A retired couple has discovered an unconventional retirement strategy: living exclusively on cruise ships, claiming it’s more economical than traditional nursing home care.
Marty and Jess Ansen, a married couple, have embarked on an extraordinary journey, completing 51 consecutive cruises with Princess Cruises since June 2022. Prior to their current adventure, they had already spent over three years navigating the seas on 31 previous voyages.
Speaking to PEOPLE, the couple attributed their maritime lifestyle to rising living costs, exceptional onboard service, and the serene shipboard environment. “The cruise lifestyle is remarkably efficient,” they explained. “We don’t worry about rent, groceries, or laundry. Cruising is significantly cheaper than a nursing home and allows us to continue exploring the world.”
Their daily routine balances novelty and consistency. While each cruise offers unique destinations and activities, they maintain traditions like daily table tennis. The ship’s changing landscapes are complemented by familiar rhythms of shipboard life.
Despite being great-grandparents, the Ansens have found a new family among Princess Cruise staff and fellow passengers. Jess recently celebrated her birthday with a surprise party, demonstrating their deep integration into shipboard community.
They’re not alone in this lifestyle. Grace and Jerry Grady, an American-Italian couple, have similarly chosen to sell their possessions and live aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey. This luxury residential cruise ship will visit 425 ports across 147 countries over three-and-a-half years.
Surprisingly, this lifestyle can be financially accessible. The ‘pay-as-you-go’ option starts at 70 daily, with cabin ownership available from 78,300 – less than a third of the average UK house price in 2024.
The Ansens have transformed retirement into a perpetual global adventure, proving that home is where the heart – and the ship – is.
Featured Image Credit: The Today Show/A Current Affair
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