An 86-year old Florida widow has spent nearly seven years living on a luxury cruise ship, paying $164,000 a year to do so.
Lee Wachtstetter, known as "Mama Lee" aboard the Crystal Serenity ship,
became a permanent resident of the seas after her husband died.
"The day before my husband died of cancer in 1997, he told me, 'Don't
stop cruising.' So here I am today living a stress-free, fairy-tale
life," the former registered nurse told The Asbury Park Press.
The 1,070-passenger ship's posh features may be a retiree's dream. It
boasts of amenities like a chef's garden, retail stores like Christian Dior cosmetics, a theater and, of course, endless food that caused her to gain 25 pounds.
And if that's not enough to make you feel at home, the ship was christened by Dame Julie Andrews
on July 3, 2003 in Southampton, England. She says there are plenty of
opportunities to make new friends and dance with the ship's dance hosts.
Wachtstetter is one of small group of people who actually are permanent
residents on cruise ships. The world's largest private residential ship
is called The World, which has 165 homes and launched in 2002.
"My husband introduced me to cruising," Wachtstetter told Asbury Park Press.
"Mason was a banker and real estate appraiser and taught me to love
cruising. During our 50-year marriage we did 89 cruises. I've done
nearly a hundred more and 15 world cruises."
Wachtstter said she stopped counting how many countries she has visited.
"I stopped counting after 100," she said. "Just say I've been to almost any country that has a port.
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