What started as a simple experiment turned into a lifestyle that most people only dream about.

Ryan Gutridge, a 40-something IT engineer from Florida, was tired of watching his rent and bills swallow his paycheck. So, he did something unthinkable — he moved onto a cruise ship. After testing the WiFi and his ability to work remotely, Ryan crunched the numbers and discovered that living aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas for nearly 300 days a year actually cost less than his apartment on land.

His new “home” came with a few remarkable perks — free meals, free WiFi, and free drinks. “My drinks and internet are free,” Ryan said proudly. “Once you commit to one cruise line, the loyalty rewards make it even better.” With a base budget of around $30,000 a year, he traded rent and utilities for sunsets, ocean breezes, and endless destinations.

Of course, life at sea isn’t perfect — the food can get repetitive, and friendships are fleeting. But for Ryan, the tradeoff is worth every wave. As he puts it, “I’m living more fully — and spending less — than I ever did on land.”