You don't have to be retired or ultra-wealthy to live on a cruise ship. In fact, more and more younger couples are opting for life at sea. Who wouldn't want to wake up to an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet before exploring a new destination or lounging by the pool? You don't have to worry about cooking or cleaning, either, and no, it isn't too good to be true.
The rise of long-term cruise options isn't a new phenomenon. Many cruise lines offer lengthy world cruises, allowing you to book one voyage and sail around the globe. Additionally, residential cruise lines, like Villa Vie Residences, have made it easier for those looking to embrace a flexible lifestyle without worrying about property taxes and maintenance. Still, those options are expensive, sometimes costing upwards of $30,000 per person or more.
Two financially savvy retired school teachers from Tennessee lived at sea for around $10,000 for eight months, showcasing it's possible to enjoy long-term life aboard a cruise ship without breaking the bank.
Read more: I work remotely from a cruise ship all the time
Monica Brzoska, 32, and Jorrell Conley, 36, met nearly a decade ago while teaching in Memphis. In October 2016, they booked a week-long cruise to Mexico, Belize, and Grand Cayman, instantly falling in love with sailing together. They continued cruising together over the next four years, going on nine cruises to Puerto Rico, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, and Turks and Caicos.
After another week-long Caribbean cruise in 2023, the couple realized they could live their dream of traveling full-time and decided to book consecutive cruises instead of returning home.
"It sounds mad, but the numbers made sense," Brzoska told The Sun, "Accommodation, food, and entertainment would be included – we’d only need spending money. And because we’d been on so many Carnival cruises, we’d earned access to some amazing offers. If we chose the cheapest cabins, our savings from the pandemic would allow us to book eight months of cruising for [$10,000]."
The couple quit their jobs, sold nearly all their possessions, and hit the high seas, renting out their 3-bedroom home in Memphis to continue paying for cruises. Within the first year of living at sea, they sailed on 36 consecutive cruises, starting in Miami and eventually visiting countries like Honduras, Australia, Fiji, Greece, and Japan.
"There are challenges, of course. We miss our families, but know we can fly home if there’s an emergency," Brzoska added.
According to Brzoska's Instagram (@life_by_any_means), they've been cruising full-time for 20 months and have visited 45+ countries.
Living on a cruise ship is more affordable than living in major cities
Austin Wells, 28, of San Diego leased a studio apartment aboard the upcoming MV Narrative for $300,000. While that seems like a pricey investment, the lease lasts 12 years, breaking down to roughly $25,000 per year or about $2,083 per month, significantly less than the average cost of living in many major cities, including San Diego. Plus, he can rent his unit while not on board, earning upwards of $4,500 monthly.
“The thing that most excites me is I don’t have to upend my daily routine, in order to go see the world,” Wells told CNBC, “I’m going from this model where you want to go somewhere, you pack a bag, you get on a flight, you rent a room, to now my condo, my gym, my doctors and dentists, all of my grocery stores travel the world with me."
Wells' entry-level "Discover" studio measures 237 square feet and includes a foldaway bed, pantry area, desk, and ensuite bathroom. There are far more luxurious units, such as the "Envision" residence. The two-bed, two-bath suite starts at $3.3 million for a long lease. The website indicates the cheapest lifetime unit currently available is $1,029,584, while the most affordable unit for a 12-year lease costs $462,000.
However, the ship is what's most impressive, boasting a variety of amenities including a farmer's market, private kitchens, a 10,000-square-foot gym, a co-working space, a spa, and more. The fare also includes laundry services, meals in 20 restaurants, Wi-Fi, beverages, premium satellite television, and 24-hour room service.
Part of the appeal for Wells is the socialization aspect. He hopes to make new friends and enjoy traveling the world with them, opening up the potential "...to create some of the deepest friendships [I've] ever had."
Storylines, the company behind the luxury vessel, expects MV Narrative to embark on her maiden voyage in 2027.
Life at sea is still popular among retirees
While an increasing number of younger people live on cruises, retirees are still the primary demographic for long-term cruising. Expenses like meals, entertainment, accommodation, and transportation to ports of call are handled for one set price.
Marty and Jess Ansen, a retired couple from Australia, spent over 450 days aboard Princess Cruises' Coral Princess, booking 51 back-to-back cruises on the same ship. They were onboard for longer than many of the crew members and welcomed new captains aboard! While they didn't disclose how much they've spent on their adventures, they claim it's cheaper than a retirement home.
Similarly, Tori Carter and Kirk Rickman of Brighton, Ontario, sold their house to live on a cruise ship. Since they began cruising full-time, they've visited South Korea, Greenland, and Antarctica, where they walked with penguins and saw the world's largest iceberg.
By avoiding expensive ships, they spend around $30,000 per year. Carter told Toronto Life that part of why they're able to afford this lifestyle is because they no longer have to pay for things like a mortgage, lawn maintenance, car payments, groceries, and everyday house or yard items.
"It’s certainly not everybody’s idea of retirement, but we’ve loved our first year at sea. We never imagined we could travel this much," said Rickman.
Read more: Couple booked 51 back-to-back cruises instead of retiring to a nursing home
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
