Woman who sold all belongings to live on cruise ship permanently shares main things she 'hates' about life onboard
A woman who sold all of her belongings to live on a ship has revealed the 10 things she's grown to hate about cruises.
Lynnelle traded her toxic marriage and job for a life on the open seas after starting her own YouTube channel Poverty to Paradise.
The 53-year-old, with over 80,000 subscribers on the platform, is now able to travel the world on around $2,000 per month.
While grateful for the change in her life, the full-time passenger insists it isn't all sunshine and rainbows. From the constant presence of others to the inability to escape during bad weather, life at sea isn't always ideal.
Small boats are an issue
Lynnelle says having between 150 and 200 people on a small boat means it's seriously crammed on board, having to wait in long lines and dealing with frustrated passengers.
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It can turn a simple port visit into a stressful day, she said in a video posted on 11 June.
"I actually hate getting on the tender boats because of having to deal with other people and their frustrations," the permanent passenger said.
Time zone whiplash
Having to constantly change time zones means your body never knows what time it is, she claims.
As an example, Lynnelle says one moment you're on Caribbean time, and the next you're completely disoriented.
"Your body is like, 'Girl, I know what you're talking about,' and the ship is like, 'Nah. Girl, it's this time'," she said.
Laundry is a nightmare
The cruiser complained that on board laundry services are notoriously unreliable. Clothes don't always come out clean, and she often finds herself paying premium prices for subpar washing.
"I don't know how they actually do laundry, my clothes don't always come out as clean as if I would have used a washing machine and dryer," she said.
Crowds
She points out that the popular areas always tend to be packed at the most inconvenient times.
Going to the pool, the gym, or the movies at peak times on land is difficult enough, so I can't imagine what it's like on a cruise.
No personal transportation
Without a car, there is a complete reliance on public transport, ride-sharing and walking when you get off the ship, Lynnelle said.
"When I did have a car, I always like to drive myself, because I like to be in control," she admitted.
Port days feel rushed
While stopping off at new destinations every week may seem like a dream, Lynnelle insists that it can feel extremely rushed at times.
"If I find a place that I love, I'm stuck to just those six/eight hours that the cruise ship is going to be docked," she revealed.
Everyday tasks become mini-quests
As you can probably imagine, topping up on your prescription or even having to buy toiletries can be an absolute mission.
Lynnelle says you're looking at a full-day thing involving shuttles, buses, and complex logistics.
"It's a whole day event instead of just a minor thing that you would normally do at home," she complains.
Privacy? Forget it
"You're never alone unless you're in your cabin. And even then, housekeepers will still want to knock," Lynnelle said.
Nowhere to hide during storms
Perhaps the worst nightmare for most people out at sea is if bad weather arrives.
"When the ship is rocking, your whole house is rocking. You can't just go into another room or go over to a neighbour's house," she points out.
So many rules
Finally, Lynnelle says that strict regulations govern everything, from what things you can bring onboard to having paperwork at-the-ready.
"Oh, my God, so many rules. Restrictions on what you can bring on the ship, restrictions of foods you can bring on the ship," she explains.
Despite such challenges, cruise enthusiasts like Lanelle find that the lifestyle is completely worth it.
Topics: Travel, Cruise Ship, YouTube
Anish Vij