Houston Woman Has Been Living on Cruise Ships for Three Years. Here’s How She’s Able to Do It.

What’s it like to wake up in a different country almost every day? For Libby Rome (@libby.rome), formerly from Houston, Texas, this dream is her reality. She’s been living on a cruise ship full-time. It isn’t easy, but she and her husband have been at it for three years.

“I don’t have a car or a house or even have chores or errands—I live a worry-free life on an actual cruise ship with 3,600 people who come and go for their vacations,” she told TikTok.

“I wake up in a new country every few days, and I enjoy the benefits of cruising all year-round,” she continued. Although many people assume that living on the seas might be costly, according to Rome, there’s a strategy behind their way of living. It’s possible to stay on a cruise full-time and live cheaper on the water compared to land. Not everything is as picture-perfect as it seems, and Rome was transparent about that part as well.

But how is she able to live her life like she’s on a perpetual episode of The Suite Life on Deck? Prior to living on a cruise ship, she and her husband had a nomadic lifestyle. For those who crave sunny views and few constraints, Rome’s uncanny lifestyle provides an alternative path.

Life before the cruise ship

“Before our cruise life started three years ago, my husband and I were already nomads. We lived in hotels and vacation rentals, working remotely as we traveled the world,” Rome explained in a separate video. Compared to others who had a similar lifestyle, Rome considered herself and her husband to be “slowmads,” or people who only move every few months.

But even a decade prior, Rome had been living a minimalist lifestyle. Her lack of personal belongings made it easier for her to move from place to place.

“I gave up about half of my belongings, and a couple years later, I gave up 90% of my belongings, because it just felt so freeing,” she said during an interview in 2019. Rome felt as though she was “stuck” in a consumerism cycle that she couldn’t get out of.

“But overtime, living on land became increasingly expensive. Flying was always stressful, and the constant travel planning was boring and exhausting,” Rome added. She also said that what made her and her husband decide to live on cruise ships were two simple factors: first, they loved being on cruises. As soon as they took their first cruise, the pair loved being on board. Second, they were already living nomadically and worked remotely.

According to Rome, they only spend $24,000 a year living on a cruise. Essentially, living on a cruise ship became a “no-brainer” for them, as Rome puts it.

It isn’t easy, but they make it work

Consumerism and convenience culture are difficult to detach from. People have homes filled with items they don’t need, and at times, they bring the same mindset on a vacation. For Rome and her husband, a smaller room in a cruise ship or hotel was never an issue because of their minimalism. But for people who don’t pack light, the cruise life might not be for them.

But does being on a cruise ship mean never running out of entertainment? According to Rome, that’s not really the case, as extra activities on board may be too crowded or become extra repetitive.

“Most people are here on vacation, so I totally get it. Living on the same ship continuously just means I need to find the more quiet times and the quiet places to leverage the amenities,” Rome said. But that’s not the only challenge for Rome—staying online can also become difficult.

“The fastest speed we get is three megabytes per second. Usually, it’s one megabyte, and on land, we would get 50 megabytes with our phones,” she said. Not to mention, Rome also said it was a common experience for her to get sick every year, given a cruise ship’s close quarters and the number of passengers it carries.

Freedom still requires discipline

Because cruise ships have casinos, Rome cautioned people to be careful, as it’s a temptation on board. One exciting night at the casino could come with a hefty bill. She also mentioned that because room service and food are readily available, she struggled with making healthier decisions on board.

“Definitely, your mindset needs to be in the right place to make healthy choices overall,” Rome said. The cruise life isn’t all glitz and glamor, but Rome and her husband are choosing to stay.

“For us, the benefits outweight the downsides. Big time,” Rome concluded. It’s not for everyone, but Rome’s path is a reminder that there will always be different ways to live life.

(featured images: Libby Rome)

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