Can you live on a cruise ship full-time?

While far out at sea upon a cruise ship, many miles away from the various stresses and strains encountered in our land-based lives, it's tempting to wonder if we can simply stay on board for good.

Who wouldn’t be captivated by a life of constantly evolving horizons, exotic locations, wanderlust, fine dining, excellent hospitality and a comfortable cabin to reside upon a designated ship? It's a dream come true.

These very factors are what makes cruising so appealing, while also ensuring that those who dip their toes come back again and again. If you enjoy cruise holidays with particular relish, you are almost certain to want to experience what cruising can offer whenever you can.

But what if a cruise didn’t have to end after a week or two? What if your cruise ship cabin could instead serve as a home over the long-term? If this were plausible, would you ever want to go back on land, absorbing ridiculous bills purely for the privilege of stationary bricks and mortar? These are intriguing questions.

However, ask a typical cruiser these questions and scepticism will quickly follow suit. After all, surely living in a cruise ship cabin permanently isn’t a practical choice, and what about the sky-high costs this would entail?

Well yes, in many cases, a cruise ship cabin may not be adequate for day-to-day living. Additionally, not all cruise ship holidays are not renowned for providing budget-friendly amenities. The majority of cruises are saved up for over an extended time, and regarded as an indulgent, temporary treat to splurge on by those who book.

Is it really possible to live on a cruise ship full-time? You might not think so but maybe, just maybe, it might...

Seeking to live on board full-time - A growing trend spotted by cruise lines

It likely goes without saying that the cruise lines know they have something special to offer, and therefore it is not a surprise that some cruisers would like to linger on board full-time. Not wanting a holiday to end is an entirely understandable desire that most people have experienced. Unless you've tried holidaying in Margate.

However, what is surprising is how many people would consider living permanently at sea, and the multiple demographic groups that are starting to seriously investigate this as a viable lifestyle choice.

In a 2017 survey by Cruise Critic, 59 per cent of respondents said they would love to retire at sea, including living at sea for a year or two post-retirement to see if it was viable for them. That figure could be even higher still, as a further 27 per cent of respondents answered that they would choose this lifestyle if ‘the price was right.’ Clearly, high potential costs of living on board a cruise ship full-time is proving a notable deterrent while willingness among travellers persists.

Elsewhere, younger generations are also weighing up the pros and cons of living on board a cruise ship full-time but for an entirely different reason – to escape the high cost-of-living back at home! Some are swapping high rental costs and the pressure of surging utility bills for back-to-back cruises with short, periodic gaps between different ships.

With rampant inflation and nothing getting cheaper on land, some are ditching their terrestrial existence for near permanent residency at sea. Despite varying motivations for living on board a cruise ship full-time, a commonality between age groups is the need to weigh up the cost of doing so.

Contented, resident cruisers

If the thought of living on a cruise ship full-time feels impossible, you only have to consult real-life examples to find out that some people are doing this already.

Among one of the cruising’s better known and long-term passengers is Leona Wachtstetter who is famed for living aboard Holland America Line’s MS Prinsendam and Crystal Serenity, part of the fleet of Crystal Cruises.

Nicknamed Mama Lee, the American author ditched her 5-bedroom house in Florida’s Fort Lauderdale and began living on cruise ships full-time in 2005. Her new lifestyle has since served as an appealing alternative to living in an assisted living facility.

Twelve years after first living aboard, Wachtstetter captured the novelty and adventure of residing on Crystal Serenity in her aptly named book ‘I may be homeless but you should see my yacht’. During this time, the author has travelled all over the world while still insisting on joining her family for dinner whenever the ship docks in Miami.

Elsewhere, living aboard Seven Seas Navigator with Regent Seven Seas Cruises is former Navy captain Morton Jablin. Formerly from Brooklyn, Jablin’s prolonged stay on the luxury ship has earned him the fond nickname of ‘Captain’ from the crew. Jablin has stated that retirement on board a cruise ship is ‘a much better life than in a senior citizens home’.

After many years at sea, Jablin now faces multiple issues stemming from diminishing eyesight. To counteract this, Regent Seven Seas Cruises do everything they can to ensure that their ‘Captain’ is as comfortable as possible on Seven Seas Navigator.

When dining, staff always arrange Jablin’s utensils and condiments in exactly the same way so that he can find what he needs with ease. Back in Jablin’s cabin, the cruise line have added a special shaving mirror and hand railings.

While Wachtstetter and Jablin happily view their chosen ships as permanent homes, many others are not far behind.

In recent years, and particularly since the Covid lockdowns, a trend has emerged where an increasing proportion of working-age adults now spend the majority of each year aboard a variety of cruise ships, booking back-to-back cruises with the aim of minimising their time on land.

Among them is Chris DeSalvo, who is currently in his forties and working as a manager of an Apps business. Since 2022, DeSalvo has stayed and worked aboard various cruise ships for several months at a time, with his favourite vessel being Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady.

DeSalvo appreciates being more productive at his work while on board Virgin Voyages inaugural ship, as well as the wide variety of fun activities available to him afterwards.

And, in cruising generally, DeSalvo is far from alone in his venture. Many younger cruisers are opting for similar arrangements. By bringing their laptops with them as well as minds open to a nomadic lifestyle, young cruisers are suddenly finding regular stays on cruise ships to be surprisingly cost-effective.

While many younger people would be unlikely to say that regular cruising is a budget option, most would agree that being able to enjoy comfortable surroundings as well as numerous exotic destinations on route for a cost equivalent to staying back on land, makes perfect sense.

For this generation, getting more bang for your buck while simultaneously keeping those wheels turning is proving increasingly alluring. In turn, cruise companies are increasingly taking notice of these growing trends while providing tailored solutions.

New cruise options – Going beyond the short-term break

In recent years, numerous cruise lines have begun to tailor their offerings to appeal to those seeking long-term residency or, more specifically, an at-sea and functional haven for digital nomads.

In November 2023, the MV Gemini set sail from Istanbul with a lengthy three-year itinerary ahead. This intriguing initiative was launched by Life at Sea Cruises in recognition of the demand for longer cruise experiences.

Prices for accommodation on MV Gemini start at just under £30,000 per year, equivalent to around $83 per night. For those travelling solo, a 15 per cent discount can reduce costs further still.

MV Gemini has 400 cabins and can carry up to 1,074 passengers. The ship is set to cover more than 130,000 miles on her voyage, encompassing 135 countries and seven continents. Passengers will be able to explore ports at a much more relaxed pace as the ship will reside in port for several days at a time.

For the digital nomads bringing their work with them, Life at Sea Cruises has developed an onboard business centre, which offers multiple meeting rooms, 14 offices, a lounge, a library as well as the all-important high-speed Wi-Fi.

Another cruise line embracing longer cruises is Croatia-based Storylines which is working towards making permanent seafaring a possibility.

The line is set to launch MV Narrative, who has been categorised as a residential ship, with 547 on board apartments up for sale, which together will form a floating community.

Some of the apartments on MV Narrative will serve as fully furnished studios while others include up to four bedrooms or are spread over two storeys. The purchase prices of these exclusive apartments start at $1 million, taking them to the high-end of the residential cruising spectrum. However, much like land-based real estate, the apartments can then be sold or rented out afterwards.

MV Narrative is forecast to commence her maiden voyage of 1,000 nights in late 2024, with six continents included in her inaugural route and many port visits being up to five days in length.

Time will tell if these longer cruise offerings prove successful. If you’re tempted, be sure to thoroughly research your options while comparing living costs with care.

As ships such MV Gemini and MV Narrative kick-off on lengthy cruises as a fresh cruising alternative, what remains to be seen is whether the magical holiday atmosphere that usually resides aboard a cruise ship, can stay afloat over the long-term just as much as the concept.