Should Seniors Retire
on Cruise Ships?
Seniors Now Planning
for Retirement on Cruise Ships - True or False?
The rumour started when a couple while on a cruise ship reportedly
met a lady who, instead of booking in to an Assisted-Living Condo or Seniors
Nursing Home, took cruises back to back. The story is true according to
Snopes.com. Mrs. Muller was happy with her life aboard a ship but will you be? (Muller
passed away in 2013) Here are seven pros and cons to consider before you bid
Bon Voyage.
Not Much Difference
in Cost
+ Dr. Lee Lindquist, an instructor at Northwestern's
Feinberg School of Medicine, has compared the cost of 'Cruise-Ship' vs. 'Old-Age
Home' living based over a 20-year life expectancy. She determined that there
wasn't much of a difference, about $230,000 either way.
- The prices you
see on cruise ship websites are only a portion of what you actually pay.
Gratuities can be as high as $10 per day or more. Prices of cruise lines are
quoted as per-person for double occupancy. Being single can incur a surcharge.
Fabulous Food
+ Dress for dinner? Why not? Have as many as 10 meals a day
(fantastic food, not institutional food) in a variety of dining rooms. Why not
order room service? Imagine breakfast in bed every day.
- On most cruise ships, you pay extra for alcoholic
beverages and sodas. Eating rich food all the time may make you fat.
Clean Sheets Every Day
+ Housekeeping is free and there are clean towels daily,
even soap, shampoo and toothpaste. You may get full-time maid service and/or
free washers and dryers. If the TV breaks or light bulb needs changing call for
help and there's no charge.
- Most cruise ships charge for laundry service. Closets and
bathrooms are compact. Bedrooms are very small and this limits, considerably,
any personal possessions you may need in order to feel at home.
You will meet new
people every week or two!
+ If you are a social butterfly this may appeal to you.
- However these new friends will only be on the ship for a
short time, making it difficult to form long-lasting relationships. The ship's
staff will get to know you but they are paid to be nice to you.
Broadway Shows,
Comedians and Piano bars
+ Cruise ships offer a range of amenities. They have
swimming pools, workout rooms, spas, beauty salons, nightly entertainment and
cultural activities including dancing and bridge. They offer guided tours when
they dock at an exotic port of call. A few cruise lines offer world cruises
that take three to six months meaning that you can travel the world.
- Guided tours at ports are usually an added cost. They may
lose their appeal after a time. This goes for the entertainment. You will
probably get tired of that too.
A Doctor Aboard
+ Cruise ships have physicians on board, always, "[so]
that they could actually be considered a floating assisted-living
facility," says Lindquist.
- Doctors may not be 'senior' qualified and may not provide
the level of care required. The Medical Center may be well-equipped but
designed to deal with minor illnesses or injuries. Your travel insurance may
not cover cruise ship medical care. You will likely need to purchase extra
travel insurance. Updating refills of medications and availability for pick-up
at the next port may be tricky or impossible.
Cruise the Internet
+ Most Cruise Ships have free computer centers. Keep up to
date with family and friends.
- Although Internet service, a lifeline for most seniors, keeps
them in touch with their land-based families and friends, Videos Chats like
Skype can be very expensive. Cell phone roaming charges may mount up quickly.
Call Chris @ 403-680-4479
