If your rent or mortgage feels like a constant weight, you might be tempted by a far more unusual alternative: moving onto a cruise ship for 15 years.
While most cruises run for a week or two, and some itineraries stretch to several months, Villa Vie Residences is pitching something on an entirely different scale with its ship Odyssey.
The company is describing the sailing as ‘The First Perpetual World Cruise’, with routes planned to refresh on a rolling basis every three and a half years.
Founder Mikael ‘Mike’ Petterson has suggested the goal isn’t to build the ultimate extended holiday, but to offer a different way of thinking about day-to-day life for long-term residents.
“What if you never had to go home because you were already there? Odyssey turns the entire world into your neighborhood,” he told PEOPLE.
He explained: “Our residents wake up to a new backyard every day, but more importantly, they wake up with a sense of freedom and community that’s hard to find anywhere else. “Odyssey gives people the chance to explore the world without ever leaving home.”
So what does “perpetual cruising” actually look like in practice?
This isn’t set up like a standard cruise booking where you’re essentially renting a hotel room at sea. With a 15-year timeline, the emphasis is on making the space feel more like a real home than temporary accommodation.
Rather than offering typical holiday packages, Odyssey provides multiple “ownership” style options for its residences.
According to the company’s website, residents can ‘decorate the way you wish, invite guests, rent or even resell at a later date.’
That means you could potentially let someone else stay in your cabin if you want time away, or sell your place entirely if your plans change.
On the practical side, the staterooms come with ‘free weekly cleaning and laundry services’, while dining includes a ‘daily changing menu cycle of 14 days’ across the ship’s restaurants and bars.
As for price, committing to life onboard for this long is a major financial decision.
The lowest-cost residence listed is the ‘Inside Villa’ at $129,999, though it doesn’t include windows.
At the top end is the ‘Villa Suite’ at $439,999, which is higher than the reported average US home price of $360,591.
Beyond the upfront cost, residents also pay a monthly fee ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the accommodation type.
Facilities onboard include a library, gym, spa, pool, lounge, pickleball court, and a business center with office space and high-speed internet.
Petterson has also said demand is strong, telling Forbes in an interview that more than 600 people have already signed up.