Residential Cruising vs. Vacation Cruising

by Chris and Michael from ChartingOurCourse.com

Ever wondered what it would be like to trade your land-based home for a life at sea? We did more than wonder—we made it our reality. And let us tell you, there's a world of difference between vacationing on a cruise ship and living on one. According to us, Chris and Michael, the biggest shift is in your mindset. You go from being a tourist to being a resident of the world.

What Is The Main Difference Between Residential and Vacation Cruising?

The biggest difference is the feeling of having a "home base" that travels with you. On a typical cruise, your cabin is a temporary hotel room. You're constantly on the go, trying to see and do everything in a new port in just a few short hours. It's exciting, but it can also be exhausting. [01:45]

With residential cruising, your cabin is your home. You unpack, you decorate, and you settle in. [02:14] This allows for what we call "integrated exploration." You can wake up in a new country and decide if you want to go out and explore or just enjoy a quiet day at home. There's no pressure to rush because you're not just visiting—you're living there, at least for a little while. [07:10]

How Does Your Approach to Travel Change?

As we explain on our DC Hidden Gems YouTube Channel, our travel style has completely transformed. We used to be those people who would rush off the ship at every port, trying to cram in as much as possible. Now, we take a much more relaxed approach. We might spend the day running errands, like going to the mall, which feels surprisingly normal even in a foreign country. [06:14] Or we might just take a walk and see where the day takes us. The feeling of being a tourist has faded, and we now feel more like locals. [13:08]

This slower pace of travel allows for a much deeper and more meaningful connection with the places we visit. We get to experience the local culture in a way that just isn't possible on a short vacation.

Ways Residential Cruising is a Game-Changer

1. You're Not Just Traveling, You're Living: This shift in perspective is the biggest change. You're not on a perpetual vacation; you're living your life, just in a much more interesting location. [00:49]
2. Your Home Travels With You: Having a comfortable, personal space to return to after a day of exploring makes all the difference. [03:07]
3. You Can Explore at Your Own Pace: There's no need to rush. You have the time to truly get to know a place and its people. [07:27]

If you're looking for a new way to travel and experience the world, we can't recommend residential cruising enough. It's a lifestyle that has brought us so much joy and has completely changed our perspective on travel.

To learn more about our journey and get tips on how you can start your own residential cruising adventure, be sure to check out our other posts on the Charting Our Course blog.

Sources:

• The New York Times: Calling a Cruise Ship Home: See the World, Then See It Again
• World of Cruising: Can you live on a cruise ship full-time?