Gary Bembridge says life on a cruise ship is very difficult (Image: YouTube/Tips for travelers)
Spiral costs and many older adults find it more difficult than ever to cover basic pensions, which has led to people selling retirements and spending retirements on cruise ships.
But the reality is much more difficult than most people would imagine, says cruise expert Gary Bembridge.
These challenges come in several ways, he adds about his tips for traveller podcasts, but the simple fact is that cruise ship operators actively discourage travelers from continuing to board for months or years. He explained:
It's not all about starting a lifelong cruise (Image: Getty)
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boredom
For the first and for many, the most enduring issue is how boring life on board will look like. The cruise ship's food menu and entertainment is aimed at passengers who are on board for at most two weeks. It can take much more time than that, and daily existence can become melancholy repetitive.
Gary added that long-term cruisers can be very socially isolated.
“But when you live on a cruise ship, when people go back and forth almost every week, it is difficult to develop friendships and relationships.
“People living on the ship are also far from their friends and family and missed out on being part of family events and developments.”
Life on board can be extremely lonely, says Gary (stock image) (Image: Getty)
Separation
We are social animals and we love to stay in touch with our family and friends. However, sending a call or email from a cruise ship can be very expensive. The add-on Wi-Fi package “dramatically” increases the cost of ocean wave living “dramatically.”
He says that many of the “boatlife” people he spoke of “expended time without connection” and missed important family events.
Even simple things like following your favorite football team or soap opera are almost impossible without spending a huge amount of Wi-Fi bolt-on.
Cruise ship cabins are not designed for long-term residential use (stock image) (Image: Getty)
health
Most large cruise ships have basic medical facilities, but are directed towards minor illnesses. “If you live on a cruise ship and are suffering from serious injuries or serious illnesses, it is important to consider disembarking to the medical care of the nearest port wherever you are in the world.”
He emphasized that cruise ships will not make good old men.
“They are not retirees and do not have medical facilities or support.”
In particular, Gary added that the cruise ship does not have dentists. If your teeth are clogged, you will see that it fell at the next port for treatment.
Spending endless weeks on a board can be extremely boring (Image: Getty)
money
In addition to health concerns, Gary said insurance could be a serious problem for those planning to spend the rest of their lives on the ship.
“Based on my experience, most insurers insure people just for around 60 days of travel, up to 90 days.
To avoid this problem, many long-term cruisers divide their life on board in a short period of time on land.
Tackling dental problems in foreign ports can be difficult (Image: Getty)
stress
One way to avoid the problems of insurance and social isolation is to switch from one cruise to another on a regular basis. However, if you have limited access to Wi-Fi, even finding the next berth can be difficult.
Still, booking the most economical fare can lead to you being trapped in a small interior cabin with no balcony. And moving from one ship to another can quickly get tired if you regularly move from one ship to another, Gary says. “Everyone who lives on a regular cruise ship continues to fly around and chase the best fares,” he explains.
“Most people were jumping ships like 25, 30 or whatever a year, and they all talk about how it can be a bit tiring.
“Because there are regular packaging and unpacking, limited clothing and belongings, limited storage and less days to stay weekly, you need to travel.”
The unique “world” liner is one of the few ships installed for a long-term life (Image: World, Sea dwelling)
laundry
It may seem like a small problem, but when you live on a cruise ship, you can even challenge yourself to keep it clean.
Sending all the dirty clothes to the laundry on a ship can be expensive, and many people who choose to live in the sea will save their laundry until they can find a pastor in one of the ports the ship visits.
There are one or two vessels specifically tailored to solve all these issues, such as privately owned mega yachts, but with only 165 on-board residences it remains a huge exception than the rules.
