Imagine if you could save money while spending your days basking in the sunshine as you travel around the world. Sounds like a dream, right?
That dream has become a reality for Grace and Jerry Grady, who are among the 800 passengers on the Villa Vie Odyssey, one of only two residential cruise liners setting sail from Belfast today.
The couple, both in their 70s, sold everything to live aboard the ship, which is scheduled to visit 425 ports across 147 countries on all seven continents over the next three-and-a-half years.
Though it sounds like an unattainable fantasy, it’s more affordable than you might think.
Jerry and Grace, who previously resided in the US, paid an annual rental fee of €40,038 (£34,064) each for their cabin. Prices on the Villa Vie Odyssey range from just under €30,000 (£25,524) for an interior cabin to around €67,000 (£57,003) a year for one with a balcony.
READ MORE: Cornwall Couple Launch New Luxury Travel Agency Committed to Going the Extra Mile
This fee covers their cabin, unlimited food and soft drinks, alcoholic beverages at dinner, free WiFi, medical checks (excluding medications and procedures), 24/7 room service, weekly housekeeping, and bi-weekly laundry service.
It might seem like a significant amount upfront, but when compared to the estimated cost of living in London, which is around £4,245 a month (£50,940 a year) for a single person, it’s quite reasonable.
Alternatively, passengers can buy a cabin outright instead of renting, with prices starting at €91,270 (£77,652) for an inside cabin. This option requires additional monthly fees of €1,613 (£1,372) – rising to €3,680 (£3,131) for a balcony cabin – per person to cover boarding costs.
With the average deposit on a house in the UK being £53,414, and in London skyrocketing to £108,848, not including mortgage repayments, bills, and everyday expenses, it’s no surprise some people prefer the cruise lifestyle.
These residential cruises are becoming more popular. Currently, the only other operational residential ship is The World, where annual costs are significantly higher, ranging from €1.84 million (£1.57 million) to €13.8 million (£11.7 million).
The Gradys sold their home to fund their adventure and have been living minimally in a rental property in Sicily while waiting to set sail. “In the end, we sold most of our belongings to friends,” Grace told Euronews. “I’ve been wearing the same clothes every day and washing them by hand each night.”
They originally booked a three-year Life at Sea Cruises trip, which was canceled in November 2023, making this journey a long-awaited one. “It has always been a dream of mine to see the world,” Jerry said. “I want to get this thing going. We are vagabonds; we’ve traveled a lot. I’m not worried about anything.”
Passengers on the Villa Vie Odyssey can choose to return to dry land with at least six months’ notice. The itinerary is divided into 16 segments of 35 to 120 days, operating on a pay-as-you-go basis. However, Jerry and Grace plan to stay for the entire three-and-a-half years and might even continue afterward if they adapt well to life at sea. Villa Vie Residences offers an “endless” cruise, restarting the journey once this trip concludes in November 2027.
The ship will be replaced every 15 years, allowing passengers to potentially become lifelong cruisers.
The current voyage begins with a tour of Northern Europe, then moves on to the Caribbean, North and South America, East Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and back to Europe. The itinerary is designed to keep the ship in sunny climates throughout the trip.
The Villa Vie Odyssey, built in 1993 and recently renovated, features eight decks, three restaurants, five bars and lounges, and a wraparound promenade. There’s also a pool with two Jacuzzis, a spa and fitness center, an entertainment schedule, a pickleball court, an interactive culinary center, and a library. Plus, the ship’s schedule includes visits to 13 of the 14 Wonders of the World.
READ MORE: Sail Into Savings: The Endless Sunshine Cruise That Beats Home Ownership
