A Voyage Like No Other: Life Aboard the SS Archimedes
Note, the Arc is only here for November. TP to reception
Once the glittering jewel of the oceans, the SS Archimedes now rises from the tides of Second Life as a centrepiece of The Gathering, a sprawling November-only roleplay and cultural festival set in the mysterious, sunken realm of Aquaterra.
The ship, known simply as The Arc, was once a grand cruise liner, famous for its sweeping decks, teak railings, and ballroom glitter that danced across the Atlantic. Decades later, weathered and partially reclaimed by time, she has become a rusted, elegant vessel in a Waterworld-style dystopian environment, where stories unravel, tribes do battle, and visitors take refuge in rooms that still shimmer with faded glamour.
Stay Aboard the Arc
The Arc isn’t just set dressing; it’s a working rental property for the month of November, with two tiers of accommodation:
Nuclear Class Suites (L$200/day)
Each suite offers a panoramic sea view, and mid-century styling meets post-apocalyptic chic. A stay here comes with a Deluxe Package. Think vintage cruise opulence, with just the right amount of wear-and-tear to feel romantic.
Deckhand Haven Cabins (L$50/day)
These value-for-money rooms sit snugly on the lower decks, ideal for explorers, poets, or anyone wanting to soak up the Arc’s atmosphere without splurging. With a price that undercuts many weekly rentals in SL, they’re a genuine bargain.
Guests check in via the elevator in the reception area. Click to see a list of available cabins, teleport to view, and rent directly from a terminal inside the room. First-come, self-service. And yes, you can stay as long as you like (until the Arc closes, of course)
Credits - Room design Thecla (owner of the fabulous Continental), Main Arc build Ciaran Astral, Mesh build: Barnesworth Anubis
What Is The Gathering?
Staged by SL club venue Basilica, The Gathering is a month-long experiment in creative immersion, where visitors explore a post-climate world, The Age of Aquaterra, where flooded lands, lost technologies, and rival "tribes" intersect. See the Basilica Facebook page listing all the battles, performances, and happenings:
👉 facebook.com/groups/1thebasilica
Final Boarding Call
The SS Archimedes will vanish when The Gathering ends on November 30. Whether you’re booking a suite, exploring the sim, or just dancing in the ballroom at 3AM, don’t miss your chance to experience one of Second Life’s most beautifully conceived event builds this year.
Disclosure - Due to both Maya and I being involved in the organising committee, this is not a standard review. However, I do recommend checking out the Arc before it vanishes for good in a few weeks!
