The Costs of Spending Retirement Living on a Cruise Ship

Table Of Content

• How To Live On A Cruise Ship For Free
• How Much it Costs to Retire on a Cruise Ship (Real Life Example)
• Are there any age restrictions for permanent residents on cruise ships?
• The easiest way to travel full time? See what a 28-year-old paid for an apartment on a cruise ship
• What’s the Best Month to Cruise? Pros & Cons of Sailing Each Month of the Year
• Ship & Sailing Region
• Getting Insurance When Living on a Cruise Ship

It would be better to have the option of returning to land on a semi-regular basis to see a doctor and dentist, where prices will be lower. Morton Jablin, affectionately nicknamed ‘Captain’, is another long-term cruise passenger. As of 2018, when Jablin was 94 years old, he had spent 13 years living on Seven Seas Navigator, enjoying a life of luxury. Wachtstetter remained on Crystal Serenity until 2018 when she apparently had to return to land due to ill health.

How To Live On A Cruise Ship For Free

Normal travel insurance isn’t going to cover you if you decide to live on a cruise ship. Travel insurance policies count on the fact that medical cover is a rarity when you travel for 2-3 weeks of the year. As an example, in the UK you usually only pay tax if you live in the country for more than half the year. So, by living on a cruise ship permanently, you may not have to pay tax at all.

How Much it Costs to Retire on a Cruise Ship (Real Life Example)

However, it’s important to consider the level and availability of care for long-term health needs. Aside from health concerns, social life on board is also an important aspect to consider when planning to live on a cruise ship permanently. While some may relish the idea of constantly meeting new people and attending various onboard events, others may find it difficult to maintain meaningful relationships with fellow passengers.

3 Residents share what it's like to live on a cruise ship full-time - Business Insider

3 Residents share what it's like to live on a cruise ship full-time.

Posted: Sat, 09 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Are there any age restrictions for permanent residents on cruise ships?

The good news is that those older and often smaller ships don’t get the headlines. Since people want the latest and greatest, cruise lines often cut the fares on older ships to keep them full. Of course, the big issue that comes to mind when living long-term on a cruise ship is the cost. For instance, according to our calculations, the cost for two people to live for a year on a single ship comes out to about $175,000. There’s always something going on around the ship, so you’ll never be bored. And if you love cruising, then we can think of nowhere else that’s as easy to live out the good life than on a cruise ship.

The easiest way to travel full time? See what a 28-year-old paid for an apartment on a cruise ship

However, this drawback is often outweighed by the benefits of constant travel, access to amenities and services, and the sense of community that comes with cruise ship living. 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. 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. However, it’s important to consider the long-term health insurance and tax considerations that come with living on a cruise ship.

What’s the Best Month to Cruise? Pros & Cons of Sailing Each Month of the Year

While we've focused on the cost of retiring aboard a cruise ship, you'll notice that we've only given figures related to the actual cruise itself. However, there are other expenses -- and logistics -- that you should consider about retiring on the ship. These ships are among the largest on the planet with a wide range of restaurants, bars, things to do, and even Central Park if you’re craving some greenery while at sea. For that, we decided to lock in on an option that we think would appeal to the broadest amount of people by being a mid-tier cruise that’s realistically affordable without having to skimp.

What are the visa requirements for living permanently on a cruise ship?

Plus, there are tips for staff to consider, which can total thousands per person during the course of a year. It’s worth considering that the price of these items is a lot more on a cruise ship than they are at your local diners or stores. While you may not be interested in shore excursions if you’re living on your cruise, you should consider these as well. Room and board will be the most significant expense on any cruise, especially if you choose to live on a cruise ship for an extended amount of time. However, knowing what you get and where you spend your money is important.

Ship & Sailing Region

If you would rather stick to a traditional cruise line, you can still keep prices low, but remember you’ll be booking cruises regularly, and you would need to avoid paying for many extras on the ship. You’ll also want to look at cruising with the cheapest cruise lines in the world, such as Carnival or MSC Cruises. If you've sailed before, then you know that the cruise fare -- while being the largest portion of what you'll spend -- is also just part of the cost of taking a cruise. If we were to assume it costs $13 per day for basic wifi access for one device, that would cost $4,745 per year. If we assume it’s $20 per day for wifi access that includes additional abilities (which many guests would need to work remotely), that’s $7,300 per year. Consider that even two cocktails a day can add up to about $25 on a cruise ship, which is a quarter of the $100 daily budget.

Getting Insurance When Living on a Cruise Ship

A Three-Year Cruise Is Canceled for Lack of a Ship - The New York Times

A Three-Year Cruise Is Canceled for Lack of a Ship.

Posted: Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

If you've ever dreamed of life on a cruise ship, we outline how much it would actually cost to live on a cruise ship for a year. While most spots that a cruise ship will visit are tourist and generally have more expensive prices than you’ll see elsewhere in a country, they are still cheaper than on a ship. As mentioned, cruise lines are great at getting you to spend money on the ship. And if you want the full cruise experience, then you’re going to have to shell out some dough. One of the great things about cruising is that as it has soared in popularity, ships have moved to more and more ports. Just about everyone lives within driving distance of a port these days.

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. But while it’s true that cruises are a great way to vacation, have you ever thought about living on a cruise ship full time? Choosing to retire on a cruise ship or to simply call a cruise ship home and live life at sea can be an extremely rewarding and unique experience. If you want cheaper options, however, you might find them by being more flexible with changing ships and/or cruise lines when you find a deal. That's where sailing from a port like Miami -- which offers a lot of options -- can be beneficial to your pocketbook.

While living on a cruise ship may offer the opportunity to travel the world and experience new cultures, it also comes with health concerns that must be taken into account. Being on a ship for an extended period of time can increase the risk of illnesses such as norovirus and influenza. Therefore, it’s crucial to have adequate health insurance that covers medical expenses both on and off the ship.

Even if you are sailing solo (unless in a solo cabin), you will still have to pay this “double” charge. The World is the only one sailing currently but more are coming soon – though you need to be flexible on dates, as launches are often postponed. Perhaps the most famous case is of Mario Salcedo, nicknamed Super Mario. Mario has lived continuously on Royal Caribbean ships since 2000, with an average of 15 days a year spent on land to handle life admin. It is usually cheaper to live on a cruise ship than in a nursing home. The UK average cost for living in a care home is £3,550 per month ($4,250), while the US average is much higher at $7,900 per month.

Additionally, test out amenities and services available onboard to ensure they meet your needs. The constant movement of the ship and the open water can cause nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. This can make everyday activities challenging and affect your overall enjoyment of life onboard.

Also important is considering the cost of medical care aboard, which can add a significant amount to your overall cruising expenses if not planned well ahead. As part of this planning process, it’s smart to look into options such as onboard health insurance or alternative ways to cover potential medical costs during your time out at sea. An alternative to sailing on a traditional cruise line through your retirement years is to buy or lease a cruise ship cabin on a luxury residence ship.