A couple from Florida, USA sold almost everything they owned, including their primary business and home, to live out their days traveling on cruise ships.
According to Sky News, initially, John and Melody Hennessey bought a motorhome to travel around the United States. But soon 76-year-old John got tired of driving. Then they saw a Facebook ad for a 274-day cruise with Royal Caribbean, and their journey to a permanent life at sea began.
During their travels, they visited Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. That said, the couple say that while their new life is more exciting, they say it’s also cheaper.
“Now we have a phone bill, a boat bill, and a few credit card bills when we go ashore, but that’s it. We no longer have a mortgage or housing expenses. We no longer have car insurance, property insurance, or utility bills. The list goes on. We’re sure that cruises are cheaper,” they say, claiming that their expenses have been cut in half compared to living on land.
Their lives are now mapped out by the months until December 2024 as they move from ship to ship.
But soon they plan to move into permanent residence on the Villa Vie cruise ship – one of the first of its kind – where up to 30% of the people on board will be permanent residents.
“We wanted to buy a cabin so we could decorate it the way we wanted. It will be our home for probably at least 15 years on the ship,” says Melody.
The ship will set sail in May 2024, but life on board won’t be cheap. An inside cabin starts at $99,000, and a balcony villa with an ocean view starts at $249,000, before the nearly $8,000 monthly fee.
Those who live on board can bring their families on board for free – after paying port charges – and several cabins will be reserved for them. The ship will have a business center and private offices, allowing travelers to work from anywhere in the world.
As the average age of the ship’s occupants is almost 60, there is a dentist and doctor on board for routine procedures. For more serious health problems, there is a hospital, as well as a mortuary for two in case of a worst-case scenario.
The couple calls the biggest problem of traveling on such a ship “overeating”, and claims that they are not at all worried about the fact that they will be bored.
Dip has previously written about this cruise. At the time, it was reported that the first-ever three-year sea cruise was canceled just one week before departure. The organizing company admitted that it did not have a ship and promised to refund those who had already registered for the flight.
At the same time, at least 111 cabins were booked before the voyage began. Many passengers have already sold their homes, planning a three-year trip. Now they have nowhere to go.