Sharon Lane, a retired foreign language teacher, recently sold her home in California to live full-time on a cruise ship. At 77, she’s embarking on a 15-year journey aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, a ship designed for permanent residents.
Sharon’s decision was quick and confident, taking only minutes to commit. Her family supports her choice, and she says living on the ship actually costs less than maintaining a home on land.
She bought an interior villa on the ship, with prices around $130,000 and monthly fees of about $3,000. This covers everything from meals and drinks to housekeeping and entertainment.
Sharon loves that she no longer has to worry about chores. “If you cross off everything that isn’t fun from your to-do list, you get the life we have now,” she told NBC.
Speaking to CNN Travel, she shared how thrilled she is to finally live the life she dreamed of—owning her cabin and sailing endlessly.
With rising housing costs, more retirees may find this cruise ship lifestyle an attractive and affordable option.
