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Cruise passengers across the Caribbean faced widespread disruption after US military action in Venezuela prompted temporary airspace restrictions, grounding hundreds of flights and affecting multiple cruise homeports at the height of the winter season.

The situation unfolded after an overnight US operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, triggering heightened military activity in the region.

The Federal Aviation Administration imposed temporary restrictions on US airline operations to and from parts of the Caribbean, citing safety-of-flight risks.

Although the restrictions applied to aviation rather than maritime operations, the knock-on effect for cruise travel was immediate, with embarkation and disembarkation severely disrupted at key ports including San Juan in Puerto Rico and Bridgetown in Barbados.

P&O Cruises’ Arvia Forced to Alter Turnaround Plans

UK holidaymakers sailing with P&O Cruises were among the most visibly affected. Onboard Arvia, the ship’s captain addressed guests with an announcement explaining that US military action had led to airspace restrictions and the cancellation of several flights.

He confirmed that TUI, P&O Cruises’ airline partner, had cancelled five flights scheduled to operate from Barbados, while two Norse-operated flights would still depart, albeit with delays.

Guests booked on Norse flights were instructed to leave the ship later that evening, while those booked on TUI flights were required to remain onboard overnight.

“This is the captain speaking with an important update regarding flights from San Juan and Barbados today. Now for those guests who just returned on board. you may be aware that overnight the United States forces launched attack into Venezuela.

“Well, when events like this occur air space restrictions can be put in place for a period of time. As a result, our airline partner TUI are not operating into Barbados today as planned, and therefore five flights have been cancelled. The two flights operated by Norse will go ahead albeit somewhat delayed, and those guests booked on Norse flights will now leave Arvia at 6:00 and 6:30 this evening…

“Well you might ask why Norse and not TUI? Well, when fight restrictions are put in place, airlines undertake their own risk assessment, and on this occasion TUI have decided to delay their flights to the region including Barbados. Now because of this, those guests who were booked on TUI flights will now remain onboard Arvia overnight.

“Your onward flight arrangements are still being worked through with our head office and travel partner airlines and I will update you tomorrow as the picture becomes more clear. Whilst many of you will be able to return to your original cabin, some guests will relocated to new cabins…

“The hotel team on board are working tirelessly to reassign these cabins and will set up later this afternoon when new cruise cards and cabin keys will be issued to you. The TUI flight luggage is being returned from the airport and will be redistributed to your newly assigned cabin.

“Again, this is a huge logistical challenge, and will take some time before it finally arrives in your cabin. Well I have to say that this is an unprecedented situation beyond our control but I do appreciate how frustrating this will be to many of you. Until your new cabin arrangements are available I would ask that you just remain within the company of the public rooms or enjoy the comfort of the open decks.

“The reception team have no further information regarding the TUI flight situation so please do not go along to the reception desk. Arvia will sail from this birth at about 11 o’clock tonight and will spend the day at sea tomorrow. As Captain, only I will be able to update you with further information or developments. Thank you.“

Captain Robert Camby’s full statement

Arvia subsequently departed Barbados late that night for a sea day. It has since been reported that the ship will return to Barbados after the sea day to disembark TUI passengers and collect guests whose flights had been delayed.

San Juan Airport Shutdown Strands Tens of Thousands

The most severe disruption occurred in Puerto Rico, where Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport confirmed a temporary closure following an FAA security order. Local media reported that more than 300 flights were cancelled in a single day, leaving over 48,000 passengers stranded.

San Juan is one of the Caribbean’s busiest cruise homeports, and the shutdown affected thousands of guests either attempting to embark on cruises or return home at the end of their holidays.

Airports across the region reported similar issues, including those in Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Barbados, Antigua, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic and Bonaire. Several airports confirmed that flights involving US-registered aircraft were particularly affected.

Cruise Lines Delay Departures and Adjust Itineraries

Several cruise lines responded by delaying sailings or adjusting itineraries to give stranded passengers additional time to reach their ships.

Princess Cruises delayed the departure of Grand Princess from San Juan, extending the ship’s stay in port to allow guests impacted by cancelled flights to embark once air travel resumed. The decision meant the ship would miss its scheduled call at St. Thomas and sail directly to St. Kitts instead.

Princess said affected guests would receive a prorated refund equivalent to one day of their cruise fare, including taxes, fees and any packages purchased for that day. Passengers unable to reach the ship were advised to contact the cruise line’s En Route Assistance Team.

Windstar Cruises confirmed that turnaround operations for Wind Surf and Wind Spirit were impacted due to airport closures in St. Maarten and Barbados. The cruise line secured berths to delay departures, allowing both ships to sail a day later than planned.

Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages proceeded with scheduled sailings from San Juan, despite some guests being unable to embark or disembark as planned. Jewel of the Seas and Valiant Lady both completed voyages in the port while passengers struggled to find onward flights.

Itinerary Changes to Avoid Venezuelan Coastline

Safety concerns also prompted itinerary changes. Virgin Voyages altered Valiant Lady’s planned route, cancelling calls at Aruba and Curaçao because of their proximity to Venezuela’s coastline. The ship instead visited Barbados and St Lucia.

The cruise line said the decision was taken after close coordination with government officials, stressing that passenger and crew safety remained the top priority.

Guests scheduled for shore excursions in Aruba and Curaçao were notified of cancellations, with further updates promised as the situation developed. Other ships with upcoming calls to those ports are continuing to monitor developments closely.

Airlines Cancel Hundreds of Flights and Waive Fees

Major US airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, Frontier and Spirit Airlines, cancelled hundreds of flights in response to the FAA restrictions.

Many carriers waived change and cancellation fees for passengers travelling to or from affected airports on January 3 and 4.

Despite the eventual lifting of restrictions, airline analysts warned that full recovery would take time due to the backlog of stranded passengers across the Caribbean.

Restrictions Lifted but Disruption Continues

Late on Saturday, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that Caribbean airspace restrictions would expire at midnight Eastern Time, allowing commercial flights to resume. Airlines were informed of the change and began adjusting schedules, although passengers were advised to continue working directly with their carriers.

The FAA also issued security notices advising caution for non-US airlines operating near Venezuelan airspace, while British carriers were warned of potential risks linked to anti-aircraft weaponry and heightened military activity within 100 miles of Venezuela.

Although airspace has reopened, cruise lines and passengers alike are bracing for continued disruption as airlines work through delays and cruise schedules are rebalanced. Cruise operators have urged guests to remain patient, monitor official updates and contact airlines directly, warning that call volumes remain significantly higher than normal.

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The United States Coast Guard has suspended search efforts for a cruise guest who went overboard from Nieuw Statendam, after an extensive operation failed to locate the missing passenger.

The decision was confirmed late on Thursday, 1st January 2025, with the Coast Guard stating the search has been paused “pending the development of new information”.

“Cruise ship personnel and USCG crews searched for approximately 8 hours over 690 square miles,” the Coast Guard’s Southeast Sector said in an update shared on social media.

The incident occurred while the ship was sailing roughly 40 miles northeast of Sabana, Cuba.

As well as a coast guard boat and helicopter conducting the search, Nieuw Statendam also remained in the area for most of the day, carrying out repeated zig-zag search patterns along its previous track where the overboard was confirmed.

Guest Confirmed Overboard After CCTV Review

The emergency response began early in the day after multiple announcements were made onboard asking the missing guest to report to Guest Services.

When she could not be located, the situation escalated into a full overboard response.

In a statement, Holland America Line confirmed that security footage showed the incident.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm that while sailing in waters north of Cuba, a guest on Nieuw Statendam went overboard earlier today,” the cruise line said. “A review of closed-circuit cameras shows the guest alone on the ship’s third deck appearing to go overboard intentionally.”

The Coast Guard later confirmed the guest was a 77-year-old woman. No further personal details have been released to protect the privacy of her family and travelling companions. Holland America Line’s family assistance team is providing support to those affected.

Ship Resumes Itinerary After Search Ends

As daylight faded, with sunset in the area at around 5.30pm, Nieuw Statendam was released from search duties and instructed to resume her voyage back towards Port Everglades.

The ship had been scheduled to call at Key West, Florida on Friday, 2nd January, but that port visit was been cancelled. Instead, the final day of the seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise was spent at sea, with the vessel returning to Fort Lauderdale as planned on Saturday, 3rd January.

Nieuw Statendam is a Pinnacle-class ship capable of carrying 2,666 guests at double occupancy and more than 4,100 guests when fully booked. Holiday sailings such as New Year cruises typically operate close to maximum capacity.

The ship is currently homeported in Fort Lauderdale through early April, after which she will reposition to Europe for a summer season featuring British Isles, Arctic Circle and Baltic Capitals itineraries from Dover and Rotterdam.

She is scheduled to return to Florida in December for another Caribbean winter season.

Why Overboard Searches Are So Challenging

When a potential overboard incident is reported, cruise lines follow strict procedures, including headcounts, cabin checks and rapid review of CCTV footage. If an overboard is confirmed, maritime authorities are alerted immediately.

Many modern cruise ships are equipped with man overboard detection systems that use cameras, motion sensors and alarms. However, even with advanced technology, locating a person in open water remains extremely difficult.

Large ships can travel several miles before they are able to safely slow, turn and return to the suspected location. Currents, waves and wind can then move a person far from the original point of entry, rapidly expanding the search area.

The Coast Guard has emphasised that suspended searches can be resumed if credible new information becomes available.

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A Carnival Cruise Line passenger has been taken into custody after authorities discovered disturbing content on his mobile phone while he was passing through US Customs following a cruise.

The man, identified as Anthony Ridings, had recently disembarked Carnival’s Mardi Gras when he was stopped by US Customs and Border Protection officers during routine processing.

Agents reportedly had concerns that Ridings may have been in possession of illegal material involving children.

However, when officers examined the device, they instead discovered multiple videos allegedly depicting adults engaging in sexual acts with animals, which constitutes animal abuse under Florida law.

Investigation Triggered After Cruise Disembarkation

Authorities have not publicly disclosed how Ridings initially came to their attention. Law enforcement officials note that cruise ships can detect and flag illegal downloads made while guests are connected to onboard WiFi systems, which may alert investigators once a ship returns to a US port.

“Ridings was stopped by our friends at Customs and Border Patrol regarding possible possession of child p— on his cellphone…” said Wayne Ivey in a statement posted on social media.

“However when Agents looked at the videos, they didn’t find videos of child p—, but instead downloaded videos of adults engaging in sexual activities with dogs,” Ivey continued.

Following the discovery, Agent Josh Strait from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit responded to Port Canaveral to conduct interviews and begin a formal investigation.

During questioning, Ridings allegedly told investigators that the videos were intended to “shock” his friends.

Arrest Made After Forensic Review

While the exact sailing has not been confirmed, Ridings is believed to have disembarked Mardi Gras in Port Canaveral on 27th December 2025, when the Excel-class ship was turning around between Caribbean itineraries.

Ridings was not immediately arrested. His phone was first examined by a digital forensics unit to determine whether additional illegal material was present.

“Ridings was not taken into custody at the onset of the investigation as Agent Straight was having the cellphone examined by our Digital Forensics Unit for additional evidence of the criminal activity,” Sheriff Ivey explained.

Following that review, an arrest warrant was issued.

Ridings was arrested on New Year’s Eve in Daytona Beach and remains in custody. He is currently being held on a bond set at $300,000.

Public Reaction and Cruise Line Response

News of the arrest has sparked strong reactions online, with many expressing relief that the investigation led to charges and calling for further action against anyone involved in the creation of the videos.

“This world sure has a lot of sick people in it. Glad he’s in jail,” one commenter wrote.

Sheriff Ivey also addressed the case bluntly in his statement: “C’mon man, who in their right mind would want to look at or show his buddies that kind of disgusting, sick, vile, demented videos?”

As with all criminal cases, Ridings is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Carnival Cruise Line has not issued a public statement regarding the incident, though the company has a long-standing policy of cooperating fully with law enforcement investigations when requested.

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What was meant to be a high-energy New Year celebration at sea took an unexpected turn aboard MSC Preziosa, when severe winds forced crew members to abruptly halt an outdoor performance and rush guests to safety.

The incident unfolded in the early hours of 2nd January 2026, as Brazilian DJ DJ Alok was performing a live set on the ship’s open decks.

MSC Preziosa, a 139,072-gross-ton Fantasia-class vessel, encountered rapidly worsening weather conditions while sailing back to Santos, São Paulo, following a four-night New Year cruise.

As gusts intensified, ship security stopped the show and instructed guests to leave the open decks and move indoors, in line with standard maritime safety procedures.

Guests Rushed Indoors as Conditions Deteriorated

Footage shared on social media by passenger and influencer Francisco Garcia shows guests and crew struggling against powerful winds as they hurried inside.

The situation appeared chaotic, with loose objects moving across the deck and security staff shouting instructions over the noise of the gusts.

“It was us running everywhere, and security getting the people out and yelling ‘let’s go, get down, get down, get down’ and things flying,” Garcia said while describing the moment.

Strong winds at sea can pose serious risks, particularly on open decks. Sudden gusts can slam doors, shift deck furniture and create wind tunnel effects that increase the risk of falls or injuries. In extreme cases, conditions can also raise concerns about passengers being swept off balance near railings.

Brief Tilt Sparks Passenger Alarm

Adding to the tension, some guests reported that MSC Preziosa briefly tilted as the ship was hit by the strongest gusts. For a number of passengers, the sensation was alarming.

“The vessel started to tilt… a woman passed by me, I said, ‘What is it woman? What is happening?’ She said ‘The vessel is capsizing,’” Garcia recalled.

While the moment was unsettling, modern cruise ships are designed with advanced stability systems and powerful stabilisers. A temporary list caused by wind or waves is not uncommon and does not mean a ship is in danger of tipping over.

The tilt reportedly lasted only a short time before the bridge team adjusted course and stabilised the vessel.

No Injuries as Crew Praised for Response

Despite the dramatic conditions, no injuries were reported. Aside from spilled drinks and a few items knocked over, there was no damage to the ship.

Once conditions improved, celebrations were able to resume and DJ Alok later continued his performance.

Many guests subsequently praised the crew for their calm and decisive handling of the situation, highlighting the effectiveness of the ship’s safety protocols.

Stormy Weather Near Brazilian Coast

At the time of the incident, MSC Preziosa was approaching Santos to disembark guests from the New Year sailing, which had embarked on 29th December 2025. The region was experiencing unstable weather, with forecasts calling for heavy thunderstorms.

Brazil’s Defesa Civil had issued warnings for the São Paulo state, advising of strong winds, lightning, heavy rain and the possibility of hail affecting coastal areas, including the Baixada Santista region near Santos.

While the conditions felt extreme to many onboard, experienced bridge teams continuously monitor weather data and are trained to manage sudden changes. In this case, MSC Preziosa arrived in Santos safely and on schedule.

The ship completed disembarkation without further incident and has since departed with a new set of guests for a short three-night cruise, bringing an eventful New Year voyage to a safe conclusion.

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A Christmas cruise meant to offer festive cheer instead became an unpleasant experience for some guests aboard Celebrity Eclipse, after a gastrointestinal illness outbreak was reported during the holiday sailing.

The outbreak occurred on the ship’s eight-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, which departed Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, 20th December 2025, and returned on Sunday, 28th December.

The sailing included visits to Antigua, St Maarten, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 95 guests out of 3,042 onboard reported symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

Nine crew members from a total complement of 1,235 also reported similar symptoms. The figures represent 3.1% of guests and 0.7% of crew, crossing the CDC’s mandatory reporting threshold of 3% for passengers.

The ship was able to complete its itinerary as planned and has already departed on its next cruise, with no delays reported.

CDC Notification and Onboard Response

The outbreak was formally reported to the CDC once Celebrity Eclipse returned to Fort Lauderdale. The case numbers reflect illnesses reported across the entire voyage, meaning passengers may have fallen ill on different days rather than all at once.

In response, the ship’s crew implemented enhanced sanitation and containment measures to reduce the risk of further spread.

These included increased cleaning and disinfection of public areas, isolating guests and crew who reported symptoms, and collecting samples for laboratory testing to determine the cause of the illness.

While the specific causative agent has not yet been identified, most gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships are linked to viruses such as norovirus, which spread easily through contact with contaminated surfaces or person-to-person interaction.

Health authorities note that frequent handwashing, particularly after using the toilet and before eating, remains one of the most effective ways for guests to protect themselves. Avoiding unnecessary contact with high-touch surfaces such as railings, lift buttons and buffet utensils can also help reduce transmission.

Part of a Wider Pattern in 2025

The outbreak aboard Celebrity Eclipse was the only reported incident involving a Celebrity Cruises ship in 2025, but it is the 22nd gastrointestinal outbreak recorded across all cruise lines in that year.

Most outbreaks reported to the CDC in 2025 were attributed to norovirus, although some did not have a confirmed cause. Other identified agents this year have included E. coli and ciguatera poisoning.

The most recent outbreak prior to this incident occurred aboard AIDAdiva in late November and early December, when 114 guests and crew were affected by norovirus.

Despite persistent misconceptions, cruise ships are not inherently prone to illness. Hundreds of voyages sailed in 2025 without any reported outbreaks, and incidents have occurred across vessels of all sizes and brands, from luxury operators to large mainstream cruise lines.

Before the Christmas sailing on Celebrity Eclipse, the last outbreak reported to the CDC involving Celebrity Cruises occurred in May 2024 aboard Celebrity Summit, when 78 guests and crew were affected by norovirus.

While falling ill on any holiday is unfortunate, cruise health experts emphasise that swift reporting, isolation and sanitation measures remain highly effective in limiting the impact of onboard outbreaks.

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An expedition cruise aboard Coral Adventurer has been disrupted after the ship ran aground off the east coast of Papua New Guinea, marking the latest incident in a difficult period for the vessel.

The grounding occurred early on Saturday morning, 27th December 2025, near Dreghafen Point, between Nussing Island and Kumbam Island. The location is approximately 60 miles from Lae, Papua New Guinea’s second-largest city.

Coral Adventurer had departed Cairns, Australia on Thursday, 18th December for a 12-night cruise along the Papua New Guinea coastline. Local authorities were alerted shortly before 6 am after the 5,536-gross-ton ship became stuck, with strong local currents believed to have contributed to the incident.

There are 80 passengers and 44 crew members onboard. The cruise line has confirmed that no injuries have been reported.

“All passengers and crew are safe,” a spokesperson for Coral Expeditions said.

Refloating Efforts and Inspections Underway

Plans are now in place to refloat the ship, with efforts being carefully coordinated around tidal conditions to provide natural assistance. Once the vessel is freed, a full inspection of the hull will be carried out.

“An initial inspection indicates no damage to the vessel,” Coral Expeditions said. “The incident has been reported to authorities and will undergo further official inspections to the hull and marine environment as a standard procedure.”

As part of those checks, authorities will assess the surrounding marine environment for any potential fuel leaks or damage to nearby coral reefs.

At this stage, there is no confirmed timeline for when Coral Adventurer may resume her itinerary.

The ship was scheduled to return to Cairns for disembarkation on Tuesday, 30th December. If refloating efforts are delayed or repairs are required, alternative arrangements may need to be made for guests, and future sailings could also be affected.

Incident Comes After Recent Passenger Tragedy

The grounding follows a deeply troubling incident earlier in the ship’s season. In late October, an 80-year-old passenger, Suzanne Rees, died after being left behind during a shore excursion on Lizard Island in Queensland.

Rees had been travelling solo and joined a guided hike during the first port visit of what was intended to be a 60-night circumnavigation of Australia. She reportedly separated from the group to rest and did not return to the ship before it departed.

Once her absence was discovered, Coral Adventurer returned to Lizard Island and search operations were launched. Rees was later found deceased some distance from the hiking trail.

In the aftermath, the remainder of the voyage was cancelled and guests were flown home on chartered flights. At the time, the cruise line said it could no longer deliver the experience guests had expected.

“It was increasingly apparent, given the circumstances of the last week, that we could not deliver on this promise,” said Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield when confirming the cancellation.

The 18th December departure marked Coral Adventurer’s first sailing since that earlier voyage was cut short.

Why Groundings Can Happen on Expedition Cruises

While cruise ship groundings are rare, they are more likely to occur on expedition vessels that operate close to shore and in less-charted waters.

Submerged reefs, shifting sandbanks and changing currents can all pose navigational challenges, particularly in remote regions. Smaller ships may also be more vulnerable to strong currents or weather conditions than larger cruise vessels.

A similar incident occurred in September 2023, when the expedition ship Ocean Explorer ran aground in a remote fjord in eastern Greenland. That vessel remained stuck for three days before being freed during high tide.

As authorities continue to assess the situation in Papua New Guinea, attention remains focused on safely refloating Coral Adventurer and determining whether the ship can return to service without further disruption.

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While details of what happened are limited, a viral video shows a child being pulled from the water alongside Carnival Sunrise, shortly followed by a woman.

It isn’t clear what happened although a caption on the video claims that the woman is the child’s mother, and that she jumped into the water to rescue her child.

A Brave Rescue

The video is filmed on a neighbouring cruise ship at Celebration Key, and it starts with the rescue already underway.

Crew members are frantically keeping watch over the side of the ship, with a life ring thrown in to help them, while more crew members arrive with a ladder to hang over the side of the pier.

The child is shortly brought up, before being handed to presumably another family member and wrapped up for warmth. Soon after, the woman – understandably emotional – makes it back onto the pier herself, and is hugged by other members of her travelling party.

Onlookers can be heard applauding the efforts of the rescued guests and the crew, with shouts of encouragement and congratulations once the rescue was successful.

While there’s no official confirmation of what happened, it seems likely that the child fell off the edge of the pier before their parent jumped in to help keep them safe until rescue.

And despite there being no official statement on the condition of either the child or the adult, both seemed to be without serious injury, though the onboard medical teams will no doubt have assessed them further.

Similar Pier And Overboard Incidents

While dramatic, this type of incident is not entirely without precedent, particularly when ships are docked and guests are moving between the pier and the vessel.

In November 2025, a cruise passenger received an unscheduled swim after falling from the pier beside a ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line during an unexpected call to Nassau. The ship had originally been scheduled to visit Great Stirrup Cay, but rough seas made tendering unsafe, forcing a diversion to the Bahamian capital.

As guests were returning to the ship that afternoon, a man reportedly lost his footing and fell into the narrow gap between the pier and the hull – an area lined with floating rubber fenders designed to protect both structures.

Videos shared online showed the man clinging to a life ring as bystanders shouted for help, before crew members arrived with a ladder and pulled him safely from the water within moments.

There were no reports of injury, and it was never confirmed whether the individual was a passenger, crew member, or port worker. Witnesses suggested he either slipped from the dock or misjudged his step while approaching the gangway.

More serious, though far rarer, are true overboard incidents at sea. In June 2025, a five-year-old girl fell approximately 50 feet from Deck 4 of a ship operated by Disney Cruise Line during a Bahamas sailing, prompting her father to immediately jump in after her.

A subsequent police investigation revealed the child had been asked to pose for a photo in front of an open porthole window that was not fitted with glass or plexiglass.

The mother mistakenly believed the opening was sealed, and the child fell straight through. Surveillance footage corroborated the parents’ statements, and the ship’s crew launched an immediate man overboard response.

Both father and daughter were rescued within an hour. While prosecutors described the mother’s actions as negligent, they concluded the circumstances did not meet the threshold for criminal culpable negligence, and no charges were filed.

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A US-based IT professional has revealed that he now spends most of the year living onboard a cruise ship, claiming the lifestyle works out to be comparable in cost to paying rent and household bills on land.

Ryan Gutridge, a cloud solutions engineer from Florida, says he spends around 300 days a year sailing aboard Royal Caribbean ships, primarily Freedom of the Seas, after realising the numbers made financial sense.

Gutridge, who had worked remotely since 2012, said the shift towards fully remote work during the pandemic gave him the confidence to test whether his job could be done reliably at sea.

Trial Cruises Turn Into Long-Term Lifestyle

In 2021, Gutridge booked two four-night cruises on Freedom of the Seas, both sailing in September, as a trial run to see if onboard WiFi and connectivity would support his workload.

He later told Insider that the short cruises were designed to test whether he could realistically “take my job with me on a short cruise” and still work effectively.

After crunching the numbers, Gutridge calculated that spending roughly 300 nights a year onboard worked out “almost neck-and-neck” with the cost of his rent back home. Once drinks, internet access and meals were factored in, the cruise lifestyle became increasingly appealing.

He set himself a base cruise budget of around $30,000, or approximately £22,000, per year. With his cruise fare covering WiFi, drinks and most meals, he found his day-to-day expenses were lower than when living on land.

“My drinks and internet are free,” Gutridge said.

Loyalty Perks Make Cruises Even Cheaper

By committing to one cruise line rather than switching between brands, Gutridge has also benefited from Royal Caribbean’s loyalty programme, which provides additional perks as guests move up the tiers.

“If people are going to do something like what I do, I recommend trying different brands because they all offer something different,” he explained. “But once you commit to one, you should stick to it so you reach those loyalty levels.”

“I found that Royal Caribbean has, by far, the most valuable benefits to me – discounts, free internet, and free drinks.”

Beyond the financial benefits, Gutridge says the lifestyle offers obvious perks, including constant travel and access to entertainment, dining and destinations that would otherwise require separate holidays.

A Growing Trend Among Long-Term Cruisers

Gutridge is far from alone. A small but growing number of people have sold most of their possessions and opted to live onboard cruise ships for extended periods, sometimes moving from sailing to sailing throughout the year.

Those who have embraced the lifestyle often acknowledge a few downsides. Food can become repetitive over time, and building long-term friendships can be challenging when most fellow passengers are only onboard for a week or two.

Even so, many long-term cruisers agree on one thing: when accommodation, utilities, food and entertainment are combined, life at sea can be surprisingly competitive with the cost of living on dry land.

For Gutridge, the equation is simple. As long as he can work remotely and enjoy the journey, the ship has become his home.

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