California: In a bold move, 77-year-old Sharon Lane has left behind her life on land to live on a cruise ship for the next 15 years. The former high school teacher and globetrotter boarded the Villa Vie Odyssey, a residential cruise ship that will sail around the world.
A former language teacher, Ms Lane has always had a love for travel. In the 1990s, she even moved to South Africa for two years. Now, she’s fulfilling a lifelong dream: spending her retirement at sea.
Why She Chose Cruise Living
“I am finally able to do what I have wanted to do for years,” Lane told CNN Travel. For her, cruise life isn’t just about visiting new places — it’s about the freedom, simplicity, and the joy of being at sea.
She added, “I no longer have to do my laundry or go grocery shopping. It is far less expensive to live on the ship than it is in Southern California.”
The Villa Vie Odyssey Lifestyle
The Villa Vie Odyssey is no ordinary cruise ship. Rebuilt from a 30-year-old vessel, it now operates as a residential ship, offering long-term stays. Cabins are sold on a 15-year ownership plan, with prices starting at $129,000, plus monthly fees for services like meals, housekeeping, and medical visits.
- Inside cabins: From $129,000
- Outside cabins: From $169,000
- Monthly cost: $2,000 (shared) / $3,000 (single)
These rates include soft drinks, Wi-Fi, dinner wine, room service, housekeeping, and more.
Lane used all her savings to buy her cabin, describing it as a great deal. She only uses it to sleep — preferring to spend her time on deck, enjoying the sea.
A Life at Sea
Though she looks forward to port calls in Japan, New Zealand, and more, Sharon says the real joy is being “lost at sea”. She loves the rhythm of life onboard and feels no need to return to land anytime soon.
Originally delayed due to safety certifications, the Odyssey set sail in late September after a four-month hold in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Now, the ship and its residents, including Lane, are on a global journey — one that, for her, has no end.
