Ryan Wahlstrom Posted February 19, 2009 #1 Share Posted February 19, 2009 A lady here in South Florida has cruised 87 times in a row rather than go to retirement home! Also, interesting, news out today of a new cruise company in Ft. Lauderdale that sells 1/100th ownership of a cruise ship for retirees to live onboard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oliverdr Posted March 2, 2009 #2 Share Posted March 2, 2009 Ryan- I am a PhD researcher who has been gathering data on this very topic- email me at oliverdr@missouri.edu. Warning- we are doing another cruise ship study starting next week and will be out until April! South America here we come! Research question- how accessible are cruise ships for senior cruisers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kroosin Posted March 2, 2009 #3 Share Posted March 2, 2009 We're relatively new to cruising, so far the longest we've been at sea is 12 days but we're going on a 24 day cruise in July and if we enjoy that as much as the others we might seriously consider cruising as retirement. If we could afford it when the time came. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oliverdr Posted March 3, 2009 #4 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Interesting to note an article in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society analyzed the cost of cruising as compared to living in Assisted Living facility- and they were about the same. The big thing I think they left out were the excursions- for those taking the ship escorted excursions the cost can be quite significant- and of course the more frail you are the more you really need that level of supervision. At any rate I think it would be awesome! Our longest was 12 days and next week we go for 16- cant imagine ever being tired of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SardisGrandma Posted March 9, 2009 #5 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Well I'm 57 & I just told someone the other day I wish I could just live onboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixiedustdawn Posted March 17, 2009 #6 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Interesting to note an article in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society analyzed the cost of cruising as compared to living in Assisted Living facility- and they were about the same. The big thing I think they left out were the excursions- for those taking the ship escorted excursions the cost can be quite significant- and of course the more frail you are the more you really need that level of supervision. At any rate I think it would be awesome! Our longest was 12 days and next week we go for 16- cant imagine ever being tired of it! Will my long term care insurance cover this? If so sign me up. lol Dawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitty9 Posted March 19, 2009 #7 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I definitely would not do it on a mass market line as the same ports over and over again would get boring. So that leaves one of the luxury lines or Cunard where they cruise the world. Now that would not get boring. The only problem would be health care. Medicare doesn't pay outside the US and most private insurance doesn't either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remsaj Posted March 25, 2009 #8 Share Posted March 25, 2009 I would in a minute if I could afford a nice balcony cabin. But, like one cruiser said, it wouldn't be great if you went to the same places every time. Ah, what a dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Wahlstrom Posted March 25, 2009 Author #9 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Dr. Oliver yes I will drop you a line - thanks. Sounds like you are doing some very cool work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creeks Posted March 28, 2009 #10 Share Posted March 28, 2009 My aunt and uncle lived in Florida and cruised very often. They no longer went on any of the excursions as they had 'been there, done that'. They just enjoyed the ship, the meals, the shows. My longest so far was last fall's 15 night transatlantic and I would have loved to have had it last longer. I turned 76 on that cruise, and look forward to many more. Interesting to note an article in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society analyzed the cost of cruising as compared to living in Assisted Living facility- and they were about the same. The big thing I think they left out were the excursions- for those taking the ship escorted excursions the cost can be quite significant- and of course the more frail you are the more you really need that level of supervision. At any rate I think it would be awesome! Our longest was 12 days and next week we go for 16- cant imagine ever being tired of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanenurse Posted April 9, 2009 #11 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I believe I recently read there is a cruise ship where you buy your cabin. I believe with trouble selling they even went to partial ownership as the cabins were like 1/2 mil or so to start. i also think that the 4Seasons (yes the hotel line) has a continuous world cruising ship also. my 2 cents. shane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixtynifty Posted April 9, 2009 #12 Share Posted April 9, 2009 :p:)Ahh..that would be the life! However don't think my teacher's retirement will be able to afford it. The lucky ones that can afford it have my congradulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jocap Posted April 16, 2009 #13 Share Posted April 16, 2009 What happened to the lady who'd lived aboard the QE2 for 9 years? Is it true she's now on the QE2?-jocap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poohb Posted April 17, 2009 #14 Share Posted April 17, 2009 http://www.residensea.com/ the cruise ship "The World" has apartments. I'm pretty sure if you have to ask 'how much', you can't afford it. The Travel Channel occasionally has a show specifically for this ship. Looks like a great life except for missing family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenny2948 Posted April 21, 2009 #15 Share Posted April 21, 2009 I cruised for two years straight once...the ship was gray and I had to paint it myself:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LkldDave Posted April 21, 2009 #16 Share Posted April 21, 2009 http://www.residensea.com/ the cruise ship "The World" has apartments. I'm pretty sure if you have to ask 'how much', you can't afford it. The Travel Channel occasionally has a show specifically for this ship. Looks like a great life except for missing family. The World literally travels the world. Last February it was in Tampa for the week during the Super Bowl. And you are correct. It's expensive. I believe its starts at about 750K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlendaleCruiser Posted April 24, 2009 #17 Share Posted April 24, 2009 My sister cruised Celebrity to Hawaii two years ago and there was a lady who either lived on that ship or did back to backs and traded off between just a few ships. I think she said her name was Elizabeth and everyone on board knew her and chatted with her. She even sat down in one of the bars one night and played for over 2 hours without repeating a song. Don't know if she is still doing it or there................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taxguy77 Posted April 26, 2009 #18 Share Posted April 26, 2009 I cruised for two years straight once...the ship was gray and I had to paint it myself:D Does Gray hold up well in the Valley of th Sun?:confused::rolleyes::p:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewJersey222 Posted April 26, 2009 #19 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Well I'm 57 & I just told someone the other day I wish I could just live onboard Hi SardisGrandma and Everyone who loves to cruise, I have thought of living on a ship as well when I retire. Work for my room and board. Maybe then I would have this cruising obsession out of my system, but I doubt it!!! Regards to all, NewJersey222:D Marie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard in Panama Posted April 27, 2009 #20 Share Posted April 27, 2009 There was, is??, a gal who lives on Holland America ships that the crew all calls "Mama Lu" . . . The story she told me was that her kids wanted to put her in an assisted living facility, she disowned her kids, and lives on board ship. Uses ships that frequently return to FL so she can pick up her meds and visit one daughter whom I guess she speaks to know. She claims to save $1000 per month over the assisted living facility the kids wanted to put her in. She has acquired some of the bright deck bar steward shirts, etc., which she wears. Pushes her walker right up to the front row for every show. Is very proud of a vest she wears that is covered with HAL crew nametags . . . her "kids" . . . and every port she buys cheap, Asian flashing light toys that she gives out to bar stewards, etc. Kinda cool really . . . so if you bump into Mama Lu say "Hi!" She's interesting, loves to chat with everyone . . . seems to have a very adventurous life . . . better than watching TV in a "home" I would say. Regards, Richard PS - The ZUIDERDAM was a blast and it was good to meet so many Cruise Critic folks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cusyl Posted April 27, 2009 #21 Share Posted April 27, 2009 I would love to live on a cruise ship. I love just being on the ship, I wouldn't care what the ports were. I know some people sell their houses and live onboard. I think the lady from the QE2 may be on Queen Victoria. Haven't heard lately. Oliverdr, As far as accessibility of cruise ships it depends on the ship. I just left the Carnival Legend. I had a HC cabin and rented a scooter. The Pride Go Go was great, the only problem being that on some door sills, mainly the ones going out on Promenade deck, would get stuck and had to get off and push it. It is too low to the ground to get over them. Also, I noticed the electric eye to open doors out to the pool did not "see" me unless I put my arm up and waved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jocap Posted April 27, 2009 #22 Share Posted April 27, 2009 There was also a rumour aboard Sea Princess that a woman lived on board, and that people met her at the special night for long time Princess cruisers-jocap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acker Posted April 29, 2009 #23 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I like anticipating my next cruise so I wouldn't like to live aboard a cruise ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda74 Posted May 1, 2009 #24 Share Posted May 1, 2009 As a recent widow, I wonder if they cut you a deal if you are there permanently....has to beat being in a retirement home.....and if it is less than $52,000 a year as a single a bargain.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swalm22 Posted May 8, 2009 #25 Share Posted May 8, 2009 I would like retirement onboard, sounds very interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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