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Retired Jo Johnston And Elaine Durham Sold Their Homes And Swapped Life On Land For Long Duration Cruises, Accumulating More Than 1,500 Days Sailing And Planning New Trips Around The World
After a week on a cruise, many people dream of living at sea permanently. For sisters Jo Johnston, 69, and Elaine Durham, 63, that dream became a reality. Single and retired, they decided to make the ships their permanent residences.
“I kept taking longer and longer cruises — 30 days, then 45, then 80 — and realized I loved spending long periods at sea,” Johnston told Business Insider.
Life Between Ships
The two have already accumulated more than 1,500 days sailing, most of them on vessels from Holland America Line.
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Although they do not always travel together, they share the same enthusiasm for exploring the world on the waves.
Plans remained ambitious in 2025. Johnston secured a spot on the Grand World Voyage, lasting 124 days, while Durham embarked on the From Pole to Pole journey, with a 133-day cruise.
Even on different routes, the sisters met in Barcelona when both ships made simultaneous stops in the Spanish city in April.
Home Sold, New Life
The life change required radical decisions. Both sold their homes to make the dream viable: Johnston did so in 2014, and Durham in 2022.
“My children left home and wouldn’t be returning to the area, so I realized it didn’t make sense to keep ‘the farm’ when what I really wanted was to travel,” Durham explained.
She held a property auction and sold about 98% of everything she owned, keeping only clothes and sentimental items.
Family photos were kept with her children. Johnston also got rid of most of her belongings, retaining only documents and mementos in a small storage unit.
The raised funds, combined with the savings of not maintaining a home on land, help finance life on board.
How Much It Costs To Live At Sea
The lifestyle, however, is not cheap. Rates for the From Pole to Pole Grand Voyage in 2025 start at US$ 31,199 per person, while the Grand World Voyage starts at US$ 27,354.
Still, the costs include meals, housing, services, and entertainment, which, according to the sisters, balances out.
“Before, I had a big house, a pool, and three cars. Without all that, I have much more money to spend on travel,” Johnston stated.
Planning And Savings
The experience also requires financial discipline. Durham said she has managed to maintain the lifestyle because she has been debt-free for 20 years. When she decided to sell the house, she created a five-year plan with goals and annual adjustments.
The two also save by taking advantage of loyalty programs. By traveling so much with Holland America, they receive benefits like free meals at specialty restaurants and complimentary laundry service.
Johnston also cuts costs by choosing cheaper cabins, often with obstructed sea views.
She acknowledges that living on cruises may or may not be more economical than owning a home. “It depends on the choices. If I wanted to spend less, I would take shorter, repetitive trips in the Caribbean. But I prefer long routes on smaller ships,” she said.
Challenges And Routine At Sea
Not everything is glamorous. In 2023, Johnston spent 300 days sailing through Europe, Canada, and New England, away from family and friends.
“I keep in touch via email, social media, and calls over Wi-Fi. I also participate in a book club over Zoom,” she said. “The hardest part sometimes is the time zone.”
Another challenge is keeping a stock of medications. Johnston explained that she takes advantage of the breaks between cruises to buy supplies for 90 days, using a delivery service aimed at people who live in trailers full-time.
Living On Ships Requires Constant Adaptation
Even the act of voting requires planning. Since they are always on the move, they need to request mail-in ballots in advance. Still, they say they adapt to the demands of the nomadic life.
“Long cruises become a lifestyle, not just a vacation,” Johnston summarized. “The ship is our home.”
With information from Business Insider.
Quero fazer uma viagem longa para sentir se consigo me adaptar
Why does it say “sisters” but Durham is referred to as “he” in the article?