Assisted Living At Sea

By now I am sure many of you have heard the talk about how booking a life long cruise is cheaper than moving into a nursing home. Of course, there are many cost comparisons that need to be done to put any truth to this matter, but some folks have actually tried it despite whether it is cost effective. If you think about the amenities that you have available to you onboard a cruise ship and then you think about the overcrowded, understaffed nursing facilities it is kind of a "no-brainer".

Let's see, would I like to awake in the morning in some warm exotic destination, have a fresh breakfast buffet served on deck, maybe go for a swim before reading a book or taking in a show? Or, I could be awakened at 0600 to the sound of clattering metal breakfast trays being delivered before wandering down the hall to see what daily "craft for the feeble minded" is on the schedule? Maybe in the late afternoon I would like to take a nap or perhaps have my hair done in the salon before getting dressed up to dine in an elegant dining room on food prepared by a renowned chef. Or would I rather talk my kids into smuggling in a pizza to my room while my roommate is out having her artificial hip adjusted so we can attend the Friday night mixer in the recreation room before watching Leno?

Anyway, I think you get where I am going with this. Of course we would all like to take a lifelong cruise where the dining room is grand, the entertainment and food is plentiful and the destinations are almost out of this world. Not to mention there are people to wait on you hand and foot........sigh. In all reality there are quite a few things to think about before making retirement plans on a cruise ship, but I don't think it is impossible if you do your research. Of course there is a doctor on board at all times, but how well prepared is he for a serious life threatening emergency? Can you get all of your prescriptions and does your health care provider work efficiently for you while traveling? (Heck - does your health care provider work efficiently for you when you aren't traveling?) You should really be in very good health and not be in need of much assistance to actually live on a cruise ship. I am sure your family would love to come visit you on a cruise (that is the only way some families will come visit you), but can you easily travel to see them during holidays and such? Much pre-planning is necessary, but it could be done.

There are some cruise lines that will enter into a long term "senior rate" for folks who want to live on board, and it has been determined that in the long run it can actually be cheaper to live your retirement dream on a cruise ship, but it isn't for everyone. Truth be told, during a cruise ship inspection, I actually met a woman who lived on the ship for a few months, then went to visit her children for awhile, then returned to the ship for a few more months. She said she would do this until her health wouldn't allow it any longer. Money was not an issue for her as her husband had died and left her quite wealthy so she was staying in one of the nicer suites on board the ship. She was living the life of the rich and famous!

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By: SavvyAnnie

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Annie is the writer and travel consultant for “The Savvy Tourist”, an informative and often humorous resource guide and blog for savvy travelers. This is an original post. Please visit me at www.thesavvytourist.com and subscribe to my newsletter so we can keep in touch!