When most retirees downsize, they buy a condo. Lynn and Paul bought a cabin on a cruise ship—for 15 years. The adventurous pair sold their Wyoming home and belongings to embark on a nonstop global voyage aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, a decision costing over $1 million.
“We realized traditional retirement wasn’t for us,” Lynn said. After years of brief vacations, they wanted immersive travel without the hassle of constant packing. Their $179,000 cabin purchase locks in their spot, with $6,000 monthly fees handling everything from meals to laundry.
The ship’s three-year itinerary will visit over 150 countries, but the couple can stay aboard through 2035. “Why stop at three years when we can see it all?” Paul said. They’re most excited for remote Pacific islands and European cultural landmarks.
Family support made the leap easier. “Our kids just wanted to be sure we could afford it,” Lynn admitted. Now, relatives can visit for free two-week stays.
With no plans to return to land life, they’re personalizing their cabin and embracing shipboard routines. “People think we’re on permanent vacation,” Paul said. “But this isn’t a trip—it’s our life now.”
