Can I live on a cruise ship? How is it…
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Cruise ships are the perfect solution for exploring a wide range of destinations from one convenient base, but can you live on one?
Imagine waking up each morning to the idyllic sound of the vast ocean, comfortable knowing your breakfast is already being prepared and daily activities are at your fingertips.
With no cooking, cleaning, or bills to worry about, life on a cruise ship seems idyllic to those who frequent the cruise world regularly.
Many cruise lines offer everything you would need for a comfortable life, like Regent’s Seven Seas Navigator and Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, but what about in the long run?
There have been many cruise passengers who have lived and still live full time on a cruise ship. Morton Jablin has lived on Regent Seven Seas Navigator for 15 years. The 96-year-old leads a simple life, having breakfast, lunch and dinner all in one place, and is known as the “captain” by the crew, according to Forbes.
Still, there can be more than it seems to live on a cruise ship. Immerse yourself in the details behind life on the water …

What to pack for a lifetime cruise? Credit: Shutterstock
What is it like to live on a cruise ship
What to pack and where to stay
Your first thought when deciding to permanently relocate on a cruise ship is probably the room you will be staying in and how you will bring your life possessions with you.
Remember that in terms of clothing, you will have access to a laundry room as well as the option to use the laundry services, which may be chargeable. Keep your wardrobe size in mind and only bring the clothes you wear regularly, keep in mind that there will be a chance to buy new clothes at ports of call.
The ability to personalize your bedroom is a potential, usually at the discretion of the cruise line, you can bring in decor such as pictures and other types of small furniture to make your bedroom feel right at home.
– READ MORE: What to pack for a cruise vacation –
Maintain and make new friends
Being a permanent resident on a cruise ship not only means you can explore the world from a convenient base, but you can also expect the staff on board to become like a second family. Life cruiser Morton Jablin says he thinks the staff treat him like family and are very kind to him.
It’s easy to make sure you stay in touch with your family and friends, whether through phone call or video call. Fast Wi-Fi on Regent’s Seven Seas Navigator and Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas makes it easy to stay in touch with loved ones.

Food on board the Seven Seas Navigator is varied. Credit: Regent Seven Seas
Food and drink
Lunch offerings are plentiful on cruise ships due to the high number of restaurants on board, giving you the variety you crave on a full-time cruise. Whether you want to relax by the pool with the pool grill or treat yourself to lunch in style, you can indulge yourself.
In the evening you have the option of dining in style or in a more relaxed atmosphere, which may be preferred with full-time cruisers. Choose from several different cuisines and chat with other cruisers to think about your day.
A healthy lifestyle
It’s easy to get into a schedule like you would at home, the beauty of cruising is that you can do whatever you want with it. As a result, if you like to schedule your day as you wish, it can be easily done. Alternatively, if you want every day to be different, you can achieve this with the different dining, entertainment, and meeting new cruisers.
Plus, living on a ship means staying fit and healthy by exercising regularly. Most cruise ships offer a gym, swimming pool and fitness classes, which are also a good place to make new friends and to balance the delicious desserts offered on board!
– READ MORE: A Guide to Cruising Restaurants, Food & Drink –
Exploring
Once you get used to living on a cruise ship, make the most of it and immerse yourself in all the activities the ship has to offer, constantly immersing yourself in the eclectic atmosphere of the cruise. Living full time on a cruise ship means you can try all the activities and witness all the amazing entertainment.
In order to make the most of life aboard a cruise ship, exploring stopovers is essential. Explore countless new places and experience new cultures, live like a local and discover a multitude of places around the world.

Regent Seven Seas Navigator Room, offering ample living space. Credit: Regent Seven Seas
Cruise ships you can live on
Navigator of the Seven Seas
While being the smallest vessel in Regent Seven Seas Cruises‘ fleet, Seven Seas Navigator is the perfect option for full-time living for those looking for an intimate base with all that is included.
This all-inclusive ship contains 245 suites, almost all with balconies and enough space for full-time living.
Seven Seas Navigator ensures you’ll never go hungry, with mid-afternoon snacks provided as well as the pool grill, which serves snacks throughout the day. 24-hour room service is also available.
– READ MORE: Explore Regent Seven Seas 2023/24 Cruises –
Start your day with breakfast, either in the privacy of your own room or satisfy all your cravings with one of the many breakfast buffets, such as La Veranda on Regent Seven Seas.
For evening meals, Compass Rose offers continental cuisine of European inspiration, while La Veranda offers regional specialties inspired by the cuisines of the invited countries. For steak lovers, Prime 7 is a classic steakhouse with a modern twist.
Achieve your fitness goals with the ship’s many exercise options. Aerobics, yoga, fitness center, gym and jogging track are offered to help you stay healthy on board. Speedboat you are entitled to a range of free shore excursions, allowing you to explore more.
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Complete your day by relaxing on the ship’s large deck with a swimming pool. Credit: Royal Caribbean
Sea navigator
Experience the adventure on a larger ship, the Navigator of the Seas, which offers plenty of activities to keep you busy full time.
Whether you are a solo traveler, as a couple, with the family or with reduced mobility, the ship offers numerous sleeping options. For extended families, some cabins can be hooked up, with a crib and supplies provided if you’re bringing a baby.
Complete your day by relaxing on the ship’s large deck with a swimming pool, which means you can relax or stay in shape, depending on your mood. You can also spend time streaming with Voom surf, available at an additional cost, and streaming, which the line claims to be the fastest internet at sea.
– READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Navigator of the Seas –
For those looking for a hectic life, slides and roller coasters are on hand, ready to be experienced as many times as you want.
All of your dining options are covered by the many dining options at Navigator of the Seas. Whether you crave seafood, Italian, Mexican, American or sushi dishes, variety is guaranteed with the line. Starbucks is also on board for coffee lovers. Keep in mind that specialty meals will incur costs.
24-hour room service is provided to satisfy midnight cravings just like you would at home.
Learn more about ROL Cruise.

There are additional costs to consider when living on a cruise ship. Credit: Shutterstock
How much does it cost to live on a cruise ship
Hidden costs
There are additional costs to consider when living on a cruise ship. Taxes and shipping, if not included, are an additional cost. Tipping is a payment expected by different cruise lines, which is usually a fixed amount per day that goes to staff.
There is also sometimes an additional charge for specialty dining experiences and spa treatments. Shore-based activities organized by the cruise ship also come at an additional cost, but if you’re looking to save money in the long run, take a stroll through the ports for free.
Alcohol and other drink specials sometimes aren’t included, which means living full-time can be cheaper without having a drink every night.
Staying in shape can be more difficult when some lines charge additional fees for fitness classes, like Pilates and yoga. Instead, try swimming laps in the pool and walking on the deck.
– READ MORE: How to save money by booking a cruise vacation –
If the cruise line doesn’t offer a self-service washing machine, you may have to pay a laundry fee, which can add up when living full-time on a ship. Instead, wash your clothes in your own facility or make sure laundry is included.
Finally, Wi-Fi is an integral part of full-time life on a cruise ship to maintain contact with family and friends back home. Wi-Fi may not be included which means it will be easy to pay a big bill.
How much does it cost?
The price of making a cruise ship your home will depend a lot on the cruise line. However, according to research by cruise site Cruzely, which has examined life on Carnival Cruise Line‘s Carnival Horizon ship, living on board for an entire year can run into around £ 128,000.
Most of the cost is the tariff itself, around £ 76,000 per year. Estimated onboard expenses are the second highest cost at around £ 34,000 per year, postage is around £ 10,500 and tips are around £ 7,500 per year.
Learn more about cruising with ROL Cruises here.
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