Elderly American individual relinquished all possessions and embarked on a permanent voyage aboard a luxury cruise liner.
A 77-year-old former teacher from California named Sharon Leyn has made an unprecedented decision to call a cruise liner her permanent home. Sharon has purchased a cabin on the Villa Vie Odyssey, a state-of-the-art vessel that offers more than just a holiday escape.
The purchase is not a tourist package, but a full-fledged home purchase on the ship. For her monthly payment of $3,000, Sharon will enjoy a variety of amenities, including food, drinks, cleaning, laundry, internet, and onboard entertainment.
The Villa Vie Odyssey boasts an array of facilities, including restaurants, a medical service, an entertainment program, cleaning and laundry services, and more. The ship, designed for ocean crossings as well as movement along rivers and other inland waterways, can accommodate up to 500 residents.
Most residents onboard are Americans, Canadians, and Australians, with many travelling solo. Sharon plans to spend 15 years on the cruise, but her ambition goes even further - she aims to spend 50 years on the Villa Vie Odyssey.
Over the course of 3.5 years, the ship is expected to visit 425 locations in 147 countries worldwide, offering its residents a truly global experience. The interior cabins on the Villa Vie Odyssey cost from $129,000, providing a comfortable living space for those who choose to call the ship their home.
The Villa Vie Odyssey set sail in October 2024, marking the beginning of a unique journey for Sharon Leyn and her fellow residents. This innovative living arrangement offers a new perspective on retirement, combining the comforts of home with the excitement of travel.
Sharon Leyn, the former teacher from California, envisions an unconventional lifestyle by transforming her cabin on the Villa Vie Odyssey into a home, not just a temporary residence. Beyond the ordinary, her home-and-garden expands to include outdoor-living spaces on the ship, as she looks forward to 50 years of sailing, exploring 425 locations worldwide.
