Want to live at sea? See inside a cruise ship that will circle the globe for three years and cost from $90,000 per person

Brittany Chang,Alcynna LloydMar 1, 2023, 03:04 IST

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

Life at Sea Cruises will operate a three-year cruise around the world starting in November.
The cruise starts at $30,000 per person per year for a 130-square-foot interior stateroom.

Travelers who have dreamt of living at sea can finally do so this November.

Life at Sea Cruises

Life at Sea Cruises will give travelers the opportunity to spend three years on a cruise ship while sailing around the world. Pricing starts at $90,000 per person for the full itinerary.

Life at Sea Cruises

Life at Sea Cruises will give travelers the opportunity to spend three years on a cruise ship while sailing around the world. Pricing starts at $90,000 per person for the full itinerary.

The vessel will begin its globetrotting affair in Istanbul on November 1, but will also pick up guests in Barcelona and Miami.

Life at Sea Cruises

The ship has 400 cabins to accommodate up to 1,074 travelers. Throughout the three years, these seafarers will travel over 130,000 miles to 375 ports in 135 countries.

Life at Sea Cruises

The ship has 400 cabins to accommodate up to 1,074 travelers. Throughout the three years, these seafarers will travel over 130,000 miles to 375 ports in 135 countries.

Along the way, they'll see all seven continents while visiting destinations like several of the Wonders of the World; Half Moon Island, Antarctica; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Seoul, South Korea.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

Along the way, they'll see all seven continents while visiting destinations like several of the Wonders of the World; Half Moon Island, Antarctica; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Seoul, South Korea.

Most around-the-world cruises spend several hours or up to two nights at ports of call.

Life at Sea Cruises

But industry veteran Mike Petterson, the managing director of Life at Sea Cruises and the brainpower behind the new brand, said this isn't enough time to explore larger destinations like Beijing, China.

Life at Sea Cruises

But industry veteran Mike Petterson, the managing director of Life at Sea Cruises and the brainpower behind the new brand, said this isn't enough time to explore larger destinations like Beijing, China.

So instead, the Gemini will dock for up to seven nights in one destination.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

This includes one week each in Shanghai and Singapore, which will also double as wet docks. If the ship has to head into a dry dock for repairs, Life at Sea passengers will be put up in a hotel.

Life at Sea Cruises

This includes one week each in Shanghai and Singapore, which will also double as wet docks. If the ship has to head into a dry dock for repairs, Life at Sea passengers will be put up in a hotel.

Petterson conceived of Life at Sea before the COVID-19 pandemic and partnered with Miray International's Miray Cruises in late 2022 to turn this concept into a reality.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

Petterson conceived of Life at Sea before the COVID-19 pandemic and partnered with Miray International's Miray Cruises in late 2022 to turn this concept into a reality.

The new company will use Miray's cruise ship workers and the Gemini, one of its three ships.

Life at Sea Cruises

Throughout the three years at sea, the Gemini will spend 288 overnights at different ports, averaging about two nights per destination.

Life at Sea Cruises

A trip to any of these locations could cost the typical globetrotter hundreds or thousands of dollars in travel and accommodation fees.

Life at Sea Cruises

However, passage on Life at Sea's Gemini will alleviate upfront costs for travelers by giving them the option to spread payments out over the course of three years.

Life at Sea Cruises

But don't expect a glittering new hotel at sea with all the bells and whistles of a novel mega ship.

Life at Sea Cruises

The upper-premium, 30-year-old vessel was refurbished last year. And the team is now spending an additional $10 million renovating the interior.

Life at Sea Cruises

Think of the Gemini as a floating city with its own security, medical center, and offices with Starlink WiFi.

Life at Sea Cruises

Source: Life at Sea Cruises

No city would be complete without a jail and a morgue. Luckily (or unluckily) the Gemini has both.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean have seen record-breaking demand for giant cruise ships that can accommodate thousands of travelers.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

But Life at Sea is taking a more scaled-down approach to the floating hotel.

Life at Sea Cruises

Seafarers will have access to typical cruise ship amenities, which include four lounges, a golf simulator, and a sundeck with a pool.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

For meals at sea, passengers can dine at one of the two primary dining rooms, the restaurant on the pool deck, or order food anywhere on the ship using its app.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

But unlike the average cruise vessel, the Gemini will also have amenities like a robust business center and a hospital with a pharmacy and dentist.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

Like any all-inclusive cruise, these extras — including hospital visits — won't come at an additional cost.

Life at Sea Cruises

These around-the-world cruises are often booked by retirees.

Life at Sea Cruises

But Petterson says Life at Sea is targeting an incrementally younger demographic: pre-retirees, generally people between 55 to 65 years of age.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

To accommodate the remote workers, the business center — which will replace the ship's casino — will have meeting rooms, offices, and a library.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

Days at sea with no land in sight is inevitable for transoceanic itineraries: Travelers on the Gemini will have at least 300 of these sailing days.

Life at Sea Cruises

To stave off boredom, travelers can spend their days around the ship's lounges, attending seminars and shows, or resting in their cabins.

Life at Sea Cruises

Source: Life at Sea

The cheapest and smallest stateroom measures 130 square feet and starts at $90,000 per person for the three-year trip.

Life at Sea Cruises

Like any cruise ship, interior staterooms can feel dingy.

Life at Sea Cruises

To prevent this, these cabins will come with screens that will display a live view of the ocean, creating a virtual "window."

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

For those looking to spend more cash, the most expensive cabin — a suite with a balcony — will run travelers nearly $330,000 in total.

Life at Sea Cruises

Source: Life At Sea Cruises

These staterooms pale in comparison to the over 1,000-square-foot suites on several modern cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean International

Source: Insider

But according to Petterson, at least they're more affordable: "It's meant more for the mass market and retirees as opposed to doctors with trophy wives."

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

Travelers can either pay monthly or pay the entire three years upfront with the option to finance the payment.

Life at Sea Cruises

However, they can't book shorter legs of the trip. It's all three years or nothing.

Life at Sea Cruises

For those with commitment issues, there's also the option to divide travel with another passenger, taking turns spending time on the ship.

Life at Sea Cruises

Three years without seeing friends and family can be a long time. Luckily, they're welcome as well.

Life at Sea Cruises

They can either crash on a roll-in bed in a resident's stateroom, stay in a guest cabin, or stay in a passenger's stateroom while they are off the ship.

Life at Sea Cruises

Reservations for Life at Sea's Gemini open on March 1.

Life at Sea Cruises

Petterson says the company already has about 20 people who are ready to book.

Life at Sea Cruises

Launching sales seven months ahead of the journey may seem risky for an industry that often relies on bookings a year in advance.

Life at Sea Cruises

Source: Insider

However, Petterson, a self-described "optimist," expects the ship will sail at an over 55% occupancy rate at any given time as world cruises have skyrocketed in popularity over the last two years.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

However, Petterson, a self-described "optimist," expects the ship will sail at an over 55% occupancy rate at any given time as world cruises have skyrocketed in popularity over the last two years.

Over the last few years, around-the-world sailings have been booking well despite the long-term commitment.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

For travelers like retirees and remote workers, this extended life at sea promises peaceful afternoons and the opportunity to slowly travel the world with minimal planning.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

For travelers like retirees and remote workers, this extended life at sea promises peaceful afternoons and the opportunity to slowly travel the world with minimal planning.

Monthslong around-the-world cruises have been selling in record time in 2021 and 2022.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

Source: Insider, Insider

But for travelers who'd rather spend years vacationing at sea, there's also Storylines, Victoria Cruises Line, and now Life at Sea.

MV Gemini with Life at Sea Cruises

Source: Insider, Insider

Victoria Cruises Line's Victoria Majestic, a former Holland America Line vessel, will begin sailing around the world indefinitely in May…

Victoria Cruises Line

Source: Insider

…while Storylines' residential cruise ship, the MV Narrative, will begin its own nonstop circumnavigation in 2025.

Storylines

Source: Insider

Some floor plans on the Narrative are already sold out, a testament to the rising success of these floating condominiums.

A stateroom similar to Holt's.Storylines

Source: Insider

My party of 2 spent $93 at Chefs de France in Disney World, and it was the best sit-down meal I've had at Epcot

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Want to live at sea? See inside a cruise ship that will circle the globe for three years and cost from $90,000 per person

Travelers who have dreamt of living at sea can finally do so this November.

Life at Sea Cruises will give travelers the opportunity to spend three years on a cruise ship while sailing around the world. Pricing starts at $90,000 per person for the full itinerary.

The vessel will begin its globetrotting affair in Istanbul on November 1, but will also pick up guests in Barcelona and Miami.

The ship has 400 cabins to accommodate up to 1,074 travelers. Throughout the three years, these seafarers will travel over 130,000 miles to 375 ports in 135 countries.

Along the way, they'll see all seven continents while visiting destinations like several of the Wonders of the World; Half Moon Island, Antarctica; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Seoul, South Korea.

Most around-the-world cruises spend several hours or up to two nights at ports of call.

But industry veteran Mike Petterson, the managing director of Life at Sea Cruises and the brainpower behind the new brand, said this isn't enough time to explore larger destinations like Beijing, China.

So instead, the Gemini will dock for up to seven nights in one destination.

This includes one week each in Shanghai and Singapore, which will also double as wet docks. If the ship has to head into a dry dock for repairs, Life at Sea passengers will be put up in a hotel.

Petterson conceived of Life at Sea before the COVID-19 pandemic and partnered with Miray International's Miray Cruises in late 2022 to turn this concept into a reality.

The new company will use Miray's cruise ship workers and the Gemini, one of its three ships.

Throughout the three years at sea, the Gemini will spend 288 overnights at different ports, averaging about two nights per destination.

A trip to any of these locations could cost the typical globetrotter hundreds or thousands of dollars in travel and accommodation fees.

However, passage on Life at Sea's Gemini will alleviate upfront costs for travelers by giving them the option to spread payments out over the course of three years.

But don't expect a glittering new hotel at sea with all the bells and whistles of a novel mega ship.

The upper-premium, 30-year-old vessel was refurbished last year. And the team is now spending an additional $10 million renovating the interior.

Think of the Gemini as a floating city with its own security, medical center, and offices with Starlink WiFi.

No city would be complete without a jail and a morgue. Luckily (or unluckily) the Gemini has both.

Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean have seen record-breaking demand for giant cruise ships that can accommodate thousands of travelers.

But Life at Sea is taking a more scaled-down approach to the floating hotel.

Seafarers will have access to typical cruise ship amenities, which include four lounges, a golf simulator, and a sundeck with a pool.

For meals at sea, passengers can dine at one of the two primary dining rooms, the restaurant on the pool deck, or order food anywhere on the ship using its app.

But unlike the average cruise vessel, the Gemini will also have amenities like a robust business center and a hospital with a pharmacy and dentist.

Like any all-inclusive cruise, these extras — including hospital visits — won't come at an additional cost.

These around-the-world cruises are often booked by retirees.

But Petterson says Life at Sea is targeting an incrementally younger demographic: pre-retirees, generally people between 55 to 65 years of age.

To accommodate the remote workers, the business center — which will replace the ship's casino — will have meeting rooms, offices, and a library.

Days at sea with no land in sight is inevitable for transoceanic itineraries: Travelers on the Gemini will have at least 300 of these sailing days.

To stave off boredom, travelers can spend their days around the ship's lounges, attending seminars and shows, or resting in their cabins.

The cheapest and smallest stateroom measures 130 square feet and starts at $90,000 per person for the three-year trip.

Like any cruise ship, interior staterooms can feel dingy.

To prevent this, these cabins will come with screens that will display a live view of the ocean, creating a virtual "window."

For those looking to spend more cash, the most expensive cabin — a suite with a balcony — will run travelers nearly $330,000 in total.

These staterooms pale in comparison to the over 1,000-square-foot suites on several modern cruise ships.

But according to Petterson, at least they're more affordable: "It's meant more for the mass market and retirees as opposed to doctors with trophy wives."

Travelers can either pay monthly or pay the entire three years upfront with the option to finance the payment.

However, they can't book shorter legs of the trip. It's all three years or nothing.

For those with commitment issues, there's also the option to divide travel with another passenger, taking turns spending time on the ship.

Three years without seeing friends and family can be a long time. Luckily, they're welcome as well.

They can either crash on a roll-in bed in a resident's stateroom, stay in a guest cabin, or stay in a passenger's stateroom while they are off the ship.

Reservations for Life at Sea's Gemini open on March 1.

Petterson says the company already has about 20 people who are ready to book.

Launching sales seven months ahead of the journey may seem risky for an industry that often relies on bookings a year in advance.

However, Petterson, a self-described "optimist," expects the ship will sail at an over 55% occupancy rate at any given time as world cruises have skyrocketed in popularity over the last two years.

Over the last few years, around-the-world sailings have been booking well despite the long-term commitment.

For travelers like retirees and remote workers, this extended life at sea promises peaceful afternoons and the opportunity to slowly travel the world with minimal planning.

Monthslong around-the-world cruises have been selling in record time in 2021 and 2022.

But for travelers who'd rather spend years vacationing at sea, there's also Storylines, Victoria Cruises Line, and now Life at Sea.

Victoria Cruises Line's Victoria Majestic, a former Holland America Line vessel, will begin sailing around the world indefinitely in May…

…while Storylines' residential cruise ship, the MV Narrative, will begin its own nonstop circumnavigation in 2025.

Some floor plans on the Narrative are already sold out, a testament to the rising success of these floating condominiums.