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?

Brilliant idea! Do it! Can I come with you?

God that is an amazing idea

Think it's a brilliant idea. A fantastic way to get on with your life plus have some distance. It will give yiu time to think and you might have a ball.

Do it OP, and send exDH a postcard from every port!

You say that like it’s a problem?

Sounds bloody marvellous OP!

Thank you to everyone who has posted. Too many to reply to but I have read every one of them and taking the comments on board. I have no commitments, no pets, not much to store. Rental is very expensive round here, about £1500 minimum for a one bed flat plus bills, food, socialising so yes a cruise costs more but if I don’t have living expenses it makes a difference and will earn interest on the capital I get from the house sale . I have adult dc who I would miss but they are well travelled themselves and I think would encourage me. My problem will be I can’t book until exchange of contract on the house just in case it all falls through so may have to stay somewhere before I travel but do have family and friends go can give me a bed 😀. I’m not confident enough to go solo travelling at my age but thought a cruise with organised tours may be doable. Thanks again and do keep the suggestions coming

You need to consider insurance as it is difficult to get insurance for 6 months on a cruise I think.

Most people who are left renting after a divorce can't take a year out like a teenager to cruise.
Maybe that's the point?

Most people on MN threads are trapped and miserable and live vicariously via fictitious posts about affluence and ease.

This will give you time to really choose the right cruise and do some research….buy a couple of nice dresses, you never know who you might meet on your travels😁

What happens the day you get back to port in the UK though?

Good point and one I forgot to mention in my earlier post.

I think it’s a great idea to go on a cruise just because you will be so well looked after as a solo travellers.

If you find you enjoy it you can always stay on!

Please do it and blog about it or have an instagram as it sounds fab!

This is what I would do. You should go for it

Just want to say this is a fabulous idea and what an absolute F-U to your ex husband. I hope you do it and I hope it makes him seethe!

@needanewstart2026 I love cruising and my key advice is to look very carefully at the whole cost of the cruise not just the headline price. For example:

• base price
• price for cabin type and location (ideally cabins above, below and either side.
• single room supplement - this can be £££
• Insurance
• gratuities included or on top (how easy to have them removed)
• drinks prices including tax vs all inclusive
• Which restaurants are included in fare and the cost of pay restaurants
• Phone the cruise lines or ask travel agent to see if you can get a better deal for multiple back to back cruises
• Consider swapping cruise lines in major ports e.g. Southampton, Miami, Barcelona etc.
• Consider the time of year you will be in each port.
• Minimise flights - ideally sail from and return to UK, probably Southampton.

Useful tips

• WiFi get an eSIM e.g. Telenor Maritime
• Look at repositioning cruises as they tend to be cheaper e.g. ships going from Med season to Caribbean or those with an Alaska season.
• Find ships with onboard laundrettes, usually free but you may need your own washing tabs etc.
• Shore excursions are expensive, you often can walk around the town or find cheaper excursions ashore.
• You are not required to go ashore, a quiet ship can be lovely.
• YouTube is fantastic for ship tours to give you a good idea of what each one is like.

Had fun planning.

They are @BIossomtoes but sometimes
the maximum length of holiday is 30 consecutive days. Travel policies must start before you leave the country - there are specialist backpacker-type policies though so hopefully won’t be a problem for @needanewstart2026 as long as she checks the small print!

Also OP - went on first cruise a while back, wasn’t keen on the idea at all but honestly loved it.

It sounds absolutely amazing! And would totally do it!
But being a party pooper🙈 would be difficult to buy while being away.

I thought this - renting gives you time to sort out practicalities and arrange the next part of your life. Going on a cruise may well be lovely and have other advantages of its own, but you'll still come back to the same unsolved questions.

In that case, I think a 6 month cruise is a marvellous idea! I've read quite a few stories recently of people who buy cabins and just continually cruise around the world for 10 years. (Bit of an extreme example, but cruising instead of buying/renting is not such an unheard of thing now.) Even if it is slightly more than renting, so what? What an amazing experience to have as a start to this new stage of your life. It's a great way to give yourself time to think whilst also having distractions available, should you wish.

https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/find-a-cruise/best-world-cruise-deals

Do it!

Have you been on one? I thought I'd hate them but they turned out to be nothing like I imagined and I loved it.

That sounds amazing! Why not I say, you deserve it!

I love your idea,I really hope you find something suitable.

I have never cruised myself but am a bit addicted to YouTube cruise reviews.

Do factor in the extras such as hot and soft drinks that some cruise lines charge for while others don't charge. Some lines don't have tea making facilities in the cabins but some do. Ditto with wifi.

Looking forward to reading your updates.

Or if you don't fancy a cruise, which I wouldn't, rent abroad instead.

Do it! What a brilliant idea.

This sounds like such a good options - from most standpoints, without breaking the bank. It looks like a cruising for six months would cost around £18-20k. If rent is £1500, so £2k with bills - renting would cost you £12k if that time. There is a bit of a gap but I wouldn’t let it put you off for a second. Go for it and have the time of your life.