Angelyn Burk, a recently retired accountant, made a startling discovery that it would be cheaper for her and her husband to retire perpetually on a cruise ship than to continue living on dry land.
The couple had thoroughly enjoyed the dozen cruises they’ve taken together in the past, and they have a shared love of travel as well as a shared disdain for airports.
The couple therefore made the decision to chain trips on different ships for a cost significantly lower than that of their life on land. All they have to do is hop from ship to ship, with only a few short breaks a year.
The Burks were frustrated with the rising costs of living on earth. Between the mortgage, internet, hydro, property taxes, insurance and other costs associated with owning their home in Seattle, the couple were spending more than $3,500 a month. This amount does not include food, transportation, recreation and other daily living expenses.
“We calculated that we could probably live reasonably well on about $100 a day together, with what we saved up,” said Richard, 51, who retired from computer programming last month.
On a cruise ship, however, “there is no surcharge. The price is the price,” Angelyn said. Spending their retirement at sea, she concluded, would be “so much cheaper.”
Their next cruise is scheduled for July, after which they plan to embark on successive cruises for about nine months, with some brief land breaks. Between cruises, they’ll be nomads of sorts, visiting family and friends, and staying in Airbnbs and hotels, which they’ll pay for mostly with credit card points.
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