Cruise to a New Chapter

A retiree from California is embracing the next phase of her life by leaving her home in a retirement community for life at sea.

Sharon Lane, a former high school foreign language teacher, acquired an interior villa aboard the world’s first permanent cruise ship, the Villa Be Odyssey.

“It’s not just affordable for me; I actually find it’s easier to manage my finances this way. Plus, I get to have people look after me instead of the other way around,” Lane mentioned.

The 77-year-old realized her dream of living on a cruise ship when she moved onboard on June 16th.

“All those chores you normally deal with? I’m done with them!” Lane exclaimed. “If you jot down your to-do list and cross off everything that isn’t fun, well, you’ll be living your best life now.”

Villa Vie is marketed as an economical residential cruise option, allowing for a unique lifestyle at sea.

According to the Villa Vie website, this ship is designed to navigate both oceanic and inland waterways.

The Odyssey plans to operate on a three-and-a-half-year schedule, visiting 425 destinations across 147 countries.

Although the ship launched in October 2024, Lane didn’t board until June.

She has already traveled from Vancouver to as far as Alaska and looks forward to future stops in Japan and Taiwan.

Living in an Inside Villa costs either a one-time fee or about $2,999 monthly for individual travelers.

Aboard the ship, residents have access to a variety of amenities, including an entertainment lounge, library, fitness center, and spa, along with Wi-Fi, a bar, pickleball courts, and pools.

Lane hopes to stay onboard for the ship’s entire 15-year journey.

“Finally, I can do what I’ve yearned for years,” she reflected. “I bought a cabin and now I just live there. There’s no end in sight.”

The ship’s initial sail date was set for May 2024, but technical issues delayed the first boarding.

Some passengers had to stay on a stationary ship in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for several months as a result of these setbacks.

On October 1, 2024, the Odyssey departed only to return to port shortly after due to incomplete documentation.

This 8-deck vessel has the capacity for 650 passengers.