Does anyone live on a cruise ship

It can be lonely living on a cruise ship, away from friends and family, so be sure to make time to socialize. Invite someone to share a meal, engage another passenger in chitchat at the bar or ask a new acquaintance to join you for a stroll in port. Most cruisers and cruise staff tend to be friendly and social.

Another plus for extroverts is that you'll interact with a more diverse age group on a cruise ship than you would at a retirement community. While some full-time cruise ship passengers prefer a go-with-the-flow approach to life onboard, others prefer to follow a structured schedule while living at sea. Routines can help ground people and give them a sense of purpose, whether they're retired or trying to do their job from an at-sea base.

While Jablin doesn't go off the ship when it docks in ports anymore due to macular degeneration, he likes structure. World Cruise passengers and other long-term cruisers report scheduling daily walks or gym time, card or trivia games, time for reading or needlepoint and even evening activities such as a set meal time or nightly dancing.

The days of grocery shopping, meal planning, prep and cleanup are over. Cruise ships offer a variety of dining options and cuisines for all dietary needs. Special diets are accommodated, and staff typically go out of their way to make sure passengers are satisfied. However, rich cuisine and desserts are plentiful when cruising, so full-time cruisers need to make nutrition and health a priority. Mama Lee Wachstetter, a full-time Princess Cruises resident, modified her diet by ordering only half portions at each meal.

Ask for steamed vegetables or a plain salad, or request sauces on the side. If you're in relatively good health and can afford the lifestyle, living full time at sea could be a great lifestyle choice. Morton Jablin has no regrets and offers advice to those who wish to follow in his unique retirement footsteps. This is a much better life than in any senior citizens home anywhere in the United States or in the world.

They take marvelous care of you. If you need something, you have it in 10 minutes. This cruise line, Regent Seven Seas, is a wonderful company. The people that work here are kind, considerate, gracious. They treat me like family. It's a wonderful life. Find a Cruise. Cruise Tips. You may also like Dismiss.

Artist Loft on Oceania Cruises. Best Middle East Shore Excursions. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. Facebook Pinterest Twitter. Test It Out First Try a few cruises with different cruise lines. Meet With a Financial Planner The first step is determining whether living on a cruise ship permanently is within your budget.

Talk to an Agent If you've done the math, and think the finances will work out, you'll want to reach out to your favorite cruise line or a travel agent who specializes in extended cruise travel. Related: Finding a Cruise Travel Agent. Leverage Your Long-Term Status According to cruise travel agency owner Jo Kling, "Long-term cruise guests may have a bit of negotiating power with cruise lines. One of the biggest benefits of living on a cruise ship is that you get to explore the world — and we literally mean the world.

On normal cruises, you typically visit one or two countries. Talk about adventure! Long-term cruises often offer shore excursions at lower prices or even completely free, making the change to participate in unique excursions far more possible. Outside of seeing new places and getting a taste of adventure, there are also some practical reasons why you should choose to live on a cruise. On a cruise, all your food and entertainment are included in the cost of the cruise.

While you pay a lot upfront, you can actually end up saving money by doing away with monthly car payments and gas bills, utility costs, and grocery bills.

There are a few downsides to living on a cruise and being aware of them is important for staying comfortable and enjoying life at sea. One of the first downsides is that living on a cruise ship can be fairly expensive. Tips, excursions, medical care, and premium dining options can quickly take a toll on your wallet.

That can mean either downsizing or renting storage space on land where you can store your extra possessions. While there are medical facilities onboard, they may not be equipped to assist with certain conditions. Be sure to clear it with your doctor before signing up to live or retire on a cruise ship. Doing so can prevent you from getting sick on a cruise and being stuck at sea without access to the help you need.

To make life on a cruise ship a reality, there are several options available to you. Knowing these options is the first step to giving up your life on land and setting sail for the foreseeable future. These cruises allow you to set sail for the winter months but return to shore for the spring and summer.

However, these cruises include a number of additional benefits including:. While the initial cost might seem high, these extra amenities and credits can make life at sea far more affordable. And, they will make it more enjoyable, too! Another option for anyone looking for a permanent shipboard residence is to buy a cruise residence. Ships such as The World offer private studios, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments on board.

On top of that, residents are required to pay yearly maintenance fees as part of their budget. When choosing a cruise residence, you can also look for ships that are built for your purposes. For example, The World is tailored toward retirees while Storyline Cruises are tailored towards digital nomads and working professionals to call home.

If you want to take more of a DIY approach to living on a cruise, you can follow in the footsteps of Mario Salcedo and simply book back-to-back cruises. Plus, most cruise lines offer rewards and loyalty programs for regular cruisers. Make sure your health insurance covers international travel. Safety measures. After the entire cruise industry practically shut down in , many health and safety measures have been introduced on board the ships, which comes at a price to passengers.

Prices might be a bit higher, but feel good knowing extra measures have been put in place for your health and protection during this time of continued global pandemic. Schedule a chat with your financial advisor.

About the Author: Tara Bruce. Related Posts. How to do a Backdoor Roth. GIA clients on the Ramsey Show. Cost of long term care. Whole brain investing.

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