A retiree enjoying life aboard a cruise ship has opened up about the major downside to her oceanic lifestyle.
Sharon Lane, 77, hailing from Los Angeles, has embarked on a journey with the Odyssey Villa Vie Residences cruise, which provides an opportunity for permanent residency as it travels worldwide.
This unique program offers a permanent residence on the ship, allowing individuals to explore the globe while enjoying all-inclusive amenities.
The ship offers a ‘golden passport’ option, enabling individuals to purchase a villa with a single payment, becoming more economical with increasing age.
For instance, the price starts at $299,999 for the 55-59 age group, decreasing to $189,999 for those aged between 75-79.
The ship comes equipped with standard cruise features, including 24-hour dining options, entertainment, medical services, as well as laundry and maintenance staff available around the clock.
“Imagine waking up each morning to a new view. One day it’s the emerald peaks of Tahiti, another day the timeless streets of Lisbon,” Ville Vie explains.
“On board Villa Vie Odyssey, your home moves with you, carrying you across 425 destinations and 147 countries every 3.5 years, without ever packing a suitcase.”
After living in LA for many years, Sharon chose to board the ship as her condo lease was coming to an end.
As the Odyssey was set to dock in California, she joined with her belongings, having paid a one-time fee for her living space.
“I figured if I could live on a ship, I could still travel, but wouldn’t have to do airports or planes,” Sharon shared with The Independent.
“When I decided to [look into] it 10 years earlier, the prices were double what I was paying. I couldn’t pay that, but this programme is for the average income person,” she noted.
“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.
“I don’t want to cook anymore. I don’t want to clean the house. I don’t want to do it.”
However, sea life isn’t without its challenges, as Sharon mentions missing the ability to stop by her favorite restaurant or grab a quick snack from the kitchen.
“You can’t go to the kitchen and pull something out there and stick it in the microwave. It’s good news because you don’t have to [cook], which is really cool. But the bad news is I can’t have popcorn every day if I want it,” she explained.
Nonetheless, the opportunity to explore places like Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Canada, Japan, and soon South Africa, has made any drawbacks worth it for Sharon.