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Travel the World Aboard Your

Luxury Residential Community at Sea

Global Travel from the Comfort of Home

March 15, 2022 00:00:00

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Live on an all-inclusive

Cruise Ship

Travel the World from the Comfort of Home

Averaging three days in each port, you have ample time and options to explore the cultures and customs beyond our ports-of-call. Or simply enjoy the most beautiful scenery on the planet from the comfort of your new home aboard Storylines exclusive around the world cruise ship .

Living an all-inclusive life aboard Storylines means exactly that. Our living fees start from just $2,152 per person per month - lower than living costs in most major cities worldwide.

Chart your day the way you want, with activities to keep you as active or relaxed as you choose to be. Yoga on deck? A deck chair and a book? Dine in or out under the stars and dance, or dream the night away. That’s the beauty of writing your own story.

Friends and Family

Friends and family of Storylines residents are welcome! Invite a friend for a month, your children for a week, or make eternal memories with your grandchildren for a whole summer. Should you wish, Storylines will even manage renting your residence for you while you are away.

Travel the World

Circumnavigating around the world every three-and-a-half years means you have time to savor the sights and sounds of UNESCO world heritage sites, off-the-beaten-path destinations and all the wonders of the world.

The Ultimate Travel Lifestyle

You can now travel the globe from the comfort of home, experiencing the ultimate travel lifestyle. Unpack once. You're home...and you're traveling around the world. You can have it all. Work onboard and discover offshore tax benefits. Learn in a truly global classroom. Enjoy the adventure - it's all part of the Storylines luxury global lifestyle.

Living on a Mega-Yacht

Living on a megayacht means never having to cook or clean again. It means exotic destinations are your afternoon strolls. When you live on a circumnavigating yacht, you wake to ever-changing views of the most beautiful places in the world and you travel the world with like-minded adventurers in an ultra-exclusive global community.

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Travel the world without leaving Home ®

With only 165 Residences aboard The World , each has its own unique story. Residences range from elegant Studios to spacious Three-Bedroom Homes – each of which may be customized to suit your specific preferences and tastes. Regardless of the layout you choose, your Home aboard The World will be unlike any other on the planet. It is your comfortable haven providing everchanging views, and your launching point for unforgettable daily adventures as you explore every corner of the globe.

Travel to your Home aboard The World is defined by unparalleled simplicity and ease.  Leave your suitcase behind as you return to your private Residence, complete with your personal art, your clothes, and even your wine collection. Once on board, you can expect the highest standards of anticipatory service, from housekeeping and personalized concierge services to tailored wellness programs and bespoke dining experiences. Welcome to the most extraordinary Home you will ever own.

• Three-Bedroom Residences

Your expansive Three-Bedroom Residence welcomes you, your Guests, and any Resident neighbors you entertain with an inviting foyer that opens into vast living spaces awash in fresh ocean air and natural light. With a state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen, three full bathrooms, and a vast private veranda, there is no better place to begin and end each day of your incomparable adventure.

Three-Bedroom Residences range from 1,666 – 3,242 square feet / 154.8 – 301.2 square meters.

• Two-Bedroom Residences

Your spacious Home at sea has a configuration and an interior design aesthetic all your own. The World’s Two-Bedroom Residences match and surpass the comfort and style you would expect from any landbound luxury vacation house. Enjoy a full-sized kitchen, spacious living and dining areas, en-suite full bathrooms, and ample veranda space.

Two-Bedroom Residences range from 1,106 – 1,391 square feet / 102.8 – 129.2 square meters.

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In The World’s  One- and Two-Bedroom Ocean Studio Residences you’ll enjoy the intimacy of a studio with added space for relaxation or for Guests to join you on the Journey. Share breathtaking views from your private veranda or meals made with fresh local ingredients in your kitchenette.

Ocean Studio Residences range from 580 – 888 square feet /53.9 – 82.5 square meters.

• Ocean Studios

When you choose Ocean Studio ownership aboard The World , you enjoy elegant simplicity without compromising on the sophistication of beautiful contemporary design and sumptuous comfort. Each of these single-room Homes is a stylish sanctum at sea, defined by flawless service and boasting a stunning ocean view from a private veranda.

Ocean Studios range from 290 – 846 square feet / 26.9 – 78.6 square meters.

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Determine whether life aboard The World is the right fit for you. Talk to one of our Residential Advisors today to learn more about this unique lifestyle, details of upcoming Journeys and Expeditions, and ownership opportunities.

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You Could Permanently Live at Sea on This Residential Cruise Ship

The vessel will navigate the globe indefinitely, and residences start at $1 million..

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The 547-room ship will set sail in 2024.

Courtesy of Storylines

After a few days of living the high (seas) life aboard a luxury cruise ship, spending time exploring exciting port towns and sampling the all-inclusive restaurants and amenities onboard, you might consider what it would be like to stay on the ship forever.

Sure, you could book a room on a round-the-world sailing , but even then, you’re not really living on a cruise ship.

One residential cruising company, however, is working toward making a permanent seafaring life a viable option. In late 2024, the Croatia-based cruise company Storylines is slated to launch a new residential ship, dubbed MV Narrative , where people can purchase an apartment onboard and sail indefinitely.

The floating community will feature 547 residences, including fully furnished studios with Murphy beds (at 237 square feet), one- to four-bedroom apartments, and two-story penthouses (that range between 1,378 and 1,970 square feet each). The outright purchase price for one of the accommodations starts just shy of $1 million and will go up to $8 million. Like any other home, the residences can be rented out or sold in whatever manner the owner chooses. A select few abodes are also listed for 24-year leases (starting at $600,000, or roughly $25,000 per year). After the initial purchase or lease price, each unit will also be charged a yearly fee, ranging from $65,000 to $200,000, to cover meals, amenities, and maintenance. But once onboard, residents would only need to open their wallets for food, experiences, and trinkets during their time ashore—most everything onboard will be covered by the fees (with the exception of things like premium alcohol, certain medical and veterinary services, childcare, and items from the onboard store).

A one-bedroom cabin aboard MV Narrative

While it’s not an entirely new idea— The World residences at sea has been sailing since 2002, and Somnio , a residential yacht liner, is expected to set sail in spring 2024—it’s currently the least expsensive option for those who wish to live at sea. ( The World and Somnio ’s smallest accommodations have an estimated starting price of $3 million and $11 million , respectively.)

Storylines was founded in 2016 and is run by Alister Punton and Shannon Lee, two men who previously worked in land-based real estate and construction projects. Per the website, MV Narrative is intended to be more a lifestyle choice and less of an extended vacation. As such, Storylines notes that it will interview potential residents to determine whether they’re a fit for the community.

The plans for the MV Narrative include 20 restaurants across 18 decks, a 10,000-book library, three pools, a garden, a bowling alley, a fitness area with a running track, and a microbrewery. The ship will also house some services not commonly found on other cruise ships due to the nature of its offering, such as a post office, hospital, school (for grades up through 12), bank, and office spaces, to make it feel more like an actual city, just at sea. There will also be outdoor pet exercise areas in case residents want to bring their four-legged friends along for the ride.

The vessel is slated to begin its 1,000-night maiden voyage in late 2024. During that initial nearly three-year-long sailing, the ship will visit six continents and will stop at various ports for one to five days at a time.

One 88-day sample itinerary shows the cruise slowly working its way around most of Italy’s coast over the course of a month, including three days in Rome, four days in Palermo (Sicily’s capital city), and single days in San Leone, Sciacca, and Marsala, among other ports. From there, the ship would spend a few days each in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania, before doing a 24-day deep dive into Greece, and then heading to Turkey. Along the way, there would be “Residents Choice” days, where those aboard could vote on where they’d like to go by using a special phone app for residents.

The slow travel schedule, the company states on its website, is part of its sustainable travel initiative, as being in the harbor for days at a time and going shorter distances between stops burns fewer fossil fuels. Other elements include waste-to-energy tech, growing vegetables in the hydroponic garden, and committing to only using biodegradable or reusable items instead of single-use plastics.

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How Much It Costs to Live on a Cruise Ship For a Year

Who hasn’t gone on a cruise and thought, “I could do this forever”?

The idea of retiring from the rat race and living out your days on a cruise has great appeal for some people.

There’s no cleaning, no cooking, and no lawn to mow. You don’t have to worry about doing the dishes or paying an electric bill. There’s always something going on, new people to meet, and every day you wake up to some of the most beautiful views in the world.

Add to that the fact that Internet access allows many to work remotely from anywhere, and wi-fi is widely available on any major cruise ship. That means even if you don’t want to completely retire, but instead work from the cruise ship, it’s technically possible.

Of course, not everyone can run off and live on a cruise ship, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dream.

And the first question that comes to mind when you think about escaping is how much it would cost to live aboard a cruise ship?

So how much would you have to pay? Is the total cost even realistic? We recently priced out the cost of living on a cruise ship for an entire year.

The result? Just know that you’ll definitely need to open your wallet to live full-time in paradise.

Where You’ll Spend Money on Your Cruise

Head to any cruise website and you’ll see plenty of cheap headline prices. Cruises starting at a few hundred dollars for a week are common. At first glance, it seems like living on a cruise ship would be amazingly affordable. ( One cruise line advertises the ability to live aboard for just around $33,000 per person, per year .)

After all, a cruise for $500 a week would cost only $26,000 to sail for a year. For many people, that would be cheaper than living on land! 

But anyone who has been on a cruise knows those headline prices are just the start of what you pay. In fact, in our opinion it’s a bit disingenuous of the cruise lines to advertise those prices. After all, what you’ll actually pay is much, much more.

Double Occupancy Cruise Fare: Apart from a few sailings that offer solo cabins, any headline price you find is actually only half of what you will pay for cruise fare. That’s because cabins are typically sold based on double occupancy, but prices are shown per person.

So for a fare that’s $599, it will actually cost $1,198 based on double occupancy. Even if you are sailing solo (unless in a solo cabin), you will still have to pay this “double” charge.

In other words, whenever you see a cruise price, double it right away for what you’ll really pay in fare.

Port Fees & Taxes: We all expect to pay taxes on things that we buy. It’s no different for a cruise. However, the taxes aren’t included in the headline cruise fare. As well, cruise fares will also have port fees tacked on. These are per-passenger fees paid to ports of call for the privilege of docking.

These fees vary, but in general, expect about $100-$200 per person for a seven-day cruise.

Gratuities: Sure, at the end of the day gratuities aren’t a required cost (you can adjust them as necessary), but in practice they are usually considered a charge that you’ll have to pay. They also add up quickly.

At around $16 per person, per day, a couple traveling on a week cruise will pay about $200 in gratuities. Over the course of a year on a cruise ship, that amount comes out to more than $10,000!

Onboard Spending: Anyone who has taken a cruise knows that what you pay in cruise fare is the start of what you’ll spend during your time on the ship.

From drinks to wi-fi to specialty restaurants, there are plenty of extra to spend on the ship . And even if you are a frugal sailor, you won’t go any lengthy time without having a few drinks or signing up for the Internet package to check in back on shore.

We Priced a Year’s Worth of Cruises to Get a True Cost

With all of these expenses in mind, we dove into what it would cost to live on a cruise ship for an entire year.

Of course, when it comes to cruising for twelve months, you have an amazing number of options. From different cruise lines to routes, departure ports, ships, and even cabin types, there are a number of things that will have a big impact on what you spend.

That’s why we aimed to keep everything simple. To price what it costs to live aboard the ship, we took a look at sailings aboard a single ship from Carnival, which is known for being affordable. In this case, we priced a year’s worth of sailing for Carnival Horizon in 2024.

Carnival Horizon is a newer ship from the cruise line that sails six and eight-day itineraries year-round from Miami in 2024. That means you could sail the entire year without having to change ships and always coming back to a homeport in the United States.

The routes that the Horizon sails would take you all across the Caribbean, from Cozumel to Aruba, from Curacao to Grand Cayman. Because it is a bigger and (relatively) newer ship in the Carnival fleet, you’d also have tons of amenities and activities on board, as well as a many restaurant options — including Guy’s Burger Joint .

As for the cabin, in our search we opted for a balcony cabin. Yes, you would be able to sail for cheaper in an oceanview or interior cabin, however, we assume that if you are aboard the ship for an extended period of time, having your own balcony is a must.

As well, we assume a couple is sailing with two people to the room. 

Summing up, here’s what we searched for our prices used in this estimate:

• Cruise Line: Carnival
• Ship: Carnival Horizon
• Time Period: January-December 2024
• Homeport: Miami
• Room Type: Balcony
• Number of People: 2

Here’s How Much It Costs to Live on a Cruise Ship

So how much does it cost to sail on the Carnival Horizon for a year? We estimate it to cost around $199,000 for two people , although that number can vary from person to person, depending on their spending habits .

Here’s an overview of where you’ll spend, and we breakdown each expense below:

Cruise Fare: The largest expense by far is cruise fare. Pricing a balcony room for each of the dozens of cruises the ship sails in 2024, it totaled $99,766 . Factored out, that's about $1,900 a week or $6,150 per month. Keep in mind this is for two passengers on the ship and includes the bulk of what you'll spend on a cruise, including your cabin, entertainment, and food.

Port Fees & Taxes: There's no escaping taxes, even on a cruise out at sea. Pricing out our cruises, the taxes and port fees for two people totaled up to $15,395 for the year. That comes out to a little less than $1,300 a month.

Gratuities: One of the perks of being on a cruise is that you are waited on hand and foot. But it doesn't come free. Carnival charges $16.00 per person, per day for automatic gratuities. Over the course of a year, that adds up to $11,648 in tips paid to staff.

Onboard Spending: How can you know what you'll spend on the ship over the course of a year? It's impossible to know for sure, and different people will spend different amounts. For example, do you need to have a drink package every day of the year? Or are you fine drinking water or juice? Are you a gambler? How often do you want to eat at specialty restaurants?

While you can't pinpoint exactly what you'll spend, you can get a good estimate. As a public company, Carnival Corporation (the parent of Carnival Cruise Line) publishes detailed numbers about their business. For instance, in 2022 the company took in $7 billion in ticket revenue and $5.1 billion in onboard spending.

So onboard spending across all of its lines was 73% of ticket revenue. For every $1,000 in cruise fare, the average person would spend about $730 on the ship. (Note: Onboard spending has increased since cruises returned, but bundling of offers like drink packages and wi-fi have also changed the amount. Before the pandemic, it was usually around 45% of ticket revenue.)

Using this metric, with a total cruise fare of $99,766, the average couple would spend $72,829 onboard during the course of the year. However, it's likely that the figure would be drastically lower as average spending on the ship will likely be less if staying full-time versus splurging for a short vacation.

Total Cost: Adding up tickets, port fees, taxes, gratuities, and onboard spending, the total estimated cost of living on a cruise ship for a year is $199,638 for a couple -- or about $100,000 per person. Without onboard spending, it comes out to $126,809 or $63,404 per person.

Notably, this figure is about 35-40% higher than the roughly $145,000 we calculated for the same ship when we last ran the numbers in 2023. The main difference between then and now? Cruise fares in 2024 for Carnival Horizon come out about $18,000 higher (for two people) during the course of the year and onboard spending estimates increased sharply based on the latest figures provided in financial reports.

Too Expensive? Here's How to Lower the Cost

There's no doubt that it's expensive to live on a cruise ship, but there are ways that you can trim that amount. If you're interested in cutting down the price, here are a few ideas.

Limit Onboard Spending: In our estimate, we used the average spending Carnival Corporation sees across all its cruise lines, which is 73% of the cruise fare.

You don't have to spend near that much. After all, when people cruise they are on vacation and likely willing to spend more freely than they would normally. By limiting the amount spent on board, you can cut thousands off this estimated total.

It's doubtful you can get by without spending at least some money, but our estimate comes out to about $700 per person, per week. Being able to spend less than that should be relatively easy.

Older Ships: Our estimate is aboard the Carnival Horizon. We chose this ship because it is relatively new (meaning you'll have the most amenities for a long-term stay), but it also runs a regular schedule from Miami.

That said, in general newer ships like the Horizon are more expensive to sail aboard. If you look for older ships, you should be able to cut the price down.

Be Flexible for Cheaper Trips: For this estimate, we priced out a year's worth of cruises on a single ship. This makes it easy if you're sailing long-term; you simply stay on the ship and don't have to worry about changing ships, or ports.

If you want cheaper options, however, you might find them by being more flexible with changing ships and/or cruise lines when you find a deal. That's where sailing from a port like Miami -- which offers a lot of options -- can be beneficial to your pocketbook.

Avoid Expensive Times of Year: In our search, the sailing aboard the ship varied dramatically due to the time of year. For example, the most expensive cruise aboard Horizon during the year was during the Christmas holidays and ran $1,399 per person. The least expensive 8-day cruise ran $869 per person -- or about 60% as much.

If you have the ability to take a few weeks off here and there during the expensive times of year, it can lead to big savings.

What do you think about the cost of living full-time on a cruise ship for a year? Let us know in the comments below.

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What about the VCL Victoria Cruises Majestic ship? Set to sail this fall, it’s a true long term residential ship that will circumnavigate the globe in 27 months from Fort Lauderdale. There is still space available! Price points and discounts vary based on how long you lease your cabin -ranging from 6 month’s minimum up to 37 months and beyond. About 500 cabins have been sold so far- adults only. And it’s all inclusive of internet, most drinks, laundry service, housekeeping of course, room service, etc.. All the standard things you’d find on a cruise ship. See this article that was posted today by one of the future residents! https://www.allwaystraveller.com/continents/worldwide/circumnavigating-the-globe-for-two-years-on-a-residential-cruise-ship

I would love to see the cruise lines cater to single seniors, they would be surprised how many would travel all the time….I personally would like to do three months, but the cost is just too high! Maybe there is a singles travel cruise group that I can join. Any suggestions out there?

Someone young wrote this article. Carnival is not the line most people would choose to cruise for a long period of time. On the Oceania Marina we met a couple cruising for several months and a charming older man who was cruising for 180 days. The couple had sold their house & were having a new house built, so homeless for a period of time. The older man was single &, I think, rather lonely so the ship life provided him nice social opportunities to talk to people. Here’s more info; “After record demand for its 2023 world cruise, Oceania Cruises has unveiled the itinerary for its epic global voyage for 2024. The cruise line’s 180-day journey around the world will set sail on January 14, 2024, and visit more than 96 destinations in 34 different countries.

“Incredibly, last year our 2023 world cruise sold out in just one day, so for 2024 we are providing guests more extended voyage options to deeply and meaningfully rediscover the world,” Howard Sherman, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure.

Oceania’s “Around the World in 180 Days” cruise will depart from Los Angeles and cross more than three oceans and 15 seas as it makes its way around the globe to New York. The journey, on the Oceania Insignia, stops at more than 100 UNESCO World Heritage sites with 24 overnight stays.

Passengers will journey across the Pacific, through French Polynesia and Australia before continuing onto destinations like Japan and Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay. The voyage continues along the shores of India and the Arabian Peninsula before sailing across Europe and completing its route across the Atlantic in New York.

The 2024 “Around the World” journey starts at $48,499 per person and includes roundtrip first-class airfare and amenities like prepaid gratuities, laundry, and luggage delivery. During your days at sea, you can keep yourself busy with spa appointments, art workshops, the casino, cabaret, and four open-seating restaurants — not to mention the daily afternoon tea service accompanied by a four-string quartet. There is also a fitness center and sports deck, and of course, a saltwater pool with two hot tubs.

As usual, catering mostly to people who have the means to do this without blinking. It is time for older single seniors on a fixed income to be able to be able to cruise on a non party boat. A tranquil, voyage, letting go and actually hearing the sounds of Mother Nature, not a floating amusement park. That would be amazing.

It would only be me living on the ship, cant i spilt that cost that I would have if i had a spouse? so would that be about 60k ?

I think this is not taking into consideration the rewards systems that most cruise operators have which would reduce the fare, even in a balcony cabin. I could never do it since the state of cruiseline wifi is still pathetic!

Another way to do it vs estimated$175k year is to buy in to a condo cabin on the new state of the art Narrative from Storylines.com. Sails around world in 3 1/2 years starting at $5000 a month 2 people all inclusive , starting 2024!

😂😂😂 with prices starting at $400,000 and rising to $8 million

What about when someone needs care/hospitalisation etc….. Surely you would need a private medical insurance policy, which would get progressively more expensive as you aged?

I’m sure. This article only focuses on the costs of sailing for the year. Other costs aren’t considered.

Good information but why does long term stay/full time cost is so high. you would think there be discount especially for seniors. Also price for solo why double? I think it sounds like fun how about travel for 3 months first to try out. Sea sick is that a common element to consider for most? People with restricted diet such as vegetarians do they get the meals prepared? Are some classes offered for free? classes such as dancing or crafts part of the activities? Thanks

the price for double occupancy is basic international hotel rates. The cruise ship is basically a floating/mobile resort hotel. All cruise lines came onboard with the double occupancy in 2010. before it was fare and half to cruise solo. If you get a good cruise line that you like, most have a loyalty program that after so many cruise points you will be charged fare and a half for solo travel. 3 months would be a good trial to see if you like it, sea sickness is not really a problem as these ship travel well. you can put in for restricted diet before going on a cruise so should not be a problem long term – might be you have to request every week. Main Dinning has a veggie meal every night and the buffet style cafe onboard allows you to select what you want. You can even get Kosher meals. most Classes are free as well as activities. buy the drink package that is suitable to your habits. your excursions will cost you but after a few weeks you may be done with excursions and it is all about enjoying the ship.

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Carnival Cruise Live Blog (Day 4): A Final Day at Sea Featuring… Whales?! Plus Final Thoughts

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Take a pause from life, and indulge in the replenishing sanctuary with invigorating treatments and services to beautify, unwind and replenish your physical and mental wellbeing. Our Salon staff are trained internationally in face, body, hair, and nail treatments, and will provide a wide range of reasonably priced treatments for everyone.

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With everything taken care of, you have time to explore in every port for more immersive experiences. Visit the Hidden Gems away from the populous and explore off the beaten paths.

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How To Live On A Cruise Ship – Top Tips For Life At Sea

By: Author Mona Marks

Posted on Last updated: October 14, 2023

Categories CRUISE PLANNING , LEARN , ONBOARD EXPERIENCE

Most humans never experience what it’s like to live at sea, as 99% of us are land dwellers to the core. A few trendsetters have altered the reality of normal living by packing up their life on land and moving it to a cruise ship on the sea. Cruise ship living is a concept that’s picking up momentum. How to live on a cruise ship starts with proper financial planning, additional health insurance, and awesome deals from cruise liners. Keep reading to learn how your ocean-living dreams can become a reality.

How To Live On A Cruise Ship – Take A Cruise Ship Test Run

Permanently living on a cruise ship might sound glamorous and exciting. And it could be the best decision you’ve ever made but also the wrong one. You should take a trial run at extended cruise ship living before making a decision so that you can confirm if your “living on a cruise ship” dream is for you.

Book long trips (more than 3 months at a time) on different cruise liners, mix them up with different cruise itineraries and immerse yourself in life at sea. 

Rope In The Help Of A Cruise Specialist

When you have decided that you want to spend large amounts of a year cruising the world, it’s time to rope in the experts. A cruise specialist can add some value to your experience regarding the following: 

• One-on-one personal customer service
• Assisting in finding the right accommodation
• Helping to choose the perfect cruise ship
• Access to discounted bookings regarding extended cruise travel
• Added amenities such as onboard credit, free specialty dinners and drinks vouchers, airport transfers, and complimentary shore excursions
• Ensuring that special promotions during your trip are applied to your fare

Cruise companies such as The Cruise Web offer innovative packaged plans (Seniors at Sea) tailor-made for active and independent seniors looking to retire on a cruise ship. After a cruise specialist has assisted you in finding the best cruise liner option with the best price package available, it’s time to draw up your budget with the help of a financial planner.

Brainstorm With A Financial Planner

You will need to get your financial ducks in a row. Brainstorm with a financial planner about what you can afford to spend per day, week, or month, and see how those numbers fit with your cruise specialist’s quotes. If you’re looking to retire on a cruise ship, a full retirement income plan that includes taxes should be implemented.

Cost Of Permanently Living On A Cruise Ship

The most important factor when living on a cruise ship is the cost. The overall cost of living on a cruise ship is determined by many factors, such as the following:

• The cruises you book (Caribbean cruises work out the cheapest, whereas European and Alaskan cruises are the most expensive)
• Which cruise ship line do you choose to live on (Mass, premium, or luxury lines)
• Type of accommodation (Inside cabins are cheap but small, whereas balcony rooms are expensive but come with a view)
• Cruise Line loyalty program and perks
• Taxes, port fees, and gratuities (inescapable expenses)
• Cost of shore excursions

The average person spends approximately $212 per day on a cruise ship, which includes boarding, food, and entertainment. Your available daily budget should be close to this amount if you want to live successfully on a cruise ship. 

Purchase A Permanent Residence On A Cruise Ship

One method of living on a cruise ship is to book multiple cruises on one specific ship or move from ship to ship within a cruise line, using different itineraries. For example, there’s a Royal Caribbean Super Cruiser who has essentially sailed for the past 20 years on various Royal Caribbean ships and spends only about two weeks a year on land!

If your finances allow it, another option is to buy property on a residential ship or an available cabin on a cruise ship.

Storylines is a private residential ship selling 547 at-sea residences (1-bedroom to 4-bedroom residences, 2-story penthouses, and studios) ranging from $400,000 to $8 million, which excludes yearly maintenance fees. Living fees start at $2,152 per month, depending on the residential unit, which is lower than what you would pay in most major cities and comes with a host of all-inclusive living perks.  

The world is a residential cruise ship that offers 165 private residencies with prices ranging from $2 million to $16 million, excluding annual ship fees. This luxurious residential cruise ship offers residents culinary delights prepared by Michelin-star chefs, an enrichment program featuring world-renowned experts, a spa and gym facility , and a host of sporting activities.

Utopia 

Utopia is a luxury cruise ship that sells permanent residencies totaling 190 units, which range from 1,400 to 6,500 square feet. The prices range from $4 million to $36 million per unit. Luxury retail shops, spas and salons, and all sorts of luxury amenities are expected on board.

Work While Cruising

Today, many people have the opportunity to work remotely from their homes. Technology has changed how we work in the last couple of decades. With access to WI-FI aboard cruise ships, nothing stops you from working online, making cruise ship living a reality for most digital nomads.

One of Royal Caribbean International’s most famous long-term cruisers, Mario Salcedo , works from the top deck of all the ships he sails on. Nicknamed “Super Mario,” Salcedo has been living on various Royal Caribbean International cruise ships for over 20 years.  

Mario budgets between $60,000 to $70,000 per year to maintain his life at sea. Booking consecutive yearly tours in advance, staying in cheaper indoor cabins, and not leaving the ship when stopping at a port help him to stay within this budget. Salcedo manages investments for his private clients to fund his stay.

Protect Yourself With Private Health Insurance

Medical facilities found on most cruise ships feature basic medical equipment used for treating basic medical emergencies in the short term, such as defibrillators, x-ray machines, and all sorts of medicine. A medical team consisting of at least one doctor and two nurses is on call 24/7. However, they typically are not set up to provide chronic medical care.

If you’re on chronic medication, you will need to get the prescriptions filled by your doctor before you board the ship. Suppose you have serious health ailments that often require a trip to the hospital for check-ups and treatment. It would be best if you run the scenario of permanently living on a cruise ship by your regular physician.

Full-service hospitals are found at ports only, which can be few and far between when cruising. Retirees using Medicare health insurance are often not adequately covered in a medical emergency and unforeseen medical expenses. Typically, Medicare’s coverage dwindles when members are out at sea or more than 6-hours from the US. 

The smartest option, even if it’s more expensive than standard US insurance plans, is to invest in private health insurance, which includes evacuation insurance. Most cruise line offer insurance that is inclusive of medical coverage. You may also have options through a variety of private insurance carriers.

If you’re paying with a credit card, remember to call your credit card company to inquire about the travel insurance they offer and what it covers in a scenario where you live on a cruise ship. Ask your travel specialist for recommendations and put the question to your financial planner.

Pros And Cons Of Living On A Cruise Ship

All life decisions come with pros and cons. Living on a cruise ship has both, and we need to highlight a few of them before you sell your land home, say emotional goodbyes to the family, and put the pets up for adoption. 

Pros Of Living On A Cruise Ship

Traveling the world

Can be cost-effective compared to other retirement options 

Exciting shore excursions

No utility, gas, or grocery bills

No monthly home or car payments

Constant menu of activities and entertainment steps away

Opportunity to meet new people

Attentive staff available to serve you daily 

Renting out your property to receive passive income

Cons Of Living On A Cruise Ship

Leaving friends & family behind

Additional private health insurance required (including evacuation insurance) or cruise liner insurance that includes emergency medical coverage  

Gaps between cruises lead to additional costs (hotel, flights, transfers)

Cruise liners not equipped for assisted living (you need to be heal

Have to monitor your diet as food on cruise ships often include fine dining and rich foods

Potential loneliness

You will have to store or sell extra possessions 

Shore excursions can be costly

Closing Thoughts

How to live on a cruise ship may seem like a fantasy, but with a little planning, insurance, and guidance from a financial planner and cruise specialist, you can make it your reality!

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How to retire on a cruise ship

As I approach retirement age, the thought of retiring on a cruise ship has crossed my mind. Okay, who am I kidding? It's a daily obsession.

Retirement living is generally broken into three phases: the active healthy phase where you are fully independent, the phase where you need some assistance with meals and household chores, and the phase where you need a far greater level of care. Cruise retirement life obviously suits the independent phase, but it also closely resembles the assisted living option most people consider on land.

Both cruise ships and retirement communities include food, lodging, utilities, housekeeping and social gatherings, plus enrichment activities like guest lecturers, movies and art, computer or dance classes. Add to that the ability to travel the world without bothering with airplanes and hotels, and it makes sense that many people view living on a cruise ship as an ideal retirement plan.

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But how do you go about it? Clearly, you can live on a cruise ship — any good travel agent will happily book you on a year's worth of cruises at a time. But there's no "How to Retire on a Cruise Ship" guidebook to help you make informed decisions about the cost and feasibility of living out your golden years at sea.

What is the best way to go about full-time cruise ship travel? What other considerations should be taken into account? I dug in with some good old-fashioned research to see where that led me. Here's what I learned about how to retire on a cruise ship – and whether it's a good idea.

What does it cost to retire on a cruise ship?

When it comes to a retirement budget, commercial independent and assisted living facilities that provide extras like meal plans, housekeeping services, activities and transportation start on average around $60,000 per year per person, or $164 per night. (Obviously, this pricing will vary based on where you live, inclusions and luxury levels.) I set out to determine if retiring onboard a cruise ship could match (or beat) what's available on land, so I compared facilities with amenities and payment structures closest to what you could get on a cruise ship.

Retiring on a traditional cruise ship

While negotiating with cruise lines for a lower fare on a long-term arrangement is possible in many cases, I found that even without any special deals with the cruise line, I could book 52 back-to-back seven-night Caribbean cruises from Miami on Carnival Cruise Line 's newest ship, Carnival Celebration , for around $43,000 per person in an inside cabin. That's around $118 per person per night. (Think carefully whether you can stand to live year-round in a windowless room.)

Shopping for Carnival's cheapest cruises on older ships, I could get the average below $50 per person per night in inside cabins and around $110 in balcony cabins, including port taxes and fees. That means your cruise fare could be as little as $18,250 per person per year. Unfortunately, the fare is not your only cost to consider.

You would need to budget for flights between ports and occasional hotel stays if you decide to return home or swap ships. Plus, there are tips for staff to consider, which can total thousands per person during the course of a year.

All that puts the minimum for a couple or a single traveling alone (which requires single supplement charges in double occupancy cabins) just over the $50,000 per year mark.

Related: Best cruises for seniors who love to travel by sea

Obviously, there's no upper limit to how much you could spend on retirement on either land or sea, but here are some examples of what I found: A year on Cunard 's Queen Elizabeth in a balcony stateroom would run about $64,000 or $175 per night per person. A year onboard P&O Cruises' Britannia in a balcony cabin could be arranged for roughly $53,000 or $145 per night per person. Both options would allow you to see a great deal of the world.

By contrast, a year onboard a luxury cruise line like Silversea, Seabourn or Regent Seven Seas will cost a minimum of $200,000 per person ($548 per person per night). The good news about that price is that cruising on those lines includes things like tours, gratuities, alcoholic beverages and most specialty dining, as well as laundry.

Retiring on a residential ship

An alternative to sailing on a traditional cruise line through your retirement years is to buy or lease a cruise ship cabin on a luxury residence ship. The most well-known of these is The World, but there's been recent buzz about startup company Storylines and its residence ship, MV Narrative, which is set to launch in 2025. Victoria Cruises Line is also planning to turn two refurbished vessels into residential ships for long-term living, with a proposed launch in spring 2023.

Ownership simplifies a few things logistically, and your only additional costs are likely to be port expenditures and/or travel when you opt to leave the ship. You might also be able to rent out your cabin when you aren't using it, helping offset the cost of your cabin.

Storylines, for example, is selling staterooms either for the life of the ship or for quarterly seasonal shared ownership. Twenty-four-year lease options are also available. In addition to the initial purchase or lease cost, residents will pay an all-inclusive living fee per person per month that covers food and beverages, housekeeping, laundry, Wi-Fi, and, of course, fuel for the ship.

How does this option compare, pricewise? To purchase a 237-square-foot inside cabin with a virtual window for the life of the ship costs $1 million on average. A twenty-four-year lease is around $650K. Storylines also charges an additional all-inclusive living fee to cover onboard services (food, housekeeping, Wi-Fi, etc.); for an interior stateroom, this mandatory charge is $2,586 per person per month, based on double occupancy, or $62,064 annually for two people living together. Purchase prices for a one-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom unit averaged $2.7 million, with $111,000 in living fees.

For purposes of comparing the costs to traditional cruise ships, the living fee in the inside cabin on MV Narrative is $85 per person per night and the one-bedroom suite is $152 per person per night. These figures are in addition to the upfront costs of buying or leasing.

If you can invest in ownership or lease of a stateroom, your cost per night (beyond your purchase or rental price) can be lower than cruising traditionally. However, as MV Narrative is not yet under construction and is not slated to be built at one of the main cruise ship-building yards, you'll definitely want to talk to an advisor about investing your retirement savings in a startup company that has not yet brought a product to market.

What's so desirable about retiring on a cruise ship?

We talked about what's included on the ship and the potential of retiring for the same or even less than what you'd expect to pay for land-based retirement accommodations. That may be enough incentive for some, but what else makes retiring on a cruise ship an attractive choice?

For many, it's travel itself. Changing scenery every day can be an inspiring way to live. Even an option that visits the same ports over and over might be more appealing than staying at home for some people.

Simply not having to worry about grocery shopping, meal preparation or home maintenance tops most people's lists of retirement goals, and all of those would fit into a cruise ship retirement. Avoiding weather extremes is another retirement priority. It's possible to plan your retirement cruise itinerary to ensure you are always headed away from cold and snow.

The atmosphere on board a cruise ship is another plus. It's a whole other vibe from your average senior living facility. Whichever ship you choose is likely to be filled with people excited to be on board. That attitude can be infectious. Being surrounded by young people, not just folks of retirement age, can also make cruise ship life more appealing.

Related: Which cruise brand is right for you? A guide to the most popular lines

Living on a cruise ship presents the opportunity to meet new people. In some cases, it would be a shipload of new faces every week or two. Imagine how many new friends you could make in a year. Some cruisers make friends with crew members on every cruise they take. The opportunity to stay onboard and foster those relationships for long stretches might be irresistible.

Then there are people who enjoy being in the company of others, while maintaining nothing but passing interactions with them. Even an introvert might find the social scene of a cruise ship a better arrangement than a more solitary retirement scenario.

What might make you think twice about living full-time on a cruise ship?

For some, the best part of retirement is spending time with family — especially the grandkids. Cruise retirement doesn't rule that out, but it does make it a bit more complicated. It's hard to be the type of granny who can frequently babysit when you live on a cruise ship, potentially thousands of miles away from where the grands live. If your family wants to visit you, they'd have to pay for cruise fare for everyone.

The same holds true for developing lasting relationships. Passengers and crew come and go on ships, so your relationships will be fleeting. Retired singles may find it difficult to find the next love of their life floating around the Caribbean on a ship full-time. For introverts, it can be exhausting to continually make the effort to meet people.

If you prefer the company of animals to people, you're out of luck. In most cases, you can't take pets with you on a cruise, so that can be a drawback for many retirees.

Related: Are dogs allowed on cruise ships? These are the cruises that allow pets

A feeling of confinement is tops on the list of reasons people I talked to said they couldn't retire on a cruise ship. Even on a large ship, you can only go where it goes, plus the room you call your own is likely to be far smaller than what you are used to. There's a certain loss of freedom, but that's common with many forms of retirement living.

Plus, the cabin you book might not be designed for senior living, the way apartments at a retirement home or senior living community would be. You'll also have fewer options for cable TV plans and phone calls and Wi-Fi costs will be pricier than on land.

Though cruise ships have a medical staff, they aren't equipped to handle serious health issues. You'd have to manage prescription medications from a distance for long periods of time, and schedule time off the ship for routine checkups. Any medical emergencies might require you to be airlifted from the ship, and the distance to the nearest hospital could be quite far.

Related: Do cruise ships have doctors, nurses, medical centers or hospitals?

And in most cases, you won't be able to rely on Medicare for your health coverage while out of the country. For that, you'll need a travel or ex-pat health insurance plan, with costs ranging from around a hundred per month to thousands, depending on your coverage specifics. Plus, your cruise retirement could be cut short at any point by health issues. They won't hesitate to kick you off the ship if you need more appropriate care on land – and then you'd need to quickly find a new place to live while suffering from medical concerns.

Besides the health aspect, you'll always need to have a solid backup plan. Things like mechanical breakdowns, disaster-related shutdowns and cruise line business decisions can drastically affect your plans — more so than in most land-based living situations. You would need annual travel insurance as well as enough available money to cover hotels and transportation from almost anywhere on the globe.

How to start planning for a cruise ship retirement

Taking an extended cruise is a good first step toward deciding if you want to make cruising a more permanent retirement option. I met a woman last year when I cruised on Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas who was in the planning stages for the cruise line's 274-night world cruise. This woman was testing out several storage products she hoped would make life easier on her extended cruise. From drawer organizers to under-bed rolling plastic bins, she was traveling with things most weeklong cruisers would never think of.

She was also working on boosting her loyalty status with Royal Caribbean . There are perks available to the highest loyalty levels that would save money when retirement time arrives. Complimentary laundry tops the list of valuable perks at the top levels on the mainstream lines, along with spa treatments and specialty restaurant meals, Wi-Fi discounts and free or discounted cruise nights. Even luxury lines like Silversea and Seabourn offer top loyalty members discounts and free nights.

The higher your status when you retire, the more perks you start out with – though you'll quickly climb through the loyalty ranks if you sail on the same line for an entire year.

The woman I met was using low-cost solo cruises (which earn double points) on Royal Caribbean's smallest ship to boost her status point total. Status is shared with domestic partners or spouses living in the same household, regardless of whether they went on the same number of cruises. Other ways to boost status would include taking advantage of double points offers like the one Celebrity Cruises is running this year on European cruises or by cruising in upper-level suites.

Related: A beginner's guide to cruise line loyalty programs

Initial steps toward cruise ship retirement might also include selling one's home (or preparing it for becoming a rental), disposing of excess possessions and re-homing pets. You will also want to consult with a financial advisor to help with residency laws and money management that might allow you to cruise even longer into retirement.

Bottom line

Retiring on a cruise is an intriguing possibility, whether you book a year's worth of back-to-back cruises on a traditional cruise ship or purchase a floating apartment on a residential ship. Either way, retirement at sea comes with both advantages and disadvantages. While you will have the opportunity to explore the world and meet lots of new people, you may find yourself missing the people you left behind.

The financial aspects, particularly when it comes to health insurance, are likely to be tricky, requiring careful planning with expert advice. And you'll need a backup plan should your health at some point prevent you from remaining on board.

The best plan is to plan well ahead, starting with a few long cruises to make sure it's a good fit. Many of the steps you would take in planning for a world cruise would be the same things you would do to pave the way for a full cruise ship retirement. Once you're convinced you're cut out to cruise year-round for years on end, you can begin to make the arrangements to dismantle your old life on land and build a new one at sea.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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Mackinac Island welcomes first cruise ship of the season, and it’s a big one

• Updated: Apr. 30, 2024, 5:41 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 30, 2024, 1:42 p.m.

The Viking Octantis was the first ship to call on Mackinac Island for the 2024 Great Lakes cruising season on Tuesday, April 30. The 665-foot ship anchored and brought passengers to shore by tender boat. Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau

• Justine Lofton | [email protected]

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – Mackinac Island welcomed its first cruise ship of the season on Tuesday.

The Viking Octantis, one of the largest cruise ships on the Great Lakes, anchored off the shores of Mackinac Island and used tender boats to take passengers to the island for a day visit, which began with a carriage tour.

“We’re excited to be a stop along their journey and look forward to having folks visit from near and far!” Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau said on Facebook.

Mackinac Island is Michigan’s most popular cruise destination.

RELATED: ‘We didn’t find them, they found us:’ Mackinac Island is most popular Michigan cruise ship port

In 2023, around 20,000 cruise ship passengers visited the National Historic Landmark island, making an economic impact of nearly $2 million. Nine cruise ships each visited dozens of times for a total of around 100 calls.

The Great Lakes cruising season continues through October.

At 665 feet long, the Viking Octantis shares the title of the largest cruise ship on the Great Lakes with its identical sister ship the Viking Polaris.

RELATED: A video tour on board the largest cruise ship ever to sail Great Lakes

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More From Forbes

7 things to do as soon as you board a cruise ship.

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Making the most of embarkation day can set you up for an enjoyable cruise vacation.

If you’ve never cruised before, embarking a modern vessel for the first time can be truly overwhelming. You don’t know what you don’t know, but by not doing certain things within the first hours, you risk spoiling your dream vacation.

The embarkation day process for a cruise is like a streamlined airport experience. Cruise lines provide a time window, usually from late morning to mid-afternoon, for arrival at the port.

Upon arrival, keep your boarding documents and ID ready. Once you’ve dropped off your luggage, cruise staff guide you to check-in where you'll present your ID, complete a health form, and receive your cruise card or wristband.

This card acts as a boarding pass, room key, and payment card onboard. Some lines offer keyless embarkation, allowing direct access to rooms and cards collected at the cabin. Before boarding, you'll go through a security line, albeit less rigorous than at an airport.

Once onboard, make sure to do these seven things as soon as you can. From checking your accommodations to enjoying the iconic sailaway, these steps ensure you maximize your onboard experience right from the start.

Hundreds of Russian Troops Gathered Out In The Open They Didn t Know The Ukrainians Had Aimed Four ATACMS Rockets At Them

Your best look yet at the new iphone 16, the richest person in every state 2024, check your accommodation thoroughly.

As soon as you enter your cabin, inspect everything to ensure it meets your expectations and everything is in working order. Check that all facilities, such as the shower, toilet flush, lights, and electrical outlets, function properly.

If there is anything amiss, this is the time to contact guest services. You should expect a long queue on embarkation day, but the sooner you identify an issue, the higher the chance of a quick resolution, especially if an alternative cabin may be required.

You should check your cruise ship cabin and meet your room steward as soon as you can on embarkation ... [+] day.

This time also gives you an opportunity to stow your valuables in the cabin safe, and freshen up if desired.

Meet Your Cabin Steward

Introduce yourself to your cabin steward . They are key to ensuring your stay is comfortable, and will most likely call on you as soon as they realize you have arrived.

Discuss any specific preferences or needs you might have, such as extra pillows or allergies, or mention if you are late sleepers, for example. If you have any queries about room service or laundry options, now is the time to ask.

Cabin stewards are always professional, but getting to know yours early can enhance your onboard experience significantly.

Book Everything

Modern cruise ships are home to a dazzling range of entertainment and dining options. Early booking is crucial for popular onboard activities, dining reservations, and shore excursions.

In some cases, popular activities may have sold out prior to the cruise. For those that need to be booked on board, visit the relevant information desk or use the onboard app to make all your bookings as soon as possible.

You should also check your allocated dining time, if you are on a ship that operates a fixed dining concept. If you’re unhappy with the allocation, visit the maitre’d to request a change.

Attend Muster

The only absolute must-do on the first day is the muster drill. Prior to the pandemic, many cruise lines still required physical attendance in the theater or other large venue to go through the cruise safety procedures .

Nowadays, almost all cruise lines offer a virtual muster experience. Typically, a safety video is available on the cabin TV (which must be watched before accessing other functions) or even on the cruise line app.

You may still need to attend your designated lifeboat station to have your name taken, but this is straightforward and takes mere minutes.

Take Advantage Of Ship Tours

When you arrive in your cabin, check your daily planner to see if there are any introductory tours or sessions offered by the cruise line.

Embarkation day can be hectic and overwhelming. Join a guided tour to get your bearings.

Ship tours are ideal for first-time cruisers unfamiliar with the ship’s layout and generally how things work on board.

Keep an eye out for embarkation day tours or introductory sessions at the spa, fitness center, or casino. These often include special promotions or offers to kickstart your cruise experience.

Airplane Mode

To avoid hefty roaming charges, switch your phone to airplane mode. While at sea, your device could inadvertently connect to a cellular maritime network , which incurs high costs or data.

Even if you don't actively use your phone, you might accrue a significant bill from background data usage by your apps before you even receive an SMS notification—if you receive one at all.

Most cruise ships offer Wi-Fi packages, so consider purchasing one if you need to stay connected. Remember, cruise line apps typically require connection to the ship’s Wi-Fi network, but you can use them without buying an internet package.

Alternatively, use this time to disconnect and enjoy the break from constant connectivity. If so, use the time before sailaway to send some farewell messages.

Enjoy Sailaway

The sailaway party is a cruise tradition not to be missed. On many lines, the top decks will host live music and festivities as the ship departs.

It’s the perfect time to grab a drink, meet other travelers, and take in the stunning views as you set sail on your adventure. If you want to toast the sailaway, be sure to get a drink in good time, as the bars will all be busy.

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Cruise line canceled while guests were already onboard

• Published: Apr. 29, 2024, 4:53 p.m.

Royal Caribbean Cruise canceled while guests were already onboard. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) AP

• EmilyAnn Jackman | [email protected]

So much for thinking they had crossed their final hurdle.

Guests onboard the Royal Caribbean cruise line were told their trip was canceled and were being sent home despite already being aboard the ship.

Royal Caribbean International notified guests onboard Radiance of the Seas that the ship would not continue on an already-abbreviated Alaskan cruise. The trip was canceled, and guests had to disembark, CruiseHive.com reported.

The ship was set to leave from Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 26, but an earlier adjustment due to technical difficulties allowed guests to board on embarkation day while the ship was to spend two days in port undergoing repairs.

The revised plan features a Sunday departure and an adjusted route, with calls to Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan and scenic cruising in the famed Inside Passage before returning on May 3, which was the original completion date.

But it was later announced that the trip was being canceled due to repairs for a technical issue. Guests had to leave the ship by 4 p.m. Sunday.

“As you are aware, our teams have been vigorously working to have Radiance of the Seas prepared to set sail on our shortened April 26th sailing,” the letter given to passengers in their staterooms read, the unofficial cruise site RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com reported.

“Despite our best efforts, circumstances beyond our control have delayed our sailing further. As a result, we’ll regrettably have to cancel our April 26th, 2024, cruise,” the letter concluded.

Guests will receive a 100% refund of their cruise fare and a 100% future cruise credit that may be applied to any future Royal Caribbean sailing. Internet service aboard the ship was also open free of charge to allow for easier travel planning and offered a free open bar until debarkation.

The ship began to develop propulsion difficulties last week during a repositioning cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver, causing multiple stops to be scrapped due to a slower speed.

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I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. These were my 8 favorite amenities on the world's largest cruise ship.

• Royal Caribbean invited me to spend three complimentary nights on its new Icon of the Seas  in January.
• My eight favorite amenities included the waterpark and jazz bar.
• I've yet to see most of the amenities on my list on other cruise ships.

There's a reason Royal Caribbean's new mega-cruise ship is only operating seven-night sailings .

The 1,196-foot-long, 20-deck Icon of the Seas is packed with bars, restaurants, and things to do. Any shorter of an itinerary, and you might not have time to experience all it has to offer.

If you're a frequent cruiser — especially with Royal Caribbean — amenities like the mini-golf course and water playground may not seem exciting.

But of all the activities the new world's largest cruise ship has to offer, my eight favorites are, for the most part, ones I've yet to see on another vessel.

Take a look at what made the cut.

1. The six-slide waterpark

It wouldn't be a roundup of Icon of the Seas' best amenities without a mention of its waterpark.

Plenty of family-friendly cruise ships have waterslides, but few have six — or even one that requires a multi-person raft.

However, if you don't like the feeling of your stomach dropping, I'd advise skipping the 46-foot-tall drop slide.

2. The adult-only suspended infinity pool

The 7,600-guest Icon of the Seas has seven pools and nine hot tubs. As a kid-fearing adult, I loved the grown-ups-only suspended infinity pool.

I spent my time there perched at one of its in-water loungers, contently splashing my legs around the water, wondering if I actually hated cruises.

While I would've preferred a quieter atmosphere (the DJ did not, in fact, play smooth jazz), the pool's views, day beds, and lack of screaming children were hard to beat.

3. The Crown’s Edge thrill 'ride'

There's no need to grab coffee before harnessing up for the part-zipling, part-agility Crown's Edge course. You'll be jolted awake when the floor drops from beneath your feet, leaving you dangling 154 feet above the ocean before the zipline kicks in.

Unfortunately, it comes with two costs: $49 and a spike of anxiety.

4. The 'Wizard of Oz' and 'Aqua Action!' shows

If you hate cruise shows, Icon of the Seas could make you change your mind.

The ship's riff on Broadway-approved "Wizard of Oz" — 16-piece live orchestra and flying bed included — delighted me, a hater of most musicals.

For something less traditional, the semi-circle AquaDome theater hosts a compelling multi-disciplinary swim, dive, and aerial show reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil.

It's the first show-at-sea I've seen with a waterfall and nine-foot-tall robotic arms, and so far, it's one of my favorites.

5. The live jazz bar

Ya like jazz? So do I.

Icon of the Seas has plenty of live music venues — including rowdy karaoke and dueling pianos bars, if that counts. But if you're a jazz fan or looking for a peaceful nightcap, none of these options will top the live music at Lou's Jazz 'n Blues.

6. The customizable Mediterranean-style wrap at the five-stall food hall

The mega-ship's food hall wasn't nearly as diverse or exciting as the one on Norwegian Prima .

But compared to the rest of my mediocre meals on Icon of the Seas — including dinner at a specialty restaurant — my complimentary pork pita wrap from the food hall's Mediterranean-inspired stall was admittedly pretty decent.

The Cava -like meal was balanced, succulent, and filling. Ending it with a strawberry nutella crepe from one of the vendors didn't hurt either.

7. The Pearl Café with sweeping ocean views

Everyone takes a picture inside the Pearl . But few people know that the best part about the glittering structure isn't what's inside it — it's what's behind it: the Pearl Café.

Admittedly, the food wasn't standout.

But it's 2024. In this era, we don't dine for food. We dine for vibes . And the Pearl Café was definitely "serving" (even with its mediocre sandwiches).

At first glance, I had snubbed the dining and lounge area as a rip-off of a generic airport coffee shop. But during my three days on Icon, I returned to the centrally located space more often than expected. It turns out it's a great place to get some work done.

8. The lounging pods that tower above passerbys

Speaking of vibes, if you're looking for a secluded place to drink (as in, not the swim-up pool bar), few will top the Overlook Pods, perched just behind the AquaDome.

If you want to feel like you're drinking in a nest atop a tree, bring your coffee-infused cocktail from nearby Rye and Bean to one of the elevated pods. .

Just don't drink too much. What goes up must come down. And to get down from the pods, you'll have to take the stairs.

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Cunard’s new ship Queen Anne arrives in Southampton

• Southampton
• Cruise ship
• Wednesday 1 May 2024 at 6:33am

Cunard’s new ship, Queen Anne, was greeted by a water salute as she arrived in the UK for the first time.

The liner, which can carry 3,000 guests, entered her home port of Southampton on Tuesday night.

Her maiden passenger voyage will take place on Friday when she departs for Lisbon, Portugal.

The 113,000-tonne vessel sailed to the south coast after being built over five years at a cost of more than £500 million.

Cunard president Katie McAlister said: “We are immensely proud of Queen Anne.

“Not only does she reflect the Cunard distinctive style on the outside, the inside perfectly echoes the brand heritage with reimagined, elegant spaces and designs.

“We can’t wait to welcome guests on board for her maiden voyage.”

Queen Anne has become the fourth ship in Cunard’s current fleet.

The ship was being built in Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy but was delayed by two years due to Covid and difficulties getting some parts due to the pandemic.

It is expected to bring a major boost to the region's economy, as she will contribute tens of millions of pounds a year.

She will be named in Liverpool in June which was the home of Cunard before they moved to Southampton in 1919.

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