We sold our homes and everything in them to live on cruise ships – we’ve figured out a system to afford it
Two sisters sold their houses and everything in them when they reached retirement age to fulfill their dreams of exploring the world on a cruise ship.
Jo Johnston, 69, and Elaine Durham, 63, took the opportunity to fulfill their dream of spending most of their time on the ocean, especially since they were single and retired.
Together they have spent more than 1,500 days at sea, even though they do not always travel together.
“I continued to take longer cruises – 30 days, then 45, then 80, and learned that I liked long stretches at sea,” Johnston said. Business insider.
Johnston was the first to embark on this major life change, selling her home in 2014.
Jo Johnston, 69, (back) and Elaine Durham, 63, (front) took the opportunity to fulfill their dream of spending most of their time on the ocean, especially as single and retired. They sold their houses and valuable properties to make this possible
Her current trip is a 53-day round trip to Japan, starting September 1 from Gig Harbor, Washington (stock image)
She told the outlet that the only things she kept were the essentials, including financial records and a few items of sentimental value that she keeps in a storage unit.
Durham followed her sister’s example in 2022 and held an estate sale where she sold 98 percent of her belongings, with the exception of some personal items and photos of her children.
Durham told the outlet that the lifestyle is feasible for her because she has been debt-free for 20 years and she makes sure to keep track of the numbers at the end of each year to keep her spending in check.
Johnston has a blog called Writer on deck where she writes about her sea travels.
Her current trip is a 53-day round trip to Japan, departing September 1 from Gig Harbor, Washington.
This was her third time going to Japan. This trip, she planned to visit 14 different Japanese ports and visit iconic locations such as Nagasaki and Osaka, where she toured their lush gardens and shrines.
Together the sisters have spent more than 1,500 days at sea, even though they do not always travel together
Johnston has a blog called Writer on Deck, where she writes about her sea travels
Cruising on the 53-day Holland America Majestic Japan costs $11,962, including taxes, fees and port fees.
The end of this year is full of sea voyages, which will continue until May. The 69-year-old is headed for a Mediterranean cruise in November and December, the Caribbean during the holidays and the 124-day World Tour 2025.
The Mediterranean cruise costs approximately $5,200 for 42 days. The Caribbean Holiday cruise is a seven-day voyage and starts at $999. For the luxurious World Voyage, prices start at $22,354.
The associated price of the remaining costs of her travels on the World Voyage 2024 and the Ultimate Alaska is $33,853.
In total, Johnston has spent $52,000 this year – minus the 2025 World Tour.
The 69-year-old sold her home in Plano, Texas for $355,000 — $4,000 less than the original asking price, according to public records.
If she were to consistently spend the $52,000 she spent this year over the nine years since she sold everything, that cost would be $468,000.
But there is a way to go over budget.
Cruising on the 53-day Holland America Majestic Japan costs $11,962 – including taxes, fees and port fees. The trip includes a visit to Japan’s 14 ports
The associated price of the remaining costs of her travels on the World Voyage 2024 and the Ultimate Alaska is $33,853. In total, Johnston spent $52,000 this year – minus the 2025 World Tour (stock image)
Although the base cost of all those trips would be $52,000, Johnson and Durham said they are stretching their budget by earning and using loyalty benefits they saved by using Holland America exclusively, to the point where they get free food and laundry.
In fact, Johnston said, living on cruise ships is more economically efficient than maintaining a home.
‘There was a time when I had a big house with a swimming pool and three cars. Without all that, I have a lot more money to spend on travelling.’
Choosing cheaper rooms is another way Johnston saves money by choosing not to purchase an ocean view.
During her 2024 trip to Alaskashe opted for a cabin that overlooked the ship’s tender, instead of an ocean view and a balcony. She wrote that this was a compromise to get some light in her room without paying higher costs.
Although the base cost of all those trips would be $52,000, Johnson and Durham said they are stretching their budget by earning and using loyalty benefits they saved by using Holland America exclusively, to the point where they get free food and laundry.
Johnston wrote, “Sure, I’d prefer a veranda cabin, but since this ship is quite full, the upsell Holland America offered for it was more than I wanted to pay. It’s one of those compromises that allows me to spend most of the year at sea.’
In a blog post titled The Economics of Cruising Economically, Johnston said a year after selling her house, “If you want to cruise more by spending less on each trip, you can still have a great time.” Adopt the same attitude as at home and take costs into account.
‘Explore the ports yourself. Avoid the casino (or budget a little every day). Take an internet break. Settle for water instead of soda once or twice a day.
‘Enjoy soaking in the hot tub instead of indulging in an expensive massage. And remind yourself that you can save a lot for the next cruise with the money you don’t spend on this one.”