Creating the type of lifestyle that anyone would like to aspire to, involves having a life plan or road map of where you would like to see yourself in years to come. I think most of us have some sort of bucket list of places we would like to travel, and maybe a five-year plan of where we want to be. Things like overseas trips, weekend escapes and travel within our own country are all common aspirations for retirees. However have you ever thought about a long-term cruise lifestyle and how this could fulfil most of your life goals?
A long term-cruise is also commonly referred to as a residential cruise, where you rent a stateroom or suite on a cruise ship for a fixed period of time and cruise around the world. There are a few cruise lines that offer this amazing lifestyle at sea, but they are not affordable for a lot of people, particularly retirees and pensioners.
However, now there is a cruise line that offers a residential cruise at an affordable price, starting at as little as $79.00 USD per day person (with loyalty program discount applied). Victoria Cruises Line are currently taking bookings for pre-determined lengths of time living aboard one of their luxury cruise ships – varying from 6 months to 27 months. This is the type of luxury lifestyle that I could see myself enjoying!
The major difference between a normal cruise and a long-term cruise is that it not only travels all around the world visiting 115 countries, but it can stay in port for up to five days at each destination. As a resident of the ship you get to choose how long you would like to stay – based on a voting system.
Basically you can expect all the same amenities as you would on a normal ocean cruise. Things like meals, beverages, some alcoholic beverages, onboard activities and entertainment, housekeeping, some on-shore excursions, medical centre services, cinema, library, fitness centre, room service, free WiFi, and self-serve laundry services are all included. Other amenities include a casino, day spa, hairdresser, nail salon, specialty dining restaurants and other alcoholic beverages, available at an extra reasonable cost to residents.
The best thing about the two Victoria cruise ships is that they have been extensively refurbished. Instead of having a 2,000 passenger capacity, they have reduced their capacity to 1,250 or 1,350 passengers, making the cruise ships a lot more spacious and comfortable.
You may select from either a beautifully appointed stateroom or suite, depending on your preference. The rooms vary from 21 square metres for an inside stateroom, 25 square metres for an oceanview stateroom, up to a spacious 118 square metres (includes balcony) for a suite. Staterooms and suites boast all the comforts of homes, with comfortable king-size beds, good quality linen and towels, luxurious bathrobe, bathroom toiletries, flat screen TV & DVD player and fresh flowers and fruit provided daily.
Each passenger is equipped with a tablet, known as on board system (OBS), which is used to manage your personal account, book restaurants or activities, browse food menus, find out the ship’s position, the next destination, latest news and other points of interest.
There are a variety of dining options aboard a Victoria Cruises Line ship. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included in your rental. These are served à la carte in the Paris main restaurant or the more casual buffet-style eatery in the Lido restaurant.
The poolside Grill Terrace offers a variety of fast-food options including, tacos, burgers, hot dogs and barbecue meats, that are best enjoyed under the shade of an umbrella.
Speciality dining choices like Trattoria Omero Italian ristorante and the Marcello & Fabrizio fine dining restaurant are also available for an additional fee – alongside a good selection of international wines.
Room service is provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner – 24 hours a day.
Enjoy a coffee or cold drink during the day at Explorations Cafe on comfortable seating. Alternatively, partake in an alcoholic beverage at the end of a busy day at one of the many bars, including: Mix Bar, Ocean Bar, Lido Deck or Crows Nest.
The major benefit of long-term cruising is the ease of the lifestyle, where you basically don’t have to do a thing once you unpack your suitcase. You will be spoilt from the time you board the ship until you disembark, with everything provided that you require.
You decide whether you just want to kick back and relax and enjoy the amenities on board the ship, or get off the ship and go exploring. The choice is yours!
Victoria Cruise Lines in conjunction with Discovery Channel TV are going to produce a reality television series on board the Victoria Majestic. This TV series will be broadcast on Discovery Channel in the autumn of 2023.
The plan is to produce a season of 10 episodes, showing everyday life on board the ship, at the ports of call and the some of the activities and excursions during our time ashore. Each episode will be 50 minutes long.
In the series, we want to follow the lives of several couples to show what is involved in daily life aboard the ship. We are sending out a casting call for passengers who would like to participate in this reality television series.
You can apply by email. Please include your booking reference in the email.
