Meet the couple who have spent $150k on a 'gap year' nine-month cruise around the world.

Mike Jacobs, 56, and wife Nancy, 59, set off on their epic cruise - calling at 160 ports in 65 countries - in December 2023.

The couple decided they would live life to the fullest after their children, Tim Jacobs, 26, Emily Smoker, 28, and Katie Murphy, 30, moved out.

So far, the couple have visited the Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins, Barbados, Grenada and Rio de Janeiro.

The couple describe their ocean-going life on the cruise ship as "pleasant" - because neither of them have to cook or clean."

But the pair are not completely letting their hair down - and both keep a check on work on the high seas.

Nancy, a catering business owner, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, US, said: "It's a nice life as we don't have to cook or clean."

"It is very pleasant to have some of those mundane tasks taken care of for us."

"They are also doing a fair amount of laundry for us which is nice."

"When you're home it is like 'what is for supper', but for us right now we can eat whatever we want when we want."

Mike, who also runs the business, added: "We have got a really close group of friends that we socialise with."

"On sea days you get into a nice routine or going for a walk or going to the gym."

"We've had six sea days in a row. We have been on the ship for quite a while, but honestly we don't even notice."

"Every day the view outside your window changes - cruise life is pretty fun."

The couple received an email from Royal Caribbean showcasing the cruise in 2022. Mike was keen, but Nancy didn't feel comfortable stepping away from the business.

But then the life-threatening illness of a close family member galvanised their thought and realising 'life is short' - decided to book it.

Nancy said: "What turned the corner is my sister-in-law, who is younger than I am, was diagnosed with cancer."

"Life is too short. We just had to take this opportunity while we can."

"Our grandbabies are around two and under. They're not going to remember that we were gone for nine months."

"Our children are married and grown - this is a sweet spot."

Mike and Nancy paid $150,000 over two years for the nine-month cruise by dipping into their savings and salary.

Mike said: "We're blessed that we're empty nesters, so we don't have college fees or anything to pay for."

"We paid $65k each for nine months, on top of that our biggest expenses have been the excursions."

"We have budgeted somewhere between $15-20,000 for those and most of them have been paid over the last two years."

Mike and Nancy said they feel like their children flying the nest has given them a new lease of life.

Mike said: "In many ways for us it does feel like our life has started over again."

"Around five years ago, we started our own business, we run a B2B catering operation."

"We ended up doing well during COVID as the community rallied around us."

"For us phase two truly was a new career, it was changing our lives."

"No kids in the house. We had a lot of change. That is one of the inspirations when we decided to do this."

Mike and Nancy have been working, on and off, afloat since they stepped onto the ship.

Mike said: "We are still running our business. I was on the phone to our general manager yesterday."

"But it is nothing like going in for eight to ten hours-a-day."

"We have an absolutely amazing team and they don't even want us to call. They want us to go and enjoy ourselves."

The couple will be on the cruise for 274 nights, visiting 160 ports in 65 different countries.

Next, the cruise will go to Chile, Australia and the UK and stop off at more countries along the way.

Mike said: "Our favourite places to visit so far have been Grenada, Iguazu Falls and Puerto Madryn, Argentina."

"I am really looking forward to going to Australia. I am an avid scuba diver and look forward to diving the Great Barrier Reef and climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge."

On what advice they would give to other parents in phase two of their life.

Nancy said: "Live each day to the fullest. The thread that has gone through here is that you don't know what tomorrow is going to bring."

"Nobody is getting younger, that is for sure, you don't just be sitting in front of your television all the time."

Mike said: "Family is very important to us, but you also have to live your life."

"So many people can get into serious depression when their kids leave home because their whole life has revolved around their children."

"That is where you have to find your own fulfilment and not just wait around for your children."

Mike and Nancy are sharing their story on YouTube via the @livingphase2 channel.