I live on a cruise 24/7… it’s way cheaper than living on land: Meet the retired teacher, 77, who became a full time ‘ocean person’ – and how much it costs her

A retired teacher has shared why she decided to live full time on a cruise ship and people might be shocked by how affordable the lifestyle can be. 

Sharon Lane, 77,  left her home in Orange County, California, to move onto a Villa Vie cruise ship. 

Speaking to NBC Los Angeles, Sharon describes herself as an ‘ocean person’ and shows off the sea views from the ship. 

The retiree explains: ‘Every month I have a maintenance fee to pay and that is less than I was paying for rent [on land].’ 

While Sharon didn’t reveal exactly how much she’d spent to live at sea, interior cabins on Villa Vie cost $129,999/£95,470. 

Residents then pay $3,000/£2,200 a month for all their expenses, including meals, beer, wine, WIFI, laundry, activities and access to all the facilities. 

And there’s another benefit for retirees like Sharon. 

She reveals: ‘All the chores that you have to do in life – done. If you put your to-do list on a piece of paper of paper and you cross off anything that wasn’t a fun activity, then you end up with the life that we have now.’

Sharon Lane, 77, left her home in Orange County, California , to move onto a Villa Vie cruise ship

The retiree explains: ‘Every month I have a maintenance fee to pay and that is less than I was paying for rent [on land]’

Sharon’s exciting itinerary includes stops in Vancouver, Japan and Taiwan. 

Interior cabins are the cheapest option on Villa Vie with a villa suite the most expensive choice. 

The villa suite costs $439,999/£323,134 as a one-time fee while retirees will pay $9,999/£7,343 a month in fees if travelling solo. 

Residents can also choose to rent a villa if they’re not ready to commit to purchasing a home at sea. 

Villa Vie says: ‘A typical day on Villa Vie Odyssey is a blend of relaxation, exploration, and community engagement. 

‘Start your day with a sunrise yoga session on deck, followed by a leisurely breakfast. Spend your morning participating in onboard activities or exploring the port of call. 

‘Afternoons offer time for relaxation or attending workshops and social events. Evenings bring opportunities for fine dining, cultural events, or simply enjoying the tranquility of the sea.’