Now's Your Chance To Snag up the "Joy of the Seas" and Live Out Your Wildest Dreams

Folks, before us, lies the La Joie de Mer, which translates to the "Joy of the Sea," and with a name like that, you can start to get an idea of what we're up against today. But the really neat thing about this beauty isn't its name; it's what it has to offer to future owners.

That's because this sea-worthy haven is currently up for sale for a cool €2,995,000 (roughly $3.2M at current exchange rates), and before you close that browser tab, allow me to crunch some numbers for you. Sure, $3.2M isn't an easy number to digest, but Joy can accommodate up to seven guests, meaning that number can be split between you and your closest friends or even family; not sure you want your parents to see how you party. In total, you'll need about $457K to get your slice of Joy, and that's less than the price of some RVs or motorhomes.

So, what can we get our hands on? For starters, allow me to point out a bit about the minds and hands behind what we see. In Joy's case, Jongert is the shipyard that brought this dream to life. Just so you have an idea of who Jongert is, they've been in this business since 1953 and, over the years, have been responsible for countless ships and refits, including working with some of the biggest names in yacht design, the likes of Guido de Groot, and Tony Castro. Actually, Tony Castro once again walked hand in hand with Jongert to bring Joy to life, too.

Speaking of bringing to life, if you're interested in what you see, it's important to note that Joy was born in 2005, and whoever commissioned the build really likes wood. That makes this ship around 19 years old, but the best part is that a refit in 2023 has added precious years to this machine's lifetime while bringing a fresher and modern feel to certain areas and features.

As for myself, I'm not really into masted ships or sloops, but what I am into is a good life, and as I explored all that Joy brings to the table, I couldn't help but imagine myself aboard this ship sipping mimosas, having breakfast on the main deck lounge, running my hands all over the lacquered wood and listening to the squeaks, and even launch a few toys into the local waters. All that's possible with this one.

We begin this short journey into Joy at the one and only place where you'll find me most often, at the rear of the ship, hanging out on that floating platform that unfolds from the ship's stern. In the process, access to a beach club is created. Take a moment to picture lounging around here.

Once you're finished daydreaming, it's time to head to the main deck and watch the deckhands prepare the ship for whatever you've planned and tend to your needs; a crew of four will be by your side unless, of course, you know how to command such a vessel.

From here, we can go about things two ways: either hang out at the front of the ship on that expansive teak deck, soaking up the sun's rays in the process or simply step onto that alfresco lounge. If the sun is too much, seek shelter under the aluminum superstructure. Again, more lounging options are seen here, too.

Personally, I love how this section of the ship is executed; it has a bit of everything for everyone. Best of all, it has an airy and modern feeling. Thank the recent refit for that. Yet, as we head into the belly of the proverbial beast, the scene changes quite dramatically.

Below deck, guests will be welcomed by spaces and areas absolutely covered in wood, be it the floor and walls or tables and other furnishings; wood is king here. Even the staterooms follow the same look and pattern.

Personally, I'm not really all that into this kind of interior design, but as I stared at the images in the gallery, I couldn't help but notice a shift in my perception; I started to like what I saw, particularly that main lounge with massive skylights overhead.

If you do split the bill with six other friends and end up drawing the long straw, a master suite will be waiting for you, but again, you better like the look and feel of all that cellulose. Only the bathrooms seem to break away from the stained and lacquered look and are finished in tones of white, cream, and beige.

Last but not least, Joy isn't the sort of vessel you just take out for a day's cruise. Sure, it can do that too, but to really tap into the feeling of living life at sea, this ship is fit with all the little things needed to stay afloat for days. Heck, if you really like living in international waters, drop the tender into the surrounding waters and go after supplies, only to return later to your floating home. Live life at sea for less than $500K.