From Classrooms to the High Seas: A Radical Lifestyle Change
A married couple from Tennessee has traded their conventional life for a permanent residence on the high seas. Monica Brzoska and Jorell Conley made the life-altering decision in 2023 to sell nearly all of their possessions, leave their teaching careers, and embark on a continuous journey across the world's oceans.
Their extraordinary adventure began after they developed a passion for cruising from several holiday trips to destinations like Costa Rica, Mexico, and Grand Cayman. Inspired by a desire to see the world before potential health issues could arise later in life, they booked what was supposed to be a week-long cruise in March 2023 from Miami. Instead of returning home, however, they chose to keep sailing.
The Logistics of a Life Afloat
To fund their new nomadic existence, the couple made some drastic changes. They sold the majority of their belongings and now rent out their three-bedroom house to cover additional expenses. Their initial investment was eight months of consecutive cruises for £7,900, using their experience to seek out the best deals.
Monica revealed the sheer novelty of their daily life, noting that she hadn't 'stepped into a kitchen or used a washing machine for a year'. She described an immediate sense of liberation, saying, 'I instantly felt free. We didn’t know how long our money would last, but in the meantime we decided to make the most of every minute.' The rhythm of their old life, filled with lesson plans and household chores, was replaced by the ever-changing horizon.
Weighing Anchor: The Challenges of Endless Travel
Despite the idyllic portrayal of visiting 45 different countries, the couple is candid about the downsides. The most significant challenge is being far from their families, though they comfort themselves with the knowledge they can fly home in an emergency.
Monica and Jorell are not alone in choosing this unique lifestyle. They follow in the wake of Australians Marty and Jessica Ansen, a retired couple in their 70s who spent 800 days at sea aboard the Coral Princess, completing 53 continuous trips before a brief three-month break on land. For these modern-day explorers, the risk of leaving everything behind has proven to be a worthy trade for a life of unparalleled adventure.
