Tennessee couple who retired aged 32 to live on cruise ships permanently reveal total spend after 8 months

A Tennessee couple in their 30s left their teaching jobs and began their retirement living on cruise ships.

In eight months, they sailed 36 voyages at an unbelievable cost.

They cover expenses through savings and rental income from their Memphis home.

Their decision shows how a calculated plan can turn a holiday routine into a permanent lifestyle.

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From Memphis classrooms to life at sea

Monica Brzoska, 32, and Jorrell Conley, 36, took their first cruise together in 2016 to Mexico, Belize, and Grand Cayman.

That trip led to many more over the next few years.

By March 2023, after another Caribbean cruise, they decided not to return to their old routine in Memphis.

Instead, they began booking one voyage after another and made cruise ships their new home.

They sold most of their belongings and left their teaching careers behind.

Their three-bedroom Memphis house now brings in between $1,200 and $1,900 a month in rent, which helps fund their lifestyle.

By choosing lower-cost cabins and making use of Carnival Cruises’ loyalty discounts, they were able to keep expenses down and extend their retirement at sea.

The total cost of their first eight months came to less than $10,000.

That figure covered accommodation, meals, and entertainment across 36 consecutive cruises.

Many itineraries sailed from the same ports, which made the transition between voyages easier, although short flights were sometimes required to meet the next ship.

Cruise ships as a retirement plan

The idea of retirement on cruise ships has gained interest as more people compare it to the costs of living on land.

For Brzoska and Conley, the numbers worked in their favor.

Living on board provided steady accommodation, daily meals, and organized activities at a predictable cost, turning cruise ships into a viable form of retirement housing.

The Tennessee couple has also emphasized the variety of destinations they reached.

They described Japan as memorable for its culture, Greece for its history, and Iceland for its unusual landscapes.

Each stop added experiences that would have been harder to reach on a traditional retirement budget.

Daily routines changed as well. They no longer need to cook, drive, or manage household chores.

Instead, evenings can involve a show, live music, or simply spending time together.

Brzoska has said the reduced stress has made their marriage stronger and has given their lifestyle a sense of freedom.

Not everyone can replicate their approach, but it shows that retirement can take many forms.

By combining property income with loyalty rewards and careful budgeting, the Tennessee couple created a workable lifestyle at sea.

Their story demonstrates how cruise ships can serve as more than short-term escapes, offering a long-term retirement plan built around travel and simplicity.

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