Queensland couple almost half way through quest to live on cruise ships for two years

A Queensland couple say their quest to go on more than 50 cruises over two years is to make up for time lost during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Queensland couple is almost half way through a quest to go on cruises for two years. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Queensland couple who have already spent more than 300 days on cruise ships with another year to go says they are making up for lost time.

Within hours of arriving back in Brisbane Tuesday from a 35-day cruise to Hawaii and the South Pacific, Marty and Jessica Ansen boarded another vessel for a new 107-day trip, saying cruise ship life was “cheaper than a nursing home.”

The pair, who booked 53 consecutive cruises for a two-year period, had just returned from visiting Hawaii, Tahiti and the South Pacific when they boarded the Coral Princess World Cruise at Brisbane’s International Ferry Terminal in Pinkenba.

The world cruise is scheduled to stop at 44 destinations between now and September, with the Aspley couple set to mark the first 12 months of their two year cruise ship adventure on July 16.

Mr and Mrs Ansen, both 76, described their extended holiday as an investment in the future.

“Normally you get your pay (and) it goes to your weekly rent or your mortgage, or just goes to your food,” Mr Ansen said.

“We pay for all that when we buy the ticket so we don’t have to worry about that because it’s all done.”

Mr Ansen called the cruise lifestyle “very efficient”.

“It’s cheaper than going to a nursing home I can tell you that,” he said.

The couple wanted to cruise around the world to make up for the two years they could not travel thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We aren’t young people, we couldn’t travel, we couldn’t go anywhere,” Mr Ansen said.

Cruisers Jessica and Marty Ansen at Brisbane Cruise Terminal on Tuesday where they are halfway through their two-year journey on-board Coral Princess. Picture: Lachie Millard

Mrs Ansen said the pair typically started their morning at 5.30am, with passengers on board looked after well.

“Quarter to six we are up on deck and my husband and I play table tennis for one hour and then quarter to seven we go back to the cabin, shower, get dressed and have breakfast,” she said.

“All your meals are served to you, your bed is made for you, your entertainment is there.”

Mr Ansen said any and every type of food was served on board.

“You get any amount of things for breakfast and lunch and dinner,” he said.

He also said being on a ship was like being home.

“We have a daily program of things that happen on the ship everyday which changes, but some things are constant,” he said.

“Some days we might just want to lounge around and watch a bit of telly or go to the library and read a book.”

The couple, who booked their cruises more than two years in advance, said they never fallen ill on board.

“A bit of movement is fine,” Mrs Ansen said.

She added that while she and her husband participated in different activities on the ship, they always enjoyed ballroom dancing together after dinner each night.

“We have a tonne of fun on the dance floor,” she said.

Mr Ansen said when it came to everyday expenditure, everything was included, except for alcohol.

“Food, accommodation and laundry is all taken care of,” he said.

“For us the different cruises are just another day at sea or at the port,” he said.

Cruisers Jessica and Marty Ansen at Brisbane Cruise Terminal on Tuesday where they are halfway through their two-year journey on-board Coral Princess. Picture: Lachie Millard

Mrs Ansen said her top travel tip for longer cruises was to pack two weeks’ worth of clothes.

“You can mix and match, there’s washing machines on board,” she said.

“Also pack medication for the length of the journey and scripts.”

She said it was also important to pack chargers that were suitable for the ship’s adaptors and to carry small amounts of money in different currencies, such as US dollars, euros and pounds, to shop at markets or to pay for buses.

“Lastly, find a bar, be happy and make new friends,” Mrs Ansen said.

Mr Ansen agreed passengers should ensure they had their necessities before boarding a cruise.

“You haven’t got a Woollies next door or a Chemist Warehouse,” he said.

Mrs Ansen said she loved that there was no ‘class system’ on board.

“It doesn’t matter what cabin you have, we are all equal and all love cruising,” she said.

The couple said they had completed more than 2000 days of cruising since they retired 20 years ago.

Mr Ansen said 1520 of those days were with the Coral Princess and they particularly enjoy visiting cooler countries, such as Iceland and Greenland.

“The Northern hemisphere has some wonderful places,” he said.

Mr Ansen said he sold his car before they left about a year ago, but continue to pay for their Aspley home.

“We pay a fortnightly fee there,” he said.