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Original poster

To go on a long cruise instead of renting?

254 replies

needanewstart2026 · 24/08/2025 17:51

I'm in my 60s and retired and my family home is being sold due to DH divorcing me as he has met someone else. I'm devastated and told a friend I was going to rent for a few months before buying while I get my head together. She said I should go on a 6 month cruise rather than renting as wouldn't cost much more and I'd get to see the world. I laughed but I'm seriously thinking about whether it is feasible. Anyone else done this?

OP posts:
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Cyclistmumgrandma · 24/08/2025 18:57

JustGettingStarted · 24/08/2025 18:36

There are some issues to consider. Laundry on board is very expensive and medical care is very basic. You may struggle to get insurance for a cruise of longer than 90 days or so.

Laundry, if you have it done for you, can be expensive but on the larger ships they have a launderette which is not expensive to use. My Father in law used to go for 3 months on world cruises and used the launderettes all the time.
As for medical care, yes, what they can do is fairly basic but by golly they are efficient in what they can do. My husband collapsed on board a small cruise ship (only 150 passengers) off the coast of Africa. It was about 2 in the morning, I picked up the cabin phone and called reception, the doctor and a nurse were there inside 5 minutes and diagnosed dehydration - he'd been on a long hot hike with a heavy camera bag - and hooked him up to a drip. Luckily we didn't need anything more complicated but the ships have the facility to have you taken to a "proper" hospital by helicopter if needed. Compare that to waiting for help from the NHS... Not that I'm bashing the NHS but...
Insurance, well you would have to research that.

Peaceandlabradors · 24/08/2025 18:57

DH and I went on a P and O cruise at Easter and we were sceptical before. We like independence and don’t like loads of people. We had an inner cabin (no balcony) as we thought it might be sea sick city. We bloody loved it - really loved it. We don’t really drink - but took a couple of bottles on with us. Knitting and books. Internet was pricey so factor that in I think we paid £15 a day which was a rip off. But my god the food was available like 4 am until 2 am - or something. As much as you liked. 4 swimming pools which we loved lounging in. We would definitely do it for 6 months. Very often you get a discount booking another one. Good luck.

HypnoToads · 24/08/2025 18:54

I'd be tempted to go for it, but I already know I love cruises. Research different cruise lines and maybe try a week long one before booking a longer one. Or look into a long all inclusive break somewhere if you think you'd be happy in one place.

I used to be a travel agent and had some clients who lived on caravan parks. Their parks closed for a few of months each year so they'd book to go abroad for 8+ weeks and it wasn't as expensive as you might imagine.

SliceofTosst · 24/08/2025 18:54

LoveMyLifeAlways · 24/08/2025 18:51

You could travel round Scandinavia, then travel round the far East, then Australia. Plan the order so that it is always summer.

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Exactly!

Original poster
needanewstart2026 · 24/08/2025 18:54

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 24/08/2025 18:47

I think the world cruises are 3 months so you could do 2! I think it's a great idea and a lovely way to get your head straight and come back and start afresh .

I could just do 3 months, then rent when I return while I look for somewhere to buy. May be just what I need

OP posts:
EnchantedQuill · 24/08/2025 18:53

Royal Caribbean did one last year for an entire year it looked incredible

caringcarer · 24/08/2025 18:53

A wonderful idea.

EnchantedQuill · 24/08/2025 18:52

Do it!

LoveMyLifeAlways · 24/08/2025 18:51

needanewstart2026 · 24/08/2025 18:50

That's a good thing to research about a cruise. I like the idea of a laundry room I could use. I don't need anything posh

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You could travel round Scandinavia, then travel round the far East, then Australia. Plan the order so that it is always summer.

Rtmhwales · 24/08/2025 18:50

My aunt and uncle just did this. They started with a 3 week cruise and just kept extending. They love it. It was their first cruise, too.

Original poster
needanewstart2026 · 24/08/2025 18:50

Costcogroupie · 24/08/2025 18:45

Some ships have laundry rooms for guests, free to use. Take soap sheets and get up early to bag a machine. Dryers too.

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That's a good thing to research about a cruise. I like the idea of a laundry room I could use. I don't need anything posh

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 24/08/2025 18:47

I think the world cruises are 3 months so you could do 2! I think it's a great idea and a lovely way to get your head straight and come back and start afresh .

Original poster
needanewstart2026 · 24/08/2025 18:46

AllyDally · 24/08/2025 18:17

I woild 100% do this!

Only thing to pay for on top are drinks but you can take on loads of soft drinks any way.

Saw an incredible itinerary the other day, 106 night world cruise incl Australia, no flying and was £11.5k full board. Coffee/tea incl, juice at breakfast.

Love to know where you saw that. I don't really drink, odd glass of wine so any inclusive alcohol would be wasted on me.

OP posts:
Costcogroupie · 24/08/2025 18:45

JustGettingStarted · 24/08/2025 18:36

There are some issues to consider. Laundry on board is very expensive and medical care is very basic. You may struggle to get insurance for a cruise of longer than 90 days or so.

Some ships have laundry rooms for guests, free to use. Take soap sheets and get up early to bag a machine. Dryers too.

LoveMyLifeAlways · 24/08/2025 18:45

purplecorkheart · 24/08/2025 18:34

Just make sure you do your research well. Things like excursions are not normally included and can be expensive. You can do non cruise ship excursions but if they get delayed due to an Road accident/illness traffic the ship will not stay for you after departure time.

You don't have to do paid excursions. You can just disembark and explore yourself

LoveMyLifeAlways · 24/08/2025 18:44

Christ0nABike · 24/08/2025 18:34

Oh it sounds amazing, I would absolutely do this rather than renting in the UK.

Pleeeease go, and make this thread your travel journal!

Yes! Photos please!!

MrsSkylerWhite · 24/08/2025 18:43

What a bloody good idea.

cestlavielife · 24/08/2025 18:42

Go for it. See countries you would not otherwise

ChrisMartinsKisskam · 24/08/2025 18:41

If you don’t want to cruise look into month long or longer holidays that are all inclusive to say Spain Malta & the canaries

you could do a month come home sofa surf for a week and then bigger off somewhere else for a month

taylorswift1989 · 24/08/2025 18:39

I think it's a great idea! A cruise, or a tour around Europe or even just a series of holidays. Rent is expensive and rather than sitting in an expensive home that you don't love, you could be seeing the world. Take your own laundry liquid and wash your clothes in the sink if need be!

AbzMoz · 24/08/2025 18:38

Sounds like one of those mad ideas which might just be genius! If there’s nothing holding you back why wouldn’t you? Would be so exciting!

BIossomtoes · 24/08/2025 18:37

JustGettingStarted · 24/08/2025 18:36

There are some issues to consider. Laundry on board is very expensive and medical care is very basic. You may struggle to get insurance for a cruise of longer than 90 days or so.

Surely annual travel policies are incredibly common?

wobblywibbly · 24/08/2025 18:37

You could book for a month and then extend it if you like it. When I’ve been on a cruise they are always selling deals for you to remain on board. One chap I spoke do just kept extending his stays on board and said he does it for around 9 months of the year

Keysfound · 24/08/2025 18:36

You may never want to buy a house again… you may not want to get off…. I am currently sulking as Ive done 2 cruises recently with a week gap….. no holiday til next year…. I’m now sulking 😝 Have an amazing time, life is for living 😎

JustGettingStarted · 24/08/2025 18:36

There are some issues to consider. Laundry on board is very expensive and medical care is very basic. You may struggle to get insurance for a cruise of longer than 90 days or so.