A woman is planning for an exciting retirement after spending millions on a home aboard a cruise ship that sails around the world.
Most people choose to stay in their homes or move to retirement communities, but one woman from Arizona had a different plan.
63-year-old Count Debra Kilgore has just bought a $1.9 million home for her retirement. But instead of a traditional house or luxury apartment, she has chosen to live on a residential cruise ship that travels the world. One of the unique aspects of this ship is that residents vote on where it sails next.
Debra, who grew up as an only child, says she is completely comfortable doing this alone. She shared with Realtor: “I’m really looking forward to being on the ship by myself. You can go anywhere you want and not worry about what someone else wants to do.”
She also enjoys the freedom that solo travel offers. “Traveling alone allows you to be flexible. You don’t have to stick to a plan. You can explore places in a different way, following local recommendations instead of tourist spots.”
Although she appreciates her alone time, Debra says that living on the cruise ship doesn’t mean she’ll be lonely. “You can choose to be around others, join activities, and be part of groups – or not,” she explained. She also isn’t concerned about going off on her own when the ship docks in different locations.
Debra is a mother and grandmother and has been divorced for a long time. However, she won’t be entirely alone—her nine-year-old dog, Choo Choo Bella, will be joining her on this adventure.
“She has been to Canada, all the Hawaiian islands, and most of the continental U.S.,” Debra said about her dog’s travels. Now, both of them will be living aboard the Storylines’ MV Narrative, a residential cruise ship set to launch in 2027.
For pet owners wondering, yes—pets are allowed on the ship, and there’s even a vet on board.
Debra first learned about the ship in 2022 and quickly made a $10,000 deposit for a one-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom unit, RU-3, on the 12th deck of the 18-deck vessel.
The MV Narrative has 530 fully furnished apartments, ranging from 237 to 1,970 square feet.
Looking ahead to her new lifestyle, Debra shared that she loves warm weather and is most excited to visit places like the Mediterranean, the South Pacific, the Greek islands, and the Galapagos Islands.