But around the world is not totally living on the seas for the rest of my life. Come to think of it, I love gazing at the blue Pacific from where I'm composing this article, but I'm actually afraid of the ocean, for it can get dangerous and hostile, and my swimming ability is limited.
- The MV Narrative will sail in 2024.
- 741 feet long and 98 feet wide.
- Will run on liquified natural gas, which is more eco-friendly than conventional fuels.
- 547 furnished residences, one-to-four-bedroom apartments, ranging from 237 to 1970 square feet.
- Yu can purchase for from $1 million to $8 million.
- Or some homes are available for as low as $600,000 on a 24-year lease.
- Three pools and sundecks.
- All the exercise options you would want with therapeutic spas.
- 20 dining options and bars, featuring a microbrewery.
- Solar-panel soil-less garden to provide vegetables.
- You don't need to do your own travel planning, for the ship moves from port to port around the world.
- Will take three years to visit six continents.
- Of course a movie theater, but also a bowling alley.
- Details?
- In addition to the up front investment, couples pay $65,000/year to cover the cost of foot, entertainment and maintenance.
- At capacity, 1300 passengers.
- Will stop in each port for 3-4 days.
- Hydroponic garden will supply a farmer's market.
- A library with 10,000 books.
- Not necessarily only for retirees, for young professionals will have access of all the technology required to take care of business.
- For those who purchase a home, you will can continue on to the next new ship without paying any special fee.
- The MS Narrative:
- Will be built at the Brodosplit shipyard in Croatia.
- Will be the greenest ship in the ocean.
- Also in 2024 will be the Sonio (below), a 39-apartment 728-foot yacht liner with a 10,000-bottle wine cellar and beach club. Watch this video. Wow.! Starts at $11 million.
- In 2025 will come Dark Island:
- Will be built at the River Clyde in Scotland.
- 101 residences.
- Eight decks, to cost from $9 million to $125 million/cabin.
- Residents can cook for themselves, but there will be 3 restaurants, featuring Scottish food.
- Also in 2025 will be the M/Y Nord with 117 homes.
- Coming will be the Blue World (below), hybrid ship with 40 residences and 425 cabins.
Of course, how many of us can afford any of the above? Here are some options from Condé Nast Traveler for retirees who are not billionaires:
- 72-year old Jeff Farschman had planned to buy a home in the Caribbean after he retired. Hurricane Ivan devastated Grand Cayman, so he instead now spends 7-8 months/year aboard Holland American Line cruise ships. He has sailed on 165 cruises over 3500 at sea.
- People asked 77-year old Janice Yetke travel agent, don't you get bored at sea? I say, are you kidding me? Let me show you a daily program. There's so much to do if you want to do it. She and her 80-year old husband Robert found Holland Amerca's Grand World Voyage, that takes 128 days to circumnavigate the globe. They're now done this 12 times, and are booked next year on the MS Zuiderdam for the next.
- Read the stories of 69-year old Tony de Leede on The World, who is awaiting the MS Narrative. But he must be really rich, and not the low millionaire retiree. He says:
There are so many variables, but I probably average $200 to $300 a day including taxes for Grand Voyages and say, $150 to $200 a day for more traditional cruises. Like most other cruisers who spent a good chunk of their year at sea, he keeps a stationary home to be close to friends and family.
- Starts in the winter of 2023, on the Serenade of the Seas, and goes on for 274 nights to 7 continents.
- As low as $60,999/person, which is only $223/day. Global cruises are usually a lot more expensive than the cheapies you can now and then find for less than $100/day, but we paid, when you add other expenses, $600/person/night on the Norwegian Pride of America for the 7-day inter-island cruise this summer.
- The basic price on this UWC includes:
- Round trip business class airfare.
- WiFi.
- Deluxe beverage package.
- Gratuities, and this alone is worth more than $4000/person.
- Laundry service.
- All of the above amenities apply even if you sail part of the way. There are four segments.
- 10December2023 to 11February2024: Miami to Los Angeles, round the horn, Americas and Antarctica.
- February 11 to May 9: Los Angeles to Dubai, wonders of the Asia and the Pacific.
- May 9 to July 4: Dubai to Barcelona, middle east treasures and marvels of the Med.
- Hmmmm.... I wonder if space is still available. We fly on November 11 to Dubai for a Regent Seven Seas cruise to Singapore.
- Why not a summer of 2024 cruise from Dubai to Barcelona, as they pay for the business class fare from Honolulu to Dubai, then Barcelona to Honolulu.
- July 4 to September 10, Barcelona to Miami, capitals of culture.
- What visas do you need? Most cruise lines will supply you with a basic list. At the end of the day though it’s your responsibility to get the required visas.
- Weatherizing your home – or finding a house sitter
- Getting any important documents notarized and/or having a power of attorney – I never would have thought of this one until a situation recently happened in my life where we needed something notarized while at sea. Who knew it could be such an adventure?!
- Mail forwarding/stopping your mail/having a trustworthy neighbor pick it up?
- Prescriptions/medical needs – and, importantly – travel insurance!
- Cell phone plans – I love my plan through Google Fi which has allowed me to use my phone (without roaming fees) around the world (referral link)
- Credit Cards without international fees! I use Chase Sapphire Preferred and have enjoyed it’s point system, both for travel rewards, the ability to transfer it to travel partners, but also for other cash back options as well. Plus, there’s a huge sign on points bonus that would easily pay for an international flight.
If you are "only" interested in the pedestrian global cruise, here is a list for 2023:
- Costa
- Cunard (2)
- Fred. Olsen Cruise Line
- Holland America Line
- MSC
- Oceania
- P&O
- Princess Cruises (2)
- Regent Seven Seas
- Seabourn
- Silversea
- Viking Cruises
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