My MI-based sister and BiL plan to retire to their boat in the summer, spring, and fall, with a nearby condo that they'll rent out. The plan is to do laundry in the condo in between renters, and live in FL during the winter.

I've heard worse plans. Sis already basically lives on the boat in the summer. (She's a teacher who doesn't have to pick up a second job in the summer.) So she knows the ins and outs of the boating life.

I would only want to go on a cruise like that if I already knew they had good food and I liked the other people who went on that kind of cruise? But I don’t usually do cruises. I guess I could see someday when I’m old doing those European river cruises PBS offers with all the other retirees who want to feel posh?

those European river cruises PBS offers with all the other retirees who want to feel posh?

I think those sound like a step up from bus or train tours in that you're setting into the equivalent of your hotel room, and then take it from city to city—no packing or leaving a shoe under the bed. Of course, you're constrained by the presence of a navigable river by the city you want to visit. But, historically, I believe many cities grew up around navigable bodies of water, for ease of trade and whatnot. So your odds are good.

I'd give one a try.

I'm also interested in renting one of those canal boats if I ever get a long trip to England. They seem like a fun way to see a fair bit of the country.

That sounds like a terrific plan, Calli! Jealous of your sister and BiL now

I haven't really done a proper cruise, the closest I've been were one that was actually on a ferry and one that was on a tiny ship (boat?) that was actually great but not a typical cruise at all. Probably pretty similar to those river cruises, actually.

I have a marina right near me and it would in some ways be pretty practical for me to live on a boat, the big obstacles being (a) the cat probably wouldn't like it, (b) I have Too Much Stuff, and (c) I'd have to acquire a boat. A camper trailer or van or RV would, I think, be cheaper to buy? Not sure how marina fees compare to campground fees.

The long-term cruise I heard about would have you on the same ship with pretty much the same people all the time ... which sounds like it could get kind of claustrophobic in regard to the people. The river cruises sound nice - the advantage of being in the same room all along is appealing. Although I understand the Viking cruises involve little, if any, looting and pillaging.

I have gotten to the point in today's workload where the only things I have to do are things I really just don't want to start. And a meeting.

Although I understand the Viking cruises involve little, if any, looting and pillaging.

Well shoot, in that case forget it!!

I remember someone (Lisah?) went on a barge(?) trip in France that sounded amazing?

My aunt, cousin, and cousin's daughter went on a Rhine (I think) cruise and loved it. And they're all seasoned travelers, so I believe them when they tell me I'd like it. In fact they had a different one scheduled for 2020, but, of course, that didn't happen.

It's in my package of things I'd like to do. But when? Who knows. There are a lot of things in that travel pack of ideas.

Oh! I am going to Austin for business from 11/1-4, so that's a thing. I've been invited to a "house party with ecstatic dancing." I both don't think that's my jam and am SO curious. We'll see.

Who's in Austin? I know there are some Texas peeps, but I also know Texas is big. I have no idea what my free time will be like, but I'm sure the will be some. If I'm not dancing ecstatically, that is.

There are companies which do cruises on the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee rivers. I think there are also Great Lakes and St. Lawrence river cruises.

There are also cruises up the coast of Alaska.