A couple from the United States are cruising through life, one port at a time.
Retirees Rick Lounsbury (59) and Darla Bernard (55), of Rochester, New York, were on their 69th cruise which included visiting Port Chalmers yesterday on Norwegian Jewel.
It was their first trip to Dunedin.
Mrs Bernard said the couple had started cruising 25 years ago.
‘‘We were raising a family and had work obligations so we would just vacation once or twice a year, but we quickly got hooked.
‘‘It’s so easy - you’re entertained and fed and travel all over the world in one place. You set up your room and you don’t have to unpack until you leave."
‘‘The travel bug hasn’t caught on with them - yet.’’
Before retiring, Mr Lounsbury worked for Kodak and Mrs Bernard owned her own asphalt paving company.
Mr Lounsbury said he and his wife could afford the cruises due to living more frugally when not travelling.
‘‘Financially, we’ve prioritised these cruises.
‘‘We’ve had the same car for 12 years, we don’t pay for TV ... ultimately, we like to pay for experiences over material things.’’
Mrs Bernard said her favourite place to visit was either French Polynesia or Greece.
The couple had an 84-day cruise booked for next year, starting in Rome.
‘‘New Zealand’s definitely on our list of places to explore more of.’’
