Could you live on a cruise ship?

I wouldn't be at all interested in getting dressed up, and all that malarky.
A definite no in that case, either as a holiday or longer arrangent.
(And no Jane Macdonald appearing, singing)

I’ve been thinking about this on and off all day.

I suppose if you lived on the ship it would be quite different from a permanent holiday.

You’d customise your cabin and development everyday routines similar to those you gave on dry land. Going to meals would be a version of food shopping, you’d do your laundry, go for a walk either round the deck or at a port, join a club like bridge or choir, go to the library.

If there are several of you I guess you develop a community, maybe make friends with some of the crew and staff too.

I think I’d acclimatise ok, as long as it stopped going up and down🤮

Nope. Because if you only come across just one person you can't stand then you can bet the Crown Jewels that you will bump into them at least 500 times a day........

At any given time there are hundreds of cruise ships dotted around the world taking passengers on the most amazing holidays.
Whenever there is an outbreak of norovirus on one, inevitably it’s in the news, but I can honestly say that in the many cruises we have had over the past twenty odd years, I have never been on a ship where there has been an outbreak.

Gastroenteritis viruses can be caught anywhere on land if we inadvertently cross paths with an infected person.
What’s the solution? Staying at home all the time is the only truly safe way but that’s no way to live.

With regard to the excellent food on board - yes it is delicious and plentiful and is there to be enjoyed but most folk I imagine would only gain a pound or two at most, over the course of a cruise.

I would say to anyone thinking about trying one, book the best type of cabin you can afford, ideally a balcony cabin, or if funds permit, a suite.

I can see the appeal but I imagine you would have to rent a large cabin with a balcony, have never been on a cruise but some cabins I believe are really small.
Having all your meals made and days planned could be ok if you prefer to be looked after and don’t like doing your own thing.
I couldn’t do it though because I don’t like being at sea. A bit of a deal breaker.

I've read about a few people who do now. It costs them less than paying a mortgage and at least some of them work from the ship.

I've also read about people (Americans) who live in hotels. Some of the chains have apartments that are kept for visiting staff and if you ask you can apparently rent them out long term. Again people have found it cheaper than paying a mortgage. The hotels do the cleaning too. I don't think you can decorate or furnish the apartments, but you do get the use of the hotel amenities like pools.

I’m currently in the South of France on a cruise for 2 weeks. It’s so relaxing and so much to do or not do. I can’t imagine living on a ship as I love my home and garden, family and friends.
I see that the usual “petri dish” comment has been made. I have been on at least 20 cruises over the years and have only been unwell once and this was not an infectious illness.
As for the food, yes there’s a lot on offer but you’re not obliged to eat it all! Lots of healthy options too. I would normally only gain 1-2 pounds in 2 weeks and soon lose it when I get home.

I suppose if you actually lived on a cruise ship you might be a bit more careful about food intake. I know on longer cruises we start walking up all the stairs rather than use lifts and we walk round the perimeter a couple of times a day which is a couple of miles or so - we only go on huge ships because I get seasick on small ones. Typically over 3,000 passengers plus a lot of paid staff. I don’t think I could cope long term,though.

Luckygirl3

grandMattie

Never. My worst nightmare!
Imagine never being under a tree, hearing the babble of the proverbial brook, children’s happy shouting when playing or coming out of school, dawn chorus…
Never seeing a field of corn, a wood full of bluebells. Oh no, not for me.
Terracotta for me, as 2Jags John Prescott famously said. 😂

Well exactly. And all that wretched food, food, food - making me feel sick just thinking about it ....

Re the food, a colleague who went on more than one cruise out of Miami, said that a lot of the passengers were hugely fat Americans who spent much of the day going from one food outlet to the other, all included in the price.
I’d heard of booze cruises, but these were evidently food cruises.

JenniferEccles I agree with you too about dogs. Being terrified of dogs has made most other holiday options a no no for me. Being able to eat without dogs in pubs, cafés etc is not really a possibility anymore. And renting a cottage that doesn't allow dogs is virtually impossible.

MissAdventure

I watch all the tiny house ones, too MT62
I like the A frame houses, the yurts, and the cob ones.
Basically, I'm just a nosy mare.

😂

Yes easily. We went on our first cruise in 2023 after many friends had said it was the best type of holiday and once you have been on a cruise you will never consider any other kind of holiday. How right they were. I instantly fell in love with cruising and will never consider any other type of holiday. And yes I could easily live on a cruise ship. Everything is to hand, food, entertainment, laundry, exercise, social activities, classes to name a few things. I have never felt as relaxed as I do on a cruise ship.

Yes!

You would have to roll me off!
I have never seen so much food as on a cruise.
Unfortunately it gives you the opportunity to eat from morning to night and as I have little willpower it was a struggle!
It’s put me off trying another one though.

Could the government rent some older ones to expand the prison estate?

No thanks. Cruise ships always strike me as a bit of a Petri dish for bugs. One person goes down with something and it spreads like wildfire.

I watch all the tiny house ones, too MT62
I like the A frame houses, the yurts, and the cob ones.
Basically, I'm just a nosy mare.

Not for me. I don't think I would enjoy it one bit.

Oh yes, 'terracotta' for me too grandMattie
. I love that!

I'd find it all too claustrophobic. I need to get away from people occasionally, just to recharge my batteries.
There are the benefits of no cleaning or cooking but I can't think of many more. I have been on cruises and after 2 weeks I have had enough of the ship, the food, the routines and entertainment etc.

oh goodness, you haven't given me another hobby to waste my time with - have you?

MissAdventure

I always watch those on youtube.
They're beautiful!

I do too.
Also, check out ‘tiny house living’.
Houses made from shipping containers. Some fab ones out there.

I always watch those on youtube.
They're beautiful!

i wouldn't mind living on a narrow boat

Certainly not! I do like cruising but only for a couple of weeks…..our longest was 20 days. Admittedly, the ships drop anchor at some amazing places but I like to feel the grass under my feet and sit under a tree in the park when I want to, not when predicted by a cruise operator.