuing up to trade beachfront views for an expanse of red dust.

Back on Earth, entire islands in places like the Maldives are being sold to buyers seeking the ultimate seclusion – like a gated community surrounded by the ocean.

‘Homes that move with you’

Crescent Seas isn’t the first floating home for the super-rich, either.

The World, a condo-like residential ship, has been circumnavigating the globe since 2002. Then there’s Ville Vie’s Odyssey. Billed as the world’s first perpetual cruise, the ship offers multi-year, residence-style packages starting at around €2 million.

Crescent Seas is aiming for a balance of both – privacy and full-time ownership, with the bonus of global adventure.

“Imagine travelling the world without ever leaving the comfort of your own home,” said Marisa Galbut, president of Crescent Seas.

For those with millions to spend, the dream of a home that moves with you, whether through the waves or the stratosphere, is no longer the stuff of fantasy, as the limits of luxury travel drift further from solid ground.

A new high-speed train route linking Madrid and Lisbon aims to be operational by 2030 – when the two countries will be co-hosting the FIFA World Cup.

The two capitals have not been linked by a direct train since 2020, when Spain’s state-owned rail company Renfe discontinued its overnight train-hotel service.

The new route – which will cut the journey time from over 10 hours to just three – has received official sign-off from the European Commission.

“We’re working on a plan to strengthen high-speed connections between major European capitals – and Madrid–Lisbon is one of our top priorities,” said EU Commissioner for Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

Portugal’s government says the train links are key to decarbonising transport and will see flights between the capitals reduced.

That said, the government is also planning a new airport in the Lisbon region as part of the push to improve connections to the country.

Here’s everything we know so far.

Spanish trains will take advantage of Portugal’s new high-speed line

Portugal is developing a new high-speed train line, the first part of which is due to be ready for the first journeys this year.

The 100km line from Elvas to Evora will cut the journey time between Lisbon in west Portugal and Badajoz in west Spain from three-and-a-half to under two hours.

It will be part of a wider Iberian high-speed rail network that will also connect Lisbon to Porto in around 1 hour 15 minutes – less than half the time it currently takes.

According to Spanish news site El Español, it is hoped the line will connect Madrid and Lisbon via Badajoz in six hours by 2027 and three hours by 2030 when the entire route is operational.

The coastal line, meanwhile, could extend to Vigo, Santiago and A Coruña in northwest Spain, while Madrid could be connected to Porto via Salamanca.

Why is there no train line between Spain and Portugal?

Renfe needs to invest €15 million to adapt part of its rolling stock to Portuguese infrastructure, according to La Información.

Various infrastructure issues need to be addressed before cross-border trains can operate. These include discrepancies in electrical voltages and signalling systems that are not expected to be resolved until at least 2025, the news site reports.

In 2023 though, the Spanish and Portuguese prime ministers endorsed plans to improve train connectivity between their two countries in line with the EU’s plan to liberalise Europe’s railways.

Sumar party MPs voiced their support for a rail link to support sustainable travel and boost economic relations between Spain and Portugal.

Renfe stopped operating the Madrid-Lisbon Trenhotel Lusitania in May 2020 due to the pandemic, and never resumed the service.

Portugal plans new airport near Lisbon

Portugal is also constructing a new international airport in Alcochete, about 40 kilometres from the capital, after decades of indecision.

The transport hub will be in operation by 2034 and will replace Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado airport (although this will be expanded while the new airport is being built).

Portugal’s tourism industry says the development is necessary as Humberto Delgado is currently operating at full capacity.

To improve connections from Lisbon city centre to the new airport, the government also plans to build a third bridge over the Tagus river.

The UK has put a temporary ban on travellers from Europe (including returning British citizens) bringing meat and dairy products into the country.

The restrictions came in on 12 April in response to the uptick in cases of foot-and-mouth disease on the continent.

Visitors in possession of banned items will have to surrender them at the border or have them seized and destroyed.

Travellers arriving from an EU or EFTA country (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) currently cannot bring meat from cattle, sheep, pigs or goats, or dairy produce into the UK for personal consumption.

The ban includes sandwiches, cheeses, cured meats and raw meats, according to the new ruling from the British government.

Even products which are packed or packaged, or have been purchased at duty free are off limits.

Travellers found in possession of these items risk fines of up to £5,000 (€5,845) in the most serious cases.

The restrictions only apply to visitors arriving in Great Britain – but not in Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.

Some products are exempt from the ban. Travellers can bring in a limited amount of infant formula milk, medical foods, and some items such as chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta.

Why has the UK banned visitors from bringing in meat?

The UK currently remains free of foot-and-mouth disease, so the measure hopes to prevent the spread from European countries.

The British government has also banned imports of cattle, sheep, other ruminants, pig meat and dairy products from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria.

Foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious and can be fatal to cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep and pigs.

The disease does not pose a health risk to humans, and meat and milk from infected livestock are considered safe to consume.

“This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot-and-mouth,” the UK’s farming minister Daniel Zeichner said.

“That is why we are further strengthening protections by introducing restrictions on personal meat and dairy imports to prevent the spread of the disease and protect Britain’s food security.”