Latest news with #SharonLane
Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
Woman moves onto a cruise ship and plans to live there for 15 years
Want your life to be a never-ending holiday? That's exactly what one adventurous woman has signed up for. At 77 years old, Sharon Lane swapped her quiet life in California for the open sea. She now lives on Villa Vie Odyssey, a 600ft residential cruise ship that's set to stop at almost every holiday spot you can think of — from the beaches of Bora Bora to the fjords of Norway. Unlike your average cruise, this isn't a quick break. Odyssey is a permanent home. The ship sells cabins on a long-term basis, offering travellers the chance to live at sea for up to 15 years — the expected life of the vessel. Cabins onboard start at $129,000 (around £93,777) for an interior room on a 15-year lease. There are also ongoing monthly fees of $2,000 (£1,453) per person (or $3,000/£2,180 for solo occupancy). And for a sea view, you can expect to fork out even more. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. The monthly fee pretty much covers all your expenses, including free food and soft drinks, alcohol at dinner, Wi-Fi, medical visits and 24/7 room service. Passengers will also be treated to weekly housekeeping and twice weekly laundry. While the financials might sound like a lot, when you consider the estimated cost of living in London which sits at £4,245 a month (£50,940 a year) for a single person, it doesn't seem too bad at all. Meanwhile, a mere deposit on a house in the UK comes in at £53,414 on average, and in the capital this figure skyrockets to an eye-watering £108,848. Given that's before you've factored in mortgage repayments, bills, and everyday expenses like food and transport, it's understandable some people would rather give cruise living a go. The Odyssey launched in September and is now embarking on one of the most ambitious cruise routes ever devised: a three-and-a-half-year mega itinerary that spans 425 destinations across 147 countries. Once the route is complete, the ship starts again, looping for the entirety of its 15-year lifespan. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The journey is split into sections. One stretches across North America, while another will transport its residents through Japan and the Philippine Sea. Cruisers will also enjoy trips to the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, North and South Asia, Europe, the Mediterranean and more. How's that for a backyard view? 'I'm finally able to do what I've wanted to do for years,' Sharon told CNN Travel. 'I buy the cabin, I live in the cabin, and that's it. And then there's no end.' Well, that's the plan anyway. Despite the growing interest in residential cruising, it's a fairly recent concept and largely untested. Odyssey's initial launch was delayed by months. And Sharon herself had previously signed up for a separate long-term cruise that collapsed before it even secured a boat. The only other residential cruise ship currently at sea is 'The World', which has been sailing since 2002. However, cabins reportedly cost between $2.5 and $15 million — so Sharon's trip seems like quite the bargain by comparison. Villa Vie cruisers can also rent their cabin out to others, allowing passengers to join the voyage temporarily and come and go as they please. However, most residents have committed to it for the long haul. 'Most of our cabins are sold to full-time or mostly full-time residents,' Petterson tells CNN Travel. 'I only know of a couple of residents who have investment cabins that they actively rent out. Most rentals come from owners who decide to stay off the ship for a period of time.' More Trending Having finally set sail last year, The Odyssey is currently cruising up the West Coast, and so far, it seems like smooth sailing. Sharon says she's enjoying life among her fellow passengers. 'There are very, very few, if any, people on the ship who are not lifelong travellers,' she said. While she's eager to explore each destination on the itinerary, it's the simple pleasures she's most looking forward to: lounging on deck, soaking up the sun, and embracing the rhythm of life at sea. Her windowless cabin, she says, is mainly for sleeping – the rest of her time will be spent on shore or enjoying the ship's amenities. And now she's found her sea legs, it doesn't look like Sharon wants to return to life on land. 'I don't have to do my laundry anymore. I don't have to go grocery shopping,' she says. 'Living on the ship is much less expensive than living in Southern California.' Sharon isn't the only person who has ditched the monotony of daily life for one of never-ending travel. German teen and digital nomad Lasse Stolley loves trains, but he's not a trainspotter, he's more of a train squatter . The 17-year-old lives on trains, and does so entirely legally, travelling 600 miles a day throughout Germany aboard Deutsche Bahn trains. He travels first class, sleeps on night trains, has breakfast in DB lounges and takes showers in public swimming pools and leisure centres, all using his unlimited annual railcard. . The 17-year-old lives on trains, and does so entirely legally, travelling 600 miles a day throughout Germany aboard Deutsche Bahn trains. He travels first class, sleeps on night trains, has breakfast in DB lounges and takes showers in public swimming pools and leisure centres, all using his unlimited annual railcard. Kevin Martin, a 48-year-old from Missouri ISA,ditch the grind in 2019 to live on a cruise ship. The ex-military man and former lawyer says it's 'affordable' too, and has even broken down his monthly expenses for those who want to do the same. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: 'Peace and quiet': The Spanish city with £18 flights and hardly any tourists MORE: The 'Venice of the Netherlands' has no cars and five miles of winding canals MORE: I partied in Europe's most LGBTQ+ friendly country — and discovered its secret
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Pensioner uses life savings for a cruise which goes round and round the world 'with no end'
Sharon Lane sold everything she owns to get a place on the ship which will be at sea continuously for a minimum of 15 years A 77-year-old woman has told how she sold everything she owned for a place on a cruise ship where she plans to spend the rest of her life. Sharon Lane said the moment she stepped on to the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship she felt full of joy. She has now signed up to stay on the cruise ship for at least the next 15 years. It will sail around the world again and again with no end port. It will stop off at glamorous spots across the globe and, unlike other cruise ships, the majority of passengers on the Villa Vie Odyssey - the First Perpetual World Cruise - are long-term residents. Sharon had been looking for a life at sea and said when she found the liner she felt relieved. She has signed up to spend at least the lifespan of the vessel - 15 years - onboard. Most passengers sign up to spend the rest of their lives on the ship. She plunged her life savings into buying her cabin last year and, after a delay of several months, set sail on her new life at the end of September 2024 when the Odyssey cruised through her hometown of San Diego, reports the Mirror. Sharon said she was keen to see the world but also the chance to meet interesting people. Villa Vie Residences' CEO Mikael Petterson explained: "We have a very diverse community including a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a White House chief of staff, an astronaut, and many scientists and doctors onboard who share their knowledge and experiences." And if it's something you might fancy doing in your retirement, there are cabins available. But they aren't cheap. The lowest cost accommodation is an 'inside' cabin that is going for $129,000 (£93,000) for 15 years, with an extra $2,000 (£1,495) per person monthly fee for double occupancy, and $3,000 (£2,180) for single occupancy. If those prices stay the same, a single occupancy cruiser would fork out £392,400 in cabin fees alone across 15 years. However, the figure is low in comparison to the World, which is the only other cruise ship currently at sea. Prices for that begin at $2.5 million. Included in the deal are food and soft drinks, alcohol at dinner, Wi-Fi, medical visits, 24/7 room service, weekly housekeeping, and bi-weekly laundry service. The lack of laundry is something Sharon, from California enjoys. She said: 'I don't have to do my laundry anymore. I don't have to do grocery shopping. "Living on the ship is much less expensive than living in Southern California." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Other amenities for passengers, according to Villa Vie's website, include a pickleball court, different shows and performances, wellness classes, and social events, from elegant dinners to casual meet-ups. Villa Vie owners can rent their cabin out to others, which means short-term passengers can come and go from the Odyssey. The Odyssey usually stops in each port for a couple of days, where optional shore excursions are organised for an additional fee. The eight-deck Odyssey can accommodate 924 people, but it has been reconfigured and streamlined to a roomier 450. The ship's voyage did not get off to a smooth start, as it became stranded in Belfast for four and a half months last year. The Odyssey arrived in the Northern Ireland capital back in May 2024 to be fitted out before it was scheduled to sail off on the 30th of that month. Due to issues with the rudders and gearbox, the vessel ended up staying put for four and a half months. It finally set sail on October 3.
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Woman sells everything she owns to move onto a cruise 'with no end'
The Villa Vie Odyssey will spend that time going round and round the world, stopping off at glamorous ports across the globe. Among those onboard in Californian resident Sharon Lane A woman plans to spend the rest of her life on a cruise ship. The moment that Sharon Lane stepped onto the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship in mid-June, she felt full of joy and relieved. The 77-year-old had been plotting to exchange her life on land for life at sea for a long time, and has now signed up to spend at least the next 15 years on the ship. The Villa Vie Odyssey will spend that time going round and round the world, stopping off at glamorous ports across the globe. The ship is not like a typical cruise liner in that most passengers are long-term residents. Very few hop on for a quick jaunt around the Mediterranean, instead signing up for good, or at least the estimated 15-year lifetime of the vessel. 'I buy the cabin, I live in the cabin, and that's it. And then there's no end,' Sharon told CNN. She used her life savings to buy the cabin last year and, after a delay of several months, set sail on her new life at the end of September 2024 when the Odyssey cruised through her hometown of San Diego. For Sharon, she was tempted by the chance to see the world, but also to meet intriguing people. Villa Vie Residences' CEO Mikael Petterson explained: 'We have a very diverse community including a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a White House chief of staff, an astronaut, and many scientists and doctors onboard who share their knowledge and experiences.' If you're interested in joining them, then the good news is that there are still cabins available. The bad news is that they don't come cheap. The lowest cost accommodation is an 'inside' cabin that is going for $129,000 (£93,000) for 15 years, with an extra $2,000 (£1,495) per person monthly fee for double occupancy, and $3,000 (£2,180) for single occupancy. If those prices stay the same, a single occupancy cruiser would fork out £392,400 in cabin fees alone across 15 years. The figure is low in comparison to the World, however, which is the only other cruise ship currently at sea. Prices for that begin at $2.5 million. Included in the deal are food and soft drinks, alcohol at dinner, Wi-Fi, medical visits, 24/7 room service, weekly housekeeping, and bi-weekly laundry service. 'I don't have to do my laundry anymore. I don't have to do grocery shopping. Living on the ship is much less expensive than living in Southern California," Sharon said. Villa Vie owners can rent their cabin out to others, which means short-term passengers can still come and go from the Odyssey. The Odyssey usually stops in each port for a couple of days, where optional shore excursions are organized for an additional fee. The eight-deck Odyssey can accommodate 924 people, but it has been reconfigured and streamlined to a roomier 450. The voyage did not get off to a smooth start, as the ship became stranded in Belfast for four and a half months last year. The Odyssey arrived in the Northern Ireland capital back in May 2024 to be outfitted before it was scheduled to sail off on the 30th of that month. READ MORE: European heatwave leaves one dead as British holidaymakers warned to 'stay inside' Unfortunately, due to issues with the rudders and gearbox, the vessel ended up staying put for four and a half long months. On September 30, by which point spring and summer had given way to early autumn, the Odyssey and its 125 passengers set sail. However, it didn't get very far, docking just a few miles outside of Belfast while a few final pieces of paperwork were completed. Finally, on October 3, the ship set sail, to the great relief and joy of passengers who will likely never forget the bumpy beginning of their once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Unfortunately, this was far from the end of their troubles...
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Woman leaves California to live on cruise ship, claiming it's cheaper
Sharon Lane, 77, moved out of her retirement village in California to embark on a 15-year trip around the world aboard Villa Vie's Odyssey cruise ship. Lane invested her life savings to purchase a cabin on the Odyssey, which bills itself as the first perpetual world cruise, offering long-term living options. The Odyssey is set to visit 147 countries and 425 destinations over a three-and-a-half-year cycle, with cabins available for purchase for its 15-year lifespan. Despite initial delays and a steep cost, Lane believes the arrangement offers great value, covering meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, medical visits, and services like housekeeping and laundry. Lane expressed her desire for simplicity and the fulfillment of a long-held dream, stating she doesn't plan to shorten her continuous journey.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Woman, 77, moves onto cruise ship permanently — says it's cheaper than living in California
Last month, 77-year-old Sharon Lane moved out of her retirement village in Orange County, California, to embark on her dream adventure: A 15-year trip around the world. Lane invested in her own cabin on Villa Vie's Odyssey, which bills itself as the first perpetual world cruise, with many of its passengers booking a 'permanent home' on board. Odyssey launched in October and is set to visit 147 countries and 425 destinations over a three-and-a-half-year cycle. The ship offers long-term living options, allowing residents to either purchase cabins outright for its entire lifespan of 15 years or opt for a pay-as-you-go plan. Cabin prices begin at $129,000 for an interior cabin with a 15-year lease. Monthly fees are $2,000 per person for double occupancy or $3,000 for singles. For outside cabins, prices start at $169,000, with monthly fees increasing by $500 per person. Lane joind Odyssey in June, spending her life savings on an interior cabin that would be hers for the ship's lifetime. Over the years, the cruise will continually circle the globe, stopping at destinations like Japan and New Zealand. 'I'm finally able to do what I've wanted to do for years,' she told CNN Travel. 'I buy the cabin, I live in the cabin, and that's it. And then there's no end.' Odyssey saw a few issues before it took off in October. It set sail four months later than planned after a string of last-minute repairs. During that delay, passengers were stuck in Belfast, Ireland, leaving dozens of ports unvisited and countries unexplored. However, Lane felt confident that the ship 'worked out the kinks' when she joined the trip mid-June. 'I don't want complications in my life, you know, I'm at a point in my life where I want simplicity,' she explained. Despite the steep cost, Lane believes she's getting great value, as her payments cover meals, drinks, alcohol with dinner, Wi-Fi, and medical visits. Her package also includes room service, weekly housekeeping, and bi-weekly laundry service. 'I don't have to do my laundry anymore. I don't have to do grocery shopping,' she explained. 'Living on the ship is much less expensive than living in Southern California.' Lane's 15-year trip is just getting started, and while she has the option to sell or rent her cabin down the line, she doesn't plan on shortening her trip. 'There's no end,' she explained. 'Sure, in 15 years… but in 15 years, I'll be ready for a home… Or maybe, at the end, I'll go on their next ship… I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.' Villa Vie Residences bought Odyssey, the 31-year-old ship, in 2023, with the ship arriving at Queen's Island in Belfast to be outfitted in April 2024. The 542ft-long cruise ship was built in 1993 in Valencia, Spain, consisting of eight decks, 485 cabins, and can carry up to 650 residents. The ship was extensively refurbished at a historic dry dock in the Northern Irish capital, owned by Harland and Wolff, a maritime engineering company that produced the ill-fated Titanic. It was also transformed to include a pub, cocktail bar, business center, and a pool on the top deck. A fitness center, medical room, dining hall, and spa are also onboard the all-inclusive cruise for residents to use. Other amenities for passengers, according to Villa Vie's website, include a pickleball court, different shows and performances, wellness classes, and social events, from elegant dinners to casual meet-ups.
