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Bernard and Janice CaffaryAmerican couple who have traveled on the same cruise line 200 times
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- American Couple Cruises the Same Line 200 Times
- Choosing Consistency
- The Allure of the Sea
- The Ship as Home
- The Cost of a Cruise Habit
- Permanent Residents of the Seas
American Couple Cruises the Same Line 200 Times
Bernard and Janice Kuphari share a vacation preference that some would find monotonous and others would envy. Instead of seeking out new destinations to explore, they've chosen to stick with what they know and love. In just 15 years, the Lakeland, Florida, couple has completed 200 cruises with Carnival Cruise Lines, amassing a total of 878 days at sea. That's an average of 13 cruises per year, a testament to their unwavering brand loyalty.
Choosing Consistency
For over 100 of their cruises, the Kupharis have opted for the same vessel: the 2,056-passenger Carnival Sensation. Even more surprisingly, they have booked the same cabin 90% of the time. Appreciative of their repeat business, Carnival Cruise Lines honored the couple with a water salute at Port Canaveral and bestowed upon them various VIP perks for their milestone voyage.
The Allure of the Sea
The Lakeland residents' love for cruising shows no signs of waning, as they have already booked over 30 future sailings. Notably, their motivations for taking to the sea differ from those of most cruisers. The Carnival Cruise Lines ships based in Port Canaveral typically visit similar ports in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Moreover, Bernard, 70, and Janice, 79, rarely venture off the vessel.
The Ship as Home
Instead, the couple's enthusiasm stems from the relationships they've formed with the crew and the entertainment on board. "We just love the staff," says Janice. "It's like a family. Most of them call us 'Mom' and 'Dad.'" During cruises, the pair even wear buttons that read "I give crew hugs."
"Bernard and Janice love the ship and they love the staff. It's a big part of their lives," says a Carnival Cruise Lines spokesperson. "It's kind of like a feat. We're pretty fortunate to have them."
The Cost of a Cruise Habit
The Kupharis' seafaring pursuits have come at a significant cost. Since retiring in 2000, they've spent 878 days at sea. "It's expensive," Janice admits. "We average, I think, $100 a night per person." By their estimation, they've spent approximately $175,600 on their cruises.
Permanent Residents of the Seas
The Kupharis are far from the only ones who have developed a profound fondness for life at sea. Some have even taken to living on cruise ships full-time.
"Living aboard is not at all unusual for single men, women or couples who love to travel," says cruise expert Jane Archer. "A representative from Princess Cruises once told me that they have over 100 long-term passengers on their ships."
"I can see why it would happen. You have a staff taking care of you and you have a new group of potential friends every sailing. And it's a cost-effective way to live because food, heat and so on are included. Plus, you get to travel."
"Of course, there can be downsides if your health changes and you need more medical care."
One of the most famous cruise ship residents was Beatrice Muller, who lived aboard the ocean liner QE2 from 2000 to 2008, when the ship was retired.
"My priorities on this ship are ballroom dancing, duplicate bridge, and dieting, not necessarily in that order," Muller said in a 2006 interview. "I enjoy all dance, but I have given up the samba and the cha-cha for the moment. I just don't feel like bouncing around on my new hip yet."
