Can You Be Too Old to Live on a Cruise Ship?

by Chris and Michael from ChartingOurCourse.com

One of the most frequent questions we encounter, both online and on the ship, revolves around a single, sensitive topic: age. People ask, "Am I too old to do this? Is this lifestyle just for the young, or is it turning into a retirement home at sea?" With Michael recently celebrating his 62nd birthday, this conversation feels more relevant to us than ever.

The simple answer? You’re asking the wrong question.

According to us, Chris and Michael, after living this life firsthand, we’ve learned that readiness for residential cruising has very little to do with your chronological age. We’ve met 75-year-olds who can run circles around us and 45-year-olds who might struggle with the realities of this lifestyle.

It’s not about age. It’s about your SCORE. We developed this framework to help people assess their suitability for life at sea based on what truly matters. You can access the tool and see how you perform on it here:
https://chartingourcourse.com/residential-cruising-scorecard...

What is Your SCORE?

SCORE is an acronym for five key areas you should evaluate before committing to a life of residential cruising: Stability, Capital, Outgoingness, Resilience, and External Ties. Let’s break it down.

S is for Stability (Your Health)

This is the bedrock of your ability to enjoy life at sea. Your physical and mental health dictates your capacity to live independently and handle the unique demands of global travel.

Ask yourself:

• How is your overall health? On a scale of 1-10, are you managing well?
• Do you have chronic conditions? If so, are they easily managed with medication you can access worldwide, or do you require frequent specialist visits or complex treatments?
• Can you handle emergencies? Life at sea requires a baseline of physical mobility. Could you put on a life vest quickly or get into a lifeboat if needed?
• Are you prepared for physical challenges? As Michael recently experienced in Asia, extreme heat and humidity can be taxing. Being aware of your physical limits is crucial.

C is for Capital (Your Finances)

Financial readiness goes far beyond just affording the cabin and monthly fees. It's about having a buffer for the unpredictability of life. A solid financial plan provides peace of mind.

Key financial questions include:

• Can you afford the unexpected? What if you need a last-minute flight home for a family emergency, costing thousands of dollars?
• Is your healthcare covered? Do you have robust international health insurance and medical evacuation insurance? These are non-negotiable. For more information on navigating travel finances, check out our post on managing your money while traveling the world.
• Do you have a contingency fund? A healthy savings account, separate from your travel budget, is essential for handling unforeseen circumstances without derailing your life.

O is for Outgoingness (Your Social Needs)

Living on a ship means becoming part of a small, close-knit community. You're living, dining, and traveling with hundreds of other people on a relatively small footprint. It's vital to know your social style.

Consider this:

• Are you an introvert or an extrovert? As introverts, we love our quiet time and need our cabin as a sanctuary. Others thrive on being in the center of every social event.
• How do you handle social dynamics? Anywhere you have people, you have social complexities. Are you able to navigate this gracefully, or does it drain your energy?
• Are you and your partner aligned? If you’re traveling with someone, it's important that your social needs are compatible or that you have a plan to accommodate your differences.

R is for Resilience (Your Adaptability)

Life at sea is an adventure, and adventures are unpredictable. Itineraries change, ports get canceled, and things don’t always go according to plan. Your ability to roll with the punches is perhaps one of the most important traits for a happy residential cruiser.

Evaluate your resilience:

• How do you react when plans change? Can you shrug your shoulders, find a new plan, and move on? Or does a change in schedule ruin your day, week, or month?
• Are you a problem-solver? When faced with a challenge, do you look for solutions or focus on the problem? A flexible, positive mindset is your best asset.

E is for External Ties (Your Family & Friends)

No matter how wonderful your new shipboard community is, you are leaving behind a lifetime of relationships with family and friends. This is a significant emotional factor to consider.

Think about:

• How will you maintain connections? Time zone differences and busy travel schedules can make it hard to stay in touch. What's your plan to nurture these important relationships?
• What will you miss? You will miss weddings, birthdays, and holidays. It's important to be honest with yourself and your loved ones about what your absence means for everyone.
• Do you have a support system back home? Who can you call in an emergency? Ensuring that your support network is ready and willing to help is a critical piece of your contingency planning.

Your Age is Just a Number, Your SCORE is the Story

As you can see, none of these factors are defined by your date of birth. You could be 82 and score brilliantly, making you a perfect candidate for this life. You could be 45 and find that your low resilience or tight finances make it a poor fit.

By honestly assessing your SCORE, you can make an informed, confident decision. And by planning for how your SCORE might change over the next 5, 10, or 15 years, you can build a sustainable, joyous, and deliberate life at sea.

What do you think is the most important factor in the SCORE assessment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Healthy Aging - Provides comprehensive information on health considerations for older adults, relevant to the "Stability" factor.
• AARP: Retirement Planning - Offers resources and articles on financial preparedness for retirement, backing the "Capital" discussion.
• World Health Organization (WHO): International travel and health - General guidance on health preparations for international travel, applicable to all ages.