Couple Lives Permanently On Cruise Ship Because It's Cheaper Than Mortgage

The Burks share that they travel lightly and carry only two suitcases with them and if they need anything else, they buy it on the ship or from elsewhere and are very happy with their way of living.

supplied

Angelyn Burk, 53, and her husband Richard have been living their life on cruise ships because financially it is more affordable to them as compared to a mortgage.

The couple in their 50s have been moving from one ship to another for around $44 a night each since May 2021.

The deal for them includes accommodation, food, beverages, and all transport.

Reportedly, Angelyn took her first cruise in 1992 and told 7 News about their plans for retirement:

supplied

Our original plan was to stay in different countries for a month at a time and eventually retire to cruise ships as we got older. 

We love to travel and we were searching for a way to continuously travel in our retirement that made financial sense.

Soon the couple did some calculations together and came to the conclusion together that it is actually possible for them to retire early.

This started their journey of looking for deals that could give them loyalty memberships and compared them to the potential sale price of their home.

supplied

After doing some rough calculations, they discovered that if it costs them $88 every night on a cruise ship, that would equate to $32,120 a year.

The average price of a home in Seattle, Washington—where the couple lived—is currently priced at $958,027 with a mortgage that costs around $50,000 a year.

Getty Images

The Burks added that cruising takes the stress out of travel:

I believe this is achievable for the everyday cruiser, but it does take effort. It is leisurely travel without the complications of booking hotels, restaurants, and transportation while staying within our budget.

Now the couple has taken this lifestyle and shared that it is convenient for them to travel lightly with two suitcases and buy items that they urgently need on the ship or in the next port.

Since leaving their jobs, the Burks have been on a 50-day cruise around the Adriatic Sea, as well as a 51-day cruise from Seattle to Sydney, Australia.

supplied

Their favorite destinations include Singapore, Italy, Canada, Iceland, and the Bahamas.