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CruiseWorld · 30-05-2021, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptTom

OK, maybe the OP was a troll, but y'all filled two pages with responses, so here goes...

Disregarding environmental and societal issues, I think for some people it could be a viable alternative to a retirement community, especially for an aging single person.

Yes, these mega-ships are set up for lemmings. Everyone rushes to the pool deck first thing in the morning to secure their spot in the sun. After sundown, the rush reverses to the bars and casino. Shore excursions are pure theater. Don't get me started on the spa treatments and art auctions.

But you don't have to follow the crowd. You have the whole deck largely to yourself after dark. Enjoy the stars and the cool breeze. During the day, you have the run of all the indoor spaces. You don't need spa treatments or overpriced souvenirs. You don't have to drink yourself silly or gamble away your retirement fund.

I think the obstacles are more subtle. For one thing, it would be more expensive than you'd think. You can't just take the advertised weekly rate for an inside cabin and multiply it by 52. Those are not always available, and there are fees and add-ons. There may be health or mobility requirements which keep out some who would use this instead of a nursing home. And not many of us could live in a tiny inside cabin very long.

I wouldn't count on good health care aboard. Yes, there's a doctor or medic of some kind, but they're not your family physician. Nor are they specialists in all the various ailments which befall us as we age.

It's a nice dream. I'd consider it if I were too old to cruise on my own boat. Not sure what folks who had been living aboard ships did for the past year though.

I wasn't really trolling (I'm sorry if it was like that

) I was considering about retiring on one because I've been on cruises and I thought to myself "Why not retire here" you know? Thanks for your reply tho

**Pete7** · 31-05-2021, 00:52

So what about all the cruise ships that seem to regularly have plagues breaking out:

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/pub/nor...20jurisdiction.

As for transporting thousands of over weight Americans to pristine locations whilst feeding them a glutinous amount of food and burning vast amount of oil, how exactly is that being environmentally friendly.

I also think you are a troll.

Pete

CaptTom · 31-05-2021, 04:26

OK, sorry about the troll comment. It was a legitimate question, and one that comes up from time to time. I sometimes forget not everyone has seen all the prior discussions.

I also want to address the "plague" comment. First, cruise ships weren't the only places which experienced outbreaks near the beginning of the pandemic. Yes, they continued cruising beyond when, in retrospect, they should have shut down. But remember, they weren't the only ones who were cocky and dismissed the threat. It was after all a once-in-a-century thing. Cruise ships are used to epidemics, and maybe thought they could handle it. Remember there were also outbreaks at crowded bars, chorus practices and nursing homes. But being trapped at sea with no port allowing them in made them the bigger headline.

I was on a ship with a norovirus outbreak. I was among the first affected. I was incapacitated for a bit less than 24 hours. The ship took all kinds of precautions and got it pretty well under control. We all survived. Missing one day out of 7 didn't ruin the trip for me. There are no guarantees in life, and having a bad day or two on any vacation isn't really newsworthy. It happens.

I'd still go on a cruise ship, and I'd recommend it to others, with the caveats in my prior post, above. I haven't really had time since I got my own cruise-worthy boat, but I will go again when I can.

Shanachie · 31-05-2021, 05:55

Living on a cruise ship? Kill me now!

captlloyd · 31-05-2021, 07:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

So what about all the cruise ships that seem to regularly have plagues breaking out:

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/pub/nor...20jurisdiction.

As for transporting thousands of over weight Americans to pristine locations whilst feeding them a glutinous amount of food and burning vast amount of oil, how exactly is that being environmentally friendly.

I also think you are a troll.

Pete

Just what makes you think he is a troll ?? Seemed like a legitimate question to me. Too many of you like to through that term around in my opinion. Maybe he didn’t immediately reply after seeing all of the narrow minded replies the post got. I’m sure his post would be much more accepted by a non boating community of older folks. Some of them love cruise ships. While the idea doesn’t have much appeal to me either, I refer to the phrase, “ The mind is like a parachute, it must be open to function”.

APWTryfan · 31-05-2021, 09:45

My Uncle is 93 and prior to Covid spent 3/4 of his year cruising all over the world. He has been everywhere! He quit sailing when he was 80.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smac999

Cheaper monthly costs then an old folks home. (Around $4000 a month here?) Better food. And probably better doctors.

Maybe when I’m 80.

dannc · 31-05-2021, 10:45

Never been on a cruise but we have looked into it a time or two. Are there not different demographics targeted by the cruise ships? Certainly a cruise on a Disney ship is going to be different than a Carnival cruise or Norwegian or Cunard. Then there are smaller ships vs the huge party ships.

We never looked a Carnival or similar cruise since that is NOT what we would be interested. When the kids were young we looked at a Disney cruise but for the same amount of money we could spend at least twice the number of days at Disney World. A Cunard cruise looked really interesting, relaxing, and enjoyable but we did not have the time or money for one of those cruises. Spending all year on a Cunard road the world cruise is what I have read retired people doing.

Certainly better than a retirement home if one can afford it and Cunard did not seem like a party ship.

Later,
Dan

Eder · 31-05-2021, 11:06

I would embrace the cruising lifestyle once my current cruising lifestyle is no longer possible, at least for half of the year...other half of the year would be spent in a high end resort with a poker room...The Venetian is a favourite.

Sitting around an old folks home waiting to die would no be preferable.

If my spouse has perished it would not be unreasonable to hire a nurse as company, not too expensive.

Dave_S · 31-05-2021, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by smac999

Cheaper monthly costs then an old folks home. (Around $4000 a month here?) Better food. And probably better doctors.

Maybe when I’m 80.

For $50k per year you might find a couple on a descent sail boat happy to have you aboard.

Cadence · 31-05-2021, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_S

For $50k per year you might find a couple on a descent sail boat happy to have you aboard.

Not the same as a sailing condo. My question might be does it include overhaul and maintenance?

belizesailor · 31-05-2021, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adelie

Actually is is a forum for “small” boat cruising. While powerboaters are a little light on the ground here there are some.

I put “small” in quotes because small ends at about 27’ for me and big starts at about 40’ or so but most people would skew larger on those definitions.

Correct.

I might stretch the definition of "small" up to 60', but certainly WAY less than cruise ship size.

belizesailor · 31-05-2021, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by CruiseWorld

I wasn't really trolling (I'm sorry if it was like that

) I was considering about retiring on one because I've been on cruises and I thought to myself "Why not retire here" you know? Thanks for your reply tho

Hey, if it works for you thats great, but it is the antithesis of what most on this site seek.

You do know this site is not about cruise ships right? (Seriously, there are people who post here sometimes who dont get that).

CruiseWorld · 01-06-2021, 00:44

Hey guys. Thank you for your insights and I'm sorry about posting stuff like this. I was just looking for recommendations and maybe some tips. But I guess you guys are against the idea. I'm going to try another community and maybe find some people who share my idea. Thank you guys!