Friday, April 12, 2024

Living The Dream: Retiring On A Cruise Ship Porthole Cruise and Travel News

retire on cruise ship

The MV Narrative even has its private marina at the ship’s aft, so residents can sail, jetski, kayak, or swim in the sea. As you weigh the options, consider what matters most to you in retirement. Both paths offer rich, fulfilling experiences but cater to different lifestyles and needs.

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Though cruise ships have a medical staff, they aren't equipped to handle serious health issues. You'd have to manage prescription medications from a distance for long periods of time, and schedule time off the ship for routine checkups. Any medical emergencies might require you to be airlifted from the ship, and the distance to the nearest hospital could be quite far. Simply not having to worry about grocery shopping, meal preparation or home maintenance tops most people's lists of retirement goals, and all of those would fit into a cruise ship retirement.

Cruise Ship Collides With Dock at Turkish Port

Long-term cruise-dwellers are unlikely to drink as much daily as those who are there short term. If so, you could certainly book passage for a year for much less than you might normally spend living on land. They’re the household name for mainstream cruise lines (and generally rated slightly higher than their competitor, Carnival).

How to Retire on a Cruise for Less Money

The World, which is marketed as a “residential yacht,” offers condo cabins ranging in price $825,000 to $7.3 million. Yes, you can generally continue to receive your Social Security benefits while living on a cruise ship during retirement. The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays benefits to eligible individuals regardless of their place of residence, as long as they meet the SSA's eligibility requirements. It's advisable to consult with a financial advisor or tax professional to understand any potential tax implications or reporting requirements related to your Social Security benefits while abroad. This can help you manage these types of costs if they become necessary. According to online travel insurance company Squaremouth, this coverage typically costs around 5% to 7% of the trip cost when purchased through a third-party insurer.

retire on cruise ship

Additionally, consider working with a travel agent who specializes in cruises. They will have insights into available promotions and may be able to help you find the best deals. Medicare coverage on a cruise ship can be complex and depends on various factors such as the cruise ship's location, the duration of the cruise, and the type of medical services required. Generally, Medicare (A & B) does not cover medical services received while aboard a cruise ship if it is more than six hours away from a U.S. port or outside of U.S. territorial waters.

If you’re receiving Social Security, some or all of that income may be taxable if you also have earned income. Working a regular job while living aboard a cruise ship probably isn’t likely, but you might be making money from an online business. Living on a cruise ship in retirement could be a cost-saving measure for seniors who may be working with a smaller financial nest egg. The woman I met was using low-cost solo cruises (which earn double points) on Royal Caribbean's smallest ship to boost her status point total.

How much does it cost to retire on a cruise ship?

One client, Crivelli said, is planning to fill an eight-month gap between selling their house and building a new one in a senior living community with a long voyage. We help professionals and entrepreneurs in their 30s and 40s elevate their finances and maximize their money. We are based in Washington, D.C and we work with people virtually nationwide. The cruise ship company may collect a fee for each day of the cruise at the beginning or end of your stay. This already includes daily food and beverage consumption, airfare to ship ports, and other amenities available.

The Unconventional Path of Cruise Ship Retirement

retire on cruise ship

As well, even while on the ship you will have additional costs on land. Monthly notes, rent, maintenance, taxes and other costs will be a factor to consider. While we've focused on the cost of retiring aboard a cruise ship, you'll notice that we've only given figures related to the actual cruise itself. However, there are other expenses -- and logistics -- that you should consider about retiring on the ship.

Oceania Cruises introduced what it called a “groundbreaking new concept” in 2016 called Snowbirds in Residence, offering a “tropical ultimate vacation home” on two of its ships for 58 or 72 days. Prices started at $15,999 for the shorter trip and $19,999 for the longer one. Although the line no longer offers the specific program, executives still want to appeal to vacationers with the flexibility for lengthy getaways. An individual stay at an assisted living facility cost $48,000 an average in 2018, according to Genworth Financial.

You must think very carefully about what you want (and don’t want) from post-career life. Alvin Carlos, CFP®, CFA is an investment advisor and fee-only financial planner, in Washington, D.C that works with clients across the country. He has a Master’s degree in International Relations from SAIS-Johns Hopkins. Schedule a free discovery call to learn how we can help elevate your finances.

Mario Salcedo earned the nickname “The Happiest Guy in the World” from the New York Times for spending the bulk of two decades on ships — while still running a business. And 94-year-old Morton Jablin told Forbes in late 2018 that his life was “very routine but comfortable” after living on a luxury ship for 13 years. Retirees who live on cruise ships have access to all sorts of transportation options including car rentals, taxis, shuttles, local buses, or trains in port cities when they want to explore the destination. For higher-end accommodations, some cruise ships offer permanent homes starting at $3.2 million for up to 1,690 square feet. Snowbirds enjoy all the amenities of Oceania's 1,250-passenger Riviera, including entertainment, a swimming pool, fitness center and spa, enrichment programs and the option to dine at 10 different restaurants. Even if you don't plan on selling all your possessions and taking up permanent residence on a cruise ship, there are ways to spend months out of every year onboard.

Retired Couple Books 51 Back-to-Back Cruises, Sails for 2 Years - Entrepreneur

Retired Couple Books 51 Back-to-Back Cruises, Sails for 2 Years.

Posted: Mon, 02 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruise lines are aware of how costs can add up when cruising for several months on end, so most offer discounts and freebies to travelers on lengthy voyages. "Only a handful of lines offer world cruise departures at the perfect time for snowbirds to escape winter," says Charles Wolfe, a Virtuoso luxury travel adviser at Direct Travel in Naples, Florida. In 2017, Oceania Cruises (considered an ultra-premium line) launched its Snowbirds in Residenceprogram, featuring longer cruises, separate from its world cruise, that come with some nice perks.

For that, we decided to lock in on an option that we think would appeal to the broadest amount of people by being a mid-tier cruise that’s realistically affordable without having to skimp. Think of retiring, and you’re likely picturing a life of relaxing, traveling, eating good food, and with plenty of time to do whatever you want. Although few cruise lines specifically target retirees — Oceania, for its part, had a Snowbird in Residence program, which has since been canceled — specialty agents are waking up to this lucrative demographic. The rise of the "retire-at-sea" movement has been aided by a recent shift toward longer, more elaborate "world cruises" or "grand cruises" that can last 50 days or more at a time.

The average age is 64, and families onboard hail from all over the world. Amenities on the ship itself include six restaurants, a regulation-sized tennis court, a full-sized theater, and outings to cultural landmarks. To give you an idea, we’ve decided to look at a real world example, pricing the cost of living aboard a ship using actual data from the cruise lines. On a cruise, not only do you get to enjoy yourself on the ship as you travel from port to port, but you also have your food, entertainment, housekeeping and more included making it an ideal lifestyle for retirees. The idea of spending your retirement as a full-time cruiser is intriguing, but doing so seems financially out of reach.

With some planning and bargaining, you could cruise for a comparable amount. If you are interested in a comprehensive plan, including recommendations on how to make your cruise ship dream a reality, schedule a free consultation with one of our financial planners today. The initial cruise ship fee is the cost of a long-term lease arrangement with time considered as a payment. Other cruise lines offer upgrades such as meal plans, better staterooms, and more. Planning for retirement is a vital endeavor that requires careful consideration and strategic financial management.

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