I sold my house to spend 15 YEARS on never-ending-cruise about 600ft luxurious ship – I might never go home
Sharon Lane, 77, is currently onboard the Villa Vie Odyssey - a
4
Sharon Lane, 77, is on a worldwide cruise across the globe
4
The Villa Vie Odyssey is a mega 600ft vessel offering permanent cabins
Credit: Getty
4
The residential cruise, which
The ship has a jaw-dropping itinerary which includes 425 destinations across 147 countries - around 75 per cent of all nations on Earth.
Residents will be taken on trips which have been broken down into different segments.
One of the segments takes passengers across North America, while another will go across Japan and the Philippine Sea.
READ MORE TRAVEL NEWS
Residents will also enjoy trips to the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, North Asia, South Asia, South Europe and the Mediterranean, among others.
This means cruisegoers on board the Odyssey are bound to encounter their
Passengers also have to pay monthly fees which start at $2,000 per person - but this includes free food and soft drinks, alcohol at dinner, Wi-Fi and medical visits.
The huge fees also include 24/7 room service, weekly housekeeping and bi-weekly laundry - and Sharon sees this as a great bonus.
Most read in News Travel
The California woman stepped onto the cruise earlier this month, and is now part of the immense journey which will last a decade-and-a-half.
She told CNN Travel: "I'm finally able to do what I've wanted to do for years."
What happened on the Carnival Triumph 'poop cruise'- Netflix Trainwreck documentary explained-
She spent her entire life savings to purchase her interior cabin - and said it was a good deal.
The only other
Cruisegoers onboard the Villa Vie Odyssey can also experience free entertainment, which include singers, dancers and personal passenger performances, Sharon said.
The ship also boasts a diverse range of community members.
Villa Vie Residences' CEO Mikael Petterson said: '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 that share their knowledge and experiences.'
And Sharon admitted she was enjoying mingling with the other residents.
She said: 'There's very, very few, if any, people on the ship who are not lifelong travellers.
'When you're with a group of people that think like you, life gets easier.'
The Odyssey usually stops in each port for two days, where passengers can go on optional shore trips for an additional fee.
Throughout the 15-year journey, the ship will continually circle the globe, calling at various popular holiday locations throughout its voyage.
Sharon said she is looking forward to seeing each stunning destination - but admitted she is most excited to spend time on the deck.
Her windowless cabin will be solely for sleeping, while she enjoys holidaying and relaxing on the shore and on the ship's decadent exterior.
The groundbreaking ship cam "technically" house 924 people, Petterson explained, but some cabins have been merged together, bringing the total amount of rooms to about 450.
The CEO said: "Given the solo rate and that residents often travel away from the ship, we don't expect more than 500 residents onboard at any given time."
Those who buy a long-term cabin on the Odyssey can sell up if circumstances changes.
But for now, Sharon is in it for the long haul, looking to live out the
next
15 years at sea as part of her dream life.
'There's no end,' she says. '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.'
Sharon explained that being on deck is pure bliss, and her "happy place".
She said: "Whenever the weather is good, I will be on that deck.
"And when the weather isn't quite good, I'll bundle up and be on that deck, because that is my happy place.
The traveller added: "You can stand there, you can sit there, you can chat with people, you can read a book.
"You have the ocean breeze, you have sea air."
4
The Villa Vie Odyssey will circumnavigate the globe
Credit: PA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I visited a hidden gem just 30 minutes from Europe's most liveable city'
Copenhagen, Denmark's capital and most populous city, is steeped in history and boasts stunning architecture. A short flight away, the city is brimming with delightful restaurants, shops and cafes. However, when it came to exploring the surrounding areas, nothing particularly stood out for journalist Sophie Harris until she discovered that Sweden was a mere 30-minute journey away. Sweden is renowned for its bustling cities like Stockholm, but Malmo, the country's third-largest city, was relatively unknown to her, she said. Situated in the far south of Sweden, it's at the eastern end of the impressive Öresund Bridge, a lengthy road and railway bridge connecting to Copenhagen, reports the Express. Sophie said: "After deciding I wanted to visit the city to tick off two countries in one visit, I purchased the tickets and was in Sweden in just 30 minutes. Malmo is located in the far south of Sweden (Image: Getty) "Having done some research, I headed to Lilla Torg in the centre, a gorgeous cobblestone square full of cafes, restaurants and half-timbered houses." Constructed in 1952 as a market square, she said it proved to be one of the most picturesque spots to grab a bite to eat and a drink. Malmo ranks among the top 10 cycling cities globally, and while she didn't explore the city on a bike, many others were. The city centre features an extensive network of bike lanes and scenic waterfront paths for sightseeing. Sophie said one must-see landmark in the area is the Turning Torso, a neo-futurist residential skyscraper designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Completed in 2005, it's based on one of his earlier works named Twisting Toso, a white marble piece that mimics the form of a twisting human being and was the world's first twisting skyscraper. Lilla Torg is a gorgeous square in the centre (Image: Sophie Harris) Other must-see attractions include the Disgusting Food Museum, Malmo City Library, St. Peter's Church and Malmohus Castle. The Western Harbour is another must-see in Malmo, offering a respite from the city's hustle and bustle. It's just a short stroll from the city centre, where locals enjoy a kickabout on the grass, indulge in ice cream from local shops and take in the sea views towards Denmark. Sophie added: "Sweden is also known for its famous sweets, known as Bubs, so I was sure to pick some up from the many sweet shops located in the centre. "There was also a huge shopping centre full of well-known chain restaurants and shops, which was handy when looking for some supplies. "Malmo was a gorgeous city to visit and with lots of green space, it didn't feel like a city at all. I'd highly recommend making the trip over to Sweden if you do visit Copenhagen."
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit tourist, 38, dies after Turkey hair transplant goes wrong with probe launched into clinic
A BRIT tourist has died after undergoing a hair transplant in Turkey, sparking a police investigation into the private clinic where the procedure was carried out. The 38-year-old flew to Istanbul and had the five-hour operation on Monday at the CINIK clinic in the city's Besiktas district. Advertisement 2 A Brit has died after getting a hair transplant in Turkey Credit: Getty 2 The man had flown to Istanbul for the procedure Credit: Getty But shortly after the surgery, the tourist became seriously unwell and was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment, according to Turkish outlet OdaTV. His body was later taken to the Forensic Medicine Institute for an autopsy before being repatriated to the UK. Police have launched a probe, treating the case as a possible 'reckless homicide'. Staff at the clinic — including the surgeon who performed the hair transplant, the anaesthesiologist and nurses — have already been quizzed by officers, it is understood. Advertisement An FCDO spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities." The tragedy comes amid a boom in 'medical tourism' to Turkey, which now accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the global hair transplant market thanks to its cheaper, high-quality procedures. Turkish Healthcare Travel Council says more than one million people travel to the country each year for hair restoration treatments. According to Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic, numbers expected to climb to 1.1 million in 2025, the Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest Latest It follows the shocking death of 58-year-old British mum Anne Towlson, who passed away last year after a botched cosmetic surgery trip to Istanbul. Mrs Towlson, from Leicestershire, had flown to Turkey in April 2024 for a pre-planned tummy tuck and liposuction at Green Park Hospital in Pendik. When she arrived, doctors persuaded her to also undergo an arm tuck in a 'last-minute decision', her inquest heard. But she quickly developed alarming complications. Advertisement The assistant coroner for Rutland and North Leicestershire, Isobel Thistlethwaite, said Mrs Towlson complained her 'right arm was hurting' and that her 'compression garments were too tight'. Her right hand was said to have 'swelled up like a balloon and was seeping a clear liquid'. She sent a video to the Istanbul hospital showing her 'weeping and swollen' arm — but despite being told it would be shown to a doctor, she never received help. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The Georgian townhouse that is now a boutique hotel right by a Cornish harbour
THE Chapel House is beautifully quaint hotel in the town of Penzance and perfectly located to explore the Cornish coast. Read on to find out about the great food options - especially the homemade smoothies. 2 The Chapel House is a great spot for tourists exploring Penzance Credit: Supplied Where is the hotel? In the heart of the historic, market town of Penzance in Cornwall, it is just off the A30. There is free street parking and public parking. However, if you fancy a suite, each has its own parking space. To the town, there is a main railway service from London Paddington and 10 minute taxi from there. What is the hotel like? A stone's throw from Penzance harbour, this red-brick Georgian townhouse has been lovingly transformed into a boutique hotel. Everything is impressive - from the huge hallway and sweeping staircase to the comfortable communal sitting room. What is there to do at the hotel? The hotel has a tiny secret back garden, home to a sauna and hot tub from where you can look out to sea. Just blissful. You can book a What is there to eat and drink at the hotel? The breakfast/brunch spread is delightful – home-made smoothies, poached egg and samphire, West Cornwall specialities. Most read in News Travel Although we popped out for dinner at The Old Coastguard in Mousehole where we had great food mainly consisting of fresh fish, the restaurant is worth a try with locally-sourced ingredients and a delicious menu. What are the rooms like? Rooms are from £200 per night and suites from £300 - All six rooms have sea views, and on a clear day, you can see as far as Lizard Point – the in-bedroom bath offered a great view of the harbour, plus the well-placed binoculars on our bedroom's windowsill. Our room had a contemporary vibe - white walls and furnishings with brightly coloured accessories and lots of luxe touches including soft throws and organic toiletries. Is the hotel family-friendly? They provide cots and a charge of £25 per night including breakfast for children ages 5-16. If you are a larger family they can accommodate a 'whole floor' let. Is there access for guests with disabilities? You would need to contact the hotel. Looking for a place to stay? For more hotel inspiration click here. 2 Rooms start from £200 a night Credit: Supplied
