Meet the cruise couple who have spent over 450 days at sea so far
A retired married couple from Australia has spent over 450 days on a cruise ship and they say they love the nautical lifestyle aboard Princess Cruises' Coral Princess.
Marty and Jess Ansen, who have been married for 53 years, decided to book their most recent cruise adventure last summer and have been relishing their retired life on the high seas.
The Ansens start their mornings early most days with a 5:30 a.m. ping-pong workout before moving on to some leisurely reading, dining and meeting new friends.
"After dinner at night, we go to a show and maybe go dancing," Jess Ansen told ABC News' Danny New of her typical evening plans with her husband. "I mean, where else can you do that?"
The great-grandparents said their cruising lifestyle turned out to be more affordable for them than moving into a retirement home.
"For us, it's more cost effective than a retirement village," Marty Ansen said. "But it might not be for everybody."
Whenever their ship docks in their home port in Australia, the Ansens make sure to meet with their family back on land as well.
The Ansens plan to stay on the Coral Princess until at least August 2024, which would mean over two years on the mid-sized cruise ship, which Princess Cruises says can accommodate up to 2,000 guests. They've become celebrities on board too, with the staff surprising Jess Ansen with a special serenade on her birthday last month.
"The staff are wonderful. They look after you," Jess Ansen said.
According to the Ansens, spending your retirement at sea is the way to go.
"This is how retirement should be," Jess Ansen said.
"Assuming, of course, you don't get seasick," Marty Ansen added.
