They sold everything to live on cruise ships for the rest of their lives. Is it cheaper than living on land?

Is living on a cruise ship cheaper than on land? After all, you don't have to pay bills for utility expenses, vehicle insurance, property insurance, or mortgage. John and Melody Hennessee sold their Florida home, their business and most of their belongings in 2020 and bought tickets for a 274-day cruise with Royal Caribbean. Talking to 'Sky News', he said, "We now have a telephone bill, a shipping bill and a few credit card bills for when we go ashore, but that’s it." He added, "We no longer have a mortgage or the expense of homes. We no longer have vehicle insurance, property insurance, or utility bills. The list goes on."

Life on Villa Vie residential cruise

The Hennessees will soon board the Villa Vie residential cruise ship, on which they bought a cabin. They have chosen Villa Vie as it is one of the first all-inclusive cruise ships offering permanent residences. Its 30% of the passengers on board will be full-time inhabitants, and 85% of occupants are US citizens.


The inside cabins cost a minimum of $99,000 and the balcony villas offering ocean views cost $249,000, in addition to a nearly $8,000 monthly fee.

Kitchenette, pull-down beds

Cabins will be fitted with a kitchenette and pull-down beds in the living rooms for guests. Residents will also be allowed to bring their families onto the ship for free after paying for the port fees. A set number of cabins will be reserved for them.

Villa Vie CEO Mikael Petterson told Sky News that almost half of cabins are singles, with a third being business owners and remote workers who will work from the business center and private offices.

Working onboard cruise

Hennessees will not be working onboard the cruise. But they are apprehensive of being 'overindulging'. So, they will walk as much as possible to maintain health.

The ship will circumnavigate the world every three years, mostly chasing the sun to follow the warm weather.

FAQs:

How much does it cost to live on a cruise ship Villa Vie?
On a residential cruise ship, the inside cabins cost a minimum of $99,000 and the balcony villas offering ocean views cost $249,000, in addition to a nearly $8,000 monthly fee.

Why do John and Melody Hennessee think it is cheaper to live on a cruise than on land?
John and Melody Hennessee argue that on a cruise ship, they don't have to pay for mortgages, the expense of homes, vehicle insurance, property insurance, or utility bills.