# Would you consider living on a cruise ship for three years? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** vacation-travel\ **Created:** [March 3, 2023, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649 "2023-03-03T13:23:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/181 "2023-03-05T07:27:28Z")
There’s a lot of murder mysteries set on cruise ships. There might be a reason. Just sayin’ ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/182 "2023-03-05T07:44:20Z")
What size are the cabins for the crew? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/183 "2023-03-05T09:06:54Z")
> [@Mortimus](#): > > I don’t recall any overtly drunken behavior on any of our cruises, but keep in mind the median age of the cruisers was probably about 70. Not exactly the party animal demograpic. Still, a bunch of square dancers can make a hell of a racket even when sober 😉 A friend of mind went on a cruise for his honeymoon. It was on a ship that ordinarily had a young and boozy clientele. His particular trip was to go out into the middle of the Pacific to experience a total eclipse so it was all nerds. At the end, one of the crew members told him that that was the only cruise he had served on where they didn’t need to use the brig. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/184 "2023-03-05T11:52:27Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > How often do they change entertainment on these long cruises? Cuz repeating the same band/magician/comedian would be a real snooze. I have some relatives who work on cruise ships as entertainers. A ship will have a permanent staff of stagehands and management and, usually a resident group of dancers. The headline acts are usually on the ship between one port and another. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/185 "2023-03-05T13:36:52Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > The base price for that is $4,800 a month double occupancy, but for single occupancy there is a 20% _discount_ which seems counter intuitive. Why would that be counterintuitive? Presumably, the pricing is per cabin, not per person, so that would work out to $2,400 per person if you’re sharing, but $3,840 if you’re single and occupying it alone. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/186 "2023-03-05T14:03:35Z")
> [@Mortimus](#): > > Still, a bunch of square dancers can make a hell of a racket even when sober I square dance. In fact, I’m writing this from a square dance weekend, between breakfast and the morning dance. The reason they can take over a chunk of facilities is because the organizers can attract a lot of people to pay for the cruise. There are quilting cruises that also take a chunk of facilities, for the same reasons. Lots and lots of specialty cruises out there. The square dancers are probably louder than the quilters, though. ---
**Author:** ![Apodder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apodder/32/17727_2.png) [@Apodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apodder)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/187 "2023-03-05T14:11:05Z")
I’m guessing that base $30K price doesn’t include port fees, taxes, etc., but I haven’t drilled down into it to see. ---
**Author:** ![Apodder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apodder/32/17727_2.png) [@Apodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apodder)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/188 "2023-03-05T14:19:16Z")
Yeah, and I’m curious how often the ship would be in port in a place where my family and friends could get to easily, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/189 "2023-03-05T14:40:08Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > The reason they can take over a chunk of facilities is because the organizers can attract a lot of people to pay for the cruise. There are quilting cruises that also take a chunk of facilities, for the same reasons. Lots and lots of specialty cruises out there. The square dancers are probably louder than the quilters, though. One of the more “interesting” cruises I saw ads for was one for fans of WWE wrestling back in their heyday. It offered lots of fan events, “insider scoops”, wrestlers & their women would be aboard to hobnob with, training exhibitions, etc., etc. I can’t imagine _that_ crowd would be any trouble or make any noise. I’m sure you agree. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/190 "2023-03-05T15:03:24Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Hi folks, Debbie Downer here [checking in:](https://www.popsci.com/environment/why-cruise-ships-are-bad-for-the-environment/) > > > [@](#): > > > > But a water-bound vacation isn’t just a concern for infectious disease—these ships are having a massive effect on the climate. […] > > > > A ship can burn up to 250 tons of fuel [in a single day](https://www.colorado.edu/mechanical/2016/07/25/how-much-fuel-does-cruise-ship-use). Studies have [shown](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928193815.htm) one cruise ship produces roughly the same amount of carbon emissions as 12,000 cars. They’re also poorly regulated. > > > > Even without the risks of COVID, all that fuel can still lead to breathing in unhealthy levels of pollution. Researchers have [found](https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/24/health/cruise-ship-air-quality-report/index.html) the air quality on cruise ships to be extremely poor due to the pollution these ships generate. The conditions are generally equivalent to living in a heavily polluted city. […] > > > > Cruise ships are thought of as luxurious and built for fun, but they’re taking a major toll on the environment. Transitioning them to clean energy is the only solution to this problem if they’re going to continue to exist. > > According to the article, the Hurtigruten company susan mentioned is developing hybrid cruise ships at present. But true sustainability for a massive object that basically hauls around the equivalent of a college campus population and infrastructure, for thousands of miles through a resistant medium largely cut off from access to resources, is not going to be easily achieved. Thank you for pointing this out. I didn’t consider this, but yes that is a major concern. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/191 "2023-03-05T15:38:42Z")
I think because that’s not how prices are usually quoted for inclusive vacations , either cruises or on land. Usually the price given is per person, double occupancy with a “single supplement” added if there is only one person to a room/cabin. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/192 "2023-03-05T16:25:49Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > In contrast their maximum is a 1,270sf suite with a verandah for a mere $28,000 a month, single, 37 month discount. Now you’re talking! ---
**Author:** ![nicky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f0a364/32.png) [@nicky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nicky)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/193 "2023-03-05T16:49:41Z")
Since you can get a mass market cruise inside cabin berth for 100 a day, 80 / per person /day for a three year comittment with a hefty wedge upfront isnt that cheap. Smallest cabins will be 130 square feet Theyll make plenty on booze, excursions, gambling, extras etc The ship is a mediocre middle aged workhorse without fancy facilities or maritime charm What are they going to do about drydock? Pax may save on medicine - the cruise line can pay competitive international prices for meds not US ripoff. Maybe very dull to get stuck with the same fellow passengers for years. Im very sceptical internet will work well enough for a lot of passengers trying to run businesses. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/194 "2023-03-05T21:00:40Z")
> [@nicky](#): > > The ship is a mediocre middle aged workhorse without fancy facilities or maritime charm > > What are they going to do about drydock? > > Pax may save on medicine - the cruise line can pay competitive international prices for meds not US ripoff. > > Maybe very dull to get stuck with the same fellow passengers for years. Did you look up the ship? Your findings don’t surprise me. I’m sure that they’ll take on passengers between ports if they don’t sell out the ship for 3 years, which seems pretty unlikely to me, so you’ll see some new faces at least. Has anyone used ship internet lately? I did quite a while ago, pre-pandemic, and it was awful. I can’t believe it is that much better, and I bet there are limitations on things that you can watch to save bandwidth. And I bet they mark up the drugs real good. Captive audience, after all. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/195 "2023-03-05T21:16:57Z")
Doesn’t CPAC do a cruise? Or did do one? They probably book most of the ship, but, if not, can you imagine being on that one? Only good thing? It wouldn’t last 3 years. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/196 "2023-03-05T21:32:10Z")
OK, it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room: 3-year Doper cruise! We will draw roomies out of a hat. Trivia teams too. Any kerfuffles - take it to the mod cabin. mmm ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/197 "2023-03-05T21:39:01Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > OK, it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room: 3-year Doper cruise! > > We will draw roomies out of a hat. Prime candidate for “greatest number of murders\* that have ever occurred on a cruise ship”! 😁 \* Or fatal bites from highly opinionated Bernese Mountain Dogs! ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/198 "2023-03-05T21:50:22Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Has anyone used ship internet lately? I did quite a while ago, pre-pandemic, and it was awful. I can’t believe it is that much better, and I bet there are limitations on things that you can watch to save bandwidth. It says that they use Star Link so it’s probably considerably better than it was pre-2020. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/199 "2023-03-05T22:02:06Z")
I hosie puzzlegal! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649/200 "2023-03-05T22:30:56Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > > [@Voyager](#): > > > > Has anyone used ship internet lately? I did quite a while ago, pre-pandemic, and it was awful. I can’t believe it is that much better, and I bet there are limitations on things that you can watch to save bandwidth. > > It says that they use Star Link so it’s probably considerably better than it was pre-2020. Pre-2020 really sucked. Saying that Star Link is better might not be saying much. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-consider-living-on-a-cruise-ship-for-three-years/980649.md?page=11)