READY TO SET SAIL?

If you’re thinking more seriously about the concept of retiring on a ship, you can test the waters by taking an extended cruise of three to seven months. Most of the major lines operate world voyages, covering several continents, and then you can disembark with a clearer idea of whether the cruising life is right for you.

• Princess Cruises: The 680-passenger Pacific Princess will embark on a 111-night adventure from Fort Lauderdale in January 2020, visiting 42 ports in 26 countries across Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, the Americas and the South Pacific. This cruise on the line’s smallest ship is priced from $22,999 to $68,999 per person (twin share).

Viking Sun • Viking Ocean Cruises: will whisk you off on an epic 245-day cruise where you can take in 112 of the world’s greatest cities and charming smaller ports across 59 countries with an excursion in every port. Such an elegant, adults-only, 930-passenger ship is priced from $115,995 per person (twin share).

• Cunard Line: Queen Mary 2’s circumnavigation takes passengers on a 113-night journey from New York through Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia and the Middle East – 26 countries in total. The famous ship departs January 2020 and is priced from $18,069 to $183,620 per person (twin share).

• Check out the luxurious Crystal Serenity by Crystal Cruises, and also Oceania Cruises.