A New Chapter at Sea for a California Retiree
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At 77, Sharon Lane has traded her California retirement village for a life of adventure on the open water. She’s now a permanent resident of the Villa Vie Odyssey, a cruise ship designed for long-term living, sailing to hundreds of destinations worldwide. Sharon says this bold choice is not only her dream come true but also a smarter financial move compared to staying in Southern California.
Life on land wasn’t cutting it for Sharon anymore. After years of teaching foreign languages and leading student trips to Europe, she craved something more exciting than her Orange County routine. She’d always loved travel, even spending two years in Cape Town, South Africa, in the 1990s. When she heard about the Villa Vie Odyssey, a ship offering cabins as permanent homes, she knew it was her chance to live differently.
Sharon boarded the ship in mid-June, after it finally set sail in September 2024 following months of delays for repairs in Belfast, Ireland. The Odyssey, a 31-year-old vessel revamped by Villa Vie Residences, is no ordinary cruise ship. With eight decks and space for up to 650 residents, it’s built for people like Sharon who want a home at sea. The ship boasts a pub, a pool, a fitness center, a spa, and even a pickleball court. Residents enjoy weekly housekeeping, bi-weekly laundry, and entertainment like shows and social events—all included.
The cost isn’t small. Sharon spent her life savings on an interior cabin, with prices starting at $129,000 for a 15-year lease. Monthly fees for single residents like her are around $3,000. But she’s clear: this is a bargain compared to California’s high living costs. ‘I don’t have to worry about grocery shopping or laundry anymore,’ Sharon shared in a CNN Travel interview. Meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, and medical visits are all covered, making life simpler and, in her view, cheaper.
The Villa Vie Odyssey is set to visit 147 countries and 425 destinations over a three-and-a-half-year cycle, from Japan to New Zealand to Antarctica. Sharon loves the idea of waking up in a new port, but she’s just as happy spending time on deck, soaking in the sea views. Her windowless cabin is just for sleeping—she’s out exploring the ship or the world most of the time.
This isn’t a short-term trip. Sharon plans to stay for the ship’s full 15-year lifespan. She could sell or rent her cabin later, but for now, she’s all in. ‘In 15 years, maybe I’ll want a house again,’ she said, ‘or maybe I’ll just hop on their next ship.’ For her, it’s about freedom and living life on her terms.
The Odyssey had a rocky start, with delays frustrating some passengers who missed out on planned stops. But Sharon joined after the ship smoothed out its issues, and she’s thrilled with her choice. The ship’s operator, Villa Vie Residences, is already planning new routes, including a month-long stay in Ushuaia, Argentina, to ensure visits to places like the Falklands and Antarctica.
Sharon’s story shows there’s no age limit on chasing dreams. At 77, she’s found a way to travel the world, simplify her life, and save money—all from her floating home on the Villa Vie Odyssey.
