This was published 7 years ago
The US couple who have taken 200 cruises with the same cruise line, Carnival Cruises
By Oliver Smith
The couple has cruised on the 2056-passenger Carnival Sensation more than 100 times.
While some of us spend our holidays exploring new surroundings, others prefer to stick with what they know, secure in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises – and a good time is guaranteed.
Bernard and Janice Caffary, it would seem, fall into the latter group.
For the US couple, from Lakeland, Florida, have just completed their 200th Carnival cruise in just 15 years. That's a total of 878 days at sea, and more than 13 sailings each year, on average, with the same company. Talk about brand loyalty. And remarkably, more than 100 of those cruises have taken place on the same ship: the 2056-passenger Carnival Sensation, and for 90 per cent of those sailings they reserve the same cabin.
Bernard and Janice Caffary have been honoured for their 200th cruise with the same company.Credit: Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival honoured the couple's landmark sailing with a ceremony at Port Canaveral cruise terminal, while they were served up a variety of VIP perks on their latest trip. The pair clearly aren't growing tired of their holiday routine, either - the cruise line said they already have 30 more voyages booked. If anything their dedication to holidays at sea is growing stronger. The couple's Carnival commitment made news back in March 2015, after they had sailed 142 times with Carnival in 15 years. That works out at a shade over nine times each year.
Since then, however, they've squeezed in a further 58 sailings – or 29 a year.
It's not the chance to explore the world that motivates them. The company's ships based at Port Canaveral generally call at the same ports in the Caribbean and The Bahamas, while Mr and Mrs Caffary, aged 70 and 79, respectively, sometimes barely leave the ship. In fact it's the staff members and on-board entertainment that keeps them coming.
"We really do like the crew - it's a family atmosphere," said Mrs Caffary in 2015. "A lot of the staff members call us 'mum' and 'dad'." The couple even wear badges on their cruises that read: "I give crew hugs."
"They love the ship and they love the staff, and it's a big part of their lives," said a Carnival spokesman. "It's a pretty amazing feat. We're very excited to have them."
How much does this dedication cost? The couple have spent 878 days at sea since they retired in 2000. "You're looking at a lot of money," said Mrs Caffary. "Perhaps $100 per person, per night." That's $US175,600 ($A232,371).
The Caffarys are by no means the first to show such an unwavering love of life at sea - many even choose to live on board a cruise ship permanently.
"It's not so unusual for men, women or couples who love cruising to take up residence on their favourite ship," explains Jane Archer, a cruise travel expert. "Princess Cruises once told me there were more than 100 passengers living on their ships.
"I can see the attraction. You have the crew looking after you, and with each cruise another set of potential friends comes on board. It's also a very cost-effective way to live as all your food, heating, and so on, is included in the price. Plus you get to travel.
"It certainly beats being in a care home, but of course there could be problems for people if their health starts to deteriorate and they need a lot of medical attention."
Beatrice Muller was one of the best known cruise ship residents, living on board the QE2 from 2000 until the ship's retirement in 2008.
"My priorities on this ship are ballroom dancing, playing duplicate bridge, and trying not to eat - not necessarily in that order. I like all kinds of dancing, but right now I'm not dancing sambas or the cha cha - I don't want to jump on my new hip just yet," she said in 2006.
The Telegraph, London
See also: 20 of the best cruises for first-timers
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