Retirement at sea

[Bellair]

Here is an interesting newspaper article:

 

Did you ever wish you could toss in the towel and just cruise for the rest of your life? Would it be feasible, say, to retire and live year-round on a cruise ship?

 

Life on one certainly would be cushy.

 

On the premises, you would have restaurants and cafes, nightclubs, theater, movies, live music, casinos, shopping, driving ranges, tennis courts, swimming pools, a gym and spa, concierge service, round-the-clock room service, top-notch security, even doctors and nurses on call 24/7. Some ships even have X-ray facilities and operating rooms.

 

And, of course, the world at your doorstep.

 

The notion of living on a ship isn't new. In 1963, a woman lived full-time in a small cabin on the original Queen Elizabeth.

 

"Her family was delighted that she was always being looked after," said Maureen Ryan, the "lady assistant purser" at the time. Another seafarer, Rosemarie Roberts, lodged for about a dozen years on the now-defunct Royal Viking Line.

 

Lines don't particularly encourage this sort of thing, though. And geriatric experts may wonder about its long-term efficacy, especially for the elderly. Nevertheless, it's a choice some people happily make.

 

In fact, a recent article in the Newark Star-Ledger featured 86-year-old Bea Muller, who sashays around the world as the sole de facto resident on the venerable QE2.

 

According to the article, Muller's expenses "run about $66,000 a year, which includes insurance, tours in ports, clothing, gifts and occasional visits to her sons."

 

If that's too pricey, a sojourn on one of Carnival's 21 Fun Ships would run about $800 a week or about $42,000 a year. A party-hearty cruiser could sail the Caribbean in an endless loop.

 

Or that cruiser could book a never-ending Caribbean voyage on Holland America, a premium line catering to a sophisticated older crowd, and expect to pay about $1,050 per week or about $52,000 per year.

 

At these fares, such a lifestyle compares favorably to some retirement options.

 

For instance, on average, assisted living costs $30,288 a year, more in the Northeast and West, according to a study cited by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Higher-end communities can run even more -- $48,000 plus.

 

Setting your sights a bit higher might not cost that much more. You could opt for a plusher cabin on a Holland America vessel and expand your sailing horizons to include Europe next year. Line spokesman Erik Elvejord says retiring for the year in a balcony cabin would cost about $70,000 per person double occupancy.

 

Cost aside, some people are finding retirement at sea more attractive than on land. Irma Morgan of New Mexico spent all but two weeks last year aboard Crystal Harmony. So delighted was Morgan with her sojourn that she's booked again for all of next year.

 

According to Crystal's Lynn Sogi, "For a person to stay year-round on Crystal Harmony in the least-expensive cabin would cost roughly $81,170."

 

A year on one of the upscale Seabourn ships would cost a salty $114,610. But, as spokesman Bruce Good points out, you'll be kicked off during the ship's drydock maintenance or if it's chartered.

 

But what if your health status turns sour? Ships may compare favorably to assisted living, but they're still vacation venues. For super bucks, though, you could nab an actual condo at sea.

 

The World, a 12-deck vessel the length of two football fields, was launched two years ago as the only private community at sea. It may be the ultimate mobile home. The ship sails a continuous round-the-world itinerary emphasizing extended stays -- clocking about 250 days a year in various ports.

 

For a shot at the World's one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments (ranging from 675 square feet to 3,242 square feet.), you would have to cough up between $1.3 million and $6.3 million.

 

Many World residences are available for rent, though, with a minimum six-night stay required, at rates that start at $1,000 per night, including meals and select beverages, port charges and gratuities.

 

So keep a close watch on that nest egg.

 

The Orlando Sentinel is a Tribune Co. newspaper. Contact Arline Bleecker at AJBleecker@aol.com.

Copyright © 2010, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

[RuthC]

Here is an interesting newspaper article:

 

The World, a 12-deck vessel the length of two football fields, was launched two years ago

 

********

 

The Orlando Sentinel is a Tribune Co. newspaper. Contact Arline Bleecker at AJBleecker@aol.com.

Copyright © 2010, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

That article is a lot older than 2010. It says the World was launched two years ago? I shared a port with that ship back in 2002.

[Musicus]

Just a note of thanks to you all for your input and support in my quest for the ultimate (though not impossible) dream. Because of financial constraint, I have made a proposal to HAL who are at present looking at it. But I also have requested all inclusive quotes from several other cruise lines. The fact that I am a single traveler adds of course a great deal to costs, but it would be very difficult to find a compatible companion fofr this enterprise, especially since I would not be keen on a male partner. Will keep you posted on developments.[/i]