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For that amount you’d get your room, entertainment, and food taken care of, along with housekeeping. There is a second vessel in the offing once the residences on board the MV Narrative are almost all sold (around half have been bought so far), Punton said. Wells expects to be one of the youngest adult residents on board — around 30 when he moves in.
How to Retire on a Cruise for Less Money
A couple in their 50s live permanently on a cruise ship because it's cheaper than a mortgage - Upworthy
A couple in their 50s live permanently on a cruise ship because it's cheaper than a mortgage.
Posted: Mon, 25 Mar 2024 19:37:47 GMT [source]
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. 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. After all, imagine sailing into the sunset on a stunning cruise ship. It’s a glamorous way to vacation and a unique experience for anyone wanting to explore the world. While some cruise lines offer long-term packages at a discounted rate, the overall cost can still be quite high.
Initial cost and ongoing expenses
Before you commit to living on a cruise line, try going on cruises with a few different cruise lines. Setting sail with various cruise lines will not only help you figure out whether you actually like this lifestyle, but it will also help you compare which cruise lines you like best. 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. What’s more, once you’re in port you’ll have the opportunity to participate in numerous shore excursions. 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.
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Some of the longest run for six months, but three months is more common. It’s better to choose a cruise ship designed for long-term living than one from a mainstream cruise line. Logistically, booking back-to-back cruises with a standard cruise line is often not possible and you may have to change rooms regularly or even switch ships.
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Ever notice how it feels so good to get back home, even after a vacation that you loved? There is something about being back in your space, sleeping in your own bed, and with all your creature comforts that just can’t be matched in a hotel room or a cruise cabin. What’s underestimated is that even a dozen different restaurants isn’t a lot when you’re eating there every meal for every day.
But there's no "How to Retire on a Cruise Ship" guidebook to help you make informed decisions about the cost and feasibility of living out your golden years at sea. "It's an alternative to that second home in Florida, or someone who would like to live at sea full time, as a lifestyle." For reference, Royal Caribbean Group -- across all of its cruise lines -- reports onboard revenue as roughly 45% of its passenger ticket revenue in SEC filings. That means with base cruise fare of roughly $47,000 per person for the course of the year, the "average" passenger would spend approximately $21,000 annually. "I've been told I'm crazy for trying to live full time on a cruise ship, but it's not just for retired people," Gutridge said.
The higher your status when you retire, the more perks you start out with – though you'll quickly climb through the loyalty ranks if you sail on the same line for an entire year. I found that Royal Caribbean has, by far, the most valuable benefits to me — discounts, free internet, and free drinks. The highest loyalty level for Royal Caribbean is the "Pinnacle" level, which I will reach after exactly two years of cruising on this ship. If people are going to do something like what I do, I recommend trying different brands because they all offer something different. But once you commit to one, you should stick to it so you reach those loyalty levels. It's about coming up with a transition plan — it doesn't happen overnight.
Crew members in higher positions have better cabins
To purchase a 237-square-foot inside cabin with a virtual window for the life of the ship costs $1 million on average. Purchase prices for a one-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom unit averaged $2.7 million, with $111,000 in living fees. Shopping for Carnival's cheapest cruises on older ships, I could get the average below $50 per person per night in inside cabins and around $110 in balcony cabins, including port taxes and fees. That means your cruise fare could be as little as $18,250 per person per year. Living on a cruise ship full-time is not as simple as just booking a long-term stay.
Taking care of your health becomes a bit more complex when living on a cruise ship full-time. The availability and extent of medical facilities vary across different cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line. The best plan is to plan well ahead, starting with a few long cruises to make sure it's a good fit.
But with a deal lined up, the cruise line didn’t pay for the AIDAaura when it came up for sale, and instead it was purchased by Celestyal Cruises. The cruise is all-inclusive with beer and wine served at meals, complimentary healthcare, free high-speed WiFi, selected free excursions, and free laundry. For the money, you get use of the aft deck – the main hub of the yacht where you can enjoy a large lap pool, two spa pools and various bars and seating areas. Watersports equipment is also available, along with boats if you want to go fishing or diving.
Cabins come in various sizes, ranging from 130 square feet to Balcony Suites, with prices starting at $29,999 per person per year. To join this unique experience, passengers are required to commit to all three years of the voyage. Also, take into account the broader list of amenities to determine whether a cruise line offers the features that interest you most. For example, you may be looking for an on-deck walking track, gym, or yoga studio so you can keep up your fitness routine. Or you may want a cruise that allows you to pamper yourself with regular spa treatments.
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. Try a longer-than-a-month "grand voyage" or world cruise, or simply book a few back to back, to test the waters and see if full-time cruising is for you. Oceania Cruises even offers a 116-day Snowbirds in Residence package where passengers spend the winter cruising and then return to their land life for the spring/summer months. Business Insider spoke with three people with different experiences living on a cruise ship.
The cost could be lower for seniors who establish themselves as permanent residents aboard a cruise ship. There are several cruise lines that allow travelers to purchase an apartment or condo onboard, with food and other amenities included. However, this could also be a much more expensive option depending on what type of cabin you’re purchasing.
When I'm home, I'll have groceries delivered, and if I need to go somewhere farther away, I'll be happy to just take an Uber or Lyft. To get good WiFi, you also have to explore the ship and find where the WiFi works the best. I often work from the top deck of a lounge that's not open during the day, so it essentially becomes my office space, which is great because it's very quiet. I understand people don't want to spend the money, but if you have newer equipment, it tends to work a lot better. The Storylines head office will also be based on the MV Narrative, with company executives living on board.
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