Retire on a cruise ship

When I retire, can I just stay on a cruise ship--like a perpetual B2B? Think I could get a discounted monthly or yearly rate?

Bill always jokes it would be cheaper than a senior retirement community

Try The World cruise ship. It is apartment style cabins you rent for a year and travel all over. It's about 1 million but oh so cool!

When I retire, can I just stay on a cruise ship--like a perpetual B2B? Think I could get a discounted monthly or yearly rate?

You sure can. Try Residensea.

http://aboardtheworld.com/

There was a lady that did that. I don't know if she's still alive or not. From what I understand, there is no discount if you do it though.

When I retire, can I just stay on a cruise ship--like a perpetual B2B? Think I could get a discounted monthly or yearly rate?

Yes, some people have done it. Here's a couple of articles about it I found doing a search for "cruise ship retirement":

http://www.retiring-overseas.com/how-to-retire-on-a-cruise-ship.html

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

And about the World (permanent cruise ship life)

http://aboardtheworld.com/

I think I saw someone posted once that they figured they could do that, and it would cost less overall than their daily living expenses on land!!

Anyone remember those old folks who retired and lived in a hotel? They got a good deal that meant it cost way less than a retirement community and still got all the amenities like a turn down service and breakfast each day.

I think it's a great idea to do.

My wife and I have talked about it too... Only problem would be where to put all of the clothes/shoes (hers :) ). Ok, in all reality, biggest problem would be medical.

But it IS a really nice thought :)

For medical, just set up a doctor in your port city, and schedule appointments while you're in port. Or, instead of paying single supplement, cruise with your doctor!

That's my plan. Not on Carnival but perpetual B2B. Totally cheaper than normal life. That World Ship is ridiculously priced. But people are currently retired on ships.

Good idea... let me drop my wife and pick up a doc as a cruising companion :)

There was a delightful gentleman who used to post on the solo thread a long time ago. He told us how he was spending his son's inheritance! He was an accomplished musician, and played the piano on the ship each day. In his 90s, he was very fit and active. he swam many laps daily. I know he did a year at least, but he did not get discounts either. He would see doctors in ports, and his son and friends would meet him. I wish I could think of his name, but everyone should have been exposed to his writings. They were so well written, and just a joy to read every one. He did pass away, but he made his dream come true. That's the way I would love to do it.

You could look into freighter cruises. Something I want to do someday.

you can do whatever you want as long as you have the money to do it......

I don't think I would want to live on A ship myself ....after a few months I would be going crazy wanting to do something different ...yes you can do another cruise ship but then that would get boring after awhile as well....

give me a travel trailer and a map of the US and I will be A happy camper with of course a few cruises in every year:)

You could look into freighter cruises. Something I want to do someday.

Interestingly, there was a thread just started today about just this:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2076560

I'm not sure that's it something for retirement, however. It apparently is more costly than "regular" cruising. And the "amenities" are limited, including no elevators on some ships.

The whole "lady" retiring on a cruise ship is an urban legend.

The whole "lady" retiring on a cruise ship is an urban legend.

No it isn't. Someone posted this just a few posts above yours: http://www.snopes.com/travel/trap/retire.asp

was on a HAL cruise years back and there was a lady that was living on the ship, they even had her name on the door.

There was a delightful gentleman who used to post on the solo thread a long time ago. He told us how he was spending his son's inheritance! He was an accomplished musician, and played the piano on the ship each day. In his 90s, he was very fit and active. he swam many laps daily. I know he did a year at least, but he did not get discounts either. He would see doctors in ports, and his son and friends would meet him. I wish I could think of his name, but everyone should have been exposed to his writings. They were so well written, and just a joy to read every one. He did pass away, but he made his dream come true. That's the way I would love to do it.

Egon.

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1226852

I just had this conversation with a guy at work last night!! I plan to do it:D I have my house scheduled to be paid off at 65-67. I am going to wait to draw SS so I get the max. I am going to start with a year and rent my house out with a year lease. I will have that income plus SS. I have two kids who have agreed to take care of and watch the house. I can visit them if I want to be off the ship for a week or so. f you do it in Florida you can do different ships at different times..

That's my basic plan for now!:D

I think that with some planning, a great deal of flexibility, and a willingness to part with 99.9% of your stuff it can be done.

I've thought about selling our house and stuff and buying a decent RV...not the 55' kind...just a smaller one. It costs roughtly $100 per week to park it at the Port of Galveston and I'm guessing it's a similar cost elsewhere.

With that as transportation and housing when you're not on the boat you would be free to take multiple B2B 7 day cruises from different locations. You could drive between Galveston and Orlando in two or three days.

An interior cabin can be had for about 400-500 per person per week. That's roughly $1000 per week (generous estimate) per couple. If you're in reasonably good health you should be able to get by on roughly $60K per year.

was on a HAL cruise years back and there was a lady that was living on the ship, they even had her name on the door.

Now that would be "cool"... :)

I just had this conversation with a guy at work last night!! I plan to do it:D I have my house scheduled to be paid off at 65-67. I am going to wait to draw SS so I get the max. I am going to start with a year and rent my house out with a year lease. I will have that income plus SS. I have two kids who have agreed to take care of and watch the house. I can visit them if I want to be off the ship for a week or so. f you do it in Florida you can do different ships at different times..

 

That's my basic plan for now!:D

My sister and I have seriously been talking about this for the past few years. Our house will be paid for when I retire - sell the house, cars, etc. and live onboard ships. We live in Florida & all of our family is here (large family) so my thought is - book an inside cabin on one ship for 1 month, then move to another ship. With CCL if you book an inside cabin, you'll average about $600 a week during the summer & $400 a week off season (per person), so for approximately $25,000 I could live onboard all year.

Let's see, no house payment, car payment, car insurance, electric bill, cable bill, grocery bill,etc. It would definitely be doable. My only problem would be staying out of the casinos, but it sure is nice to think about.

Would I get bored?? I'm thinking a week off every 2-3 months to spend with my family (especially during holidays) and I would be very happy. As you can see from my signature, I worked onboard ships for quite a few years and yes I would get homesick - but a week or so with family was a great cure.

I really envy these retirement plans! I know DH would do it in a heartbeat. I hope it all works out for those of you planning to go for it.

so for approximately $25,000 I could live onboard all year.

This sounds like a very cool idea and could be pulled of with some decent planning.

Upfront costs would only be about $13,000pp for 52 7 day deposits at $250 apiece. And medical / med-evac insurance might be about $1500pp ($30/week X 52) upfront for the year.

Then, like you said, the annual total cost to live aboard would be about $25000 for both of you.

I say go for it!!!