Get To Know The 94-Year-Old Man Who Has Lived On A Cruise Ship For The Past 13 Years
Morton Jablin has lived a life of adventure, from his days as an officer in the Navy to his travels aboard various cruise ships with his wife. After decades of sailing across the open sea, they have finally settled on a ship that they love and that feels like home – one where they are well-known by the crew members and passengers alike.
Now at the twilight years of his life, Morton is still determined to spend them sailing upon their beloved vessel - a testament to just how calming and special he finds being out at sea! Keep reading to see how he enjoys is life on the sea. Read on to learn more.
Spend Most Of His Life At Sea
Born in 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, Morton Jablin had a strong affinity for the sea before he ever dreamed of living on a cruise ship.
After joining the Navy in the 1940s, his appreciation for life at sea only grew stronger. While assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence, he spent time traveling abroad until returning back to America in 1946.
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Made A Living Making Lace
After Morton's return to the US, he juggled life as a pharmacist, husband and father of two. Additionally, he started his own business by capitalising on an opportunity that had arisen during his time abroad; having met a textile worker with whom he eventually collaborated to manufacture lace-making machines in America.
This later evolved into a successful and long-lasting lace production venture, now led by one of Morton's grandchildren.
They Loved Being On The Water
Jablin and his wife shared a special bond borne out of their mutual love for the sea. To indulge in this passion, they would take multiple cruises together, exploring different companies and experiencing a wide range of exciting adventures over the years that they were married.
Never sticking to just one line, the couple always sought something new, comparing and contrasting each voyage with enthusiasm.
No Problem Making Friends
Thanks to their friendship with a crew member of their past cruise, Morton and Charlotte were introduced to Regent Seven Seas Cruises. T
aking this advice, the couple found it to be exactly what they wanted in a cruise line; so much so that they still remain, avid customers, today.
Perused Options
With their friend's assistance, Charlotte and Morton spent numerous years sailing across the Seven Seas on different cruises. During that time, they hopped between two vessels - the Mariner and Voyager - for five years before becoming captivated by the Seven Seas Navigator in 2000.
The tiny cruise ship only had room for 500 passengers, yet this didn't deter them; in fact, it seemed to be exactly what they wanted as they decided to remain on board for a further five-year period.
Grief Led Him To His Home
After Charlotte passed away, Morton settled into the Seven Seas Navigator, viewing it as his true home. Although he still has a condo in Florida that holds his possessions and is declared as his permanent address, it's on the cruise ship where he spends most of his time.
When asked why by Forbes magazine, Morton replied saying "It's impossible for me to get this kind of lifestyle anywhere else - I have so many good things to say about the crew; they're incredibly sincere and wonderful."
He No Longer Goes Onshore
Due to health restrictions that Morton has begun facing in his old age, he is limited in his excursions. He's lost most of his eyesight, so he can no longer participate in onshore explorations.
Instead, he stays on the ship and takes comfort in having a familiar schedule. Having spent most of his life traveling alongside his beloved wife, Morton has seen just about everything already. It's no longer the land that he longs for, but the open seas.
He Has A Very Strict Schedule
Part of maintaining his safety and sanity is keeping a strict schedule. Every day, Morton takes his breakfast while in bed. He used to play games like Suduko, but he's no longer able to manage that due to his eyesight.
Since he knows the ship like the back of his hand, Morton is able to get around quite well, and spends two hours a day walking. He takes his lunch and dinner in the main dining room and enjoys the ship's musical entertainment.
Dover Sole Is His Favorite Meal
At Morton's age, he can do just about whatever he wants. Yet, he's experienced so many things in life that know he likes to stick to what he knows. A prime example of this is his favorite meal, which he likes to eat twice a day.
For both lunch and dinner, Morton prefers the Dover sole. It may seem over-the-top to eat that much fish every day, but the man knows what he likes and he's sticking to it!
Everything Is Arranged So He Can Find It
Morton always sits at the same table in the dining room and it's always set up the same way, so he doesn't have a problem finding the right spices and utensils. Given his loyalty to the luxury cruise line, they've done all they can to accommodate Morton as he ages.
They increased the brightness in his room and installed hand railings. They even supplied Morton with a special shaving mirror so he can stay as well-groomed as ever.
He's Known As "The Captain"
Though Morton isn't the captain of the ship, the crew makes him feel that special by referring to him as "the Captain." He certainly has an authoritative way about him given his experience on the ship and in the Navy.
With all of his experience on the sea, he walks with ease on the cruise ship, exploring the shopping areas and throwback nightclubs. What Morton doesn't do is visit the casino, purely because he's "never been much of a gambler."
His Family Comes To Visit Him
The two young boys that Morton raised with his wife Charlotte are now elderly men themselves! While Morton is in his 90s, his boys are in their 60s and have children and grandchildren.
This means that Morton is a great-grandfather, and has plenty of family to come pay him a visit. Since his family lives in Florida, they come onboard to catch up with him whenever the ship docks in Miami.
He Doesn't Have Many Close Companions
Though Morton sees his family regularly, he doesn't have many people in his day-to-day life who he's close with. The crew members treat him wonderfully, and other passengers will swing by his table and strike up a conversation.
But most of the people Morton interacts with are the same age as his sons, if not younger. Since he's limited on how much he can relate to younger generations, he keeps things light and friendly, but ultimately embraces his seclusion.
He Sometimes Runs Into Old Friends
One thing that can be fun about his living on a cruise ship is when he sees a familiar face. After all the traveling he's done, Morton sometimes will see an old companion who also loves to explore the world.
The two may have met on another cruise or in another country years, or even decades, ago. But like a transient city, people who arrive at the cruise are bound to leave. Only Morton sticks behind, comfortably residing in his home away from home.
A Different Kind Of Nursing Home
Part of why Morton loves living on the cruise ship so much is because he doesn't have to live at a nursing home. He boasts, "If I need a nurse or doctor, someone is in my cabin within five minutes."
Even if it isn't a medical need, Morton says that someone arrives at his beck and call in less than 20 minutes. Plus, the cost of living on the cruise ship is comparable to many nursing homes.
One Downside: Sea Storms
The only downside to living on a cruise ship is that the weather conditions out at sea can be risky. With all of the movies that have been made about ships sinking, you'd think that Morton's odds of being in a dangerous storm are pretty good.
In reality, he's lived a perfectly safe life during the several years he's spent aboard. Plus, as a former Naval officer, he had to embrace the chance of things going wrong decades ago.
People Admire His Way Of Life
Those who have heard about Morton's lifestyle or who meet him while onboard have often praised him for daring to be different. While many elderly men end up doing whatever their families think is best, Morton has held to his own convictions.
Not only is he living on his own terms, but he's doing so in the lap of luxury. For some who are in a similar time in their lives, Morton's story is inspiring.
His Story Is Well-Known
Since many have become fascinated by Morton's way of life, his story has gained popularity over the years. One Facebook user said that Morton is "doing it right," referring to his freedom and fortune.
As his story spreads, people are realizing that their later years don't have to look so traditional. There are still an array of options to chose from, even as you age. Granted, Morton has been very lucky to have the support of the crew and the financial backing to pull this off.
He Keeps Up To Date With Some Technology
While Morton may not be up-to-date with how his story has floated around the internet, he stays apprised of some technological advances. He has an Amazon Echo in his room to make it easier to gather information.
He also has a cell phone to stay in contact with his family in between their visits. For someone well into their years, Morton has managed to stay as connected as he needs to be, even while in the middle of the ocean.
His Life Couldn't Be Better
Morton couldn't be happier with his decision to spend his final years on a cruise ship. We suspect that it reminded him of the adventurous times he'd spent with his wife over the course of their long marriage.
After securing a successful career and raising a family, Morton gets to enjoy time to himself without a care in the world. He even gets to enjoy his preferred meals in his favorite place. Best of all, he's doing what he loves: cruising.
