Have you ever thought about getting from the troubles of your life by going out to sea and just not coming back? While this is bound to remain a joke or a wild pipe dream for most people, a cruise line called Life at Sea Cruises is known for its very long cruises -- this spring, the branch of Florida-based Miray Cruises announced a new three-year journey that spans 130,000 miles and visits 135 countries.
The MV Gemini departs from Istanbul in November 2023 and goes to classic world sites like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and Machu Picchu in Peru. Within weeks of setting sail, travelers will also join the ship from ports in Barcelona and Miami.
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A spot aboard the 537-foot luxury liner MV Gemini begins at $29,999 a year for the cabin and $2,499 a month for a basic food and drink package.
It's a Whole New Kind of 'Work From Home'
The ship itself includes classic cruise ship amenities like a pool and sun deck as well as various work spaces, 14 offices, a library and ample meeting rooms -- Life at Sea Cruises has been trying to market the cruise as a "work at sea" opportunity for the digital nomad who can work from anywhere.
"Professionals need connectivity, the right amenities and the functionality to perform their jobs,” Life at Sea Cruises Managing Director Mikael Petterson said in a press statement. "There is no other cruise that offers this sort of flexibility to their customers.
Just like in a coworking space, you will also be able to rent out office space for additional funds.
To sign up, you need to commit to the entire three years and put down a deposit of $45,000 -- the entire three years will cost $90,000 for the cheapest option as well as whatever you choose to spend on food and drink both aboard the ship and when exploring cities where the MV Gemini docks. Single travelers, meanwhile, get a discount of 15%.
Here's Why Sailing At Sea Can Be Cheaper Than Renting
The starting price for a simple cabin can be equivalent to or even cheaper than a year of rent, depending on where you live. In March 2023, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment New York City was $3,346, or $40,152 a year. That's $10,000 more than what it would cost to spend the same time aboard the MV Gemini.
In Los Angeles, average rent of $2,395 a month adds up to $28,740 a year. The $2,995-a-month currently recorded in San Francisco clocks in at $35,940 or nearly $6,000 more expensive than a year spent in a cabin sailing the world.
However, speed is important, as the website says introductory prices will increase in a matter of hours.
The cruise line is predicting demand to be strong as more and more people turn to remote work. The cruise ship was built to host 1,074 passengers in 400 cabins.
While you need to carefully examine the tax implications of spending a year at sea, Life at Sea Cruises has been promoting opportunities for certain "additional tax benefits when working as an international resident aboard the ship."
