Couples leave city life behind to live on cruise ships
When we hear about people selling all their possessions to start a new life on a cruise ship, it’s usually retirees, widows and widowers. But more and more couples are bucking the trend, leaving their corporate New York City lives to become full-time cruisers.
Samantha Martin is a 46-year-old publicist who, sick of the exorbitant cost of living in the Big Apple, has taken to the high seas as a way to unwind from her high-stress job and save some money.
“I run my own company, so I can check in with my office once or twice a day to put out fires,” she tells the New York Post. “When I’m at sea, it’s similar to when I’m at the office. I call into a conference call, and a client won’t know I’m thousands of miles away.”
So far, Martin and her restaurant consultant husband Andre Neyrey have taken 10 multi-week cruises, and with a four-month, round-the-world trip approaching, they have no plans of stopping.
Despite the price tag of $23,000 per person for a 119-day world cruise with MSC, for this couple, at around $191 a day, it works out cheaper than rent, gym fees, food and entertainment costs in Manhattan.
They’re not the only New York yuppies who have taken to cruise life, however. Thirty-five-year-olds John and Heather Widmer have spent 84 days at sea over the last two years and claim ships can often cost even less than hostels.
“Last year, we cruised across the Atlantic for $204 each [total] for a 13-day trip that even included alcohol,” John explained.
Jennifer, a 31-year-old actress from the East Village, says she actually makes money while cruising thanks to rental income earnt from subletting her apartment. “The cost of the cruise was about $87 a day for [me and my boyfriend], but we charged $269 a night for our apartment.”
Tell us in the comments below, would you ever consider packing up and living full-time on a cruise ship?