Living onboard information?

[gottagocit]

I've seen a few threads here over the years as well as magazine articles about individuals and/or couples living onboard Princes ships full time. It's a subject that I've always found intriguing but never researched.

 

For some reason today I thought about again and decided to call Princess to get more information. I was a little surprised to initially be told by the agent there was no such program. After insisting I had been told differently he offered to put me on hold and ask someone else. After a few minutes he returned and said he had confirmed there was no such program and I could simply purchase b2b2b2b voyages and stay onboard as long as I wanted. I tried to explain what I've read but got no where so I gave up. I guess I'll call back and try again with someone else when I feel like sitting on hold again.

 

Does anyone have firsthand factual information about this program that you could share? Or perhaps know where to read something about it on their website?

 

Thanks,

Chris

[shredie]

I know there are ships that are like floating condos, but I've never heard of a program like that on Princess.

[jasmith52]

I don't have any relevant info I can offer. However I will be interested in what you find out as I am casually interested.

 

Would you mind posting what pricing you had in mind.

 

I have searched in the past for this topic on cruise-critic forums and remember reading posts from a full-timer who just booked on the ship as he went. He stated that others often got sale prices better than what he received. He was very proud of "living" on the ship and distinguished(prided) himself from those others that jumped around on different ships in different parts of the world to catch a better deal.

[gottagocit]

 

Would you mind posting what pricing you had in mind.

 

Well that's some of the info I'd like to locate as well. I've read posts on this board and news reports claiming it's doable for anywhere from $50k to $125k per year for a couple. I'm looking for real numbers and information about what is possible.

[The Other Tom]

Google is your friend:)

A quick search turned up this guy:

"Salcedo budgets around $60-70,000 per year for his travels, paying for the voyages by credit card so that the miles earned will cover any flights in between sailings—if he lived in London, of course, that could be a saving on his regular rent. He books an interior stateroom—“I don’t do anything in my cabin other than shower, get dressed and sleep,” he says—and schedules trips around two years or 150 bookings ahead. That way, he can remain in the same room for an extended period of back-to-backs, as continual sailings are known."

Link:http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-05-06/this-man-has-been-living-on-cruise-ships-for-twenty-years

Edited August 31, 2016 by The Other Tom

[gottagocit]

Google is your friend:)

A quick search turned up this guy...

 

Thanks. I've read about his story and a handful of others out there. It's similar to what I am looking for but is actually just 20 years of b2b2b booking and not on Princess.

 

Still hoping for info on a Princess program that makes it a lot simpler and perhaps more cost effective.

Edited August 31, 2016 by gottagocit

[The Other Tom]

Some info on Princess:

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

[The Other Tom]

More info on Princess

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1647312

[oxypete]

Google the world luxury residences at sea. The world was docked next to our ship in Dubai. Looked nice

[gottagocit]

Thanks Tom,

 

I've read those two also. While the report mentions Princess as a side note of the story it doesn't give any details about what Princess actually offers in the way of such a deal or program.

 

The other threads like the one you link to all refer to someone a poster met and what they said or other bits and pieces about the program. As I said in the OP I'm trying to find actual first hand specifics and details.

 

It's sort of like one of those urban legends that many of us has 'heard about' but no one really seems to know first hand info about it. Lol. I'm sure it really can be done in some form, hopefully other than simply countless b2b2b2b voyages booked separately, I'm just trying to understand how.

[gottagocit]

Google the world luxury residences at sea. The world was docked next to our ship in Dubai. Looked nice

 

I've read about that one also. She is really nice (and terribly expensive) it seems.

 

Not what I'm going for but thanks.

[GUT2407]

Google the world luxury residences at sea. The world was docked next to our ship in Dubai. Looked nice

 

You need massive assets. Plus cash.

[The Other Tom]

Thanks Tom,

 

I've read those two also. While the report mentions Princess as a side note of the story it doesn't give any details about what Princess actually offers in the way of such a deal or program.

 

The other threads like the one you link to all refer to someone a poster met and what they said or other bits and pieces about the program. As I said in the OP I'm trying to find actual first hand specifics and details.

 

It's sort of like one of those urban legends that many of us has 'heard about' but no one really seems to know first hand info about it. Lol. I'm sure it really can be done in some form, hopefully other than simply countless b2b2b2b voyages booked separately, I'm just trying to understand how.

Fair enough

You might try re-calling princess to get a different consultant who may be more knowledgeable. Might have to do this several times to get to the right person, if there is one.

[gottagocit]

Fair enough

You might try re-calling princess to get a different consultant who may be more knowledgeable. Might have to do this several times to get to the right person, if there is one.

 

I will do that I suppose. Just wasn't in the mood to spend the time waiting on hold and then explaining it all over again tonight. Maybe tomorrow I'll get it another try.

 

Was hoping someone here might point me in the right direction or share their account of how's it's actually done and some specifics.

 

Thanks again for researching and offering ideas.

Chris

[BarbinMich]

We met a couple some years ago on a Princess TA who were actively exploring this possibility with the purser or co. HQ. They had no children, grandchildren, etc. I have no idea what they ended up doing. My main thought was that if one of the 2 people in a couple doing this had a major medical emergency (heart attack, stroke, etc.) they would be disembarked at the next port as we have seen on many of our cruises. Just because there's a doctor onboard doesn't mean they'll be willing to keep you in their limited medical facility should you suffer a major medical problem, nor would they do "cabin calls" to take care of you in your room.

[gottagocit]

We met a couple some years ago on a Princess TA who were actively exploring this possibility with the purser or co. HQ. They had no children, grandchildren, etc. I have no idea what they ended up doing. My main thought was that if one of the 2 people in a couple doing this had a major medical emergency (heart attack, stroke, etc.) they would be disembarked at the next port as we have seen on many of our cruises. Just because there's a doctor onboard doesn't mean they'll be willing to keep you in their limited medical facility should you suffer a major medical problem, nor would they do "cabin calls" to take care of you in your room.

 

Valid concern. I don't think it would be a good idea to do it unless you were in good health. Of course that's no guarantee but that's true with any trip or cruise.

 

"Time's wasting!" Lol.

[Lucky TGO]

Living onboard a cruise ship is just a MYTH a good story but not true. If you believe that I have a bridge for sale. :D :D

Tony

[DrivesLikeMario]

You might also get information from people like Pescado Amarillo who spends many months on Princess ships at a time. Here's her website and there may be some info. there or possibly a way to email her:

 

http://pescadoamarillo.blogspot.com/

[Working 2 Cruise]

Living onboard a cruise ship is just a MYTH a good story but not true. If you believe that I have a bridge for sale. :D :D

Tony

 

That I don't believe. There have been many people doing it... I guess they just don't post here.

 

You should contact someone at headquarters, send an email to Jan Swartz, you'll get a response. Crystal has some ships that offer apartments for $1 million. I think it includes everything for as long as you want....

[Kineticoh20]

Google is your friend:)

A quick search turned up this guy:

"Salcedo budgets around $60-70,000 per year for his travels, paying for the voyages by credit card so that the miles earned will cover any flights in between sailings—if he lived in London, of course, that could be a saving on his regular rent. He books an interior stateroom—“I don’t do anything in my cabin other than shower, get dressed and sleep,” he says—and schedules trips around two years or 150 bookings ahead. That way, he can remain in the same room for an extended period of back-to-backs, as continual sailings are known."

Link:http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-05-06/this-man-has-been-living-on-cruise-ships-for-twenty-years

 

Spending $70000 will not pay for flights. It might pay for 2 maybe 3 at the most.

[Kineticoh20]

Living onboard a cruise ship is just a MYTH a good story but not true. If you believe that I have a bridge for sale. :D :D

Tony

 

Incorrect information. A friend of mine does this very thing. http://aboardtheworld.com/

[Lucky TGO]

That I don't believe. There have been many people doing it... I guess they just don't post here.

 

You should contact someone at headquarters, send an email to Jan Swartz, you'll get a response. Crystal has some ships that offer apartments for $1 million. I think it includes everything for as long as you want....

 

Nina,

Just because I like you l'm only going to charge you Ten Bucks for the bridge :D

Tony

[gottagocit]

You might also get information from people like Pescado Amarillo who spends many months on Princess ships at a time. Here's her website and there may be some info. there or possibly a way to email her:

 

http://pescadoamarillo.blogspot.com/

 

Now that is one I haven't seen before. Even though they seem to only spend winters onboard it's still an interesting site. They also simply book many b2b2b2 voyages. Still hoping for a simpler way. Will have to keep searching, reading here and call princess again I guess.

 

Thanks,

Chris

[PrincessLuver]

Incorrect information. A friend of mine does this very thing. http://aboardtheworld.com/

 

Well....a basic studio apartments can start out at 2 million dollars and go up to !3 million on The World and yearly fees range from $60,000 to $125,000 a year. There are no casinos, shows, etc.

 

There are only 162 apartments and the average owner spends 3 to 6 months on board.

 

I would find it a very boring way to live and think owning a private yacht would be more fun.

 

Can you imagine how boring the dinner conversations must be with this crowd one-upping each other every nite.....yuk!!:roll eyes:

 

I agree that living on a cruise ship full time and year round is more of an urban myth!!!!

[GUT2407]

Spending $70000 will not pay for flights. It might pay for 2 maybe 3 at the most.

 

Depends where you are flying too and from and what class you're flying in.