Florida Musician Relocates to Portugal via Two-Week Transatlantic Cruise
Zachary Biss, a 29-year-old musician from St. Petersburg, Florida, has made a bold move from the US to Portugal, choosing a unique relocation method by taking a two-week transatlantic cruise.
Facing soaring homeownership costs in Florida, including utility bills that doubled over five years, Biss decided it was time for a dramatic change. Despite earning more than ever, he found himself unable to build wealth or thrive financially. With the help of his girlfriend Marina, he planned a move to Portugal, motivated partly by steep US health insurance costs reaching about $360 per month for self-employed artists like him.
The couple boarded a repositioning cruise departing from Tampa and arriving in Lisbon, Portugal, paying $2,500 total—more than flying but covering lodging, food, and stops in the Bahamas, the Azores, and Porto.
“The cruise was a match made in heaven,” Biss told Business Insider. “We had a balcony room with no hard luggage limit, which allowed us to bring our guitar, suitcases, and gear with ease.” Instead of enduring harsh jet lag after a long flight, the trip’s gradual time changes eased their adjustment to a new time zone five hours ahead of Eastern Time.
Biss emphasized the emotional weight of the move but also its necessity. “We started crying the first night, wondering what we were doing, but that’s normal for any big move,” he said.
Why Move to Portugal? Cost and Lifestyle Appeal
While affordability was a key factor, Biss pointed out Portugal’s slower pace of life and friendlier social atmosphere. Unlike the fast-paced US lifestyle, people in Portugal take time for coffee and pastries without rushing. This cultural shift appeals to him as a creative professional seeking balance.
For US self-employed individuals struggling with expensive healthcare and rising homeownership costs, Biss’s move spotlights a growing trend of Americans seeking alternative lives abroad. “My friends pay what I pay in a month for health insurance yearly here,” he said, highlighting the stark contrast.
What’s Next for Biss and His Florida Home?
Biss has not yet sold his Florida home, which remains on the market, but he is committed to building a new life in Europe. His story demonstrates the unconventional but viable option of using repositioning cruises for international moves, blending adventure with relocation.
For American readers, especially in Ohio and other states feeling the pinch of rising living costs, Biss’s journey offers a fresh perspective on mobility and global living.
His advice: consider the perks of ocean travel for moving abroad, especially relaxed policies on luggage and the chance to gradually adapt to new time zones.
Zachary Biss’s transatlantic cruise move is not just about changing geography but embracing a new lifestyle and financial reality in 2026’s shifting global economy.
