Woman who lives full time on a cruise ship exposes the dark side of living on one

You get the vision – sunset decks, bottomless buffets, endless travel – but one woman who lives full time on a cruise ship is revealing the dark side of a life at sea.

Her name’s Lynelle, and she swapped her house, job, and old life for cruise ship living.

She’s now warning others it’s not all sunshine and sangria.

And if you’re thinking of selling up and moving aboard full-time, it’s worth hearing her story first.

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What life on a cruise ship is really like

Lynelle, the creator behind Poverty to Paradise, lives year-round on cruise ships.

She built her channel by sharing how she escaped poverty and created a new life at sea, but now she’s laying bare the cruise ship dark side that rarely gets talked about – from cramped rooms to expensive healthcare.

First up: space. Or lack thereof.

Cruise cabins are tiny.

Picture squeezing a queen bed, nightstands, and all your belongings into half a bedroom. The bathrooms? Smaller than most closets.

Then there’s the noise. Thin walls mean you hear everything – karaoke at 2am, pool chairs dragging above, TVs blaring, even arguments. Lynelle says she’s had to call guest services on sleepless nights.

So, if you’re considering taking a baby on board, and expecting them to sleep through the night, you might want to reconsider that.

There are even announcements that come through speakers into your room at all hours of the day (and night).

Introverts might struggle. You’re constantly around people – at meals, in elevators, on deck. Even if you find a quiet corner, there’s no escaping conversation.

Motion sickness is also real. You might feel fine most of the time, but storms or rough seas can throw even seasoned cruisers off balance.

Healthcare is another issue.

A simple ear infection visit cost her $150, and medications were extra.

The Wi-Fi? Unreliable. The food? Sometimes repetitive. The friendships? Often short-lived.

And while she’s already broken down what living full-time on cruise ships costs her, Lynelle does make clear that one year on a ship ‘can be upwards of $80,000-$100,000’ – that’s before extras like excursions or specialty dining.

Why full time on a cruise ship still works for her

Even with all of that, Lynelle says she’s not leaving ship life anytime soon, because life at sea still offers more freedom than anything on land.

She calls it her ‘soft life’ – no chores, no commuting, no stress. Her room is cleaned, her meals are ready, and adventure is always a few decks away.

She loves waking up in new places – Grand Turk one day, Saint Thomas the next.

While some complain the food gets boring, she says she’s never had that problem with all the dining options on board.

And despite the transient social life, she says the overall vibe keeps her going.

“All my neighbors are on vacation,” she says, explaining that their good moods are contagious.

For Lynelle, life at sea isn’t just a lifestyle, it’s a mindset. One that trades routine and responsibilities for fresh starts and floating freedom.

So while she admits there’s a dark side to living full time on a cruise ship, for her, the upsides of life at sea still win.

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