Couple gives up land life to cruise with Carnival full-time
Some cruisers dream about never having to disembark. Carnival cruisers Malcolm and Robin are actually doing it.
The couple recently sat down with Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald aboard Carnival Vista for a video conversation that he posted to his popular Facebook page on Aug. 4.
Their story is the kind that makes even seasoned cruisers pause: no house, no lease, no land-based address at all — just one ship after another, for nearly two years and counting.
How one couple became permanent Carnival cruisers
Malcolm, originally from the U.K., lived in Florida for many years and married Robin 14 years ago. During the pandemic, the couple made the decision most people only joke about: they sold both of their homes, one in England and one in Florida. They tried settling in the Dominican Republic afterward, but it didn't stick.
Instead, they moved to the sea. Since October 2024, Malcolm and Robin have been living full-time on cruise ships, sailing "mainly with Carnival," Malcolm told Heald. He added that they've squeezed in a few sailings with other lines, but their recent sailing with Heald on Carnival Vista was cruise number 75 with the line.
When one Carnival cruise ends, Malcolm and Robin typically head straight to another ship or stay on board for a back-to-back cruise . The couple's upcoming schedule, which Robin says lives on a shared spreadsheet, would probably make most travel agents dizzy.
Their August travel plans include a short hop on another ship followed by a two-week land break to drive from Florida to New York, visiting Robin's children along the way. They'll then take a flight to England to board Carnival Legend out of Dover for a month of back-to-back cruises ending in Rome where they'll embark on a Princess cruise to Barcelona, and then board Carnival Freedom for a transatlantic cruise to Port Canaveral, Florida.
From there, they have more Carnival sailings out of Port Canaveral and Miami booked before a January trip to Los Angeles for 45 days of back-to-back cruises through South America on Carnival Firenze.
Carnival Vista is a popular ship for back-to-back sailings.Alisha dos Santos / TravelHost
What they miss and what keeps them cruising full-time
When Heald asked what the couple misses about living on land, Robin's answer was easy: her children. She stays connected with them through FaceTime and plans land breaks for in-person visits.
While spending time with family is something they dearly miss, Malcolm and Robin keep cruising for the opportunity to tour the world.
"We've been to Australia, we've been to Iceland, New Zealand, Japan, Alaska. I mean it's the best way to travel," Robin said. "You see everything."
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Beyond the destinations, both said the biggest draw is the friendships made on board, particularly with crew members.
"The crew are fantastic," Malcolm said. "We love seeing the same crew over and over. We change ships and sometimes the crew members follow us, obviously not follow us, but we see the same crew members. It's great."
The couple currently has cruises booked through February 2027, even though they say they were "supposed to be done" living at sea in June, but Robin says Malcolm keeps adding more sailings.
"We're probably going to add a few more on. So maybe another year or so I think," Malcolm said when Heald asked how long they think their full-time cruising life will last.
Long-term cruising is a growing trend among frequent cruisers
Malcolm and Robin's arrangement is an extreme version of something cruise lines have encouraged for years through loyalty perks, extended voyages, and convenient back-to-back cruise options perfect for passengers who never want to fully disembark.
Carnival, like most major lines, offers repeat cruisers attractive loyalty benefits that reward this kind of frequent, long-term cruising behavior.
For travelers considering their own first extended cruise, or for frequent cruisers curious how far the "never get off the ship" lifestyle can realistically go, Malcolm and Robin's spreadsheet is a real-world example of what's possible when a couple plans ahead and builds their entire life around it.
"Cruising in general is significantly up and ships are selling out weeks in advance in key ports like Port Canaveral, so it's important to plan ahead and book early, especially if you're booking back-to-back sailings," said Dennis Post, co-owner of Postcard Travel Planning , who spends much of his life at sea with his wife and business partner, Amy.
Whether you want to book one sailing or fifteen back to back, a travel agent who specializes in cruises is an ideal planning partner who can help you build a cruise calendar that fits your life, cruise preferences, and travel goals.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel , or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
This story was originally published by TravelHost on Aug 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
