09/29/2026
They called it “a wonderful life,” with Jess saying, “This is how retirement should be.”
Australian retirees Marty and Jess Ansen began a run of 51 back-to-back cruises aboard Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess on June 16, 2022. By September 2023, they had spent about 455 consecutive days aboard.
The couple said the arrangement was more cost-effective for them than moving into a retirement village or retirement home. On board, their meals were included, their room was cleaned, and they could spend their days enjoying activities, shows, dancing and visits to different destinations.
They said they loved having everyday household chores taken care of. Marty even joked that after so long at sea they had forgotten how to wash up or make a bed. Their plans did not end with the Coral Princess. They intended to spend some time ashore and then take another year-long cruise aboard the Crown Princess.
Their story became an unusual example of continuous cruising as an active retirement lifestyle. But the couple themselves stressed that while it was more cost-effective for them, it might not work for everyone.
