Would you consider living on a cruise ship?

[haladdict]

No. I wouldn't want to live on board. After a few weeks, I am happy to go home. See our kids and friends and look forward to the next cruise.

Sandra

[OCruisers]

Love to cruise but no way would we want to live on a ship!

[Velvetwater]

I know this makes me sound so sad but I would only consider it if the ship had good and fast wifi.

 

I do too much work and bits online as well as keeping in contact with those close to me from afar.

 

But the Nomad lifestyle appeals to me in all its forms so generally a yes....I'm also 31 with no kids yet so that helps.:)

[Cruise Junky]

If I were widowed I would consider it. Not that I'm hoping to be any time soon ;) but I think I'd rather be on a ship than sitting at home alone.

[myparks]

Yes yes yes please god yes

[jocap]

Yes, we've met two sets of people doing this; they have bought apartments near Southampton docks, and chosen ships which do different itineraries of differing lengths, perhaps 3 nights to Amsterdam, or 28 nights to the Caribbean and back. They make doctor/hospital/banking appointments for the turn round day, or miss out a 2 night cruise to Le Havre and back, and use their apartment to catch up on things.

[Julie MacCoy]

Even if I had the money, I wouldn't do it unless there were a dentist and dental hygienist on board.

[lenquixote66]

Does anyone know about how many people actually live on a cruise ship full time or at least most of the year?

My husband and I are considering this and was wondering how many others are actually doing it?

Would you consider it yourself?

 

Absolutely not.I have too many close friends and relatives that I would miss.

[parrotfeathers]

I see those programs on HGTV--Caribbean Life and related ones. How many times can you walk down the beach and sit in the sand and have a drink? I would lose my sanity if that's all I had to get up for every day.

[Cruise Junky]

I see those programs on HGTV--Caribbean Life and related ones. How many times can you walk down the beach and sit in the sand and have a drink? I would lose my sanity if that's all I had to get up for every day.

Why does it have to be sitting on a beach? How about exploring Greek islands, or hilltop towns of Provence or Tuscany. Markets of Hong Kong or gardens in Singapore.

[AmazedByCruising]

Does anyone know about how many people actually live on a cruise ship full time or at least most of the year?

My husband and I are considering this and was wondering how many others are actually doing it?

Would you consider it yourself?

 

Not now, I have to work for at least two more decades. :rolleyes:After that, it sounds like a very reasonable option. It's not that much more expensive than living on land and certainly more exciting.

 

But I sure hope by that time there are more than the few well-known full timers now. I'd like a ship with maybe 50 full timers of which some become real friends, instead of having to introduce yourself to new people every week.

 

Current business models are geared towards people doing a cruise and leaving in 3, 5, 7, 14 days. So they sell fancy cocktails, art, pictures and T-shirts which full timers would stop buying after a month. I'm not sure the ships really want people to stay onboard for a long time..

 

Maybe one line should specialize on this. Very long contracts, options to alter your cabin with your own carpet and paintings, a dentist on board every now and then, a service level that says you don't need service twice a day and certainly no more towel animals. All the things assisted living companies offer, but this time on a ship.

[biker@sea]

I need my animals and garden.

[Bookish Angel]

Not at all. I am tired of the food and dinky bathrooms after just a few days.

[calliopecruiser]

I see those programs on HGTV--Caribbean Life and related ones. How many times can you walk down the beach and sit in the sand and have a drink? I would lose my sanity if that's all I had to get up for every day.

Well, doing that is one way to go......but there are so many other things to do, both in the Caribbean and on a ship. I personally don't see that living on a cruise ship would be much different with respect to what you can do/not do than living in a retirement residence.

 

Would I do it? Yeah, I'd consider it in another 15-20 years or so, when I'm both retired and less active. I have almost no family left (one sister, no children, nieces, or nephews), and I only see my friends every few months. We can use WiFi for messaging and calling as well on a ship as I could message and phone them on land. I think I'd miss cooking, but someone pointed out to me that in 15 or 20 years, I might lose my desire or ability to cook (safely) anyway if my strength and mobility lessens.

[K32682]

I personally don't see that living on a cruise ship would be much different with respect to what you can do/not do than living in a retirement residence.

It really isn't that different. Small rooms/cabins, tiny bathrooms, industrialized food, staff mostly from developing countries, excursions, marginal entertainment and wealthy owners determined to generate additional revenue by adding paid services and cutting costs wherever possible.

 

The differences on a cruise ship would be a better selection of food, nicer gift shops, a casino and a somewhat wider range of age groups although at a retirement home there is no seasickness or need to smuggle in your own booze.

[AussieOmni]

I sometimes look at my rent, groceries, other bills and living on a cruise ship becomes attractive, especially when I factor in time costs of cleaning and cooking.

[sail7seas]

No, I have no wish to live on a cruise ship. i don't think it would be a money saver andI I think I would tire of it quickly. i would never want to be 'homeless' I f I lived on a cruise ship, I would maitain a home on land.

Edited March 20, 2018 by sail7seas

[calliopecruiser]

Living in a retirement community with housekeeping and meals probably costs an average of $135-$150 per day (about 50,000/year or so) for the basics (i.e. no extra services). Certainly do-able, if you don't have additional expenses at home.

[Keith1010]

For those who do it they are very happy.

 

For some it is far better then what it would be like on land.

 

It's not for everyone but it is for those who are living on ships.

 

Keith

[Shorex]

For those who have the means, it's a personal lifestyle decision. It wouldn't be mine. But as Keith mentioned, it's a great lifestyle for those who choose it.

[port msp]

I don't think I'd want to live on a ship permanently. I suspect it would get "old" for me. Our longest cruise has been 11 nights, and by day 9 I was getting bored with the sameness of the surroundings and routine. Living aboard a ship would mean same surroundings, same food, and for the season, same rotation of ports. Maybe if I'd move to a new ship once in a while it would work for me. I think I would like to give it a try for a month or more in Jan/Feb/Mar.

 

I think it takes a special person and a special set of circumstances to make it work. I suspect those that do it have a great deal of $$$.

[K32682]

I don't think I'd want to live on a ship permanently. I suspect it would get "old" for me. Our longest cruise has been 11 nights, and by day 9 I was getting bored with the sameness of the surroundings and routine. Living aboard a ship would mean same surroundings, same food, and for the season, same rotation of ports. Maybe if I'd move to a new ship once in a while it would work for me. I think I would like to give it a try for a month or more in Jan/Feb/Mar.

 

I think it takes a special person and a special set of circumstances to make it work. I suspect those that do it have a great deal of $$$.

Living on a cruise should might be boring compared to the lives most of us lead but compared to life in the typical retirement home it would likely be far more interesting.

 

You might not need as much money as you think if you didn't have to keep a land home. Perhaps it would be a transitional move. Sell your home and live onboard until it was time to enter a retirement facility.

[sail7seas]

For those who do it they are very happy.

 

For some it is far better then what it would be like on land.

 

It's not for everyone but it is for those who are living on ships.

 

Keith

 

Would you like to, Keith?

[bob brown]

Here's a great movie I've seen with a completely different 'take' on the subject....I highly recommend it, if you can find it somewhere, maybe Netflix?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_1900

 

Here is a video taken from the film....

Edited March 21, 2018 by bob brown

[chengkp75]

I've spent 43 years at sea, and when I retire, I will do what the old salts have done in New England for centuries: I'm going to put an oar on my shoulder and walk inland until someone asks what that is on my shoulder. I've lived on ships long enough.