Upworthy

Imagine retiring early and spending the rest of your life on a cruise ship visiting exotic locations, meeting interesting people and eating delectable food. It sounds fantastic, but surely it’s a billionaire’s fantasy, right?Not according to Angelyn Burk, 53, and her husband Richard. They’re living their best life hopping from ship to ship for around $100 a night, depending on the cruise. "Cruise costs vary quite a bit, our goal is to average about $100 per night, for the couple, or less across and entire calendar year," Richard told Upworthy. The Burks have called cruise ships their home since May 2021 and have no plans to go back to their lives as landlubbers. Angelyn took her first cruise in 1992 and it changed her goals in life forever. “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,” Angelyn told 7 News. But a few years back, Angelyn crunched the numbers and realized they could start much sooner than expected.

A couple in their 50s live permanently on a cruise ship because it's cheaper than a mortgage

The first thing I did on Utopia of the Seas was grab two slices of pizza. I was ravenous after traveling all morning, and Sorrento’s, the pizzeria you’ll find on many ships across Royal Caribbean’s fleet, was just steps away from where I was welcomed aboard. As I hunched over my plate of steaming hot cheese and pepperoni, my luggage at my feet, it hit me: My journey on the second-largest cruise ship in the world was already off to a markedly different start than the one I took on the world’s biggest cruise ship six months earlier.

The World’s Two Largest Cruise Ships, Compared by Someone Who’s Been on Both

Technically speaking, cruise ships are just floating hotels that have the added benefit of taking you to all sorts of fun places. They've got all the amenities, activities, and room setups you'd expect, making them a home away from home where you can veg out for days or weeks. There's not much a hotel can offer that a cruise ship can't — except for an Olympic-sized pool, because that might tip the whole thing over. That's just one of the unsettling reasons why you may want to avoid taking a cruise.

The Unsettling Reason Why Cruise Ship Pools Are So Small

If you’ve been on a cruise in the last few years, you might have noticed some stowaways: little rubber ducks nestled in plants, on banisters and doorframes, and peeking out from hard-to-reach spots in elevators and bathrooms. The whimsical bath toys are popping up all over the place on...

The Delightful Reason People Are Hiding Rubber Ducks On Cruise Ships

Ketchikan, AK

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Cruise ship leaves family of 9 stranded in a remote part of Alaska due to tour bus mix-up

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J. Souza

Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, a $1.35 billion behemoth of the sea, has recently been introduced to the world since its maiden voyage on July 19th. The ship, boasting nearly 5,700 passengers and a crew of over 2,200, offers an array of amenities designed to cater to multi-generational families on shorter 3- and 4-day itineraries.

Cruise Passengers Not Happy About Feature on World's Newest Mega Ship

Bed bugs aren't supposed to be part of the all-inclusive package on a cruise vacation. A woman is alleging an unsettling experience aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, claiming she and her family were subjected to a bed bug infestation.

"I Paid $2K for a Bed Bug Cruise": Passenger Shares Royal Caribbean Story & Letter from Cruise Line

Michigan State

When you think of relaxing beaches and beautiful sceneries, Michigan might not be the first place in the world — or even in the United States — that jumps to mind. It's often associated with cold and humid weather, after all. However, there is a lot more to the Wolverine State than people might realize. It's one of the perfect places to gaze at the stars, chill on the beach, and experience nature at its best, such as Isle Royale, a remote national park in the Midwest bursting with adventure.

This Massive Crystal-Clear Lake With White Sandy Beaches Is The Caribbean Of Michigan

Insider

As someone who works on cruises, passengers should avoid spending money on these things, including individual drinks and laundry.

I've worked on cruise ships for years. Here are 6 things passengers should stop wasting money on.

Environmental activists were out in force last weekend in Brittany, France, in opposition to the growing number of cruise ship visits. The Stop Croisières BZH and Extinction Rebellion groups managed to block a cruise ship entering the port of Finistère. Protestors Stop Luxury Cruise Ship Guests from Coming...

Protesters Block Cruise Ship From Docking at Port

Short cruises or not, Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas offers some of the line's best in class features on a brand new ship. Utopia has made headlines for being Royal Caribbean's new party ship and for just offering 3- and 4-night cruises, but those tag lines overlook the things that make the ship stand out.

I spent over a week on Royal Caribbean's new Utopia of the Seas. I was impressed by how much was changed for the world's newest cruise ship.

Florida State

Stuart, FL

What do alligators, Mickey Mouse, and oranges have in common? That's right, Florida. While the Sunshine State is known for all kinds of things, it is now also known for being home to the Best Coastal Small Town in America: Stuart. There are so many timeless things to do in Florida that it can be easy to forget to visit the smaller gems throughout the state. That's especially true for hidden gems that are more off-the-map like this beloved destination.

The Hidden Gem Florida Destination Ranked As The Best Coastal Small Town In America

Carnival Corporation and Grand Turk have released new guidelines for public access to the port when cruise ships are visiting. The changes were made to ensure that all cruise passengers have a safe and enjoyable experience at the port. This new agreement between Carnival Corporation, The Turks & Caicos Islands...

Carnival and Grand Turk Release New Guidelines for Access to the Cruise Port

New Haven, CT

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Herbie J Pilato

He was born on April 2, 1949, in New Haven, Connecticut, and died of a heart attack at only 63 on August 14, 2012, in Palm Beach Gardens. His birth name was Ronald Gabriel Paolillo, but his stage name was Ron Palillo who was best known as Arnold Dingfelder Horshack on TV's hit 1970s sitcom, Welcome Back, Kotter.

The Tragic Death of 'Welcome Back, Kotter' Actor Ron Palillo: A Look Back

Hollywood child stardom has taken its toll on many actors through the decades. Lani O'Grady, for one, found fame in the 1970s on the TV family series, Eight is Enough. O'Grady followed in the footsteps of her brother, actor Don Grady, an original Mouseketeer and member of another popular TV family show: My Three Sons. Their mother, Mary B. Grady, was a talent agent who represented several child actors. But Lani, who would also eventually become an agent, died in 2001 just one week before what would have been her 47th birthday.

TV's 'Eight is Enough' Star Lani O'Grady Found Fame Early in Life but Died a Tragic Death

Actor Buddy Ebsen, who died at age 95 in 2003, found fame by starring in two of the most popular classic television shows in history: The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 1962 to 1971) and Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973 to 1980). On the Hillbillies, he played former Tennessee country mountain-folk-turned-wealthy Beverly Hills resident Jed Clampett. On Barnaby Jones, he was one of TV's most senior, slyest, health-conscious detectives. Ebsen, however, almost became even more famous for a certain big-screen classic film in which he ultimately did not appear.

'Beverly Hillbillies" Actor Buddy Ebsen Was "Bitter" about not playing the Tin Man in 'Wizard of Oz'

South Carolina State

Explore Beaufort SC

The mantis shrimp is one tough customer. Beautiful and deadly are two words you don’t typically use to describe shrimp, but the mantis shrimp is definitely in a class of its own; earning a reputation as the ‘savage boxer of the sea’ and one of the most fearsome creatures in the ocean. And, they're right at home here in South Carolina.

Savage Boxer of the Sea: The Deadly Beauty of Mantis Shrimp

Kate Jackson began her acting career as a silent ghost on TV's classic 1960s gothic daytime drama Dark Shadows but remains alive and well years after two horrific battles with breast cancer. Jackson went on to small screen prime-time stardom on police/detective/crime drama/comedies like The Rookies, Charlie's Angels, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, and more. This is her triumphant story.

'Charlie's Angels' Star Kate Jackson Has Courageously Battled and Conquered Cancer Several Times

New Mexico State

Cruise ships are vacations from hell to the point where, if you’re trapped on one, you might need a vacation from your vacation. What better way to get away while getting away than to get away by train. Suggested Reading. Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas is a brand...

There's a new cruise ship that makes you feel like you're on a train

England's capital city stands out as one of the most visited places in the world, at least for tourism. In 2023, it saw over 20 million visitors (via Statista) crowd in, with the nearly 9 million people who call it home. Sure, some attractions, like London's very own Venice, have managed to stay under the radar. However, for the most part, tourists will have to brace for long queues at the more popular attractions. And you can't avoid those wait times, especially when it comes to the most talked about grub, thanks to London's status as a mecca for foodies.

Avoid London's Crowds And Visit This Vibrant Foodie Gem Known As The UK's Most Underrated City

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The Unexpected Destination Cruise Ships Go To When They 'Die'

Halls once filled with laughter, pools with the sounds of glee, and theaters with their dazzling performers sit empty. Ships, once great mighty wanderers of the...

The Unexpected Destination Cruise Ships Go To When They 'Die'

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