Man Lives on Cruise Ship for 300 Days a Year Because It’s Cheaper Than Renting and His Bills
For most people, a cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime luxury or an occasional getaway, but for one man, it has become a way of life. A retired engineer, identified as Richard from Florida, has revealed that he spends 300 days a year living on a cruise ship because it’s actually cheaper than renting a home and paying bills on land. His unconventional lifestyle has gone viral, sparking conversations about the rising cost of living and the surprising affordability of long-term cruising.
How Is Living on a Cruise Ship Cheaper?
At first glance, living on a cruise ship might seem like an extravagant choice, but Richard insists that when you break down the costs, it makes perfect financial sense. He claims that his monthly expenses on the cruise ship are lower than the combined cost of rent, utilities, groceries, and entertainment back on land.
Cruise fares—especially when booked strategically with long-term discounts and loyalty perks—can be surprisingly affordable. Some cruise lines offer extended or back-to-back voyages at discounted rates for frequent travelers. Richard estimates that his expenses, including accommodation, food, and entertainment, average around $100 a day—which is far less than the cost of renting an apartment in many major cities.
By choosing cruising over traditional living, Richard eliminates costs such as:
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Utility bills (electricity, water, gas, internet, etc.)
- Grocery expenses
- Car payments, insurance, and fuel
- Entertainment and dining out
A Life of Adventure and Convenience
Richard’s floating lifestyle not only saves him money but also provides a built-in community, endless entertainment, and an ever-changing view. Instead of dealing with the stress of home maintenance or cooking meals, he enjoys all-inclusive dining, daily housekeeping, and access to pools, gyms, and onboard activities.
His itinerary takes him to exotic destinations across the world, from the Caribbean to Europe and beyond. With no need to worry about booking flights or hotels, Richard simply stays on board and lets the ship take him to new places.
“I wake up in a new city almost every morning without having to pack a suitcase,” he says. “I’ve made friends from all over the world, and there’s always something to do.”
The Downsides of Cruise Ship Living
While Richard loves his lifestyle, it’s not without challenges. Spending almost an entire year on a cruise means:
- Limited personal space – Even the most comfortable cabins are smaller than a typical apartment.
- Internet costs – Cruise Wi-Fi can be expensive and sometimes unreliable.
- Lack of a permanent home base – Richard doesn’t have a traditional house, which can make certain aspects of life (like voting, medical appointments, or receiving mail) more complicated.
Still, for those who love adventure and want to avoid the rising costs of traditional living, Richard’s cruise-ship lifestyle offers an intriguing alternative. With more people exploring non-traditional ways of living, long-term cruising might just be the next big housing trend.
