Living on a Cruise Ship?!

[Rum Runner]

So I'm reading this little discount book I found this weekend: Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships (2007)...
I'm only a few pages into it, but they mention in a section on 'how long does a cruise last' that there are people who literally live on cruise ships, and only disembark when the ship goes into dry dock. How is this possible? Do they make some sort of special arrangement with the cruise line for a 'rent' deal? Certainly they can't be paying retail for every 'run' that the ship makes.
(And they don't say that they're talking about the crew.) Wouldn't the ship lose money if they offered them cheap rent?
Curious minds want to know...

[Mike M]

Originally Posted by Rum Runner

So I'm reading this little discount book I found this weekend: Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships (2007)...
I'm only a few pages into it, but they mention in a section on 'how long does a cruise last' that there are people who literally live on cruise ships, and only disembark when the ship goes into dry dock. How is this possible? Do they make some sort of special arrangement with the cruise line for a 'rent' deal? Certainly they can't be paying retail for every 'run' that the ship makes.
(And they don't say that they're talking about the crew.) Wouldn't the ship lose money if they offered them cheap rent?
Curious minds want to know...

There is the old email that compares the cost of living in a nursing home or assisted living facility to living on a cruise ship and the cruise ship is less expensive.

There was one woman who did have an inside cabin on the QE2. She lived there for most of the year.

I doubt they get a "special" rate but they probably have a low end, inside cabin and pay the lowest going rate for it or purchase a large package for all the segments of the world cruises.

Also: There may be "some" people who do this but it isn't a large number of people. I would guess a couple of dozen, at the most, do this. The cruise line will not allow someone who is unable to care for themselves, or live independently, to book a cabin.

Take care,
Mike

[Trip]

I think the most famous case is the woman who lived on the QE2. Her husband had passed away onboard, so she decided she would then, live onboard.

When the ship went into drydock,she visited with family,or changed ships, till she could come back home to the QE2.

The crew looked out for her, as the family member she had become.

[Trackypup]

I believe her name is Lorraine who lives on a Princess Ship. She was on Sea Princess for years and then moved to I think Royal Princess. Now that Royal is leaving the fleet, it'll be interesting to see where she goes.

[AF1]

Very interesting story; I have heard of the Residence ship; the one where u buy a condo and it sails around the world; u can jump on and off, whenever u like.

[Trip]

To my mind,the Residensea, is not a cruise ship, but a home, that happens to float.

For the people who own here, this is their 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th home and that's how the residents treat it. If you booked a cabin as a guest, you would see how this is not a cruise ship....It rarely sails full, people do not flock to the lounges,etc...and you would probably be quite lonely, looking for people to interatct with.

For the lucky people who own, on it..they love it this way.

[green_rd]

There is a ship called The World which AF1 is referring to. All the cabins are condos. I think they are about $5M a throw. The HOA decides on the ship's itinerary.

Here is their "web home" http://www.aboardtheworld.com/

[Trackypup]

The World was in Monaco in 2008 when we were there for a land trip, she's beautiful! I'd live on her in a heartbeat

[GrannyLorr]

There is a lady lives on Seabourn for 10 months of the year. Only goes "home for Christmas".....there are no cheap inside cabins on Seabourn! Oh I wish.........

[Trip]

This one is for sale..Three Bedroom Apartment For Sale Aboard The World: 804

[Moiraine]

Oh, I would not mind living on the World!

Now to win the lottery!

[AF1]

Green_RD and Trip, yes that is the ship I was speaking about. Pretty neat; I think the Travel Channel did a one hour show on the ship.

[Trip]

Af, I remember when that show came out,and the one couple they highlighted wanting to buy it, was so blase about it, while most of our tongues were hanging out!!

[Paul Motter]

There was a lady named Rosemary Roberts who lived on Royal Viking Line - she was famous. She would be on the ship cruise after cruise and of course all the crew knew her by name. (I was working on the ship, my first cruise ship job)

She would change to another RVL ship if she got bored with the itinerary.

[jacdenv24]

Originally Posted by Trip

This one is for sale..Three Bedroom Apartment For Sale Aboard The World: 804

There is also a penthouse for sale...6 bedroom, 6 1/2 bath. 4500 sq. feet

[OldFartCruiser]

Only Women live on ships. Is that why ships are referred too in the female tense?

OF C'er

[Aerogirl]

Originally Posted by Trip

This one is for sale..Three Bedroom Apartment For Sale Aboard The World: 804

DANG!!!! That's sweet!

[BlueCanary]

Oh man that ship looks amazing! My husband wants a "vacation" home in Maine, but I think I'm going to encourage him to shoot for an apartment on The World instead.

[AF1]

I can only dream of such luxury as a apartment on a cruise ship. But I have these forums to chat on, which help me live out my fantasy.
Cheers

[silver_cloud]

Totally, I could live on The World and be happy for the rest of my life. Lottery ticket in hand, one can only dream!

[Bruce Chafkin1]

Residensea's "The World" went into bankruptcy shortly after she was built.
They were never able to sell enough of the condos to break even.
In order to keep the ship floating, a few of the condo owners got together and purchased the ship.
Ten years later, they still have not been able to sell all the condos.
Do you think you could spend the rest of your life on "The World"?
Hopefully then you will not be living too much longer.
The ship has a working life of 20 to 25 years.
What are you going to do with your multi-million dollar shipboard condo when the ship is too old to sail, and is permanently tied to a pier in some backwater port - or even worse, when they start dismantling the hull in Alang, India?

[Donna]

Wow Bruce,
I had no idea the "world" didn't quite make it, have been wondering what happened to it....now I know, tks.

[Kamloops Cruiser]

Somewhere I saw the cost comparision to living on the ship verses living

on land . The cost of the two was very comparible when all the costs

get broken dowand included.

[green_rd]

If I remember the program on Travel Channel it seems most of the residents on The World had those million dollar condos as second or third homes. Much like one would have a villa on the Mediterranean. Most of those folks won't be in too bad of shape when The World ends.

[AF1]

anyone who could afford a condo on the ship will not be hurting for money

[AF1]

I just googled the world ship. It is not bankrupt, it shows its website up and running; the ship is currently in Charleston, SC.

[Dhill]

I do not think that living on a ship would be for us .Its nice to take a cruise once in a while but to have a ship as your only home I dont know. We like to go out in the yard and work in the garden. Go fishing see are kids once in awhile ship life would be to confining. just to much to do besides living on a ship.

[Bruce Chafkin1]

AF1,

The World is NO LONGER bankrupt.
As I mentioned earlier, some of the condo owners purchased the vessel to get it out of bankruptcy and moving again.
Yes, it is sailing again - although nearly empty most of the time.
On any given day, there are fewer than 100 passengers onboard.

One needs to remember that this ship has no cruise director or shows, no live music, no activities, no free dining rooms, no shore excursions, no casino, very few shops, a tiny spa, a few bars, no Captains Table, no welcome aboard party, no sailaway party.

It is a very expensive and very quiet condo complex that floats around occasionally, where you rarely see your neighbors.
To keep operating costs down, the ship goes to many out of the way ports and docks at very inconvenient locations to save on docking fees.
You need to make all your own fun if you sail on this ship.

[AF1]

thanks Bruce, I can't afford it anyway, so its no big deal. I will stick with Royal Caribbean.