I have been seeing advertisements about the Royal Caribbean asking people to be part of their nation and I was wondering if this is true. Are there actually people who spend their life on a cruise ship, that is apart from the crew and the captain? When we were on our Alaskan Cruise, we were talking to some passengers who were around our age or a little younger and they were saying that there are a few people, mostly elderly, or disabled who are perpetual passengers because they can get a good health care on the cruise ship rather then staying on land. So they live on the ship and only come ashore when the ship docks and get back on again, and never disembark permanently.
I can imagine that, but I cannot imagine people just having fun. Would it be more like a moving hotel on sea? Have you heard about that and what do they do about passports and that? I mean, excepting the captain and the crew and the staff, apart from health what would compel someone to live on a cruise ship?
[question posted by suspenseful]
responses and comments:
I don't know about people that LIVE on a cruise ship but there are a lot of people that spend most of their time cruising... there was one woman (not old) that had been on 27 Royal Carribean cruises that I can vividly remember. There are also world cruises (that cost as much as a house itself) that can take up to 1/2 a year to complete. I love cruising but like all good things too much of a good thing..... Thanks happy Zelo happy [zeloguy]
I wish we would do cruising more often, but since my husband cannot get around, we cannot. And I have seen how the crew on the cruise ship worked. I mean they were always there and the tips that we gave them was worth it. I would not mind going on a cruise to the East Coast, but it looks like even that is out. [suspenseful]
I think it would be a wonderful way to retire in such style and see places. I believe that living on the cruise ship is such fun since one get to meet interesting people everyday and never boring because of the activities. The crew are trained to practically roll the red carpet for the passengers so I guess those elderly do get to have the attention that they need. [cdparazo]
We went on the Alaskan Cruise and the crew was so wonderful. We were also planning to go to Florida and take a cruise to Bermuda, but my husband got his stroke and that killed that idea. So I guess unless he feels he can, I will have to wait until he dies. sadSo I hope that some miracle happens. [suspenseful]
Uh, I could imagine that. Actually when we went on cruises (we've been on about 4 or 5)...we medical care is NOT cheap. From what I remember they charged 100 USD for the consultation I believe they took your insurance info but you had to get the money back when they filed the insurance. I thought it was crazy. So, no it's not cheap at all. I think it would be really cool to travel so long like months, why not? Especially if you get the money. The only thing I would be worried about? Perhaps the bills! How are they going to get paid? (like such as credit card, etc). I guess you let someone handle that at your house? I can't imagine what you need..like a visa or something if you keep staying on the cruise ship? Who knows? Perhaps someone on here can add more information to the discussion because it's interesting in knowing. Cheers! Pablo [callarse1]
I would be talking to everyone there, and then gazing at the scenery as well -= watching the waves go up and down up and down up and down. lol [suspenseful]
I have never heard of that..I think it might be fun for awhile, but i cannot imagine being on a ship all of the time..If they like that its fine,but i do not think it would be the life for me... [slickcut]
I love the ocean, but I also like being on land. It would be all right for a few months as long as I get out and go ashore and not just to the tourist traps and I would have to get off on Sundays. I just wondered why someone would want to live on the ship all the time. Why even the crew get off once in a while. [suspenseful]
I'm not really sure. I have never been on a crusie ship before. I would be sea sick from being out on the water all of the time. [stephcjh]
I do not get sea sick. In fact when we were on the cruise ship, and we ran through a storm, it was very boring. [suspenseful]
Wow, now that much become very expensive to be able to live on a cruise ship permanently. I know some can be around $700 a passenger for a week but for 4 weeks a month..whew that can ride into some serious money, but then again I guess it wouldn't be any different then paying rent somewhere,electric,water,heat,taxi or car maintaince/insurance,maid service and your monthly food. That in itself can add up to a major penny spending..and they are not alone..they have thousands of people and get out and are able to explore the world. I wouldn't know of a better way to pass on..to be happy.. [mtdewgurl74]
We Canadians have to come back to Canada every six months and I do not know how long we have to stay before setting off, so I guess a permanent living on a cruise ship would not be that good, but I suppose for someone who is wealthy and who is waiting for God, it would be a good idea. And it might be better then living in a senior's facility, but not as good as living in your own house. [suspenseful]
Not just for health reasons I have read that some seniors find they get more for their money cruising than in a retirement home. [whiteheather39]
I heard that as well. If you had no place nice to live, it would be the only choice. But I wonder about the money, and I do love to cook, I would have to do something and I do love the mountains, so could not take being on the ship all the time. [suspenseful]
They love the sea! but I havent heard of it but what an idea! [Lakota12]
Sounds like it! [Lakota12]
I have heard of people like that as well. It seems to me they still have to have a mailing address though in order to be able to look after their affairs. Canadians also cannot stay out of the country for more than 6 months of the year, otherwise they loose their health care. One of my former neighbours seems to be fairly well off and goes from one cruise to another. She always travels solo, so that means she is paying the single supplement which costs a fortune and her cat goes to a cat hotel which is not cheap either. Nice life if you can afford it. [Lindalinda]
I wonder if that only applies to Canadians, that they are the exception. We have blue cross by the way. I suppose with Americans and other nationalities they can stay on the ship all year round and just write their embassy and say, "well we're still on the SS Bountiful!" sad I would not do it unless my husband was dead, but I would get bored fairly quickly. Two months would probably be enough. (the same time we have for summer vacation. lol) [suspenseful]
I have heard of this and it is true. People without family and in rasonable health fiond that it is CHEAPER to liver permanently on a cruyise ship than in an apartment. Think of it for a moment. They get all their meals, use of washing machine, doctor on board and they get to meet new people all of the time. They are waited on hand and foot plus they get a HUGE discount by living all the time on board. They have the use of a gym and pool and a personal trainer on hand. They get a discount with hair being done etc - so many perks. Passports? I don;t think that is a problem as it is a ten year one and they can probably apply on line etc.This is excellent for retired people who do not want to face the daily hassles of life. I know this cruise ship as it docks near to where I work sometimes twice weekly. Excellent post. Blessings [cynthiann]
I am Canadian and we have to get our passports renewed every eight years. (Our government is making a killing.) I would miss my friends, but for someone who has no one, it would be a good idea. [suspenseful]
I would not want to live on a cruise ship! Besides, aren't cruises very expensive? I would want a home on land of some sort, I can't imagine living on a ship. I've also heard stories about people who have been kicked off a ship when they become ill, taken to a hospital on land because the cruise ship company didn't want to be liable for any complications that might occur. [dragon54u]
I do not like the idea of a senior's complex even one on a cruise ship and I love the idea of travel (all those films about the heroine and the hero waving to their friends as they are oft on a grand adventure had an influence on me. happy) I am not afraid of the sea, I love it, but I do also love being with my friends and they are on land. And I do not think I have that much money to travel. [suspenseful]
People come to you and visit with you on a ship where as you can live in a house and nobody ever comes to see you. I also understand that it is cheaper to stay on a ship then to live in a senior home or nursing home. You can go get something to eat at any time or have it brought to your room. [lotterylover]
I guess if you are American you can live all the time, but us Canadians have to come back to Canada every six months. I was thinking if I had a choice (after my husband dies) of living in a senior home or a cruise ship, I would choose the latter. That is the bummer about living in Canada, the rules and regulations. [suspenseful]
I guess if one has more money than they have sense, they can do something like this. I would not want to just live on board a ship. Maybe some just pay to be taken care of for the rest of their lives. Good if you can afford it, i guess.. but what kind of life is that? [OreoCookie3]
I love the sea, but I do want to go ashore, and I also love the mountains. So I could not spend all my remaining life on board a cruise ship. I would go stark raving mad. I just wondered why would someone want to live on board other then working on a ship or waiting for God. [suspenseful]
I can't imagine doing that. [Bd200789]
I suppose if you were in your late eighties and had no one, and were facing an old age home or a nursing home, you might decide to live on a cruise ship. After all there are not that many who live past that age. [suspenseful]
I have heard of this, but don't know anyone personally who has done it. If it is cheaper insurance wise, living expenses, I can understand why someone might do it. Some people live in poor neighborhoods and have not so nice surroundings. To them it is like being on vacation everyday...and you never have to cook..to some that is a blessing. You meet new people. [Yestheypayme2dothis]
Thank goodness we are not going to sell our house or I would be tempted to go and live on a cruise ship. It would be fun, seeing my brother-in-law and sister-in=law who live in P.E.I because I will be going on the ship that goes along the East coast. I can just imagine me calling and saying, "Hi, it's me again!" lol [suspenseful]
I've seen a documentary (or one of those show like Dateline, 20/20 etc...) about health care, nursing home fees and cruise ships. The only thing I remember is the narrator saying it would cost less to live on a cruise ship full time, than it would to live in a nursing home. I hope if it gets to that point in my life, someone chooses to place me on a cruise ship and not in a nursing home. [HomeFlower]
I was wondering that myself. I just hope it would be when I want to go and live on it, and not because I had no other choice. I did read the novel "Man without a Country" and also saw the movie "Voyage of the Dammed" I guess the latter was sort of a cruise ship. They were on the ship and they could not leave. [suspenseful]
Yes I have heard of people like that. It is mostly single or widowed people with no families and a very good income. They have someone on land in their home town who looks after their affairs, pays their bills, forwards their mail etc. Sometimes they keep an apartment, sometimes not, but they have a permanent address somewhere. I have an aquaintance who spends a good portion of the year on various cruises. All you need is that service to look after your financial affairs, make sure you have a valid passport and enough money and off you go. Also in Canada you have to be back within 6 months for a time, at least in Ontario, so your health insurance stays valid. You need that in case you get tired of cruising or you have health issues that require surgery and or long term care or rehab. You don't get that on a cruise ship. What would compel someone to live on a cruise ship you ask? Well, you meet interesting people all the time, you don't have to feel lonely, if it is the same ship all the time the crew and captain will become your friends. If you have no relatives to leave your money to what a good way to spend it. [Lindalinda]