Living on a ship when retired

[scruffts2007]

Recently on the Jade I discussed with others that a ncl cruise consultant had told me that one person had done 200 ncl cruises.

 

We then worked out that according to some americans on board its costs approx 6000 dollars a month to live in a retirement home but yet to live on the jade for example would cost approx 2000 dollars a month.

 

so would you prefer to live in a retirement home?..or live on a cruise liner? ..if you could get medical insurance even costing 1000 a month..it still must be cheaper to live on board!

[mpk218]

Recently on the Jade I discussed with others that a ncl cruise consultant had told me that one person had done 200 ncl cruises.

 

We then worked out that according to some americans on board its costs approx 6000 dollars a month to live in a retirement home but yet to live on the jade for example would cost approx 2000 dollars a month.

 

so would you prefer to live in a retirement home?..or live on a cruise liner? ..if you could get medical insurance even costing 1000 a month..it still must be cheaper to live on board!

 

 

Those numbers are close ..

Sign me up ( when the time comes ) ;)

[sparks1093]

DW and I have discussed retirement options, many from up here become "snowbirds" and move to Florida for the winter. We've thought about just cruising for those few months. When you factor in the mortgage payment, property management, etc. on a second home it would probably cover most of the cost. It is certainly something we are keeping in mind.

[rustybolts]

...........but I think your numbers might be off just a little......

 

Inside cruise fare has got to be, even in the lowest inside cabin, an average minimum of $500 per week. That's taking into account port charges, taxes and that prime season will be higher and off season (hurricane season or whatever) will be lower. Overall I think that's a pretty low estimate. Also remember, that's per passenger. And isn't it likely that when the economy improves that prices will start to creep back up?

 

A single supplement is a minimum of 50%. Most lines don't even allow a discount for singles so you'd have to pay the full cabin price. That makes a single either $1,000 or $750 per week. Then let's add tips at $12 per day per person. That's either another $84 or, for two people, $168 per week. If you want to do this with a spouse or want to do this with someone else, just double everything instead of adding the single supplement.

 

Let's do the math.....

 

Single - $750+$84=$834 per week X 52=$43,368/12=$3,612 per month.

Double- $1,000+$168=$1,168 per week X 52=$60,736/12=$5,061 per month. So all in all, conservatively I'd have to say it's going to be around $4-5,000 per month. Still better than most retirement homes. However, as you know, there are a lot of opportunities on a ship to increase that amount!

 

I wonder if it's all that practical, though. Keep in mind that as you get older, you need good medical care. If you need to see a doctor other than the one on the ship (whose capabilities are very limited) you'll need to do that on the day the ship comes back to home port. That isn't always possible.

 

It might be interesting to live near a port and spend a couple months a year cruising. Maybe even 3 out of every four weeks. But unless you've done really well in your 401k and can maintain a place ashore, it's not all that cheap!

 

Rusty

[mpk218]

...........but I think your numbers might be off just a little......

 

Inside cruise fare has got to be, even in the lowest inside cabin, an average minimum of $500 per week. That's taking into account port charges, taxes and that prime season will be higher and off season (hurricane season or whatever) will be lower. Overall I think that's a pretty low estimate. Also remember, that's per passenger. And isn't it likely that when the economy improves that prices will start to creep back up?

 

A single supplement is a minimum of 50%. Most lines don't even allow a discount for singles so you'd have to pay the full cabin price. That makes a single either $1,000 or $750 per week. Then let's add tips at $12 per day per person. That's either another $84 or, for two people, $168 per week. If you want to do this with a spouse or want to do this with someone else, just double everything instead of adding the single supplement.

 

Let's do the math.....

 

Single - $750+$84=$834 per week X 52=$43,368/12=$3,612 per month.

Double- $1,000+$168=$1,168 per week X 52=$60,736/12=$5,061 per month. So all in all, conservatively I'd have to say it's going to be around $4-5,000 per month. Still better than most retirement homes. However, as you know, there are a lot of opportunities on a ship to increase that amount!

 

I wonder if it's all that practical, though. Keep in mind that as you get older, you need good medical care. If you need to see a doctor other than the one on the ship (whose capabilities are very limited) you'll need to do that on the day the ship comes back to home port. That isn't always possible.

 

It might be interesting to live near a port and spend a couple months a year cruising. Maybe even 3 out of every four weeks. But unless you've done really well in your 401k and can maintain a place ashore, it's not all that cheap!

 

Rusty

 

 

And you probably think theres no Santa Claus either..:p

 

Actually , if you were to try this I am certain the cruise line would give you a serious price break.. Its a guarantee booking ;)

[rustybolts]

What!??! There's NO SANTA CLAUS!!!?!?!?

 

Seriously, I talked to a guy on a Celebrity ship once who actually did live onboard the Horizon. Everybody called him "The Captain of the Tanning Team" for obvious reasons :rolleyes:. He did have a GREAT TAN!

 

I asked him what sort of break they gave him. He said NONE! He booked well in advance and got a decent price, but he still paid about the same as you and I would.

 

Go over to the Celebrity board and post something about the "Tanning Team Captain" from the Horizon. I bet somebody there knows him and can confirm this. He might even pop up!

 

I bet he got invited to all the past passenger meetings, though! :D

 

Rusty

[mpk218]

Now theres a guy that should have his very own reserved lounge chair by the pool ;)

[CanadianTwosome]

When we were on the NCL Dream a few years ago, our friends had a conversation with a woman who was doing exactly this. She said that for what she was getting, she was paying much less than she would for the same treatment and amenities on land.

 

My aunt lives in an assisted living apartment here, but really the only 'assistance' she gets is prepared meals and someone who cleans her apartment (likely not every day). Based on the few discussions I've had with her or my mom about it, I'd have to say - even with all the complaints we see - the food on NCL has to be better - and more available, not to mention room service. Add to that the nicer weather most of the year, the pool, and regular stops in port, and I'd have to say the cruising option would get my vote!

[JohnIreland]

There was a woman who retired to the QE2.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/7719605.stm

[scruffts2007]

since there are always "offers" (eg I did 20 days last year on msc to brazil including airfares for 990 pounds) I think anyone with some careful planning could flit from ship to ship and live on various alternative lines. With some knowledge of ports you could get your laundry done onshore and if you didnt need to buy booze then you would be doing well

[scruffts2007]

see here

 

http://www.snopes.com/travel/trap/retire.asp

[hkto]

May be it's an idea for the new industry. It can definitely be done more economically by utilizing older ships and spending less time in ports.

[scruffts2007]

is it not the real issue that retirement homes are overpriced..how can it be that it is cheaper to live on 5 star cruise liner then to live in some "home"

 

in another comparison I had to rent an apartment for 4 weeks for 2 Americans visiting Portugal...I then worked out that it is cheaper to put my 3 dogs into a 2 bed apartment with tv kitchen etc and with maid service than to put them into kennels

 

how do we come to accept things that overpriced !!! I really dont know:mad:

[AuntieBarb]

I'd love to retire on a cruise ship! :D

 

Actually, this isn't exactly a new concept. It's been talked about for years.

 

Here's one in the making:

 

http://www.seopressreleases.com/retirement-cruise-ship-nearing-launch/3107

 

Innovative new concept caters to active baby-boomer retirees

 

 

Cape Canaveral, FL, June 29, 2009 — Oceanic Retirement Communities of America (ORCA) has started taking reservations for a program that will allow seniors to own a condo on a private residential cruise ship that also provides both the Independent and Assisted Living accommodations typically found in land-based facilities. “People retire to Florida for three things mainly … warm sunshine, golf, and the water,” states Mel Medina, President of ORCA. “This is a unique package that provides for all that plus a wellness capability.”

 

 

 

The ORCA Lifestyle Cruising Program will provide the healthcare aspects of traditional retirement facilities on private resident-owned cruise ships to be home ported in various coastal Florida cities. Seniors would enter the program just as they would a typical Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) with a nominal entrance fee and subsequent monthly Residents’ Care fees, but would live aboard the cruise ship until eventually health issues would necessitate their moving into a skilled nursing facility ashore. The big difference is this. Unlike a CCRC, on an ORCA ship, you actually OWN your residence like a condo. Upon passing, it actually reverts to your estate. The heirs can sell the stateroom or keep it for their own use by renting it out until they are 55 and ready to retire and move aboard themselves.

[garycarla]

How can it be cheaper than retirement home.

 

Probably the biggest reason are the regulations and expectations we have of retirement or assisted living homes as compared to ship.

 

On the shipboard side, if every passenger were like these long term passengers, they would have to raise the base rates. The average passenger spends a small fortune on drinks, photos, bingo, casino, special meals, tours, gifts, junk and the like that allow the cruiseine to make a profit. Anyone onboard for a long period will change the mix rapidly.

 

In my case, I would spend way too much on drinks to make this thing work well.

 

But it sure sounds like a good idea.

[LOWTYD]

My sister and I have discussed this very thing many times. Should we lose our DH's first (may they rest in peace and she is in the middle of a divorce anyway) we would get a minisuite or whatever is equivalent on other lines at minimum, travel all over the world, our food is paid for, entertainment, don't know how the liver will be at that age but I am sure I can buy a drink here and there or a bar setup every so often. We got a pool, fresh ocean air, people waiting on us and tidying up after us. When we need to go to the doctors, we can go to NY or Florida where there are plenty of doctors for whatever ails you. If we need to do laundy, well do it in a port, pick up our esssnetial in a US port somewhere. Sounds good everytime we talk about it though DH gives us a not too pleasant look because he has to die first!:rolleyes:

[CruisinMaterial]

Hey Gang!

 

Funny that you should all mention this because I was day dreaming during my walk today OUTSIDE since it's in the 60's here in New England.... I was thinking if I could win the lottery then I would retire to cruising. If I won the lottery I might just buy a studio on ResidenSea's THE WORLD vessel but then thought against it since the condo fee would be hideous (but if you win the lottery what the heck would it matter if you hit it big?). Either way, I am going to probably retire to a cruise ship when I stop working.

 

I figure with the single supplement BUT also giving the company repeated business sooner or later the price is going to drop for you because you're one less cabin they have to worry about filling irregardless of the category. On Princess ships I've sailed I've either heard or met the person who had retired to onboard living. When the ship goes to dry dock then they move onto another ship OR they go to a different ship when there's one repositioning to where they have interest in spending the next few months of their lives. This is a completely neat idea and the economics of it right now would work nicely!

 

Ah.... dreaming of cruising... NEVER a bad thing!! :D:D

~J

[NormanW]

I do but it's not a cruise ship.

 

Despite what everyone (even well seasoned cruisers with many weeks a year under their belt) it's not for everyone.

 

Then again as part owner/operator I may be just a bit biased! :eek:

 

As long as you have your health and reasonably fit why not? The earlier you get started (I believe) the longer you will live. It's good for one's mental health as long as you are truly happy!

 

Cheers,

 

Norman

[LOWTYD]

Hey! I just saw that Residence at Sea is on the Travel Channel tonight at 10 (Eastern) Maybe you all want to check it out if you haven't seen it before.:)

[NormanW]

The World (aka Residensea) is more like a floating apartment complex. You need a (min) net worth of $5M USD for this to even work and you would be bored to death full time living. Different strokes for different folks I suppose. :)

 

Cheers,

 

Norman

[LOWTYD]

The World (aka Residensea) is more like a floating apartment complex. You need a (min) net worth of $5M USD for this to even work and you would be bored to death full time living. Different strokes for different folks I suppose. :)

 

Cheers,

 

Norman

LOL. Yeah, I'll never see the inside of that ship, only on TV!

[EileenN]

We were on the Dawn repo in Novmber and the concierge, Anoop, told us he had worked on the World. It was an awesome ship. Anoop is subbing for Anshuman.

I think I would do it for a few months per year but not full time.

[Taxguy77]

I can't believe the prices some of you are quoting for retirement homes!:eek: Remember, there is a difference between assisted living and nursing homes.

My mother lived in an assisted living home a few years ago. Pool, yes and a person who supervised a light water exercise class, as well as some senior classes in the gym. Free bus, or car as mother couldn't get in the bus, service to doctors appts. Options for cooking or eating all meals in the diningroom half a month at a time. Served dinner including wine every night with a nominal charge for guests. Under $2000/month with meals included.

Did I forget to tell you folks up north it snowed here a couple of years ago?Quite an event, will probably be talked about for years until it snows again.

[jame_g]

If you're paying that much to live in a retirement community, it's probably assisted living of some sort, or a nursing home of some sort. There are plenty of retirement communities in this area for $1000-$3000/month (or less), unless you are going for a luxury community. If you're living in an area where you have to pay $6000/month for a basic retirement community, you might as well move somewhere less expensive if you're going to consider living on a cruise ship.

 

If you are in the position where you need assisted living or a nursing home, which is where you are going to see the $6000+/month, you very likely need more assistance and/or medical care than a cruise ship can offer.

 

The other thing to remember is the rates on a cruise ship are for double occupancy, so someone who is single or widowed will probably want to find a roommate.

[DMH15]

I know someone who lives on the World. Saw him at a store when he was home for dental work. He loves it.

 

My mom would love to live on the World. Unfortunately, net worth not high enough. Wonder if NCL hires any seniors? Maybe they couldn't work a ton of hours, but they could supplement their cruise fare. Just a thought.

 

A guy used to work at my office whose folks take six month cruises, go home for two months and then head back out on another 6 month cruise. The cruise primarily Silversea. I looked it up and holy moly!