THE over-80s could soon set sail on a brand new cruise ship, decked with everything they could wish for, including assisted living suites.
Shipbuilder Meyer Werft has spotted a huge gap in the cruise market – the ‘Serenity’, a vessel made exclusively for elderly guests.
6
6
6
This cruise ship concept looks ahead to an ageing population – and what cruising might look like in the year 2100.
The ‘Serenity’ is envisioned to have a closed glass facade, urban gardening areas, drone landing pads and central public spaces.
“The starting point for this ship concept is demographic change,” revealed Tim Krug from the Meyer Werft Concept Development Group last week.
He said: “In the year 2100, those over 80 in the United States will include as many people over 65 today.
“We derived a completely new target group from this, which we called ’80+,’ and looked at what needs and requirements such a target group would have.
“Today there are ships for young, middle-aged, and old, and in the future there will be a need for a subdivided older target group.
“It is important, however, to note that we are not talking about a nursing home.
“‘Serenity’ would offer services for people living in independent residential homes, with some additional features of assisted living facilities.
“Good examples are additional requirements for the on-board walkways, e.g. corridor widths, social interactions, passenger flow and orientation on board in general,” Krug said.
The company also claims it will be eco-friendly – with fuel cells, batteries, solar energy and a focus on low speed journeys.
But the ‘Serenity’ still has a long journey ahead before it becomes reality.
“This is a perspective that was projected roughly 10 to 15 years ahead,” Meyer Werft spokesperson Peter Hackmann told German media.
It comes as a money-smart couple revealed they plan to spend the next 15 years living on an all-around-the world cruise as they escape soaring bills at home.
Johan and Lanette Canen, both 55, are now six months into the cruise and said it was a ”no brainer” for them to live out their retirement in true style on the Villa Vie Odyssey ship.
The cruise is a residential style luxury around-the-world journey, pulling over at 425 ports in 147 countries across three and a half years.
The Canens’ rent guarantees them a room for more than a decade.
The pair had already been living in Hawaii for ten years but after they went on a cruise holiday, they came across the Odyssey and were ”hooked” right away.
Similarly, another couple took a leap of faith by selling their house for a cabin on a ship – despite it not being built yet.
Mike Soroker, 80, and his wife Barbara, 75, purchased a £2million cabin on the Storylines MV Narrative, where they plan to live full time.
The couple feel now is the time to do something they’ve always dreamed of while they still can, even if it is under dramatic circumstances.
The cruise ship will circumnavigate the Earth once every three years continuously, with stops in ports across the globe.
6
6
6