An American couple has decided to live out their days on a cruise ship. It isn’t because they’re fabulously wealthy , as you might expect. Rather, it’s because they’ve run the numbers, and for them, housing prices have gotten so out of hand that it’s actually more cost effective to just live on a cruise ship than take on a mortgage.
Mortgages are sky-high.
The real estate market is hotter than it’s ever been. Many families can’t afford to wait for it to cool, so they’re forced to continue looking for a home until they find one.
But for retired people, it’s a different story.
Angelyn and Richard Burke made the move after crunching the numbers.
Both are in their 50s, and determined that they could live on a cruise ship for under $100 a day ($135 a day if needed). This is less than the cost of a mortgage.
Why cruise ships?
For a couple who loves traveling to exotic locales, it’s a no-brainer.
“Where else can you have your resort take you to different countries while relaxing by the pool or sleeping in a comfortable bed?” Angela asked CNN.
The Burks will travel the world this year.
Angelyn says they have 86 cruise days booked for the rest of the year, with an average cost of $89 per day for the two of them.
They’ll go to Mexico, Costa Rica, Alaska, Indonesia, and Japan on their travels.
It’s more common than you might think.
CNN details the lives of several other people who’ve decided to stay on a cruise ship all the time. One famous example is “Mama” Lee Wachstetter, who wrote a memoir about her years living on a cruise ship.
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Cruise lines are getting wise to it.
It might seem odd to retire at sea, but with more people doing it, cruise lines are getting on board with the idea. One cruise company, Storylines, offers one- to four-bedroom residences at sea.
The cruise industry is booming.
Since the loosening of pandemic-related travel restrictions, the entire cruise industry has been doing a brisk business — perhaps spurred by people who want to get away from the hustle and bustle.
The news is kind of surprising, particularly considering the fact that the pandemic stranded some ships at sea.
For the Burks, it just makes sense.
“I believe this is achievable for the everyday cruiser, but it does take effort,” said Angelyn. “It is leisurely travel without the complications of booking hotels, restaurants and transportation, while staying within our budget.”
Would you want to live on a cruise ship?
There notion of going on a cruise ship is a romantic one: clean sea breezes, amenities, and traveling the world without stepping foot on a plane. But it isn’t for everyone.
Given the option, would you want to retire on a cruise ship? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments!
h/t: CNN
