We’ve all gotten to the last day of a trip and found ourselves saying “I wish this holiday would never end”. Well, for some people, it never does. The latest trend among senior travellers? Never-ending cruises. Some retirees spend decades cruising the world full time with no plans to call it quits.
For some, being stuck on a cruise ship for the rest of their lives is some kind of nightmare. For others, it’s a dream come true. Think about it; you never have to make your own bed again, all your meals are taken care of, no doing the dishes, no mowing the lawn. Live entertainment, daily shows and onboard libraries ensure there’s never a dull moment.
Perhaps the biggest drawcard is cost. In many cases, it’s actually cheaper to retire onboard a cruise ship than on land. An investing site called Motley Fool found that budget cruises cost around $100 per day. When compared to the costs of assisted living facilities, they found that long term cruising would still save retirees several thousand dollars a year.
Retiring on a cruise ship sounds very glamorous but would only be suitable for fit and healthy individuals. People with ongoing illnesses and ailments would not receive adequate care onboard.
Now we’re not suggesting you cram all your belongings into a storage locker and head to your nearest cruise port immediately. But there are definitely perks to long term cruising. Here’s why you should consider it.
Exploring at a slower pace
More and more retirees are spending their savings on travelling the world – and we say go for it! But not everyone wants to do so by land. Cruising is a convenient, slower paced way for seniors to travel. No long-haul flights or lugging your bags around. On a cruise ship, you unpack once. It’s like visiting all seven continents without having to change hotel rooms.
All-inclusive living
The biggest perk of cruising is that it’s all-inclusive. No need to carry your wallet around – everything is included in the cost of your ticket. Well, almost everything. You’ll generally have to pay extra for your wine at dinner (unless you purchase a beverage package) and for any special shows that might be on.
Hallelujah for housekeeping
For those who hate household cleaning chores, long term cruising could be the answer to your prayers. The housekeeping staff will make your bed, cleans your room and fluff your pillow every day. You can even get someone to do your washing for you.
Rent out your home to fund your travels
If you’re lucky enough to be mortgage-free, you may want to rent out your house to cover the cost of your cruises. Rather than selling it entirely, a steady income from renters could mean you have a nice little nest egg to go home to if you decide the never-ending cruise life isn’t for you.
The drawbacks
Solo passengers will always pay more. The smallest cabins are twin share so those travelling solo will always have to pay a single supplement or cover the cost of two passengers.
Another potential deal-breaker is the cost of insurance. You may need to negotiate a special health insurance policy to cover travelling full time.
Speaking of health, special medical attention is minimal onboard. Cruise ships are required to have a medical centre onboard, but in the case of an emergency, you may be too far from a port to receive adequate medical treatment. Even day-to-day, you may require a level of care that isn’t available onboard.
Written by Bethany Plint. Republished with permission of MyDiscoveries.com.au.