Sharon Lane, a 77-year-old former high school language teacher, has embarked on a unique retirement journey: living permanently aboard the Villa Vie Residences' 'Odyssey' cruise ship. After a decade of searching for the ideal vessel, Lane purchased a cabin, trading her Los Angeles life for continuous global travel without the hassle of airports or traditional home maintenance.
Key Takeaways
- Sharon Lane, 77, retired to live full-time on the Villa Vie Residences' 'Odyssey' cruise ship.
- She purchased a cabin through the 'Golden Passport' scheme, viewing it as an 'investment in life'.
- The 'Odyssey' offers a permanent residence-at-sea program, circumnavigating the globe with stops in 147 countries.
- Lane values the ocean environment and freedom from daily chores over specific port visits.
- The ship fosters a close-knit community among residents, many of whom have extensive travel experience.
A Decade-Long Dream Becomes Reality
Sharon Lane spent nearly her entire life in Los Angeles. Upon retiring at 64 from her teaching career, she sought a significant change. Unlike many retirees who consider downsizing or moving to a warmer climate, Lane envisioned a life at sea. Her search for the right cruise ship lasted ten years. In June of this year, at 77, her dream materialized when she acquired a cabin on the 'Odyssey'.
The 'Odyssey' is part of the Villa Vie Residences program, which provides a permanent residence-at-sea option. This allows individuals to live on board while the ship travels the world. The vessel began its inaugural three-and-a-half-year journey from Belfast in October. Each voyage includes stops at 425 ports across 147 countries.
"I figured if I could live on a ship, I could still travel, but wouldn’t have to do airports or planes," Lane explained from the ship's deck.
The 'Golden Passport' Scheme
Lane learned about Villa Vie Residences through a friend. The program offers a 'Golden Passport' scheme, enabling people to make a one-time payment for a cabin based on their age. Prices begin at $189,999 for passengers aged 75-79, with costs decreasing for older individuals. Lane noted that her age allowed her to access what she calls the "cheap seats."
Interesting Fact
The 'Odyssey' has capacity for 650 residents and offers options to own, rent, or lease a cabin for life through its 'Endless Horizons' program.
She views this purchase not as an investment in property, like a Californian condo, but as an "investment in my life." When she shared her plans to move aboard, her friends and family were not surprised. Having taught foreign languages and taken students on European trips, her decision aligned with their expectations of her adventurous spirit.
Life at Sea: More Than Just Travel
For Sharon, the primary appeal of living on the 'Odyssey' was not solely the opportunity to visit new places. While many residents eagerly await each port call, Lane's decision was largely cemented by the experience of life at sea itself. She describes herself as an "ocean person" and shares this sentiment with many fellow residents.
"We like the environment. We love the motion of the ocean. We like the blue and the smell of the salt," she stated. The timing was perfect for her move; in June, her condo lease ended just as the 'Odyssey' was scheduled to dock in California. She packed 19 boxes and four suitcases, sold her other belongings, and boarded the ship.
Program Accessibility
Lane noted that the program's pricing, compared to options she explored a decade prior, makes this lifestyle accessible to "average income" individuals. Early options were double the cost, making them unaffordable for her at the time.
Freedom from Daily Chores
A significant draw for Lane was the chance to live free from household responsibilities. She expressed a desire to stop cooking, cleaning, and managing home maintenance. "I’ve been taking care of things, making lists, doing the planning, doing the shopping, fixing things my whole life and basically, I’m done," Lane explained. "I don’t want to cook anymore. I don’t want to clean the house. I don’t want to do it."
The 'Odyssey' provides comprehensive services, including meal preparation, entertainment, medical care, mail delivery, laundry, and maintenance. These services are available around the clock. Lane highlighted the proactive approach to maintenance, citing an instance where the team checked every cabin's television proactively, rather than waiting for issues to be reported.
Challenges and Joys of Shipboard Living
While the benefits are many, living on a cruise ship does present some minor drawbacks. Lane misses her favorite restaurants on land and easy access to specific foods like popcorn. She acknowledges the trade-off: not having to cook but also not being able to grab a snack from her own kitchen whenever she wishes.
Resident Community
Residents are encouraged to personalize their cabins to create a home-like atmosphere. This helps foster a sense of permanence and comfort while traveling.
Despite these small inconveniences, Lane finds the positives far outweigh the negatives. She has embraced the ship's large library, stating, "I’ve been on the ship about three months, and I’m now on book 18." This highlights the leisure and personal time available on board.
Global Exploration and Community Support
Since its departure from Belfast, the 'Odyssey' has visited ports across Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Central America, and the USA. Lane joined the ship in June, experiencing the west coast of the USA, Canada, and Alaska. Her first major international adventure on the ship was crossing the Pacific Ocean to Japan.
Lane looks forward to future stops in South Africa, where she once lived for two years, and Western Europe, where she plans to explore her ancestral roots. Before reaching each destination, residents receive "port talks" with essential information and pointers. However, a significant source of support comes from the fellow passengers, whom Lane describes as a "close-knit neighborhood."
- Experienced Travelers: Many residents have traveled extensively, with some having filled five passports.
- Shared Knowledge: This collective experience means that wherever the ship docks, someone on board has likely been there multiple times and can offer advice.
- Mutual Assistance: "It’s one of the best things on the ship, people helping each other," Lane emphasized.
A Growing Residential Cruise Concept
The concept of residential cruising is still relatively new, with only a few ships offering such programs. Kathy Villalba, CEO of Villa Vie, stated the company's goal is to build a "true residential community at sea."
According to Villalba, "The Golden Passport programme ensures this lifestyle is accessible at every stage of life, allowing residents of all backgrounds to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime circumnavigation across 150 countries and seven continents." She also clarified that the 'Odyssey' is not an assisted living facility. Younger passengers who work remotely also live on board, utilizing the ship's business center.
"I don’t think it’s just for people who are retired. There seems to be some school of thought that this is assisted living. It is not. This is like a condo, except we have a really big water feature," Lane commented.
Sharon Lane now enjoys the freedom to pursue her interests without the burden of daily chores, all while exploring the world. She sees it as a well-deserved opportunity for personal fulfillment. "This is definitely something you do for yourself," Lane concluded. "It’s about time some people did [things] for themselves. It is our turn."
