Couple book 51 cruises back-to-back on epic retirement vacation: ‘It’s a wonderful life!’

A couple has taken retirement to a new level by embarking on an endless vacation – 51 consecutive cruises.
Marty and Jess Ansen are enjoying their golden years by circumnavigating the globe, already spending an impressive 455 days aboard Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess – with no intention of stopping.
The Australian pair argue that it’s a more cost-effective alternative to a retirement home, given that their meals are provided and their room is cleaned daily.
In an interview with A Current Affair, Marty described their lifestyle as “wonderful life” and explained that they embarked on this journey to “see the world, meet these people and make lifelong friends.” He added that they’ve forgotten how to do dishes or make a bed since they’ve grown accustomed to the staff handling these tasks.
Their tenure on the ship surpasses that of some crew members, who affectionately refer to them as a ‘second mom and dad’ whom they visit when they return to work. Marty and Jess have also gained a certain fame in the cruise world, with fellow passengers recognizing them and inquiring with the crew if they’re onboard.
The decision to embark on a continuous holiday was made post-Covid, when the couple was eager to travel again after being homebound for years. “Eventually I said to my agent, ‘Look, whatever comes, book it’ and that’s how it got to be such a long cruise,” Marty shared.
The couple has no plans of docking anytime soon – they have another global cruise lined up, this time aboard a different vessel, the Crown Princess.
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Despite the sadness of parting ways with people they’ve met, the couple still manages to see their friends and family by planning visits around the ports where the ship is stopping.
While the idea of spending years on a cruise may not appeal to everyone, it’s not as rare as one might think. In recent years, cruise lines have been introducing long-term itineraries that sell out quickly, with some passengers booking for the entire duration, while others choose only a few legs of the journey.
In fact, one cruise ship is setting sail on a three-year itinerary. Miray Cruises, creators of Life at Sea Cruises, is launching an extensive three-year-long cruise this November.
Visiting 148 countries across seven continents, they claim it’s the first cruise of its kind – and it’s been so popular that the company had to find a larger ship to accommodate all the vacationers who have signed up. The all-inclusive trip dubbed as a “cruise around the world” costs from $87,720 per person.