Consider Living on a Cruise Ship?
Previously, we discussed retiring on a sailboat. If that’s not your dream, how about a cruise ship? Imagine your backyard being the Canary Islands, then Barbados. No lawn to mow, no dishes to wash, and dinner served with ocean views, with a side of live jazz. For some retirees, this isn’t a fantasy, it’s daily life. Living on a cruise ship isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy or eccentric. More and more people ask; What if I swapped my fixed address for a floating one?
This article considers the surprising perks, challenges, and key considerations of calling a cruise ship ‘home’.
The All-Inclusive life, the original AI
Cruise ships offer something most retirement communities don’t: everything is taken care of. No utility bills. No cooking (unless your cruise offers cooking classes). No cleaning, your cabin is serviced. No car required, transport is at no additional cost.
Your daily routine might include a sunrise yoga session, a lecture on Roman architecture, lunch in a little beach café in the Mediterranean, and dancing under the stars. It’s like being on one long, extended holiday, but with structure, comfort and community.
Is It Cheaper Than You Think?
At first glance, cruise pricing looks indulgent. But when you break it down, the math starts to make sense. Accommodation (with ocean views), three to five meals daily, entertainment, fitness facilities, housekeeping, medical access, and transportation between countries.
Cruise living may be cost-competitive compared to maintaining a house, paying for healthcare, and travelling independently. Some retirees do back-to-back cruises on repositioning cruises or long-term itineraries. Depending on the cruise line, season, cabin type and length of the cruise, the daily cost could be around US$150 per day, sometimes less.
Who Does This?
A growing number of retirees, who are not Instagram influencers with a ring light, are full-time cruisers. Many are solo retirees, digital nomads, or couples who sold the house, kissed the garden goodbye, and booked years’ worth of sailings. Some have even signed multi-year leases on new residential cruise ships like Villa Vie Residences or MV Narrative, the vibe of a luxury condo with global travel.
What to Consider Before You Set Sail
Let’s be honest, living on a cruise ship isn’t for everyone. Here are the things you must think through.
Cabin Fever Is Real
Even in a suite, space is limited. Can you live with just a few suitcases' worth of belongings? Can you share close quarters with others long-term? Will your neighbour slamming their door ten times a day drive you insane?
Healthcare Access
Onboard medical facilities are great for minor issues, but anything serious may require disembarkation. Make sure your travel insurance is robust and consider your proximity to reliable hospitals during port stops.
Legal and Financial Planning
You’ll need to determine how to receive mail, pay bills or manage legal affairs, where your “resident” for tax purposes, and what happens in emergencies.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi is improving, but it varies by cruise line and itinerary. If you’re working remotely or Zoom calling grandkids, check the ship’s internet packages; they can be expensive (until you have elite loyalty status miles).
The People Side of It
What draws many people to this lifestyle isn’t just the destinations, it’s the community. You’ll make friends from around the world, dine with a rotating cast of fascinating personalities, and possibly dance with the same group every evening for weeks. There’s a camaraderie among long-term cruisers that feels a lot like home, just one that floats.
Could You Do It Part-Time?
If full-time cruising sounds like too much, consider “seasonal cruising.” Spend winters cruising the Caribbean, then summer in Europe or back home. Some retirees sail 6–9 months a year, returning home for holidays or healthcare check-ins. This hybrid approach gives you the best of both worlds: exploration and stability.
Your Retirement, Your Rules
Retiring on a cruise ship isn’t just about travel; it’s about reinventing retirement. It’s for adventurous people who want to explore the world and are a little tired of mowing the lawn. So, could you live on a cruise ship? If the idea excites you more than it scares you, it might be worth exploring. Take a cruise, meet the full-timers, test the waters - literally. Maybe, just maybe, your dream retirement doesn’t have a postcode, it has a port schedule.