By james art Two sisters sold their homes and everything in them after reaching retirement age to fulfill their dreams of exploring the world on a cruise ship.
Joe Johnston, 69, and Elaine Durham, 63, took the opportunity to embark on their dream of spending most of their time on the ocean, especially as singles and retirees.
Together they spent more than 1,500 days at sea, although they did not always travel together.
“I kept doing longer cruises — 30 days, then 45, then 80 — and learned that I liked long stretches at sea,” Johnston told Business Insider.
Johnston was the first to embark on this major life change, selling her house in 2014.
Joe Johnston, 69, (back) and Elaine Durham, 63, (front) used the opportunity to embark on their dream of spending most of their time on the ocean, especially as singles and retirees. They sold their homes and valuables to make this happen
Her current trip is a 53-day round-trip to Japan, departing Sept. 1 from Gig Harbor, Washington (stock image)
She told the store that the only things she keeps are the essentials, including financial records and a few items of sentimental value that she keeps in storage.
Durham followed her sister’s lead in 2022 by holding an estate sale in which she sold 98 percent of her possessions, except for some personal items and photographs of her children.
Durham told the outlet that the lifestyle is doable for her because she’s been debt-free for 20 years and makes sure to check the numbers at the end of each year to keep up with her spending.
Johnston runs a blog called Writer on Deck where he writes about his sea voyages.
Her current voyage is a 53-day round-trip to Japan, departing Sept. 1 from Gig Harbor, Washington.
This was her third trip to Japan, this trip she planned to visit 14 different Japanese ports, visiting iconic places like Nagasaki and Osaka where she toured their lush gardens and shrines.
Together, the sisters spent more than 1,500 days at sea, although they didn’t always travel together
Johnston runs a blog called Writer on Deck where he writes about his sea voyages
A 53-day Holland America Majestic Japan cruise costs $11,962 – that includes taxes, fees and port charges.
The end of this year is saturated with sea voyages, lasting until May. The 69-year-old is heading to the Mediterranean cruise in November and December, the Caribbean over the holidays and a 124-day world voyage in 2025.
A Mediterranean cruise costs about $5,200 for 42 days. The Vacation Caribbean Cruise is a seven-day voyage that starts at $999. For the luxury World Voyage, prices start at $22,354.
The total cost of other expenses for her trips on the 2024 World Voyage and Ultimate Alaska came to $33,853.
In total this year — not including the 2025 World Tour — Johnston spent $52,000.
The 69-year-old sold her Plano, Texas home for $355,000 — $4,000 less than the original asking price, according to public records.
If she spends the $52,000 she’s spent this year in a row over the nine years since she sold everything, that price would total $468,000.
But there is a way around going over budget.
A 53-day Holland America Majestic Japan cruise costs $11,962 – that includes taxes, fees and port charges. The voyage includes a visit to 14 Japanese ports
The total cost of other expenses for her trips on the 2024 World Voyage and Ultimate Alaska came to $33,853. In total this year — minus the 2025 World Tour — Johnston spent $52,000 (stock image)
Although the base price of all those trips will be $52,000, Johnson and Durham said they’re stretching their budget by earning and using loyalty bonuses they’ve saved by using Holland America exclusively to the point where they get free meals and laundry.
Johnston even said that living on cruise ships is more cost-effective than maintaining a home.
“At one time I had a big house with a pool and three cars. Without all that, I have a lot more money for travel.
Opting for cheaper rooms is another way Johnston saves money by choosing not to buy an ocean view.
On her trip to Alaska in 2024, she chose a stateroom that faced the ship’s tender rather than an ocean view with a balcony. She wrote that it was a compromise to get some light in her room without paying higher costs.
Although the base price of all those trips will be $52,000, Johnson and Durham said they’re stretching their budget by earning and using loyalty bonuses they’ve saved by using Holland America exclusively to the point where they get free meals and laundry
Johnston wrote, “Of course I would have preferred a verandah cabin, but as this ship is quite full, the higher price that Holland America offered for it was more than I wanted to pay. It’s one of those compromises that allows me to spend most of the year at sea.
In a blog post titled “The Economics of Budget Cruising,” a year after selling her home, Johnston said, “if you want to travel more while spending less on each trip, you can still have a great time. Adopt the same attitude you have at home and consider the cost.
“Explore the ports yourself. Avoid the casino (or spend a little each day). Take an internet break. Settle for water instead of soda once or twice a day.
“Enjoy a soak in the hot tub instead of indulging in an expensive massage. And remind yourself that you can save a lot on another cruise with the money you don’t spend on this one.