Real lives, real stories
Hear from the people who call the Odyssey home. Their journeys, friendships, and discoveries paint the truest picture of life at sea.
Meet Becky
Trinity, Florida
“I didn't think I could live on a ship. But once I stepped aboard, I saw it as my home.”
Becky, a 55-year-old retiree from Trinity, Florida, always dreamed of traveling with her husband Jeff. But traditional travel by air and car felt stressful and out of reach.
When Jeff discovered Villa Vie Residences, they realized they could save around $1,700 a month living aboard The Odyssey — all while exploring the world.
Before moving onboard, Becky worked in insurance, and Jeff continued as a remote design engineer.
What surprised Becky the most? "I didn't think I could live on a ship. But once I stepped aboard, I saw it as my home. My villa is just my bedroom."
She loves getting her nails done in the salon, enjoying Chef Victor's Arroz con Pollo, and meeting people. "They're lively. Every face has a story behind it."
Becky starts her days early connecting with residents. In her free time, she explores ports — Spain and Morocco have been favorites, and Singapore is next on her list.
Most of all, she's formed lifelong friendships. "Eternal friends," she calls them. Staying in touch with family is easy through FaceTime — or by inviting them onboard.
Meet Mary Ann
Hamilton, Ontario
“The greatest gift is the simplicity — no flights to arrange, no hotels to book, just the freedom to focus on discovery and connection.”
Mary Ann, a retiree from Hamilton, Ontario, first spotted Villa Vie Residences in an online ad and decided to explore the idea. She was intrigued by the thought of a home that could travel the world, offering both adventure and comfort.
What stood out most was the community. Life aboard the Odyssey feels nothing like a traditional cruise — it's a neighborhood at sea where residents can be as social or as private as they wish. Over time, she's formed deep friendships, from months in Belfast to spontaneous connections on shore excursions.
On sea days, Mary Ann enjoys morning walks on deck and attending cooking demonstrations, guest speaker events, or simply relaxing with friends. Port days are for getting out early and seeing as much as possible, especially in destinations she's never visited before.
With strong onboard Wi-Fi, staying close to family is easy, whether through daily video calls or inviting them to visit. For her, the greatest gift is the simplicity — no flights to arrange, no hotels to book, just the freedom to focus on discovery and connection.
Meet Andy & Alicia
Fairbanks, Alaska
“It really feels like home.”
After years as international educators, Alicia and Andy Lewis thought retirement would slow life down. Instead, it opened the door to something entirely new.
Based in Fairbanks, Alaska, the couple discovered the idea of residential cruising shortly after Alicia returned from Antarctica. Curious, Andy did the research. The answer was simple: yes, they could.
Since coming on board, what has surprised them most is the sense of community. "It really feels like home," Alicia says.
Today, their days are filled with friendly conversations, lively games, and quiet moments watching the world drift by. For Andy, there is always someone interesting to meet. For Alicia, the joy is simple.
Waking up each morning in her own bed, while the world moves gently beneath them, reminds them they made the right choice.
Meet John & Melody
Florida & Iowa
“We've become like one big family.”
After decades of life and travel, Melody and John Hennessy were ready for something simpler. Originally from Florida and Iowa, the retired couple loved exploring the world, but they were done with packing suitcases and navigating airport lines.
When they discovered residential cruising, everything clicked. Today, they call the ship home.
Having previously spent years traveling by cruise ship and RV across the United States, the transition felt natural. What surprised them most, however, was the community on board. "We've become like one big family," Melody shares.
Their days are as active or relaxed as they choose, filled with classes, entertainment, and time with friends from around the world. And with reliable satellite connection, staying close to loved ones back home has never been easier.
For Melody and John, the dream is simple. Travel the world. Skip the airports. And wake up each day surrounded by a community that feels like family.
What our residents are saying
From solo adventurers to families, the Odyssey community shares a common thread — the joy of living without boundaries.
“We never thought we'd be living our dream of slow travel on a beautiful cruise ship! As residents of Villa Vie Odyssey, we've been blown away by the incredible lifestyle and the ship itself. It's even better than we imagined. We're so excited to share our experiences on our YouTube channel, where we're vlogging about our travels and the amazing community we've found here. It's like having our own home on the water, allowing us to explore the world at our own pace. The food is fantastic, the facilities are great and improving every day as the ship ends its inaugural voyage and settles into the perpetual world cruise, and the people are wonderful. We're so grateful we discovered Villa Vie Odyssey and took the leap. It's truly a life-changing experience.”
“Living aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey has been the adventure of a lifetime! My partner and I joined this residential cruise on September 30, 2024, and as of July 2025, we've already traveled to 100 ports across 53 countries — all without ever packing and unpacking a suitcase again. This ship is more than just a way to see the world — it's our floating home, complete with a close-knit community of like-minded travelers who've become our ship family. From waking up in a new country to experiencing local culture, cuisine, and hidden gems every few days, life on board is truly magical. We've explored everything from vibrant cities to remote islands, all while having the comforts of home with us — our own bed, our routines, and the joy of not having to plan every detail. The Odyssey has changed our lives in the best way, and we can't wait to see where the next 300+ ports take us over the next 15 years!”
“I'm having the time of my life on Villa Vie's Odyssey. I love the fact that almost all of our stops are multi-day, giving us the chance to really explore the places we are visiting without feeling rushed — unlike on conventional cruise ships. And as a solo traveler, I no longer have to choose between traveling (which I adore) and creating meaningful community — I have found my travel tribe onboard. The food is excellent, the staff is terrific, the complementary classes at the gym are a huge plus, and my fellow passengers are an unusually intelligent, interesting, curious bunch.”
“We sold our dream home to move to the Odyssey. We are thrilled we did. We loved our home on 40 acres in remote western Colorado. After 20+ years it was time for a change. The Odyssey is that welcomed change. No more household chores or maintenance; the staff handles it all and with a smile. No more driving 20+ minutes to go visit friends; there are right here. No more driving congestion or TSA lines; others handle the "driving" for us. The joy of waking up in different places with no hassles is refreshing. We can live our lives as we see fit, laugh with our friends, and enjoy the budding community.”
“When I am not having what is literally the BEST time of my life onboard the Odyssey, I do enjoy reading negative reviews from people that have no idea of what they are talking about. From the first day I have never regretted my decision to change my life on this journey, and the crew are incredible. Happy to be sharing my life with new friends, adventurers, and optimistic believers. Happier to avoid the rest!”
“Over-the-top waaay fun small-ish cruise ship!! Run by people who care about us who are onboard. My shipmates and I have fun in so many beautiful places, and often hear comments from people in the places we visit to that effect. Laughter is contagious! I feel incredibly fortunate to call this my home.”
“Not a resident yet, though secured my spot with a deposit, and will be embarking on Villa Vie Odyssey within the next few months. I'm very close to the community WhatsApp communication group and love seeing all their wonderful experiences. With a fabulous itinerary, lovely couples and solo travelers, I can't wait to be a part of this voyage for many years to come. The VVR team I have interacted with have been delightful, and the sales team are really helpful without being pushy at all.”
“Amazing opportunity to travel the world at an affordable rate; while enjoying fantastic food, good nomad working facilities and a warm community. My teenage son and I are thoroughly enjoying our new home on Villa Vie Odyssey.”
“Living on a cruise ship was a dream, travelling the world was a dream. Villa Vie Residences made this come true with the Odyssey. Don't believe me?? Follow The Kiwi Odyssey on YouTube and see what we are doing.”
“We stayed for a week in December on their Try Before You Buy. It worked. We went back home and did more research and bought a Villa. We're getting rid of everything and embarking next month in Colombia!”
“Living on the Villa Vie Odyssey has truly turned the world into our backyard. Instead of taking occasional vacations, we now wake up in new destinations while still enjoying the comfort of our own home onboard. The sense of community among residents and crew has also been wonderful. It’s an incredible lifestyle and a unique way to experience the world.”
Ready to write your story?
Join a community of explorers who've chosen a life without limits. Your chapter aboard the Odyssey awaits.