When 52-year-old Laura Bennett sold her house, car, and most of her possessions to live full-time on a cruise ship, many thought she was chasing a midlife fantasy. But according to quantitative breakdowns she recently shared during her journey, the move was far from indulgent—it was a cost-saving strategy that now costs her roughly $2,700 a month, compared to $4,000+ living on land in Los Angeles.
She laid out the numbers live aboard the Carnival Vista: she pays $1,800/month for a cabin, plus all-inclusive dining, utilities, and entertainment. She previously spent $1,200 just on rent, another $600 on food and utilities, and $200 on socializing in LA neighborhoods, as reported by Insider’s detailed breakdown. Her math shows a monthly savings of at least $1,300—and possibly more, depending on how often she sails.
“I paid $4k+ to stay in LA. Now I pay $2.7k and live like a queen.”—Laura Bennett on choosing sea life over rent. pic.twitter.com/cruise_savings— CruiseLife (@CruiseLifeBlogs) July 12, 2025
It’s not just the numbers. Laura emphasizes advantage in health coverage. She swapped her pricey private plan—around $500 a month—for ship-provided medical care that’s included in booking, with optional upgrades. That’s a full saving of $500 she estimates monthly, as noted during a recent segment on CNN’s travel feature.
Life aboard isn’t what most imagine. Laura shares that buffet access, daily shows, fitness classes, and housekeeping reduce discretionary spending—no spontaneous Amazon orders, no utility bills, no restaurant nights. “My expenses are predictable,” she said to Business Insider in a recent interview. “That predictability is worth more than the ocean view.”
“No grocery bill. No utilities. No rent hikes.” Laura posted how cruise living simplified her finances. pic.twitter.com/cruisebudget— BeingRetired (@beingretired) July 12, 2025
Some critics argue cruise life isn’t affordable for everyone. While the monthly cabin cost does include almost everything, the initial buy-in—selling assets to pay upfront fees like $2,000 deposit—can exclude many. But Laura counters that eliminating mortgages, car payments, home repairs, and groceries wiped out those monthly obligations—making the only real cost the cruise cabin.
Her approach isn’t a mass movement yet, but it’s gaining attention. A viral Reddit thread dedicated to her story has over 2,000 comments—all debating the trade-offs between stability and sea freedom. Some users point out social disconnection, while others say it’s an ideal strategy for late-career nomads.
She also breaks down hidden costs few consider: Wi-Fi packages, tips ($100–$200/month), shore excursions and specialty dining. That adds $700–$900 to her monthly expenses, still bringing her total to around $3,600 a month. Compare that to LA condo living, where utilities plus HOA could easily top $5,000.
What sealed the decision was her love of travel. Laura sails ten times a year, hitting ports from the Caribbean to Alaska. She told Travel + Leisure that the sense of purpose and adventure is just as essential as the financial benefits.
That kind of lifestyle isn’t for everyone. Mental health professionals warn dramatically changing home environments can impact well-being—while others celebrate her courage. A life coach featured in Forbes noted that predictability is key to emotional resilience, and Laura’s “routine at sea” satisfies that.
Opponents ask what happens if cruise prices rise, or if Laura needs long-term care ashore. She admits those are concerns, but plans to pivot into remote consulting and buy gap insurance—turning her life into a dynamic balance of freedom and foresight.
To her critics who say sea-living is a bubble, Laura points to earlier real-life precedents—expat retirees who live in Southeast Asia on pensions, or digital nomads working from Bali. She sees her lifestyle as building on that trend, replacing flights with staterooms on waves.
As cruise companies see interest rising, they’re launching loyalty perks—free monthly laundry, discounted round-the-world voyages, and bundled health packages. Cruise industry analysts told Skift they’ve never seen so many full-time bookings among over-50 singles.
Her story ends with one haunting thought: Material wealth doesn’t always buy happiness—but control over your spending and your days might. Laura leans on the balcony as the ship approaches Cozumel, cabin door open, morning sun spilling in. She tells her viewers: “I don’t own a house anymore, but I own my time, and that’s priceless—at sea cost.”
