“It’s much more fun here”: Australian pensioners swapped the almshouse for a trip around the world

Runet became interested in whether domestic pensioners could afford something similar? We have clarified this issue.

According to a message from a cruise tour operator, from whom an elderly couple purchased 51 consecutive cruises lasting from a month to three, elderly passengers have already been living on one of the ships for 500 days – since June 16 last year. On the current ship, which is considered one of the most luxurious cruise ships, Marty and Jess will spend about 8 more months, and then transfer to another, no less luxurious ship, and continue their “cheerful old age.”

“After retiring, we sat down and considered what we could afford for the rest of our lives,” shares the head of the family, Marty, on behalf of the family. – No matter how it sounds, few people live more than 100 years, so we figured that, in the best case scenario, we have as many years left as we can count on our fingers. And at some point we may need, if not care, then certainly au pairs. In our country and age, older people who can afford it often go to nursing homes. But we chose a different path. And you will laugh, but it is cheaper!

Pensioners say that on a cruise ship they are surrounded not by “those who are living out their days,” but by joyful, successful people who have paid a lot of money for such a vacation. Moreover, they change, and elderly spouses constantly live in their floating oasis of comfort, respect and luxury.

“Our cabin is cleaned twice a day, buffet meals three times a day plus snacks around the clock, everything is included in the price of the cruise,” supports my wife Jess. – We don’t have to wash the dishes, make the bed, go to the store or order food delivery. We don’t feel lonely and abandoned, there are about 2 thousand people on each cruise and everyone is interested in us. We offer a swimming pool, tennis, entertainment, stewards, and, if desired, peace and quiet, as the cabins are soundproof. There is a doctor and nutritionist on board, we feel protected and needed. We take part in cruise competitions, dances, concerts – we live life to the fullest!

– These Australian old men are probably very rich people? – I inquired from a domestic tour operator, who before the pandemic specialized in ocean cruises, and now in river cruises within Russia.

– Not necessary. Transatlantic cruises cost from $1 thousand to $10 depending on their duration. Even if we take the maximum, 51 cruises cost the couple $510 thousand, which for Australian retirees, given that they sold their house and receive income in the form of a pension, is not such a large amount. For Russians, this is now almost 51 million rubles, but before the fall of the ruble, this would have been a significant amount for us (taking into account the sale of the apartment). Even now, if older people have good housing in Russian cities and are ready to sell it, life on a cruise is also available to them. In theory.

– But not practically?

– I’m afraid so. And few people will dare to take such risks. Everything in the world is changing. And we, Russians, have special difficulties today caused by sanctions from the West. Cards are blocked, obtaining visas is complicated. It’s easier for Australians in this sense, of course. And it’s unlikely that any of the Russian pensioners will just take it and sail away from their children, grandchildren and their usual life.

– And if someone still wants, can they get a visa?

– Depends on the cruise. If the ship calls at least one port of the Schengen countries, even if it is, for example, islands such as the Canary Islands, then Schengen is required, otherwise you will not even be allowed to board at the port of departure. Also with Britain, even if the liner calls at the port of the British islands, lost in the ocean, you need a British visa. Also with US and Canadian ports. But in countries where Russians are visa-free or have an easier time obtaining a visa on arrival, you don’t have to receive anything in advance.

We check using a survey to see how many of our pensioners are ready for such a drastic change in lifestyle? Here are the answers from those whose retirement is already around the corner:

“I immediately remembered the story of how I met an Australian lawyer on a cruise on Ha Long Bay. She said that for the sake of the trip she refused a profitable client. Her father worked very hard, always dreamed of traveling, but died early, without having time to visit anywhere. She told me: “Travel as much as possible, baby! These are the few things in life that really have meaning!” I would risk it!

– I respect this decision, but I can’t afford it myself. Grandchildren, five whole ones, how will I leave them?

“Here you need to understand the specifics of Australia,” answers an active pensioner who worked in Sydney for five years during his working career. – They have what we call a “nursing home” or even worse, an “almshouse” – in fact, a good hotel with full services, including medical care. And the elderly pay for it themselves, so as not to be bored alone, not to hire nurses and housekeepers, not to spoil the lives of children and to always be in society and under the supervision of doctors. There is no depressive spirit in Australian “almshouses”; only non-poor elderly people can afford a good “shelter” in their old age. I readily believe that it can be more expensive than 51 cruises! And cruising for the rest of your life is definitely more fun!

Here is the opinion of a pensioner who has worked as a therapist all her life:

– Do you know what I feel now? I envy this couple! And mainly their courage! They took it and so elegantly, in one act, solved the problem with the children, so that, if something happened to their health, it would not hang like a stone around their neck in terms of care. And they also cleverly swam away from the annoying requests of the younger generation. You won’t be able to sit with your grandchildren from there, no matter how much you beg! Now I’m thinking too…

Moreover, according to doctors, sea air, peace and positive emotions are the best things that can be recommended at this age. Cruises have no contraindications for those over 80, even in the form of seasickness. It turns out that on giant liners the size of a residential building, on which lucky Marty and Jess are now sailing, even those who are susceptible to motion sickness due to the characteristics of the vestibular apparatus do not get motion sickness.