Florida Couple Embarks on $118K Nine-Month Cruise to Explore 65 Countries After Life-Changing Realization

 

Andrew Kenney, 27, and his wife, Ale, 29, decided that life was too short to wait until retirement to see the world. After losing both of their fathers, the couple splurged on a $118,000 nine-month cruise that would take them to 65 countries and 150 ports, beginning in December 2023.

The couple, hailing from Panama City, Florida, began their epic journey with a strong desire to experience the world while they still could. Ale, a pharmacy technician, and Andrew, a videographer and photographer, were inspired by the untimely deaths of their fathers. Ale’s father, Lynn Ellenburg, passed away at 57 in 2021, while Andrew’s father, Chris Kenney, died at 30 when Andrew was just two years old. This shared loss fueled their decision to embark on this "once-in-a-lifetime trip."

Ale recounted how she first mentioned the idea of the cruise after seeing an advertisement for the Royal Caribbean Ultimate World Cruise. Initially brought up as a joke, the couple quickly warmed to the idea of visiting seven continents and seeing the world's wonders. The trip, which began in Miami, Florida, on December 10, 2023, has already taken them to remarkable destinations such as Australia, France, Greenland, and the Bahamas.

"We didn't want to wait until we retired to travel," Ale said. "After losing our fathers so young, we realized that we might never get the chance if we didn't do it now."

Despite being on an extensive journey, the couple has continued working while traveling. Andrew has taken on freelance videography projects, and Ale has been documenting their experiences through vlogging.

The cruise has exceeded their expectations, not only in terms of the places they've visited but also the community they've found onboard. "I wasn’t expecting the sense of community on the ship," Ale said. "We've made lifelong friends with like-minded people who share our love for travel."

Reflecting on the cost of the trip, the couple believes the $59,000 per person price tag was well worth it. "You get three loads of laundry done every week, unlimited Wi-Fi, free food and drinks, and you get to see seven world wonders—all included in the price," Andrew explained. "It’s like paying your rent in advance for nine months, and it would have been more expensive if we had taken these trips individually."

As they continue their journey, Andrew and Ale are grateful for the opportunity to see the world and plan to return to some of their favorite locations in the future. "The experiences we’ve had are things most people only read about or see on TV," Ale said. "We’re just so thankful we took this chance."