We break down the numbers (and the logistics)
If you’ve thought about cruising, you’ll probably have heard about The World – it’s a cruise ship that doesn’t sell holidays – it rents apartments! Residents live there year-round.
While cruising long-term on The World may sound like a dream, it’s one that comes with a hefty price tag, and a long waiting list. But with a bit of planning, achieving that long-term cruising dream can be surprisingly affordable.
How the finances could figure
The idea of almost-permanent retirement cruising is a very American thing – and that’s not surprising, given the sheer scale of the North American cruising market. No other nation cruises quite as much as the United Sates. The result is huge competition, and a lot of availability. Fight Centre Cruise Specialist Amanda Elliot says that with careful booking, passengers can snaffle all-inclusive berths on a back-to-back cruises for as little as $125 a day. That’s food, accommodation and entertainment.
While those sorts of prices aren’t available if you’re cruising out of NZ, a short plane ride (or relocation cruise) to the States will unlock a variety of cruising options, all with a relatively tiny price tag. When you line up those cruises, you could conceivably stay on the water all year around, for about what you might have spent to live at home.
For example, for someone living alone, the Super will cover nearly half their weekly cruising costs. By renting out the family home for say, $600 a week, you’ve easily covered the rest, with $100 or so a week pocket money.
“Of course,” Amanda warns, “there will be additional expenses – travel insurance can become quite pricey, and you need to pay for drinks!”
And while the per-week cost looks great on paper, you’ll also need the cash to pay for your cruises in advance.
Getting the logistics right
The trickiest part of achieving your cruisey lifestyle is booking the right berths, so you’re minimising hassle. Without that seamless planning, your all-year cruise can begin to feel more like you’re just shifting around, without a home base.
“That can get exhausting for lots of people,” says Amanda. “The trick is to make sure you’re booked back-to-back-to-back. You want to stay in the same rooms and on the same ship as much as possible.
“And then, when you do have to move, your cruises should connect, so you’re not having to book three nights in a hotel waiting for your next ship to get in.”
She also recommends making sure you’ve thought about the legal implications of being out of the country for a long time (will you still get your Super, for example?) and the visas you’ll need for the countries you’re heading to.
Have a cruisey retirement
Cruising year round can seem like pie in the sky, but it’s actually very possible with care planning. Part of that should include ensuring you have enough income, the right insurance and appropriate visas. If you need NZ Super to help finance your dream, you should also make sure you still qualify for it after a long time out of the country.
With the right support to get those all lined up you might just be able to cruise through your retirement