A retired Australian couple, Marty and Jessica Ansen, have spent a significant portion of their retirement years on an incredible journey, undertaking 53 consecutive cruises. They’ve shared insights on the less glamorous aspects of life at sea.
It’s important to remember, however, that the downsides of a continuous vacation are relatively minor. Nonetheless, every silver lining does have its cloud.
Their adventure began on June 16, 2022, when they boarded the Coral Princess in Brisbane, Australia. Over time, they experienced everything the ship had to offer, including two global voyages, ultimately completing 53 cruises.
After spending 800 days at sea, they returned home in August 2024. However, their time on land was short-lived as, only three months later, they embarked on the Crown Princess, where they plan to stay until November 13.
Jessica shared her experience of becoming part of the cruise community, noting that many crew members are familiar faces, and fellow passengers often turn into ‘close friends’.
“Some we met on their first voyage and others we see time and time again,” Jessica said in a chat with The Telegraph. “We enjoy the get-togethers and the reminiscing of past adventures and we plan for future cruises together. The time we spend with other guests – sometimes for three months or more – is truly wonderful.”
The couple considers themselves to be ‘living the dream,’ enjoying ‘endless’ dining options and ‘world-class’ entertainment. However, they do acknowledge missing certain things.
Marty mentioned missing the freedom of driving wherever and whenever they want.
He also highlighted the challenges of managing ‘life administration’ while traveling for extended periods, saying: “Travelling through different time zones can also sometimes make it difficult to keep a track of the hours.”
Despite these challenges, the couple is content with their maritime lifestyle and have already scheduled Princess cruises up until September 2, 2027. They discovered that the cost of cruising is less than what it would be to live in a retirement home.
They manage to see their family, including daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, during ship stops in Australia. While exploring the world, they catch up with friends and family from various countries.
Jessica reassured that they remain connected to home through TV and the internet, stating: “We never feel too far away from the news back home.”