Posted on 10/01/2023 10:03:31 PM PDT by dennisw
A retired Australian couple became the stars of the sea as they spent nearly 500 days cruising around the world after booking 51 back-to-back cruises.
Marty and Jess Ansen took off on their first cruise on June 16, 2022, after a long two years of strict COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia. They have yet to stop, booking a total of 51 trips so far.
The great-grandparents have stayed on board Princess Cruises’ 2,000-passenger Coral Princess for more than 450 days — longer than most of the crew, including the captains — and expect to stay onboard the ship for two years.
“Eventually, I said to my [travel] agent: ‘Look, what ever comes, just book it,'” Marty told A Current Affair.
The couple claim it’s cheaper to cruise around the world for two years than pay for a retirement home.
“It’s our lifestyle,” Jess told the outlet. The couple enjoyed cruises for decades prior to making it their full-time living situation.
Among the perks of the lifestyle are that there’s always something to do, from dancing to dinner, and it comes with a maid to clean your room.
“Where else can you go where you go for dinner, you go to a show, you go dancing?” Jess said. “Through the day, you have all these activities.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
A key fact that is notably absent from the article.
“The monthly cost is $4200”
Is that per person, or both together?
Many retirees live in hotels that have weekly rates. Cheaper than an apartment, or they just have bad credit, and can’t get an apartment.
Here in Texas, there are some inexpensive options. Don’t know that I would want to stay in one.
Yet another argument in favor of year-round cruises!
Seriously: My mother used to go on cruises with "ports of call" where my sibs lived.
Of course, if your children live far inland (e.g., Oklahoma), that wouldn't pan out very well.
Regards,
Is that an issue with you?
Regards,
Quite frankly none of us “deserve” an inheritance. That’s the old folks money - they brought up the kids, now the kids are working, so the kids should look for themselves.
Now I would love to inherit, but let’s be fair.
“Plus, if those two are frequent cruisers, they could be getting significant discounts.”
I am sure with that many cruises they are getting significant discounts and upgrades. Upgrades like a better cabin, free meals at one of the specialty restaurants, a few free drinks. I have done enough cruises and dropped enough money in the ship casinos that I get offers of free cruises a few times a year. If they stay out of the casino and do very few shore excursions it is for sure cheap for them. At ports you can get off the ship and do your on cheap thing without the expensive excursions.
Interesting....
I could rent out my home and live for free.
“Here in Texas, there are some inexpensive options”
Sounds like now I really do have a reason to move to Texas, no relatives anyway.
My mother’s retirement apartment up here ten years ago (WA) was closer to $7,000 than $2,000.
Depends on the level of care a person needs and whether you want your loved on at the place when there are nicer options available.
More care, more expense.
I worked as a musician on a RCCL cruise ship, the Jewel, for 10 months in 2005. The shore excursions were great, and I was supremely lucky because my bandleader insisted on never rehearsing, so I had the whole day free. I volunteered to go on every excursion I could. Crew member holding up the lollipop sign to keep the little groups together, monitor group for walking or bathroom problems, count PAX going and coming on the bus. Those excursions were terrific, but touristy, and you’re right, pricey. But you generally didn’t get much out of the port stops because it could take you an hour to figure out museum or bus schedules and you only have 5 hours off the boat.
I got to go to the Hermitage 3 times in St Petersburg and all manner of museums and boat trips in all the Northern Euro capitals for free. I went somewhere almost every day. The good excursions were like $160 each, at least $80. That’s more or less your daily cabin/cruise cost, so yeah, those could blow up your cruise cost.
Don’t be a dumbass.
Imagine getting stuck having to clean those rooms....Uck!
My mother’s level of care fluctuated between independent and a low level of assisted living.
Should rename the ship to "The Raging Queen."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.