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I get emails for cruises all the time. Just for fun I clicked on the long ones, >60 days and they were all sold out for 2019! I calculated two at $157/day and I assume that is bottom tier inside room. I calculated one for a balcony at $333/day. These were for what I call "regular" lines like Princess and Holland. A higher end Silversea all continent 140 day extravaganza will start at $442/day. The party boats out of Miami can be <$100/day.
You must have read a different article, because you can't be on Crystal Serenity for less than $500 a day unless you work on the ship.
If you took the $164,000 she estimated she spends in a year and divided it by 365, that's wrong. No one is on the ship 365 days a year, not even the crew. There are private charter cruises, time spent in dry dock for repairs and refurbishment and time on land to see your family and get your medical ducks in a row. IIRC the late Bea Mueller spent only 6 to 9 months a year on QE2.
Why would someone have to go on the Crystal Serenity?
What about something like Holland America? My sister and I are going next fall, and the one-week rate per person for a veranda cabin is just under $1,000. So, if I were to travel alone, it would be $2,000 for the week, or around $8,000 for a month. (I could save more by going with a regular "window" cabin.)
The going rate for independent living around here, for a 1-bedroom, is around $6,000, which includes two meals. So, would you get for the additional $2,000 a month on the ship?
- Three meals, instead of two, and ALL meals a much higher caliber
- Lack-night snacks and an afternoon tea, should the spirit beckon
- Lovely classical music quartet pre-dinnertime in gorgeous surroundings (am I giving away this is one of my favorite times on board?)
- Fairly decent nightly entertainment after dinner, from comedy shows to musicals
- Disco for those of us who are still young-at-heart (or simply want to recall our disco days)
- Much wider range of activities - from ballroom dancing to top-notch lectures from visiting scholars
- Opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world, and of varying ages
- Opportunity to visit various ports, with worldwide locations if you so choose
- Linen and towel service, and daily housekeeping
Now, would I do it? Not permanently. But I could see where I would book a 2-month cruise (melding together a few shorter back-to-back cruises) during January and February to escape the cold NE winter when I'm in my 70s, finances permitting.
The last I heard, assisted living or being in your own home doesn't cost $1,500 per DAY. Which is about what you'll pay on Crystal Serenity. It's worth it but let's not kid ourselves that we're getting a better experience for the same money we'd spend on land.
Sorry, Marketwatch doesn't spend much time checking facts. They just want eyeballs.
No one ever said "retiring at sea" was affordable. And if you find a ship where it is, it's probably not a ship you want to be on.
? There are cruises posted on the Crystal website that are fares starting from <$2200 for a weeklong cruise on the serenity. I don’t know where you are getting $1500 PER DAY unless she was in a suite.
I've heard that being on a cruise ship is like being held prisoner at a Golden Corral with a bunch of drunk people. Not exactly how I want to spend my retirement!
LOL! I've been only on very small ships (under 100 passengers) and LOVE them, but yeah, that's how I picture one of the mega-ships! As others have noted, though, that stereotype is more appropriate for the short-haul trips and the cheaper cruise lines. I'm an avid traveler but this would not be my thing at all. No "roots"; a constantly-changing group of fellow passengers, so no close friends. No religious community (a priority for me- not for all, I realize). On most lines excursions cost extra. Only basic medical care available on-board. What health insurance do you have since Medicare doesn't pay outside of the US and Medigap typically has a $50K lifetime benefit outside the US?
And if you really need assistance- access to a lot of specialist doctors, help getting up when you fall, help getting to and from the bathroom...your needs are way beyond what a typical cruise ship can provide.
Back in the day, when my teenage son went to live with his dad, I considered trying to find a job on a cruise ship with the idea of seeing the world for "free" for a few years. I did quite a bit of research. When I started thinking about the practical problems I gave up the idea. Sell my house or rent it out and store my furniture vs continuing to pay the mortgage and leave the house empty. But the thing that really stopped me was... how would I get my meds refilled?
I think it would have been fun for a few years. But now when I see cruises advertised on TV, I feel like I don't want to set foot on one of those humongous floating high rise ships. Way too many people in close quarters, and some of those ships look awfully top heavy. Not appealing to me at all.
The last paragraph is my sentiment. My OH wants desperately to go on a cruise, why exactly i don't know. I dont think my OH has a rational idea either.
I really dont want to be on a top heavy liner with 5000 of my not so close new friends in confined quarters. No thanks.
Also i have trouble walking ( so does my OH) and i dont want a 6,000 step walk along the promenade deck back to my room after eating.
I have agreed, eventually, to maybe a river cruise. Only not during flooding time!!! Dont want to be on a river thats rising due to flooding.
We'll see.
The amount of things we'd like to do vs what we can walk vs having the money to expend on "great adventures " are three very different variables.
She went from ship to ship so she had to change in ports. I assume she could have just stayed if she wanted too.
She used a walker and was well cared for by the crew. You could try an around the world cruise to see if you really like it.
I think she paid about 50% of the standard fare because she was a long term client.
Why would someone have to go on the Crystal Serenity?
What about something like Holland America? My sister and I are going next fall, and the one-week rate per person for a veranda cabin is just under $1,000. So, if I were to travel alone, it would be $2,000 for the week, or around $8,000 for a month. (I could save more by going with a regular "window" cabin.)
The going rate for independent living around here, for a 1-bedroom, is around $6,000, which includes two meals. So, would you get for the additional $2,000 a month on the ship?
- Three meals, instead of two, and ALL meals a much higher caliber
- Lack-night snacks and an afternoon tea, should the spirit beckon
- Lovely classical music quartet pre-dinnertime in gorgeous surroundings (am I giving away this is one of my favorite times on board?)
- Fairly decent nightly entertainment after dinner, from comedy shows to musicals
- Disco for those of us who are still young-at-heart (or simply want to recall our disco days)
- Much wider range of activities - from ballroom dancing to top-notch lectures from visiting scholars
- Opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world, and of varying ages
- Opportunity to visit various ports, with worldwide locations if you so choose
- Linen and towel service, and daily housekeeping
Now, would I do it? Not permanently. But I could see where I would book a 2-month cruise (melding together a few shorter back-to-back cruises) during January and February to escape the cold NE winter when I'm in my 70s, finances permitting.
You probably have a traveling doctor for medical emergencies too.
You probably have a traveling doctor for medical emergencies too.
No. You have a regular doctor on board for routine ailments, and you buy trip insurance to cover medical emergencies.
I should know. I have a condition which, in the rare instance it would "kick in" during a cruise, could require helicopter evacuation back to shore. I buy insurance for that.
Being retired Navy, this has no appeal to me whatsoever.
That made me lol .
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