An American couple has decided to sell all their belongings and live on a cruise ship, citing the advantages of traveling the world while finding it more economical compared to living on land.
Jeff, 54, and Debb Knapp, 55, have spent over 900 consecutive nights at sea without returning to land, with their itinerary booked until 2028, as reported by The Mirror. Despite the hefty monthly cost of $10,000 for their maritime lifestyle, they believe it is a more cost-effective alternative to owning a house. Jeff mentioned, “When you factor in mortgage, rent, utilities, car payments, insurance, property tax, car maintenance, and grocery bills, you’ll find that this lifestyle is very affordable for us. Currently, our schedule is fully booked until April 2028, and we plan to continue this way.”
The couple, who follow a carnivorous diet, mentioned that purchasing high-quality meats on land is expensive, while aboard the cruise ship, they enjoy delicious premium cuts daily.
During their time at sea, the Knapps manage their finances online, with scanned mail forwarded to them. They rely on the ship’s medical center and doctors to meet their daily health needs, arranging routine check-ups during port stops or land stays while staying abreast of travel visas and entry requirements.
Despite residing in a compact suite of only 28 square meters on the cruise ship, they insist that they have never felt bored since they met.
Rather than staying on the same ship, the couple continuously move between different Celebrity Cruises ships, living as full-time passengers in Sky Suites. Jeff noted, “We don’t feel confined to our cabin; it feels like living in a luxury suite where the living room extends to the entire ship and vast ocean, with a new destination visible almost every morning from the balcony.”
Recently, the Knapps made a stop in Istanbul, Turkey, where Jeff underwent a hair transplant while Debb opted for an eyebrow lift. They shared photos on Facebook sporting swollen faces wrapped in bandages to mark their 888th day of living on a cruise ship.
Jeff, who had a background in carpentry, construction, house flipping, and retail ownership, and Debb, who worked for the Washington state government for 29 years while also dabbling in real estate, both experienced early adulthood marked by poverty and hard work, becoming parents in their teens. Now, with six adult children and five grandchildren, they believe that living on a cruise ship has granted them the freedom they desired, despite their unconventional lifestyle.
Having met, fallen in love, and tied the knot on a cruise ship, Jeff from New Jersey and Debb from Washington state met in the ocean-view cafe of the Celebrity Ascent in February 2024, marrying in Miami in June 2025. Their Christian faith plays a vital role in their relationship, with both of them emphasizing the significance of their marriage vows.
Today, they consider luxury cruise ships as their permanent home.