Apr 2, 2026
Is it a given that when you bundle up all of your costs, you save money?
That’s the question that led Katrina and Kevin Middleton of Arbroath, Scotland, to sell their home for more than $260,000 in February and move to a very big houseboat (1).
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The houseboat in question is the Allure of the Seas, a 1,181-foot-long Royal Caribbean cruise line that holds 5,400 to 6,300 guests (2).
“This is the best decision we could’ve made, and we’re definitely a lot happier,” Katrina said. “We realized this is more affordable, and we’re actually saving money while traveling.”
It sounds like a fishing expedition, and it begs the question: could the math actually work for the average American household?
How living on a cruise ship compares to life on land
It wasn’t just the sale of their most recent home that led to them cutting costs. Multiple steps, including selling a larger home in September 2025 for over $400,000, helped curb their spending and gave them extra capital.
Katrina Middleton, 29, works as a marketing manager, while Kevin, 43, is an IT consultant (3).
Once they sold their downsized home in February, they pulled up anchor and set a course for the high seas.
The Middletons’ monthly spending in the U.K. was high, with over $3,000 per month on their two cars, over $1,700 on their mortgage and almost $800 on energy. Add to that property taxes, groceries, eating out, gym memberships and other costs.
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“My love for cruises started a long time ago, but I think we love the fact you unpack once and you get to see the world,” Katrina said.
With their new lodgings, their fare, accommodations, food and entertainment are about $5,200, their WiFi is $460 to $525, and trips ashore can run from $0 to about $400.
But there is a catch. Given that their jobs are based on U.K. hours, they still need to wake up at “silly o’clock” to log on. They have a spreadsheet during each cruise to figure out what time zone they will be in so they can log on to work at the right time.
“I think people think you’re not actually working, and you’re just sitting by the pool having a cocktail. But when you’re working, you’re working,” she said. “People think there are more distractions, but it depends on where you place yourself on a cruise ship.”
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They also experience some homesickness, not being able to see family, and miss home-cooked meals. Katrina shares their experiences aboard the cruise ship through an Instagram account, 360 Cruising (4).
“When you’re home, you never fully switch off and you’re still in that environment,” Katrina said. “On the cruise, there’s less stress.”
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Why more people are considering unconventional living options
It’s not just Americans who are struggling with the cost of living. Housing affordability, groceries and overhead costs are forcing many to explore more unconventional courses of living.
The rate of inflation for the U.S. in February was 2.4%, and has remained relatively stable in early 2026 (5).
The Middletons' choice to sell their home in Scotland is not a unique case. Some couples who are close to retirement or have retired early have contemplated life on a cruise ship. A retired teacher from Orange County, Sharon Lane, decided to call the Villa Vie Odyssey her home in July 2025.
The Middletons’ idea highlights how much of your budget is tied up in fixed costs. For a small group of travelers, life at sea may work. For most, though, the smarter move might be finding ways to bring those bundled savings back to shore.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
People (1); Royal Caribbean (2); The Daily Mail (3); 360 Cruising (4); Trading Economics (5)
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Brian Baker is an Associate Editor with Moneywise. He has been a media professional for over 20 years.
