Retired couple books 51 consecutive cruises, says it’s cheaper than retirement home

globalnews.ca:

For Australia natives Marty and Jess Ansen, the vacation never ends.

The retired Brisbane couple told A Current Affair they have scheduled 51 back-to-back cruise journeys onboard Princess Cruises since they first set sail in June 2022 — and they don’t plan to disembark any time soon.

The Ansens have already spent nearly the last 500 days living at sea as part of their 795-day voyage.

But Marty and Jess didn’t make the unconventional decision to live at sea simply because they enjoy a pleasure cruise; the married couple said it is ultimately cheaper to live on cruise ships than it is to pay for a retirement or nursing home.

On a Princess Cruise, the great-grandparents enjoy the typical, relaxing cruise environment, while also benefiting from the services that ensure their meals are always prepared and their room cleaned daily.

Jess said the decision to live on cruises is a “lifestyle.” The couple often indulge in the entertainment onboard — Jess is particularly fond of hula and ballroom dancing — while they see the world and meet new friends.

In a joint statement to People magazine, the Ansens said that while on a cruise they “don’t have to worry about paying for rent or a mortgage, getting groceries or doing your laundry.”

“We’re not young people,” they continued. “Cruising is much cheaper than going to a nursing home and means we can continue to travel the world.”

The Ansens said they often sail more than the cruise ship employees.

“We welcome the different captains onboard,” Jess laughed.

The Ansens’ love of cruising isn’t new. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple embarked on 31 cruise voyages and spent nearly 1,200 days on the water. Since they could not cruise during lockdown, the Ansens said they’re making up