American woman living permanently on cruise ship reveals ‘dark truth’ about how much her cabin costs per year

A woman who permanently resides on a cruise ship has revealed the truth about exactly how much it costs her to live at sea.

For many, a cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime treat, often embarked upon after retirement, when time off is no longer so scarce.

However, some people love it so much they choose to pack up their life on land and move onto a ship full-time, making the most of seeing different parts of the world while having all their needs catered for on board.

Lynnelle, 53, the woman behind the Poverty to Paradise YouTube channel, lives on board a cruise ship – and she’s revealed the “dark truth” about exactly how much it costs her.

Life aboard a cruise ship may sound exciting – but there are some downsides, too. Credit: Michael Dunning / Getty Images

While many imagine it’s all sunshine and scenery – and never having to do your own cleaning or laundry – Lynnelle warns that the reality can be quite different.

She warned that while there are many undeniable perks, there are some downsides too – including living in a small cabin which isn’t all that sound-proof.

And that’s without factoring in the cost, as life on board is far from cheap.

The American revealed that living full time on cruises runs to over $88,000 per year, which includes the fare, taxes, and tips.

If you want to upgrade your living quarters to have a bit more space or some fresh air and get a balcony cabin, that would cost you closer to $103,000 for the year – and that’s before you add in anything you spend on board.

Unsurprisingly, onboard spending can soon add up, with specialty dining, WiFi packages, and things like photos and souvenirs, or anything else you buy on the ship coming at a premium price.

As well as the financial cost, there’s also the practical side of living in a ship’s cabin to consider before packing up your home on land.

Lynnelle revealed that cabins are smaller than you think, and you have to squeeze your whole life into the equivalent of half a bedroom, with the tiny bathrooms feeling closer to the size you’d find in an airplane rather than an apartment.

If you happen to be a light-sleeper or bothered by noise, she warns that the walls are “paper-thin” and she can hear almost everything her neighbors do, including the noise from their televisions, chairs scraping, snoring, and more.

You’d also better have your sea legs as things can get rocky on board, with storms making movement on board unavoidable – and all the cabins feel the effects, no matter where they are located on the ship.

Lynnelle recommended that people avoid routed that sail the Caribbean through hurricane season as this can get particularly rocky, but recommended those thinking of living on board to try cruises throughout different seasons before they commit, to make sure they can cope with it.

If you happen to be an introvert or suffer from social anxiety, cruises can be a pretty overstimulating place to live as you’re constantly in close contact with strangers you pass in elevators, pool decks, dining rooms and hallways, and the only place you can escape is within your small cabin.

Loneliness can also creep in if you’re cruising solo, however, as there can be patchy internet depending where you are, and though you will meet people on board, these friendships can be short-lived as most people will be debarking and going back to their normal lives once the cruise comes to an end.

You may also worry what happens in the case of a medical accident or emergency – and it should come as no surprise that a doctor’s visit also comes with a hefty price tag.

While onboard medical care is available, Lynnelle revealed that it’s very costly to see a doctor, with her once having paid $150 to be seen for an ear infection. Should the emergency be more than the onboard medics can handle, that may mean coming off the ship and being treated at a nearby location.

Much of the additional costs come from the fact that people are pretty much restricted to paying the prices of things on board as they are unable to leave the ship except for stops at different destinations, so the bill can quickly add up.

However, if money is not an object and you don’t require a vast amount of space, and can put up with noisy neighbors as a trade off for waking up in a different exotic destination every few days, then cruise life can be a dream option for many.