Translated from Portuguese by www.openworld.com

My wife and I went for a voyage in the Mediterranean aboard a Princess Transatlantic Line cruise ship. During the dinner I noticed an old lady sitting near the balcony of main restaurant. I noticed that all the staff, the crew of the boat, waiters, helpers of waiters etc. were very familiar with her.

I asked our waiter, “who was that lady?” and expected to hear that she was owner of the cruise company. I got back a different answer: The lady had been aboard during the previous four round trips.

One afternoon, when we were leaving the restaurant, we crossed paths with her and decided to greet her.

We talked a bit and after a time I said: "As I understand it, you have been in this boat for the last four trips."

She answered: "Yes, it is true."

I told her that did not understand the reason, and she replied, without thinking:

"It is turning out to be cheaper than a retirement home in the United States. From now on I am traveling on these cruises until I die.”

“The average cost of care in a retirement home is $200 per day. I found from the reservations department of the Princess Cruise Line that I can get a good discount when buying the cruise well in advance. With an added senior discount, the cost comes to $135 per day.”

With the $ 65 each day that I save, here is what I do:

1) I pay $ 10 in daily tips.

2) I have more than 10 meals a day when I go to restaurants. Or I can have the service in my cabin, which means I can have breakfast in bed every day of the week.

3) The ship has 3 swimming pools, a fitness center, clothes

washers and dryers free, library, bar, internet, cafe, cinema,

show every night and a different landscape each day.

4) Toothpaste, hair dryer,

shampoo and soap are free.

5) I’m treated as a customer and not as patient. With an extra $ 5

tip, I have all the service personnel working for me.

6) I meet new people every 7 or 14 days.

7) The TV isn’t working? I need to replace a lamp? Time to replace my mattress? No problem: The crew fixes everything, and apologizes for the inconvenience. They wash the bed linen and towels every day. I do not even have to ask.

9) If I am living in a home for old and break my leg, the only way to cover the cost is with my medical plan. If I fall and am hurt in any vessel owned by the Princess Cruise Line, the company will accommodate me in a luxury suite for the rest of my life. 

Now let me tell you where I can go with this company. I can travel to South America, the Panama Canal, Tahiti, Caribbean, Australia, Mediterranean, New Zealand, the Fjords, the river Nile, Rio de Janeiro, Asia. Just mention you want to go ... Princess Line is ready to take me.

Therefore, my dear, think what I would find in a retirement home. It would be life between four walls looking out on a garden ... and then as a

patient in hospital. No thanks!

Ha, I forgot!

If I die, throw me overboard at no additional cost.

Why should I stop traveling?

Copyright © 2009 by Mima Badan

Music: Flor Amorosa – Pixinguinha

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