How Much It Costs To Cruise Full-Time

Two cruise influencers have revealed how much they spend on average while living on a residential cruise ship.

Angela and Steve are living onboard Villa Vie Odyssey and are documenting their cruise experiences on their YouTube channel, MidLife Cruising.

They’ve been discussing the costs of their unique lifestyle, from daily expenses in port to larger excursions, and breaking it all down for their followers.

Their January budget sheds light on the real costs of this lifestyle, offering valuable insight for anyone dreaming of sailing the world full-time.

Breaking down the costs

Angela and Steve meticulously tracked their spending throughout January while cruising through South America, visiting ports in Argentina, Chile, and Peru.

Their total expenditure for the month, including excursions, meals, and daily essentials, came to $1,940.97.

However, once they excluded the cost of a major trip to Machu Picchu, their monthly spend on day-to-day living was $1,388.71.

This amount covered everything from food and shopping to excursions and souvenirs. Notably, they spent some days at sea without spending a penny, which helped keep costs down.

Excursions and activities

One of the biggest expenses for the couple was excursions. For instance, they took a boat tour in Peru for just $40, an incredibly budget-friendly way to see wildlife, including penguins and sea lions.

However, their largest excursion, a 20-hour tour of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, set them back $360 for the two of them. While expensive, they deemed it well worth the money for the breathtaking scenery and unique experiences.

Food and shopping

One of the fun aspects of cruising full-time is dining out in different countries. They often grabbed local pastries, coffee, and small meals while in port. In Ushuaia, Argentina, they visited a popular local bakery for $22.76, which included churros and alfajores.

Their grocery shopping expenses were minimal since meals on the ship are included in their maintenance fees.

However, they did pick up snacks, toiletries, and other essentials, such as toothpaste (which they noted was surprisingly expensive in Argentina).

Unexpected costs

One category of expenses that some may not consider is cash withdrawals and transaction fees.

Fortunately, Angela and Steve use a Charles Schwab account, which refunds ATM fees at the end of each month. In January, they received $22.53 in refunded fees, helping to offset some of their costs.

Tipping is another consideration.

While gratuities are included in their monthly maintenance fee, the couple still provides additional tips to their favourite crew members, estimating that they spend $100 per month in discretionary gratuities.

Overall monthly cost

In total, excluding all of the costs of their major trip to Machu Picchu, their cost of living on the ship for January was $1,388.71.

If they factor in their mobile phone plan, which costs $46.24 per month, their grand total rises to $1,462.40.

This means they spent roughly $47.60 per day living on a cruise ship, which, when compared to land-based living expenses, is quite reasonable.

Of course, this amount does not include their monthly maintenance fee, which varies depending on the type of cabin.

Prices on the Villa Vie Odyssey range from $2,500 per month for a single person in an inside cabin to $11,000 for a suite. And that’s after they have paid for the room itself.

As early investors, Angela and Steve secured a lower rate, though their exact figures remain undisclosed due to an NDA they signed.

Future plans and more adventures

Their journey is far from over! In the coming months, they have big trips planned, including a visit to the famous Iguazu Falls, spanning both Argentina and Brazil.

Additionally, they will be venturing into the Amazon before making a short trip back to Nicaragua to check on their home.

For those curious about what it’s like to live full-time on a cruise ship, Angela and Steve continue to document their experiences on their YouTube channel, MidLife Cruising.

They plan to track their expenses again in the coming months to give their viewers even more insight into the costs of this unique lifestyle.

Want to follow along on their adventure? Be sure to check out their channel for regular updates on life at sea, budgeting tips, and travel inspiration!

If you found this interesting, please share!

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

How Much It Costs To Cruise Full-Time – Revealed!

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