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Love to Cruise? Live Onboard!

Are just two weeks a year enough to satisfy your needs to get away and see the world? Or do you feel a holiday could never be long enough?

Each year, mid way through my annual two week cruise I get that sinking feeling, I know its fast approaching the end of my time away and that can only mean one thing; I will soon be heading back to reality and back to work with no more than a fading tan and a sprinkling of new freckles as the only evidence I was ever away.

You may love to cruise, but realistically, how long do you think you could actually stay onboard? A few weeks, a month or longer? Would homesickness, family or money keep you from straying to a life at sea?

A three month world cruise is currently considered to be a pretty long duration to stay at sea, but it wasnt enough for Bea Muller who has been living onboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 for the past eight years. Bea and her husband were regular world cruisers, joining the Cunard ship for the annual trip for four consecutive years. Tragically, mid way through what was to be their very last voyage together, Beas husband passed away.

Bea returned home a widow, but felt her heart remained onboard the QE2. She decided to sell all her assets and live onboard the ship permanently.

Whilst Bea claims she has no intention of leaving the QE2 until she is either bored or dead, she may not have a choice. The problem with living on your average cruise ship is that they are not designed to operate continuously, which makes it very difficult to call the place your home. Modern day ships get refurbished every few years, sold or put in dry dock, which makes it impossible to stay onboard permanently. In the case of the QE2, at a grand 40 years old, she is soon to retire to the warmer climates of Dubai, as a floating resort, minus Bea Muller, I should think.

2002 bought an exciting solution for those wishing to lead such a lifestyle, with the introduction of the industrys first ever cruise ship designed specifically for residential occupancy.

The World is home to around 300 residents occupying one of 165 studios and apartments, each containing its own kitchen complete with fridge, dishwasher and washing machine plus a living area and bedroom. Onboard are all the amenities you would expect to find onboard a regular cruise ship, with four restaurants, a gym, spa, two swimming pools, as well as tennis courts and golf facilities, a small grocery store and 24 hour medical centre.

The mid sized vessel leisurely circumnavigates the globe stopping at each port for 2  5 days, allowing residents to fully explore each destination. Accommodation onboard can either be purchased on a full time occupancy basis for year round living, or, buyers can purchase a studio or apartment on a part time basis, spending two weeks to a month onboard annually. Alternatively, guests are welcome to join the ship for a short period of time and rent the accommodation.

So, is this a realistic way of life? Firstly we need to consider the costs and value for money of this lifestyle. To purchase a studio (337 sqft) onboard The World for permanent residence would cost a couple around ?580,000 with annual fees (for maintenance, food and beverages) charged at ?48,000. To upgrade to an apartment (1391 sqft) you would be looking at a cost around the ?2million mark plus annual fees at ?140,000.

Considering the UKs average annual income is less than ?25,000, Mr. and Mrs. Average arent packing their bags just yet. Besides, all potential residents, no matter how wealthy they are, will be vetted before they are accepted to join the ship.

This type of living may be well suited to those who are getting older, and would otherwise be looking to take up residence in a nursing home. Current annual fees for assisted living in the UK can vary from ?20,000 - ?48,000, so for a person who is at the age of retirement, has paid off their mortgage and is financially comfortable, this could be a great way to spend their later years, whilst receiving the care they require.

The World may have been the first cruise community of its kind, but it certainly wont be the last. Set to be launched in 2010 is the Mallegan, a $750 million dollar residential ship. At 76,000 tonnes, she is already proving popular. Although building has not yet been completed, many of the apartments and studios have already been sold to wealthy buyers including famous astronaut, Buzz Aldrin.

Norman Nixon, project director of Engineering Solutions took the concept of living onboard a cruise ship to a new level with The Freedom. A mind blowing near mile long floating city of 40,000 people that slowly transports residents around the world. The ship which will be approximately four times the length of the Queen Mary 2, will feature a school, university, a shopping mall and even a landing strip.

Again, the idea of residing onboard a ship was proven popular with a great deal of interest in the Freedom project, despite the fact that construction, due to begin in 2000, has still not started. It is very difficult to judge the value of a life onboard a residential cruise ship as travelling around the earth year after year is pretty hard to put a price tag on.

However, we can see that the future is looking good, not only for those who can afford it, who are likely to find a greater choice of homes at sea, but also for those who currently may not have the money to invest in such a fanciful lifestyle. With the introduction of more and more residential ships, buyers may find prices are more competitive, and therefore, more affordable to a wider range of people.

Oh and did I mention a life at sea can have many tax benefits?

Now, wheres my calculator&

Genna Roberts is web editor at Inside Cruise - an online cruise community packed with all the latest cruise news, features and reviews.

Come join us! www.insidecruise.co.uk

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