A Retired Couple’s Unconventional Retirement: 18 Months on a Cruise Ship
In a unique twist on retirement living, Marty and Jess Ansen, a retired couple from Australia, have discovered a way to save money while enjoying an extended holiday. Instead of opting for a retirement home, the couple has embarked on a year-and-a-half-long adventure aboard a cruise ship. By booking 51 back-to-back cruises, the Ansens not only get to experience the joys of traveling but also eliminate the need to pay rent, as reported by A Current Affair.
The Ansens’ decision was prompted by their deep love for the sea, which was temporarily disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions it imposed on the cruising industry. Since June 2022, Marty and Jess have been living aboard the Coral Princess ship, embracing life on the water.
Marty explains, “Eventually I said to my agent, ‘Look, whatever comes, book it,’ and that’s how it got to be such a long cruise. We’re on board longer than anybody else. The wheels change over but we stay on board.”
Establishing a daily routine on the cruise ship, the Ansens have dedicated an hour every day to playing table tennis together. Jess shares, “We do it together and we have a lot of fun.” Thanks to the variety of buffet options on board, they no longer have to worry about shopping for food, as it is included in the price of the cruise. Furthermore, housekeeping services are also covered, relieving them of many household chores. Marty jokes, “We don’t know how to wash up anymore, we don’t know how to make a bed because we haven’t done it for so long. We have to stay on board just to stay alive.”
Living on the ship for such an extended period has made the Ansens a familiar presence among the crew. During Jess’s recent birthday celebration, the crew surprised her with a special surprise. The couple has even become accustomed to welcoming new captains aboard the vessel, as they have been on the ship longer than most.
Ren van Rooyen, the hotel manager on the Coral Princess, shares, “We always make a joke that I go away and I come back, and it’s like coming to see my family – my mum and dad again. They’re like my second mum and dad on board.”
With eight months remaining on their current cruise, the Ansens are already planning more adventures. They are considering another round-the-world trip before disembarking from the Coral Princess. Shortly after, they will embark on a year-long cruise aboard the Crown Princess.
For the Ansens, their unconventional retirement has allowed them to enjoy an exciting and financially smart way of life. As they continue their journey at sea, they serve as a reminder that retirement can be an opportunity for adventure and creativity.
Article by Maria Chiorando, originally published on MailOnline, October 1, 2023.
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