A California retiree has officially traded dry land for the open sea — and claims it’s saving her money.
Sharon Lane, a 77-year-old former high school language teacher, has embarked on a 15-year voyage aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, the world’s first continuous residential cruise ship. She moved onboard June 16, calling it the start of her dream life and noting it’s “cheaper than living in California.”
“Not only is it affordable for me, it actually costs less than what I was paying to live in a retirement community,” Lane told NBC Los Angeles. “And now, I’m the one being taken care of.”
Lane, who previously lived in a senior community in the Golden State, said her new ocean-bound lifestyle eliminates the hassles of daily life.
“All those chores you have to do? Gone,” she said. “If you made a to-do list and crossed off everything that wasn’t fun, that’s the life I have now.”
She now lives in an interior villa aboard the Odyssey — a modest but functional cabin with two beds and a television — and plans to remain there for the ship’s entire 15-year journey.
The Villa Vie Odyssey is designed for long-term living and travel, with the capacity to sail across oceans and navigate rivers. The ship follows a 3.5-year loop visiting 425 ports in 147 countries.
The residential cruise offers a one-time purchase of cabins starting at $129,999 or about $2,999 per month for solo travelers. The vessel boasts amenities including a fitness center, spa, library, pool, bars, pickleball court, and multiple entertainment venues.
“I used my life savings to do this,” Lane told CNN Travel. “This is the life I’ve always wanted — I bought my cabin, I live in it, and that’s that. There’s no end date.”
Since boarding in June, Lane has already cruised up to Alaska and Vancouver. She’ll soon be heading across the Pacific to Japan and Taiwan as the journey continues.
The Odyssey first launched in October 2024 — after several delays. Mechanical issues postponed its original May departure, leaving early residents living aboard a docked ship in Belfast, Northern Ireland for months.
Despite the rocky start, Lane says she has no regrets.
“I’m finally living the life I’ve always dreamed of,” she said.
The eight-deck ship can house up to 650 long-term residents and includes spaces like the Coral Club for nightlife, scenic dining rooms, and open-air decks for ocean views.
As Lane sails into her golden years, she hopes her story inspires others to consider a different kind of retirement — one where every day brings a new destination.
