Zachary Biss, a 29-year-old musician from St. Petersburg, Florida, has just completed an unconventional relocation by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, moving from Florida to Portugal on a two-week transatlantic cruise.
Frustrated by soaring living costs, especially skyrocketing home utility bills and unaffordable health insurance as a self-employed musician in the United States, Biss and his girlfriend, Marina, chose a rare direct cruise from Tampa to Lisbon to start fresh abroad. Their decision comes as more Americans explore alternative moves for affordability and lifestyle changes amid rising expenses at home.
Why Sail Across the Atlantic? A Unique, Cost-Effective Move
The couple paid $2,500 total, slightly more than flying, but the price included food, lodging, and several port stops — a deal they consider worth it. Their itinerary featured stops in the Bahamas, the remote Azores, and Porto before reaching Lisbon. This unusual mode of moving allowed them to bring all their belongings without the strict luggage limits airlines impose, a major advantage for travelers relocating overseas.
“Flying would have been a lot more restrictive,” Biss said. “We just packed as much as we could fit.”
The cruise also eased jet lag with gradual time shifts over the six days at sea, rolling clocks forward one hour five times on the way to Portugal, helping the couple acclimate to a new time zone naturally.
Escaping Rising US Costs with a Search for a New Pace of Life
Biss had purchased a home in Florida in 2019 but became overwhelmed after five years with increasing bills, especially having his electric and utilities costs double. “You have all these people telling you homeownership is the dream, but the bills kept going up,” he explained. After years of working harder than ever with little to show for it, the couple was ready to leave.
Health insurance was another major factor. As a self-employed individual, Biss was paying $360 per month on the US health insurance marketplace. Friends in Portugal reportedly pay about that much per year, highlighting stark affordability differences.
“It’s a breath of fresh air,” Biss said about life in Portugal, noting the contrast in pace. “People here really will take a moment — it’s built into the day to have a coffee, have your pastry in the morning, not just rushing like back in the US.”
The Emotional Toll and New Beginnings
The move was emotional despite long-term planning, with both Biss and Marina shedding tears on the first night of the cruise. “That’s 100% normal for anyone moving, even within the US,” Biss stated. “It’s scary.”
They have not yet sold their Florida home but felt the urgency to go as soon as possible.
What This Means for US Workers and Movers
Biss’s story reflects growing trends among self-employed and remote workers weighing the high costs of living in the US against more affordable, relaxed lifestyles abroad. Moving by cruise offers a novel alternative for those relocating internationally, especially for travelers with substantial luggage or who seek a slower transition.
For Coloradans and US readers considering overseas moves, Biss’s experience shows that creative travel options like transatlantic repositioning cruises can turn a costly, stressful process into a unique and even rejuvenating adventure.
With costs and quality of life driving Americans abroad, this story may signal new patterns in global relocation strategies this year.
