An American couple who sold up to live on a cruise ship year-round have spoken about what daily life in a cabin is really like, including any unexpected effects they’ve noticed so far.
Johan Bodin and Lanette Canen have begun what’s expected to be a 15-year stay aboard the Ville Vie Odyssey, a residential cruise ship run by Villa Vie Residences.
Residents who buy a cabin are promised repeat global itineraries, with the ship scheduled to reach 425 destinations across 147 countries every 3.5 years.
For anyone dreaming of constant travel with the comforts of an all-in-one home, the pair’s experience offers a glimpse of what that lifestyle can look like.
The two, both 56, previously told WGN News in May 2025 that they “loved” the change. More recently, they discussed the pros and cons they’ve encountered since trading life in Maui for full-time sailing.
One of the biggest day-to-day challenges, they say, is keeping meals in check.
With three onboard restaurants—including buffet dining—plus multiple bars, lounges, and a dedicated culinary centre, they admit it can be easy to lose track of healthier habits.
“Portion control is probably the biggest [side effect]—it’s easy to overdo it when food is always available. But there are also a lot of healthy options,” Bodin and Canen admitted.
“We actually feel more active than we did at home because we’re walking a lot and exploring in every port. Overall, we’ve maintained our weight and feel good.”
The couple paid $130,000 upfront for their residential cabin and say their ongoing cost to remain onboard is about $4,000 per month.
They explained that this monthly fee covers food, beer and wine at lunch and dinner, housekeeping and laundry, access to the gym and fitness classes, entertainment, WiFi, and gratuities.
It’s also been reported that the $4,000 is “about half” of what the YouTubers were previously spending maintaining a home.
“We no longer have things like car payments, insurance, gas, home maintenance, HOA fees, groceries, or even traditional vacations—it’s all kind of rolled into one lifestyle now.”
When it comes to misconceptions about living full-time on the Ville Vie Odyssey, Bodin and Canen say people often get the cost—and the sense of freedom—wrong.
“A lot of people think we’re stuck on the ship or that you have to be rich to do this.
“Others assume it’s crowded and chaotic like a typical cruise. In reality, it’s much quieter, more spacious, and feels more like a small community than a vacation cruise.”
Still, they say the lifestyle comes with real trade-offs. The “hardest part” of being at sea long-term, they admit, is “being away from family and friends”.
“That said, we’ve made an effort to reconnect along the way—like flying back to surprise our granddaughter for her first birthday.”
For anyone considering doing something similar, the couple’s advice is simple: commit, rather than putting it off indefinitely.
They said life is “too short” to be left wondering what might have been.
“And if you’re not sure, try it first—but don’t wait too long. We’ve learned that time and experiences matter more than things.”