To go on a long cruise instead of renting?

[needanewstart2026]

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?

When aboard, you can get an injection for that!! 😂

Surprisingly cheaper than you think! You just need to not be being investigated for anything medical, some would just exclude that thing, others won’t touch you. Saga were pretty good from memory.

Sounds great, but don't forget to factor in the insurance costs.

I wonder whether booking a shorter cruise first and deciding whether you like it or not might be a good idea? Some people love it and others hate it!

One option could be to book a month long trip, then a month long stay somewhere beautiful in the UK (e.g. Cornwall or the Lake District) and then decide whether to book a longer cruise after that.

Yes I'd probably start with a two-week cruise just to know for sure whether or not I'd actually like it. The cruise/ship itself would not be the main draw for me as I'm not sure I'd really enjoy that aspect all that much. It's the floating hotel/being able to visit lots of countries that I'd like. So I'd want to be sure I could handle being stuck on a ship for days on end, trapped with a whole lot of people... It's almost the stuff of nightmares, if I'm honest!

Thank you for all your suggestions. Looking at some of the 100 day cruises and as many have mentioned the single supplement does increase it a lot. I’d probably have to spend about £20k for 100 nights and rent/bills/food on one bed flat would around £8k for the same period so obviously a difference but still seriously thinking of taking £12k out of the house sale pot and going for the 100 day if not 6 months. I will update if I decide to go for it.

How about doing a shorter (28 day) cruise then a month airb&b in the area you eventually want to buy or at the seaside.

Great idea....do it xx

It sounds very attractive - and no doubt it is. I wouldn't, however, go on a cruise as I think the environmental fall-out now and in years to come really isn't worth it. Ships the size of small cities are now careering across the oceans - can you imagine the environmental impact that has.

The prices you’ve looked at are probably for an inside cabin so that’s something to bear in mind, also wifi can be really expensive. I have thought about this idea quite often when I’m day dreaming but know I could only do it with a balcony cabin.

Do it! First check out the solo cruising Facebook group, super friendly bunch and the cruise companies release special offers to them. Then look into storage for your stuff, cost of cruise insurance (could be prohibitively expensive if you have health concerns) then start looking at options. P&o do world cruises as do Cunard, imagine cruising (a travel agent) put together amazing packages so worth calling them to see what they can put together, or just choose a line call them and ask them for a deal

If not a cruise, is there anywhere you've always wanted to visit? For me, I would go to the Maldives. As you don't really drink, you could pick a local island and just spend the time sunbathing, relaxing, swimming etc . Is there anything similar you might like?

@needanewstart2026 another option - go onto Jet2 and put in a really long date range for a holiday. Same on expedia for a hotel stay. Sometimes you can get a complete bargain!

Thank you. There are so many solo cruising groups on facebook. Is there one you particularly recommend?

You could always rent a place abroad for 90 days in a sunny coastal area and travel around / do day trips, rent would possibly be a lot cheaper than here and you
would have a change of scene

you could also do one month in Spain , one in Italy, one in Portugal etc etc

Go for it OP. Keep us posted OP.

Most cruise ships have a self service laundrette. The medical care isn’t that basic, we’re not talking 3rd world medicine, i used to work as a nurse on a cruise ship we dealt with all sorts, we dealt with a lot of stuff on board, obviously if you were very unwell, needed surgery, etc we’d keep you alive until the next port then send to a hospital. There’s plenty of travel insurance companies that allow over 90 days, my in-laws have a cruise booked that over 90 days and they’ve had no problems sorting insurance and they have medical problems to add into the mix.

I say go for it OP. My in-laws cruise with P&O often. They’re not massive drinkers so they’ll possibly advertise spend minimal onboard and the on-board credit they get when they book usually covers most of their spending. Meals are included unless you want to eat in one of the speciality restaurants.

How are you getting on with your plans @needanewstart2026 ?

Glad you asked as I took was wondering how OP was getting on.

I really hope she booked a cruise.

I don't see why not.

I’ve always said I’d love to do this. We sail on celebrity but trying one of the Queens for our next cruise. My one rule is always a balcony, so I can retreat with my book when I don’t feel well. (Have RA). There was a couple we met on celebrity that sail 9 months of the year. They love it.

Thanks for asking. Unfortunately my house sale fell through so on the market again so can’t plan anything until it’s sold which could be months. Still thinking about it though with possibly a 108 day cruise in January 2027. How I juggle accommodation before and after so Im not paying rent while I’m away will be a challenge but have a couple of people I can lodge with for a while. I will keep you all posted!

Sorry to hear of the house issue @needanewstart2026, but it sounds like you have an interesting time coming up at some point.
I’ve never been on a cruise myself, but bizarrely feel inspired by your thread to investigate a long one myself. A long cruise sounds a very chilled way to pass some time 😎
Good luck with everything.

Oh OP. That's a pain.

In the meantime you could just do a week cruise to de-stress and get the feel for it.

Oh that’s a pain but gives you time to plan your cruise.

I suggest you use cruise specialist to help you. There are plenty of agents, we use Bolsolver if not booking celebrity cruises.

Alternatively, take a look at the cruise critic boards to get a feel of what each line feels like. Even within same lines there are different classes of ships, older and newer. It can be a bit of a minefield.

take a 5-7 night cruise to see if it’s your thing.

good luck