This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jessica Hoppe, the 46-year-old CEO of The World Residences at Sea, about her daily routine. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Before becoming CEO of The World, the world’s only private residential ship, I spent two decades working in law, government affairs, and luxury travel.
I graduated from law school and joined a private practice before moving to New York in 2007. I then transitioned into a general counsel role. Over the next decade, I also served as the SVP of government affairs and PR for a resort company.
In 2017, I joined Crystal Cruises as general counsel, which introduced me to the luxury travel space and gave me my first exposure to ship-based operations.
In 2022, I joined The World as general counsel and VP of strategic alignment. A year later, I was promoted to chief administrative officer, and by June 2024, I was the president and CEO.
Courtesy of The World Residences at Sea.
About 75% of my time is spent on land in Florida with my family, and 25% is spent aboard the ship. My stays last for about 10 working days, but there are times when my stay is extended, like when we sailed to Antarctica.
Here’s what a typical day looks like.
5:30 a.m. (on land) — Dog walk, emails, and school drop-offs
Courtesy of The World Residences at Sea
When I’m home in Florida, I usually wake up around 5:30 a.m. First, I check my WhatsApp and email for urgent overnight messages from the ship. Since we’re sailing around the world, there’s always something happening.
I get up to speed quickly and address any issues that require immediate attention. After responding to emails and messages, I switch to mom mode. I walk the dog, prep and pack lunches, and get my three kids, ages 11, 9, and 7, ready for school.
While getting the kids ready, I eat breakfast on the go: a boiled egg and a cup of coffee. After drop-off, I’m back on my laptop, responding to messages from my team, board members, or residents.
7 a.m. (at sea) — Breakfast with residents
Saúl Martinez for BI
My routine is a little different at sea. I wake up around 7 a.m., then walk around the boat and catch up with residents over breakfast in one of our restaurants. I’ve formed meaningful relationships with many residents, though only 2-3% of them live on the ship for most of the year.
Breakfast at sea is different from what I eat at home. I usually eat freshly baked bread, fruit, or whatever wonderful dish our team has prepared that morning.
10 a.m. — The floating office at sea and the minimalist office on land
Saúl Martínez for BI
The World has 165 residences ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments, with an average of 150-200 residents on board at any given time. Most residents stay about five or six months a year, and they can have visitors. I also bring my family on the ship when possible.
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I don’t have a fixed office on the ship — I float around and use any available space to meet with residents and my team. I have scheduled one-on-one meetings with each team member, weekly meetings with senior leadership, and employee meetings every other week.
On land, my office is mainly decorated with family photos and artwork from my children. I also have some whimsical artworks.
12:30 p.m. — Luxury dining vs. bag salad
Courtesy of The World Residences at Sea
On the ship, I have many lunch options. My favorite is East, our Asian restaurant. I usually eat Indian food, but sometimes I’ll have sushi and some fish.
When I’m back on land, I eat salads and fruits.
2 p.m. — Creating personalized experiences
We try to have as many personalized experiences on the ship as possible. I don’t think there’s anything that has ever been requested that we haven’t been able to meet. One time, we served Champagne aboard Zodiacs in Antarctica; another time, we recreated a Michigan resident’s favorite Coney hot dogs.
We monitor current events and weather patterns and coordinate with our destination team and itinerary planners to ensure seamless experiences. My favorite places we’ve been recently are Antarctica and Bonifacio.
Saúl Martínez for BI
4 p.m. — Walk, sunlight, and a quick call to mom & dad
If I get a break between meetings, I’ll call my parents, who are both in the Midwest, to check in and make sure they’re OK.
Once I’m done, I’ll put my phone away and take a short walk around the ship’s deck or our office building.
6 p.m. (on land) — Logging off for movies and family time
When I’m home, I log off around 6 p.m. to focus on family time. My husband and I do homework, hang out with the kids, and catch up on their day.
Once the kids are tucked in for the night, I hop back online, wrap up any final emails, and plan my to-do list for the following day.
My favorite way to unwind is watching movies with my kids. I’m a huge fan of ’80s classics like “Top Gun” and “The Goonies,” and I love introducing my children to old-school movies they call “ancient.”
Evening routine (at sea) — FaceTime from the ship
Aboard the ship, once I’m done for the day, I FaceTime the kids and coordinate with my husband at home.
After our calls, I may meet with the senior team on the ship, and then I’ll hit the gym for a few minutes.
10 p.m. — Bedtime and weekend boundaries
I’m usually asleep by 10 p.m. and get six to seven hours of sleep during the week, eight on weekends.
On weekends, I’ll catch up on work while the kids sleep in, but I always mark emails “for Monday” so my team doesn’t feel pressured to respond immediately.
The ship’s crew works seven days a week, so I’ll check in with the captain or general manager, especially if we’re in a busy port or dry dock.
With three kids under 12, weekends typically involve at least one birthday party, plus some beach time with the family.