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?

I’ve never been on a cruise (unless you count the educational one in 1973!) but the advantage I can see over a hotel, Airbnb or campervan is meeting other people easily

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.

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

Pleeeease go, and make this thread your travel journal!

Thank you for all your positive messages. I need to do some serious research. Even if I went for three months before renting it may be the restart I need.

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.

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 😎

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

Surely annual travel policies are incredibly common?

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!

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!

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

Go for it. See countries you would not otherwise

What a bloody good idea.

Yes! Photos please!!

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

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

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.

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 .

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

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.

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

Do it!

A wonderful idea.

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

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