When Angelyn and Richard Burk decided to shake up their lives, they didn’t just take a leap of faith—they sailed right into it. Literally.
This adventurous couple from Seattle figured out a way to escape the cost-of-living crunch while indulging their love of travel. Their brilliant solution? Permanently living on cruise ships. And as wild as it sounds, it’s actually cheaper than paying a mortgage.
In May 2021, Angelyn, 53, and Richard ditched their 9-to-5 jobs, packed a single suitcase each, and set off on a journey many of us only dream of. For just $43.92 a day, they swapped their landlocked lifestyle for one filled with ocean breezes and ever-changing horizons.
“We love to travel,” Angelyn explained to 7News. “We were searching for a way to continuously travel in our retirement that made financial sense.”
And boy, did they find it.
The Burks’ new lifestyle is a masterclass in frugal living meets bucket-list adventure. By leveraging cruise sales, loyalty memberships, and meticulous planning, they’ve managed to stretch their savings and live out their dream. The couple sold their home, waved goodbye to material possessions, and embraced the life of full-time cruisers.
Since setting sail, the Burks have explored breathtaking destinations like the Bahamas, Singapore, Italy, and Canada. They even completed a jaw-dropping 51-day voyage from Seattle to Sydney, savoring each stop along the way.
Their initial plan was to retire gradually, spending months in different countries before fully transitioning to cruise life. But as Angelyn put it, why wait? “We have been frugal all our lives to save and invest in order to achieve our goal. We are not into materialistic things but experiences.”
Their lifestyle isn’t just about travel—it’s also surprisingly cost-effective. Angelyn told CNN that their daily expenses, including room, meals, transportation, tips, entertainment, and even port fees, average $89. That’s a bargain compared to the rising costs of traditional living.
The Burks now spend nearly every night at sea, occasionally staying with family or friends during short breaks between ships. Their days are filled with sunsets over the ocean, onboard activities, and the thrill of new adventures.
Their story isn’t just inspiring—it’s a reminder that with a little creativity and a lot of courage, it’s possible to rewrite the rules of retirement.
Would you trade the comfort of home for a life of endless travel? Angelyn and Richard did—and they haven’t looked back since.
Know someone who would love this idea? Share this story with them and spark a conversation about how they’d live their dream life!
