Retirement at sea

[Musicus]

Being alone, of advanced age, sane, healthy and relatively mobile, I intend to spend the rest of my years cruising, preferably with HAL with which I am familiar and like for size, service and ambiance. There are many considerations of course, not the least being cost. I wonder whether I can draw on someone's

knowlege or experience as to a) best way to achieve permanent cruising (i.e.without being stuck going back an forth between two ports for ever, as

many ships seem to do) b) cost advantages between cruise lines? Is it possible on a $50K yearly budget?

[Aunty Pat]

HAL is a good choice for retirerment on a cruise ship.

· Several of their ships do not repeat and itinerary throughout the whole year and if they did it would be very easy for you to switch ships when they are in Ft. Lauderdale. Look at their Grand Voyages to find the ships that will give you the widest diversity of ports.

· I’m not sure what the cost would be, but they do offer special rates.

· The best place to start researching this is with the travel agent that usually books your cruise. I’m sure they’d be happy to spend the time to make this work for you and collect the resulting commission.

Aunty Pat

 

Barefoot Windjammer - Phantom ‘81

K&D German Rhine Line ‘84

NCL - Norway ’85, Pride of America ’05, Southward ’87, Star ’97 & ‘05, Starward ’92, Sun ’02 & Windward ’93

RCC - Song of America ‘89

American Hawaiian - Independence ‘98

HAL - Volendam ’99, Noordam ’06, Oosterdam ’07 & ‘09, Statendam ’02 & ‘08, Prinsendam ’03 & ’06, & Zuiderdam ’04, ’06 & ’07, Westerdam ‘09

Carnival - Spirit ‘05

Celebrity – Summit ‘05

Cruise West - Yorktown Clipper ‘06

Princess - Golden Princess ‘07

A & K - East Queen ‘07

Cunard - QM2 ’08

Crystal – Serenity ‘09

Pending Cruises:

Oceania – Insignia, June 17, 2010

[Sailingpeace]

I'm so glad you started this thread ! I too have in one of my retirement scenarios to spend as much time possible on a cruise ship when I'll retire. If I'm alone, it fells like the best place to be, safe , entertaining and ... that incredible feeling of being at sea. But I worry about the costs beeing automatically the double of when traveling with another person. Are there cruises companies that accomodate single ( or widowed) travelers ?

[PennyAgain]

Other people have done this. One woman lived on the QE2 for most of the year for many years.

 

An expert travel agent should be able to start the process of gathering information for you.

 

Not all cruise lines charge a single supplement. That should be part of the research.

 

I know what a very elderly family member is paying for her retirement apt in a decent building. Yes, she could likely cruise for less and the food and entertainment would be better!

 

Please share whatever information you are able to gather. I'm thinking of spending at least part of each year cruising if I ever get to retire.

[printingchick]

I got a random email describing a passenger's encounter with a retiree living on board and, at the time, thought it was untrue. I've since done a little research and there actually ARE people who do this. You'll earn a lot of perks for chalking up so many cruises, so the cost would eventually drop as you became entitled to kick-backs and on board credits. I think it's a GREAT idea.

 

I think more people would opt for this choice if not concerned about extended family, holidays, etc. It's something I'd definately consider!

 

Let us know what you find out.

[Traveler353]

Figuring a low end average of $1000 a week to be on board. 52 weeks=$52000 for the year. You might have to take a land vacation or two to make up for the difference. That is assuming that you will not have much of a bar bill, not a bingo junky, can stay out of the casino or will not be taking expensive ship sponsored land tours. I think that it might be done for 50K if you can keep the extra expenses within reason.:D

[mtwingcpa]

Interesting idea!

 

The two lines that immediately come to mind (though I've never been on either of them) are HAL and Princess, as both appear to have 'round-the-world and grand-voyage type offerings. Note that 'round-the-world cruises can usually be purchased in segments if you don't want to do the whole thing.

 

Might be doable at $50,000 per year/$1,000 per week if you stick mostly to inside cabins and other special offers.

[TX_Lady]

You will be living all of our dreams if you do this. Consider this; if you choose to have a cruise ship(s) as your home you will no longer have to worry about paying property taxes (if you pay them in Canada), no longer have to pay for utilities, home owner's insurance, pay to have someone shovel snow from your front walkway and driveway (if it snows where you are) and will not have to worry about a car note or car insurance.

 

In my opinion I would say GO FOR IT!

[Johnthed0g]

There is that ship "The World" that just continually cruises, you have to buy an "apartment" I think.

[Bonnie J.]

There is a WORLD CRUISE ship where you actually buy a cabin like a condo. It cruises all over the world and the owners decide where to go. Think you can also rent someone's cabin. The cabins are not the tiny cruise ship cabins but like a BIG suite and each has a small kitchen so you can cook things yourself if you want to. Saw this ship on the Travel Channel and buying a cabin is MEGA bucks, don't know if there are other fees once you've bought though- probably are!! This might be as expoensive as a nursing home!

[librarian1]

Information about The World cruise ship run by ResidenSea:

 

http://www.aboardtheworld.com/

 

It really was a good program on the Travel Channel but, as mentioned, sounds really pricey. I did see a link on that page about rentals, though.

 

Have fun!

[Traveler353]

The World Rentals starting at:

 

Premium Studio Apartment rates for two guests – which include dining, select beverages, port charges and gratuities – range from $1950 to $2500 per night, according to the season and travel dates.

 

The prices for purchase are not listed. I think it is one of those "If you got ask, you can not efford it" things.

 

Makes it kind of out the 50K budget.:eek:

[Cuizer2]

Being alone, of advanced age, sane, healthy and relatively mobile, I intend to spend the rest of my years cruising, preferably with HAL with which I am familiar and like for size, service and ambiance. There are many considerations of course, not the least being cost. I wonder whether I can draw on someone's

knowlege or experience as to a) best way to achieve permanent cruising (i.e.without being stuck going back an forth between two ports for ever, as

many ships seem to do) b) cost advantages between cruise lines? Is it possible on a $50K yearly budget?

 

This has been done before. I've read stories about passengers permanently booked into the same cabin on Cunard and Princess for months on end. I'm sure there are others I have not read about.

 

This is something you are going to want to set up with the cruise line. Perhaps a travel agent will be of some help. Most likely you could negotiate some sort of discount. Pick a ship that moves around a lot.

[Musicus]

Thanks for all your interesting replies! Here's an update: I did the 14day HAL's Panama Canal "Amsterdam" Chrismas/Newyears Cruise. I love this ship and HAL. I have AVC

as my travel agent and they submitted to HAL my request for a quote based on "A"'s itinerary for a year, starting Sep.24/10 at Seattle. They came back with over $70K (incl. port chgs and taxes) but certainly didn't lean over backwards to get me on board with no significant discount at all. We are now trying the "Prinsendam", which has a few single cabins. On my own, I have contacted MSC for the "Poesia", but have not heard from them as yet. By and large I feel that the single supplements are killing me. But since I would only consider a female companion to share the stateroom, this option is extremely unlikely to materialize. And so the Odyssey continues. Will keep you posted. Egon

[PennyAgain]

Keep trying! Have your travel agent contact Crystal and see what they can do for you. They do not charge such a horrible single supplement and include a great deal that is extra on other ships.

 

Don't forget about Cunard!

[Musicus]

Hi Penny, and all you would be year round cruisers - thanks for all the comments and encouragements! It's a few months since my last post (and yours!) and believe me, I have been busy, my computer was smoking! I dealt with several different travel agents and directly with some cruise lines, but some of them seemed somewhat uninterested and others in the $70K + class, which left me in the cold... However, I am happy to report that now at last I am in final negociation with MSC Cruise line to sail on their beautiful "Poesia" for a year, beginning this October and hope to have a contract in hand within the next 2 weeks. Will tell you more then, including sending the itinerary (if possible in this thread). The greatest

difficulty was of course the cost inflation by single supplements, which ranged from 50to100%. I am now already working on some sort of medical coverage which is another hurdle to jump over. I have some lead, however, and while not cheap (what did I expect?) it may be the only solution. More about that later also. Meantime, cross your fingers for me and there is an empty bed in the twin bedded stateroom!

Rock on! Egon

[PennyAgain]

I also have been doing some research on this with the idea of doing a multi-week cruise (after retirement) just to get my feet wet. I have a lot of downsizing to do between then and now.

 

Just for fun I talked with a local suites hotel where we often book business travelers who come to see us. Their deal for a a long stay is really incredible considering that it includes a daily full breakfast and 2 manager's receptions a week and a couple of free dinners a week. The manager told me that they do have some older people who stay in the hotel for a few months at a time, usually when the weather is cold and nasty in the northern part of the US.

 

Good luck with your plans! You are blazing a trail.

[rjm1cc]

I do not know hard facts and do not recall all the details but I think you can probably do it for $100.00 a day plus tips if you keep to inside rooms. Thus your $50,000 might work as you will have other expenses.

I am pretty sure HAL has a few retired people crusing and that you can contact the home office directly and negoate a price for a number of months. Ask for the "retired" person deal. I think you can negoate a price per day and not by trip.

This is fact as my wife has meet this person and talked to her and the capitan has also confirmed. Louise Meis, (known as Mama Lou) has been crusing on HAL for years. Search this form and the web to see what you can come up with. She would be a good person to talk too if you could find out how to contact her.

Medical insurance when you are overseas might be a problem so be sure to look at that.

[xxoocruiser]

There is a WORLD CRUISE ship where you actually buy a cabin like a condo. It cruises all over the world and the owners decide where to go. Think you can also rent someone's cabin. The cabins are not the tiny cruise ship cabins but like a BIG suite and each has a small kitchen so you can cook things yourself if you want to. Saw this ship on the Travel Channel and buying a cabin is MEGA bucks, don't know if there are other fees once you've bought though- probably are!! This might be as expoensive as a nursing home!

 

Actually more expensive than a nursing home.

 

Saw the same show. Though very nice, it's not a typical cruise ship. Very little entertainment, all meals are additional. There isn't the normal day to day entertainment of a traditional cruise. It's a floating condo and you have monthly fee similar to the a traditional Condo HOA fee. The spokesperson for the cruise ship stated that the cabin condos start upward of $5million for the initial buy-in.

[xxoocruiser]

Being alone, of advanced age, sane, healthy and relatively mobile, I intend to spend the rest of my years cruising, preferably with HAL with which I am familiar and like for size, service and ambiance. There are many considerations of course, not the least being cost. I wonder whether I can draw on someone's

knowlege or experience as to a) best way to achieve permanent cruising (i.e.without being stuck going back an forth between two ports for ever, as

many ships seem to do) b) cost advantages between cruise lines? Is it possible on a $50K yearly budget?

 

Actually have met serveral people on board over the years that have done the very same thing. There have been numerous articles written in recent years about the Cost of Retiring on a Cruise Ship versus a Retirement/Nursing Home. AARP did one of the best articles about 2 years ago. Suggest you search the the internet as you'll come across many good articles to help plan exactly what you're considering.

[boating girl]

This sounds like a dream but it is definately possible, I think, to do it on $50,000 year. It would take some planning to find "good" deals to take advantage of special offers. If you have family and friends, you could and probably would take some vacations off of the ships to maintain relationships.

[greatam]

OP and everyone else (especially my friend PennyAgain)

 

I just found this article on the internet.

 

Looks like they are trying to start a "community" of people wanting to retire at sea. So the possibility of finding someone to share the cabin and avoid the single supplement may be there. At least worth looking into

 

http://cruisingthruretirement.blogspot.com/

[PennyAgain]

I met a couple on the Westerdam who were on that ship about 17 weeks a year, but not all at once. They cruised in 3 to 4 week segments. The only booked the least expensive times of the year as between Thanksgiving and Christmas. HAL kept them up to date on sales and specials.

 

They told me about their organization and bill paying and had great ways of doing everything.

 

It can be done.

[RetireeWannabee]

WOW, this is a great thread!

 

I am so happy that you are so close! I can't wait to hear that the contract was as expected and insurance came in about what you thought (whatever that might be!)

 

I'm female and often travel without hubby. I'd be thrilled to relieve some single supplement weeks for you!

[euro cruiser]

I would think that some flexibility on the passenger's part might help lower the total cost.

 

If I were the cruise line, I'd be interested in maximizing my overall revenue, but enticed by the idea of a "sure thing" in the form of a full year passenger.

 

The downside, from the cruise line's part, would be the weeks when they are traditionally fully booked with passengers paying higher fares.

 

Therefore, if a potential "full time" passenger offered to get off the ship for the four (for example, you could pick whatever number of weeks you want) weeks when the line has the highest occupancy, thereby opening the room up for higher revenue those weeks, the line might reduce the average charge for the rest of the year.

 

You could plan to spend those land weeks either touring, or visiting friends/relatives, or in an extended stay hotel.