Retire on the High Seas, and Never Do Laundry Again

This month’s issue is one of my favorites. It proves, once again, that there are so many interesting ways to live an international life—and not just on land. Our feature story highlights a growing trend: Retiring on cruise ships.

If “cruising” conjures long buffet lines and tired entertainers in velour pantsuits, rest assured the new residential ships aren’t your typical fare. If you have the means, you can purchase a floating condo next to the likes of Madonna or Arnie Schwarzenegger. (We interviewed a couple who did just that.)

But there are more realistic ways to enjoy a luxurious floating life… and never cook or do your own laundry again. You’ll hear from individuals cruising around the world full- and part-time, seeing exotic ports of call without the hassles of overland travel. We cover all your options for long-term living on the high seas, along with the practical considerations.

We bring you other seafaring travel stories this month, too… including a yacht trip to Portugal’s sacred wine region, an ideal adventure for small groups of old friends.

And then there’s the “repo” cruise. If there’s a faraway land you’ve longed to see but the flights are exorbitant, read up on this traveler’s secret for a dream vacation.

Back on land, we explore another growing trend: pickleball. This wickedly addictive game is a great way for expats to stay active and make like-minded friends. Suzan Haskins tells you where to find a game overseas… and if you’ve never played, what all the fuss is about.

Our annual Fast Track Panama event is just around the corner. Ted Baumann has a cheat sheet this month on its top visas… and explains why Panamanian residency is simply a smart investment.

If Europe is where your interests lie, you’ll enjoy Jeff Opdyke’s piece on what it’s really like to live there… the good, the bad, the better. And Ronan McMahon reports on where great real estate values in Portugal can still be had, including in the “next Porto.”