Is it cheaper to live on a cruise ship than in a retirement home?

That's right-- living on a cruise ship could be a lower-cost way for seniors to take advantage of similar amenities to those provided by assisted living facilities, like all-you-can eat meals, a swimming pool for low-impact exercise, regular companionship and entertainment, and even access to on-board doctors.



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The bottom line is that in some cases, spending an extended amount of time on a cruise ship can be more cost effective -- as well as more enjoyable -- than a nursing home or retirement community.

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Life at Sea cruises, which will host a three year cruise for $30,000 per year, is taking on more passengers. Apparently, the number of people who want to sail away from their lives is bigger than expected.

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Those who have an inside cabin will be paying about $2,400 a month per person, said Valerie Linderoth, a Victoria Cruises Brand Ambassador. It's actually pretty affordable. While the price of $2,400 a month may not sound affordable at first, there are other factors to consider.

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Some cruise lines offer cabins for sale, allowing you to own your place at sea. Other ships accommodate extended trips, such as 180 days or more. You also need to decide what to do about your current housing situation. You might rent your home while you set sail or divide your time between cruising and living on land.

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Instead of booking individual cruises, people purchase one of the residences on the ship and are then free to use it as and when they want. Some people live on the ship full-time while others come and go, using it as a vacation home or an alternative to owning a yacht.

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Christine Kesteloo is a former cruise director and has lived on ships for more than a decade. After losing her job in 2020, she became a "wife on board," as her husband works for Holland America. Kesteloo has said she's not allowed to gamble on board or disembark with paying guests.

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How long can you be on a cruise? Why some passengers opt to sail for 6 months or longer. Some cruise passengers prefer long sailings, from a couple weeks to many months. Passengers say there's a greater opportunity for camaraderie on longer sailings.

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Interior or inside staterooms are typically the least expensive category on a cruise. Those cabins are generally the smallest on board and rarely accommodate more than three people, according to Joy Hess, owner and lead travel consultant at Outside the Lines Travel.

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The survival rate after jumping off a cruise ship is around 25%. Many things can influence this rate including the speed of the ship, the location, the time of day and the season.

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It is possible to live on a cruise ship and there are several cruise lines that allow you to purchase an apartment onboard. Alternatively, you could book a series of short cruises on a mainstream cruise line. It's better to choose a cruise ship designed for long-term living than one from a mainstream cruise line.

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The best time of year to book a cruise is often January through March. During this period — also known as wave season — industry-wide sales occur and the price of that cruise you've been dreaming of may drop significantly.

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Prices started at $29,999 per year for individuals sharing an inside cabin for the cruise, ramping up to nearly $109,999 per year for a larger suite, with Gemini expected to visit 375 ports in 135 countries and seven continents after setting sail Nov.

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The summer months, especially June, July, and August, are the peak travel season for cruises. This is primarily due to families taking advantage of school holidays and vacation time. With increased demand, cruise prices tend to be higher during these months.

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A MAN who spends 300 days of the year living on a posh cruise ship has revealed that the overall costs aren't as high as you might expect - in fact, he believes it works out cheaper than renting with bills to cover.

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As a general rule, plan to have $50 to $100 each day in the local currency. Also, you may want to bring an extra $20 a day for tipping crew members. Make sure to include smaller bills for tips. Fifty to a hundred dollars a day should be enough to cover small purchases, tips and snacks at each port.

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