Ben Squires
Cruising

Why more and more people are retiring on a cruise

We’ve mentioned before how the increasing affordability of luxury cruises compares to life in some of the world’s biggest cities. But now cruises are becoming so affordable many retirees are shunning aged care facilities in favour of the trip of a lifetime.

Canadians Jack and Willi Ross are two such people, selling their single-family home for a small apartment, letting them keep overheads down and travel most of the year.

The latest journey for the intrepid couple was a 180 day around the world adventure with Oceania Cruises which they actually found to be quite an affordable alternative.

78-year-old Jack Ross told CNBC, "The cost of living was, in some ways, cheaper," pointing out how medical care, fine dining, laundry and internet were included in his cruise fare.

And there’s some number’s to back this assertion up. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found over 20 years, “Cruises were comparably priced to assisted living centres and offered a better quality of life, though land-based assisted living can vary greatly by facility, location and needs.”

Ross added, “You just bring your suitcases and unpack them. It's like living at home, but I don't have to worry about renewing my driver's license.”

So what do you think? Could you ever see yourself taking a permanent cruise?

Let us know in the comments below. 

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Tags:
retirement, holiday, cruise, News