Which couple goes on a cruise instead of nursing home?

An Australian couple is choosing not to spend their time in a retirement home but instead have opted for two years at sea. Marty and Jess Ansen, of Brisbane, embarked on 51 back-to-back Princess Cruises back in June 2022, with a 795-sea day trip to anticipate.



The most prominent couple associated with this lifestyle is Nancy and Robert Houchens from Virginia, who made headlines in late 2025 and early 2026 for spending over 1,000 days living at sea. The couple famously "put pencil to paper" and realized that the all-inclusive nature of cruising—which covers meals, housekeeping, laundry, and entertainment—was significantly more affordable and enjoyable than the high monthly costs of a traditional assisted living facility or nursing home. By selling their 3,000-square-foot home and most of their possessions, they transitioned to a "floating retirement" where they focus on the journey rather than the destination. Their story has become a viral case study for creative retirement planning, highlighting how loyalty perks from cruise lines like Carnival can provide a high standard of living for a fraction of the cost of land-based senior care, while also offering constant social engagement and global travel.

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Retired Australian couple Marty and Jessica Ansen revealed they have been aboard the Coral Princess cruise ship for more than 450 straight days.

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Is it expensive to retire on a cruise ship? The cost of living onboard a cruise ship varies depending on the type of cabin you choose and the amenities you desire. Generally, retirees can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 - $3,000 per month for accommodation, meals, entertainment, and other activities.

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A couple have traded life on dry land for sailing the seven seas. And I'm not just talking living on a little sailing boat and fishing for lunch, but settling down on cruise ships. Finding it to be cheaper than paying a mortgage, Seattle couple Angelyn and Richard Burk ditched their jobs for a new start.

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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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Many of the major cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines and Norweigan Cruise Lines offer Senior Citizen Rates for guests age 55 or older. Senior Cruise Discounts are typically available on last minute cruises when cruise lines need help filling the last remaining cabins on their ships.

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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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“Cruise vacations are a great option for seniors because they can do as much or as little as they want, depending on their level of ability,” says Ronald Pettit, senior specialist access manager with Royal Caribbean International. “Some seniors are quite active, while others are more relaxed.”

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Considering all these factors, the cruise fare for living on a cruise ship can cost anywhere from $60,000 per year to upwards of $150,000. However, knowing what you get and where you spend your money is important. Let's look at what you can expect to spend your money on when living on a cruise ship.

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Balcony cabins on cruise ships are more spacious due to the outside space. They have spectacular ocean views, fresh sea air, and a private seating area. Although these cabins are more expensive, the rewards of a private balcony sometimes outweigh the cost. If it fits within your budget, balcony cabins are worth it!

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Typically Less Expensive-Cruise pricing tends to cost 20-30% less than an all-inclusive vacation if you just look at the cruise fare with no excursions or extras included.

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Odds are, most people will end up somewhere between $1,500 and $2,000 per person. Now, it's true that if you were to drink only water, explore ports on your own, and stick to the main dining room and buffets, you could easily knock a couple of hundred dollars off the price.

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What is the cheapest time to book a cruise? Prospective cruisers can usually find a lot of good deals at the beginning of the year during wave season, Goldberg-Glazer said. That period typically lasts from January until March. However, the optimal time to book may depend on when you plan to sail.

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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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Cruise ship workers are not supposed to hook up with passengers, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. It is rare though – most crew follow the rules because they know they'll lose their job if they're caught. You won't be surprised to hear that cruise lines ban crew from having sex with passengers.

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I used to be employed by cruise ships, but now I live on one while my husband works on board. Christine Kesteloo. I'm a wife on board — I live on a cruise ship for half of the year while my husband works on it. There are a lot of perks, like free laundry, food, and room service.

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There are single cruisers on almost every ship. Some sail solo and others are in friend or family groups. Dining arrangements, onboard activities and port tours make meeting like-minded people easy. Also, it's socially acceptable to strike up conversations with others throughout the ship.

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