The press releases and fancy brochures glow with extravagant promise: round-the world cruises, plenty of time in exotic ports, rooms decked in marble and crystal, gourmet meals at sea and -- most important -- a permanent home on the ship.

But most of the companies trying to market cruise-ship condos don't have a ship yet -- or even a contract to have one built, although some have preliminary agreements.

All are following the lead of the only existing condo cruise ship, ResidenSea's The World, which went into service in 2002 and sold out four years later. Today, only re-sales are available, and not many of those.

Despite that success story, selling cruise-ship condos isn't easy during this economic downturn. Already all the other companies have had to reschedule target dates for construction. But three companies are actively in the hunt for seagoing condo buyers, sending out glowing descriptions of their ships-to-be, seeking to obtain enough commitments to go ahead with construction.

Potential competition doesn't worry Jim St. John, CEO of ResidenSea. ''It is a good thing,'' he said. ``We're happy to see it -- it brings more people to us.''

Actual or proposed, what condo cruise ships offer is a home that moves around the world. Unlike most cruise ships, these stay in port for several days, giving their passengers ample opportunity to enjoy the destination. They often call at cities during important events, such as the Cannes Film Festival in France, Carnaval in Rio and New Year's Eve in Sydney.

Residences range from studio apartments to four-bedroom penthouses. Prices usually start in the millions of dollars, rising to $35 million on some ships. Like any condo association, every ship also assesses a yearly maintenance charge that may run into six figures. Some proposed ships offer fractional shares and some also have rental hotel rooms and/or condos. Most lines set a target of 40-50 percent American owners, with the rest from Europe and elsewhere.

Here is a look at the condo cruise ship field today:

THE WORLD

Since it first set sail in 2002, the only existing residential cruise ship has visited more than 125 countries. Since 2003 it has been owned by its residents, who collectively determine where the ship travels.

The World has 165 residences ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments priced from about $825,000 to $7.7 million. All have been sold out since 2006. Resales are available from time to time. The ship also has a rental program at $1,300 to $4,800 per night with a six-night minimum.

Amenities include four restaurants, several lounges, boutiques, two swimming pools, a full-size tennis court, a spa and fitness center, casino, meeting rooms and a summer children's program.

Info: ResidenSea Management, 800-970-6601, www.aboardtheworld.com.

Dimensions: Length, 644 feet. Tonnage, 43,524.

FOUR SEASONS

Its proposed ship would have 127 whole-ownership residences, ranging in size from 797 square feet to 7,860 square feet. They are priced in euros from the equivalent of about $3 million to $35 million. Four Seasons Hotels has licensed use of its name and imprint for the ship and will run its non-marine operations. Ocean Development Group will run the marine aspects. That company has a ''memo of understanding'' -- prelude to a construction contract -- with Aker Shipyard, with a tentative start date in the second quarter of next year and completion in 2011. All residences will have terraces as well as all the usual cruise ship amenities.

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