‘Not rich' couple book all-inclusive 15yr cruise

News.com.au

03-06-2025

A couple who plan to live full-time on a cruise ship for the next 15 years say they aren't rich and the cost of their epic adventure isn't as much as people think.
American couple Johan Bodin and Lanette Canen are less than a year into their 15-year voyage aboard the Ville Vie Odyssey, claiming they bought their cabin aboard the ship for five times less than the median price of an apartment in Sydney.
The couple paid about AUD $155,000 for their cabin and spend an additional $5400 all-inclusive fee per month to cover all meals, leisure activities and other ship services.
The Ville Vie Odyssey is a residential vessel that will stop at 425 ports in 147 countries in the next three years.
The ship spends multiple days at each port unlike traditional cruise ships which get in and out within a day.
Mr Bodin said most people were shocked when they realised how cheap it was to make the cruising lifestyle possible.
'People think we're rich but we're not. It makes financial sense and we're at the right age to do this. We're curious people,' Mr Bodin told WGN News.
'We love our new lifestyle. It's just fantastic we couldn't have wished for anything else.
'Our family can visit free 28-days a year and after that $33 a day. It's fantastic we've already had several visitors.
'We circumnavigate the globe every three-and-a-half years, maybe we'll take some longer vacations after we've seen that.'
MORE: Couple sell home to live on 15-year cruise
The couple had spent the previous decade living in Hawaii where they say their cost of living expenses were double what they now pay for cruising.
They document their cruise lifestyle on their YouTube channel: Living Life On A Cruise.
Johan and Lanette have almost 30,000 subscribers and millions of views from people interested in pursuing the full-time cruise life themselves.
And they are not alone in their huge lifestyle change, with many retirees opting to forego the maintenance of a home for the thrill of the sea.
Many people see it as a cheaper option that allows them to tick a number of items off their bucket lists.
'We don't have an exit strategy, we're both 55, we don't need things anymore. We just want adventures and experiences,' Johan said.
'It feels so good to have no responsibilities – we have our laundry done and get our sheets changed twice a week.
'This is the future, especially with working from home.
'If you're not tied down, just try it out! They have a try-before-you-buy program, so you can test it out and see if you like it.'