A Home Without a Fixed Address.. A Woman Leaves Her Land Home to Enjoy an Eternal Sea Journey

- A year ago, Sharon Lynn boarded the residential ship "Villa Vie Odyssey," ready for a new adventure. This was not a week-long cruise, nor even a month-long stay at sea.

For Lynn, this ship, which is 195 meters long and consists of eight decks, was set to become her permanent residence. Lynn told Ufaq News via video call while on board the ship, a year into her journey: "I am not on a trip.

And "Villa Vie Odyssey" is not an ordinary cruise ship, but a "residential" one, meaning that passengers can purchase cabins and live on board permanently. For Lynn, this is an "eternal" plan, and she intends to continue living on the ship as long as it is in service.

Although the ship has recently undergone renovations, it has an operational record spanning three decades. Last year, the cruise company estimated that the ship has another 15 years of sailing ahead.

I live on the ship and just enjoy it." A home in the ocean The emerging cruise company "Villa Vie Residences" operates the "Odyssey" ship, which sailed under its new identity for the first time in September 2024 after facing some obstacles.

Lynn joined the ship in June 2025, after overcoming initial operational challenges. For Lynn, a former teacher, the "Odyssey" ship represents a retirement plan.

She calculated and concluded that living on the ship is less expensive and more exciting than staying in her home in California. She has always loved traveling, so she became a fan of cruises because she enjoys being out at sea.

Lynn, who is in her late seventies, keeps in touch with her family from a distance, and she enjoys having a complete community on board the ship, which she can engage with or distance herself from easily when she wants to spend some time alone. Lynn invested her savings in this plan and chose the cheapest available option, which was an interior cabin without windows, as she does not spend much time in her room, according to her statement.

"Villa in Residences" informed Afaq News that the prices for owning a cabin for five years start from $59,999, while full ownership prices start from $99,999. There are also various other housing plans available, and owners also pay monthly fees, which in 2025 amounted to about $2,000 per person for double occupancy, and $3,000 for single occupancy.

Mikael Peterson, the CEO of "Villa in Residences," told Afaq News: "We have also expanded rental options," explaining that this option allows "more people to experience life on the ship before deciding whether ownership is right for them." However, the majority of those on board the ship chose to stay long-term, according to Peterson.

He added: "The number of owners exceeds the number of renters by two-thirds," and pointed out that just over half of the residents on the ship are solo travelers, just like Lynn. Life on board the ship allows residents to engage in many enjoyable activities, ranging from formal entertainment events to activities organized by the passengers themselves.

Some residents of "Odyssey" work remotely from the ship, while many document their adventures through social media or online blogs. There are even pets accompanying their owners on the journey.

As for Lynn, she avoids many of the organized activities offered because they do not suit her personal taste, but she enjoys talking to the diverse group of interesting people who also consider "Odyssey" their home. Although she doesn't leave the ship often, sometimes she can't resist exploring.

In Japan, for example, Lynn visited Mount Fuji, but she described the trip as a "failure" due to the rain and clouds that obscured the views. When leaving the ship, her favorite moments are not about seeing the amazing sights, but rather the fleeting encounters that linger in her memory with the locals.

She said: "We were in Hobart, Australia, and I went to a very small home goods store run by a family," recalling her conversation with the store owners for a while. On board the ship, Lynn also enjoys connecting with people from different places.

Peterson stated that 80% of the suite owners on board the "Villa in Odyssey" hail from the United States and Canada, with Australia and New Zealand following closely behind. He also described the ship as a "thriving global community."

How is life on board the ship after a year? After a year on the ship, Lynn confirmed that she does not miss preparing her own meals at all, nor does she long for doing laundry or cleaning chores.

In general, Lynn feels that she is "disconnected from the real world," and that is exactly what she prefers. However, that does not mean that the passengers do not follow world news, as the ongoing repercussions of the war on Iran, including the closure of airspace and waterways and rising fuel prices, have had direct effects on the "Odyssey" ship.

Peterson explained: "We had to be flexible and make adjustments to the routes or port stops sometimes in response to global events." Dream life, Lynn celebrated the first anniversary of her arrival on the ship by enjoying a dinner with passengers who also completed a year on board.

This is the dream life for her, and after a year, she confirmed that she feels overwhelming happiness. She said: "This lifestyle is suitable for those who want a slower pace of life, and a way to see the world with fewer responsibilities."