California – At 77, Sharon Lane isn’t spending her golden years in a retirement community — she’s cruising around the globe, living her dream aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, the world’s first “perpetual cruise.”
A retired high school foreign language teacher, Lane sold her home and boarded the luxury cruise ship on June 16, trading home maintenance and bills for sunsets at sea and international adventures.
“Not only was it affordable to me, it would actually cost me less money to live here like this, have everyone taking care of me instead of me taking care of everybody,” Lane said.
What Is the Villa Vie Odyssey?
Launched in October 2024 after several delays, Villa Vie Odyssey is a unique residential cruise ship built for long-term living. It sails on a 3.5-year continuous loop covering 425 destinations in 147 countries — including inland waterways, oceans, and rivers.
The ship, spread over eight decks, offers:
- A spa, fitness center, and pickleball court
- Multiple bars, entertainment lounges, and clubs
- A library, swimming pool, and Wi-Fi access
- Villas available as one-time purchases or monthly rentals
A solo inside villa, like the one Lane occupies, can be bought for $129,999 or rented for about $2,999/month, making it a surprisingly affordable lifestyle option for some retirees.
From Retirement to World Travel
For Lane, this isn’t just a vacation — it’s a 15-year commitment.
She has already sailed to Vancouver and Alaska and is preparing for an upcoming transpacific voyage to Japan and Taiwan.
“All the chores you do in life? Done,” Lane said. “If you put your to-do list on a piece of paper and you cross off anything that wasn’t a fun activity, then you end up with the life we have now.”
Lane said she used her life savings to secure her place aboard and has no regrets.
“I’m finally able to do what I’ve wanted to do for years,” she added. “I buy the cabin, I live in the cabin, and that’s it. And then there’s no end.”
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A Rocky Start Before Smooth Sailing
The Odyssey’s initial sail date was pushed back due to technical issues with rudders and the gearbox, leaving passengers temporarily stuck on the docked ship in Belfast, some for months.
The ship officially began its journey on October 1, 2024, but even then, had to return to port due to incomplete paperwork.
Despite the bumpy beginning, Odyssey now welcomes up to 650 full-time passengers, including other retirees and digital nomads seeking adventure with stability.
Would you trade retirement for a life at sea like Sharon Lane did?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments or share your cruise dreams on ridgecrestpact.org. This could be the future of retirement — would you hop on board?
