Latest news with #VillaVie
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
We ditched our small-town life in Wyoming to travel the world on a cruise... and the cost shocked us
A couple decided to pack up their small-town life in Wyoming and go on the adventure of a lifetime - a luxury cruise around the world. Paul and Lynn Montoya were living in Laramie - a city with a population of about 31,0000 - and operating a bed and breakfast in Vedauwoo before they were hit with a sudden wake-up call following the COVID-19 pandemic to experience what the world had to offer. 'We realized we hadn't seen the world, running a business like we did in Wyoming,' Paul told Cowboy State Daily. 'We never had time to do much travel. We actually went to Europe for the first time in our lives last year, and we're in our 60s now, so we'd really like to explore the world.' And that's exactly what they did - leaving behind their home, packing up a rental car of their most prized possessions and hopping aboard the Villa Vie ship Odyssey, the first world cruise where passengers embark on a three-and-a-half year journey around the globe. Cruises are often looked at as expensive, but for the Montoyas, they soon realized their dream wouldn't cost them any more than it did living in Laramie. Now, the couple are enjoying their extended vacation for about $80,000 a year after hopping on the cruise ship in April to take them to 147 countries, 425 ports and 100 tropical islands. The breakdown of their expenses include the cost of their cabin, three meals a day, entertainment, housekeeping, laundry and internet. They hopped aboard the Villa Vie ship Odyssey (pictured), the first world cruise where passengers embark on a three-and-a-half year journey around the globe The cheapest cabin option starts at $129,000 with a $2,999 monthly maintenance fee - around $45,000 annually - for one person to stay there. For two people, the fee is $3,999 or $57,000 a year, and, according to the ship's website, the occupancy range could go up to at least 15 years if desired. Although it is unclear how much the couple were paying for their home, the average cost of a home in Laramie is estimated at $378,258, according to Zillow. 'That's one of the things the Odyssey really does is they're trying to program this for affordable living,' Lynn told the outlet. 'It's similar to maybe like a retirement community, like a 55-plus community.' She went on to compare their new lifestyle to those living in two of the most expensive locations in the US. 'If you're living in California or New York or something that, I don't think you could even live in a rented apartment for that nowadays,' she said. 'For them, this is probably an easy decision. For us, this is the same lifestyle we had in Laramie, but we're getting to see the world.' She and her husband also don't have to stay in their cabins the entire time, as they have options to leave to attend important family events like funerals or weddings. They also have the option to rent out their cabin like Airbnb does with houses. If they wanted to, they could also sell their cabin back to Ville Vie for a lower value or sell it to a new cabin owner. Their cabin is already worth approximately $20,0000 more than what they originally paid for it, the couple said. With that in mind, Paul said he and his wife have plans for the future of their cabin. 'If we die, our family can actually inherit it, too. But we're hoping the value will be there where we can actually sell (the cabin) for the amount we paid, maybe more if it's really popular,' he said. There is even flexibility with how cabins are paid for as the cruise offers a pay-as-you-go plan to those who can't afford it outright. The Montoya's even met a man who owns two cabins - one for him and another to rent out. 'Now what he's doing is renting both of those out and, with the money he's renting it for, he's paying for life on the ship,' Lynn explained. 'He's one of the ones who left in August, so he's been doing that for some time.' Although the cabins are affordable - when compared to the cost of living on land in the US - the couple warned that there is not too much space to work with. 'A typical cabin is about 200 square feet. And you normally have a bed and a desk, maybe a side chair, and a small bathroom,' they said. But, there is still an option to customize the cabins to your liking as the couple plan on having changes made to their space soon. 'We're actually having the construction crew on here tear out all of the cabinetry, and we're going to re-wallpaper it,' Paul stated 'We're also going to replace the bed with our own bed.' They will be able to retrieve their bed once the ship ports in San Diego. Though they've made sure their living space is comfortable for them, the couple said they spend most of their time at the ship's gym, business center or at ports enjoying fun and unique activities. They recently got to swim with wild dolphins in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the Montoya's detailed on their YouTube page. They also created their own website to share updates on their journey, including a checklist of all the places they've been and have yet to experience. As of Sunday, the couple have visited eight destinations in Mexico, one in El Salvador and another in Guatemala. They still have a boatload of destinations to cross off, including trips to Hawaii, Canada, Washington, California, Alaska, Japan and South Korea.
ITV News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Strangers from Villa Vie cruise ship who met whilst stranded in Belfast get married
Two passengers who spent four months in Belfast waiting to board the long delayed, infamous Villa Vie Odyssey cruise liner have tied the knot, despite having never met each other before arriving in Northern Ireland. Gian and Angela Perroni got married on the Villa Vie which is now off the coast of South America on its round the world cruise. , the ship's passengers were stranded in Belfast for months whilst it underwent repairs. 'We always say we're the only two people that didn't mind how long the delay was,' Gian told UTV in a video call from their home onboard. Over six months after leaving Northern Irish shores, the couple have had two wedding ceremonies, something Angela describes as 'unbelievable.' 'It was a dream come true to be able to have a private ceremony with friends and family, very intimate, beautiful, it was in the observatory right at sunset,' she said. 'We had all the residents help with decorations and photography and quite a community that we have here. They made it very unforgettable. 'On the second day we had a shipside wedding up on the pool deck, which was much more party, lots of dancing, a flash mob and we did a conga to the pool where we then took the plunge.' 'It was just, just magical. I don't know another way to describe it,' Angela added. The couple got engaged back in Summer 2024 whilst walking along the River Lagan. 'We had a nice romantic walk along the, the river and just the time was right,' Gian explained. 'It was a full moon and the time seemed right,' he said. 'The location was special because that's the place we walked by every day, to the ship, so it just really built a lot of memories there for us,' Angela added. Gian and Angela certainly attribute their coming together to the typical welcome they received in Belfast. 'The Guinness and Bushmills might have had an effect,' the couple joked. 'We spent a lot of time in the pubs, of course, but Belfast is such a great city to walk around,' Gian said. 'We got a chance to spend a lot of time exploring and getting to know each other in a really friendly city.' Next up the Gian and Angela, and all of Villa Vie's other passengers will continue their voyage, crossing the Pacific Ocean - and eventually their itinerary lists Belfast, but not for another three years. 'It's, it's all marked in red for some reason. I don't know what that's about. Everyone's afraid we'll get stuck again,' Gian laughed. 'We'll, we'll definitely make it back, but we'll be there before then, just, just to, to revisit the scene of the crime, as they say.'
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Villa Vie Residences Launches Unleashed Endless Horizons, Limitless Cruising for Life
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Villa Vie Residences, the leader in residential cruising, introduces Unleashed Endless Horizons, offering an all-inclusive forever cruise providing the ultimate way to live and explore. For a one-time payment of $399,999 USD for single occupancy or $699,999 USD for double occupancy, individuals can retire into a life of limitless adventure, cultural immersion, and luxury. The Unleashed Program covers not only meals, accommodations, housekeeping, laundry, and high-speed internet, but also premium onboard services like alcohol, spa treatments, and medical visits. Unleashed Endless Horizons is designed for those who want their retirement years to be filled with new experiences and personal growth—without the stress of inflation or hidden costs. By combining a Permanent Cruise Right with an All-Inclusive Onboard Offering, Villa Vie Residences ensures that residents enjoy a guaranteed Outside Cabin and full access to all amenities onboard at no additional charge. This includes everything from medical check-ups and spa treatments to nail and hair appointments—and even refreshing pina coladas. "At Villa Vie Residences, we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in cruise retirement, and our latest program is the ultimate way to secure the best life for the rest of your life," said Mikael Petterson, Founder and Chairman of Villa Vie Residences. "We've redefined retirement to perfection—no stress, no worries, just endless enjoyment and adventure." The Villa Vie Odyssey is currently finishing up its South American segment and will transit the Panama Canal this spring. This summer, it will travel up the west coast of the U.S. for an extended Alaska season before heading to Japan. "Our one-of-a-kind offering redefines retirement with an all-inclusive lifestyle like no other," said Kathy Villalba, Chief Executive Officer of Villa Vie Residences. "Imagine leaving behind traffic, stress, and the daily grind to embark on a seamless journey with a community of like-minded explorers—all for one transparent, affordable upfront cost." Villa Vie will host its US inaugural and press events at Catalina Island (Los Angeles) on June 18, 2025. For details and media inquiries, please contact media@ About Villa Vie ResidencesVilla Vie Residences reimagines cruise ship living with flexible, long-term options that cater to today's travelers. Its Continual World Cruise explores more than 425 ports in over 140 countries across seven continents every three and a half years. Residents choose to own, rent, or lease for life through the Endless Horizons Program, enjoying a unique blend of home comfort and global discovery. Contact:Villa Vie ResidencesEmail: media@ For images and assets, please click here View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Villa Vie Residences Sign in to access your portfolio
