The cost for a three-year "Resident at Sea" style cruise varies depending on the provider, but the most prominent recent offering from Life at Sea Cruises started at approximately $90,000 per person for the full three-year duration ($30,000 per year). However, for more desirable cabins, such as those with a balcony or more square footage, prices can quickly escalate to $300,000 or more. These costs are generally "all-inclusive," covering your accommodation, all meals, drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi (essential for digital nomads), laundry services, and even medical consultations. Some ultra-luxury residential ships like The World operate on a different model where you actually purchase the apartment, with "units" costing anywhere from $2 million to $15 million, plus annual ownership fees in the hundreds of thousands. For the more accessible 3-year "world cruise" options, payment is often structured in installments. While the $30k-a-year starting price sounds high, many retirees find it comparable to the cost of living in a high-end assisted living facility or a major city, with the added benefit of visiting over 130 countries across all seven continents.