There are regular news stories about travelers who retire to the seagoing life and spend their golden years almost entirely aboard cruise ships, but do such retirement plans come with extra benefits?
One cruise couple who encountered such a retiree in recent years has been considering the option, and reached out to Carnival Cruise Line with interesting questions.
“My wife and I were on a cruise in 2023 aboard the Regal Princess. At dinner we noticed an elderly lady sitting alone in the main dining room. I also noticed that all the staff, ships officers, waiters all seemed very familiar with this lady,” the poster described to Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald.
The guest goes on to note that they had expected the woman might be someone famous, but learned that she had actually been aboard the ship for the past six months.
They had an opportunity to chat with her, and what they learned caught their attention and has kept them thinking about their own options even two years later.
The woman had said of her lengthy cruise, “It’s cheaper than a nursing home.” But is it?
The guest goes on to note that the average cost of a nursing home in their area is $10,000 per month (though according to the American Council on Aging, it is closer to $14,000), and indeed it might be cheaper to set sail permanently.
“My wife and I are both in our late sixties now and we have been thinking about this lady,” the guest explained. “Would Carnival allow discounts for us to live out our lives on the Carnival Legend? This is our favorite ship. … We have no children and we cannot think of a better way to live out our lives.”
The question of whether or not a cruise line might offer discounts for full-time cruise ship life is an interesting one, though Heald admittedly doesn’t have a direct answer.
“Honestly, I have no idea if this is something we would consider,” Heald acknowledged. “I do think though that it’s a wonderful way to think.”
Heald goes on to compare that the retirement home life can be far less impressive than “being forever on vacation” with Carnival Cruise Line’s dining options, multiple pools, “and of course a caring, giving, considerate and always friendly crew.”
Granted, there is one request the guest has for their retirement-at-sea option that Carnival Cruise Line probably won’t be able to accommodate.
“When we die you can just dump us overboard. This will save on funeral costs too,” the guest commented (hopefully joking!).
That did give Heald a laugh, of course, but the cruise line isn’t likely to take such steps. He can, however, help guests arrange for scattering ashes at sea if desired.
Would a Cruise Line Be a Good Alternative to a Nursing Home?
More and more people are considering retirement-at-sea options, and it is an intriguing idea – especially considering that the US average of nursing home care is $111,325 per person for a shared room (think double occupancy staterooms) annually.
Of course, onboard costs would vary depending on the cruise line, the exact ship and type of sailings, stateroom selections, and other factors.
If a guest has high-level loyalty with the cruise line, that could translate into significant savings with free internet, drink discounts, or laundry perks.
Read Also: Here’s How You Can Retire on a Cruise Ship!
One would also have to plan for cruise ship dry dock schedules when it would be necessary to disembark completely, perhaps to switch to a different ship.
Pets would not be permitted, and it is essential to note that cruise ships aren’t always equipped for specialized medical care if it was needed.
Despite those potential drawbacks, however, spending one’s golden years witnessing endless golden at sea sunsets can be a very interesting – and not too outrageous! – option.
For some travelers, it isn’t even necessary to wait until retirement to set sail. Royal Caribbean’s top cruiser, 72-year-old Mario Salcedo, spends nearly 50 weeks a year at sea, working remotely and truly living the seagoing life.
Would you consider a life at sea? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
