Retired Couple Books 51 Back-to-Back Cruises Because It’s Cheaper Than a Retirement Home
Retirement is often framed by a familiar set of choices centered on downsizing, slower routines, or perhaps the structured environment of a senior living community. For Marty Ansen and Jess Ansen, those options never felt very appealing.
After decades of cruising and two long years grounded by pandemic lockdowns, the Australian couple took a closer look at the numbers and realized something surprising. Staying at sea made more sense than settling into a retirement facility.
Since June 2022, the Brisbane great-grandparents have turned cruise ships into their full-time address. Their plan involved booking 51 consecutive cruises, stacking itineraries one after another, and treating the ocean as home.
A Retirement Plan Built On Cruise Itineraries
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Marty Ansen and Jess Ansen boarded their first cruise in mid-2022 with no fixed end date in mind. What started as a return to a favorite pastime quickly turned into a long-term arrangement. With help from a travel agent, they booked one sailing after another, eventually lining up 51 back-to-back cruises with Princess Cruises.
Most of that time has been spent aboard the Coral Princess, a ship carrying roughly 2,000 passengers. The couple stayed onboard for more than 450 days, outlasting many crew members and even welcoming multiple captains as itineraries changed. By the time their current stretch ends, they expect to have lived at sea for close to two years.
Why Cruising Costs Less Than Senior Living
The decision came down to practical math. Retirement homes and nursing facilities often charge monthly fees that cover housing, meals, cleaning, and limited activities. Cruises bundle many of those same services into a single fare.
Onboard, the Ansens receive daily housekeeping, prepared meals, entertainment, and access to medical staff if needed. They no longer budget for groceries, utilities, or home maintenance. Over time, those savings added up. According to the couple, the cost of continuous cruising undercut the price of a retirement home back in Australia.
They also avoided long-term leases or property expenses, which gave them flexibility without financial lock-in.
Daily Life Aboard A Cruise Ship
Life at sea follows a rhythm that feels familiar to the couple. Mornings often start with ping-pong. Afternoons bring shows, classes, or quiet time on their balcony. Evenings revolve around dinner, dancing, and social events.
Jess gravitates toward ballroom and hula dancing, while Marty enjoys conversations with fellow passengers and crew. Over time, friendships formed naturally. Staff members greet them by name, and returning guests recognize them as part of the ship’s social fabric.
Their cabin functions like a compact apartment, cleaned daily by a steward. Meals arrive without planning or prep. Entertainment runs from trivia to live music, all included in the fare.
Making Up For Lost Time At Sea
Before global travel restrictions, the Ansens already had deep experience with cruising. They completed more than 30 cruises over the years and logged nearly 1,200 days at sea. When sailing paused during lockdowns, that routine disappeared overnight.
Once ships returned to service, Marty told their travel agent to book whatever came next. That open-ended approach led to the long chain of consecutive sailings. Each cruise flowed into the next, removing the need to pack, unpack, or return home between trips.
Living on the ship does not mean cutting off family. The couple stays in touch through regular emails and plans visits when their cruises dock near relatives’ homes, turning ports into brief reunions rather than permanent stops.
Both Marty and Jess describe this stage of life as a time to enjoy themselves fully. Travel offers variety without stress, and the structure of cruising provides comfort without confinement.
A Growing Trend Among Retirees
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The Ansens are part of a small but growing group choosing extended or permanent life at sea. Rising housing costs and increased senior care fees have prompted some to compare cruise fares with rent or assisted living costs.
Some cruise lines have even leaned into the idea, offering long-term voyages that last months or even years. While most travelers will never book 51 cruises in a row, the concept highlights a shift in how retirement can look.
For Marty Ansen and Jess Ansen, retirement did not mean slowing down. It meant trading a fixed address for a horizon that keeps changing, from port to port.