For many, the notion of traveling after retirement is a luxury and a dream. However, many elderly couples are living that dream. One in particular, has been living on a cruise ship because it’s seemingly less expensive than alternative methods of housing.

The Cost of Living on a Cruise Ship Is Low

In the current economy, many families are having difficulty due to inflation and the post-pandemic effects. The escalating expenses of home ownership or rental are becoming unaffordable for them. People are becoming more inventive as a result. On a plot of land, many have opted for shipping containers or modest houses. Some have converted the back into a living area by buying vans or trucks. A retired couple has resided on a cruise ship for almost 500 days in the meantime.

According to Diana Olick, a senior climate and real estate journalist, “this is an extraordinarily unique market because of the pandemic and because there was such a run on housing, you have very high home prices as well as very high rent prices.”

Considering that, Jess and Marty Ansen have discovered the experience of a lifetime. Additionally, at a lower cost than conventional homes. The pair, who adores the ocean, sailed on a Coral Princess cruise ship in June 2022 and has been having a great time ever since. Speaking about his fortunate choices in life, Marty remarked, “Look, whatever comes, book it.”

The two have been living more cheaply than at a retirement community while they are on the road. In addition, their travels are limitless and their quality of life is enhanced. The two had taken more than 50 cruises in a row. Living on a cruise ship has been shown to provide a lot of extra advantages. To maintain an active lifestyle, some examples include having access to luxury food and housekeeping services, as well as a variety of activities like ballroom dance and gaming. “We no longer need to make the bed or wash up.” Jess chuckled.

Making New Friends

The pair has also revealed that, in comparison to living in a conventional retirement community, living on a cruise ship has allowed them to make a lot of new personal relationships. They have become acquainted with both passengers and crew members. Ren van Rooyen, the ship’s hotel manager, claims they have even grown to be a “familiar fixture.”

Sad Realities of the Economy

It was becoming apparent that the rest of the country would not have adequate housing by December of the same year that the Ansen family started living on a cruise ship. It appears that more than 500,000 people have lost their houses in the past 12 months. This means that almost 18 out of every 10,000 people are unable to pay their mortgage or rent, let alone keep up with the growing prices of groceries and utilities. With the typical individual having very little money for things like entertainment or tourism. As at the conclusion of the previous year, renting a home was really more economical than buying one. The fact that interest rates are at an all-time high further compounds the financial burden that many Americans bear.

In addition, it’s predicted that the numbers have increased dramatically since 2020. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much improvement in sight, which suggests that more and more families will probably struggle in the upcoming years, if not decades.

Other Reasons for Living on a Cruise Ship

However, there are simple solutions such as living on a cruise ship after retirement. As the Ansen’s found, living on a cruise ship has been more affordable because, in most cases, meals and activities are included in the price with children sometimes being offered free dining. Moreover, the financial aspect isn’t the only benefit to living on a cruise ship. Another reason to aim for living on a cruise ship is the opportunity to see more. Cruises are a good option for families wanting to see multiple places all in one trip. As opposed to having to book hotels in different places or pack and unpack multiple times.

Another huge reason to consider living on a cruise ship is that many are family friendly so there’s plenty to keep each family member occupied while still giving families time to bond and create memories together. Additionally, there are a ton of options to personalize your trip, starting with size of ship and duration of trip. Some people may be hoping to have a shorter trip on a more private ship. Whereas, others may want the thrill of meeting new people, shopping, eating, and doing exciting activities all in one place.

Regardless, traveling is a highly prioritized fantasy for many people but the Ansen’s have found a way to take the dream one steep further. By living on a cruise ship, they’re exploring the world and saving money on the cost of living, something most people are always looking to do.