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?

Exactly!

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.

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.

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.

The annual policies do have a limit on the number of consecutive days a holiday is. My annual policy allows a cruise (or any other type of holiday) up to 90 days max. You need a more specialist policy for longer and it gets more expensive the older you are.

Fabulous idea! 💗

2 X 90 day cruises and two separate policies could cover that.

Absolutely fab idea. Have a look at Oceania, they aren't huge boats but really good. No children and mainly around your age. Loads of people on for months. Food is great and free laundry room. Have a look on their website and also on the likes of vacationstogo.com and see if they have any different offers. There are lots of things in the UK affected by being UK resident or not so go for less than 183 days to avoid any issues with insurances, driving licence, banking, doctors etc etc.

I saw a different one, but just Googled 106 day cruise Facebook and a whole raft appeared! Image added.

If you do, please start a thread about it!

Cruise sounds like a great change and beginning of the next phase of your life. But doesn’t it just postpone renting and finding your next home?

Do it! Not on the same scale, but when the boyfriend I was living with dumped me at the beginning of my twenties I went to Australia for a year on a working holiday visa. I joked that whoever said you can’t run away from your problems didn’t run far enough! Honestly, it did me the world of good. I got my head straight, had an amazing adventure, and made some solid plans for my future.

So what if it does? Life's short and you only get one. After coming home, houses will still be there to be bought.

My sister in law bought a cheap camper van and took off round the country for 11 months after her divorce. We thought she was mad but she had the best time and has made some great friends that she still sees from it. She said it was either that or going onto medication (antidepressants) as she said her mental health was so poor.

Go for it. Honestly, there are so many cruises. I’d do a few, getting off for a couple of weeks in countries I would feel comfortable in alone.

My sister went on her first cruise after her husband died on the recommendation of a friend who went with her and she hated it. Horses for courses.

You will likely only be able to get insurance for 180 days plus please check if you are legally able to use NHS if you are out of the country for do long.
Sounds like a great idea though.

You camped with your cat? I'm slightly fascinated with how that worked!

OP you should definitely do it. Great way to mark a new chapter. You'll feel like a whole different person!

There is a huge community of people who do this and document it on TikTok

How is anyone treating you on your return going to know that you left the country for however long?

After doing my first cruise last year this is my absolute dream, I would absolutely do it in a heartbeat if I could and you might never get such a great opportunity where you're between houses like this. I just put the figures in and it really is cheaper than rent plus food based on what I paid for my last rental. It sounds like the perfect place to re-set your head and take time for yourself. On P&O the laundry self service washer and dryers are free. We didn't pay for anything extra so there's no need to, the buffet was extremely varied with endless options, there were free soft drinks and tea and coffee in the buffet dining room, there's no obligation to go on excursions, there's always plenty to do in a new place without paying for a guided tour or trip. There was so much to do, there's no way you'd get fed up. Please if you do this start a thread on it and update occasionally with where you are and how it's going, I want to imagine it!

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/articles/round-the-world-cruise-uk-guide-cost/

High level overview to get you started OP.

https://www.pocruises.com/find-a-cruise/R701/R701?categoryCode=I_I&cruiseCode=R701&rateCode=KU2&typeCode=I

75 nights Caribbean and Americas.

Can you imagine his face when he asks for your forwarding address.

Fuck off Dave, I’m off to the Bahamas

100%, it sounds like a great idea. I’d love to do one of those 6 month cruises when I retire if i’m in good enough health. I love cruising, though am quite a cruise novice only done 1 (2nd cruise in 8wks time).

We had the same concerns, but also went on a P&O cruise over Easter (also an inside cabin) and also bloody loved it.

Whilst the ship we were on was big and full, we easily found places to sit quietly to read or play card games.

Just to note, for some cruise lines you need to factor in the cost of tips when pricing up (although that isn't an issue with P&O as it's included).

As said by pp, I'd try a short cruise to see. And, if I liked it, go for it.