Retired woman sells everything to live on a cruise ship as it's 'cheaper than living in California'

A retired California woman has made the bold choice to live on a cruise ship, saying it’s not only a dream come true, but cheaper than staying on land.

Sharon Lane, 77, traded her lease in a Southern California retirement community for life at sea, where everything from meals to laundry is included.

She now wakes up in a new city every few days, free from chores and the rising costs of California living.

For Lane, retirement isn’t about slowing down, but about sailing into a more carefree chapter of life.

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What does it cost to live on a cruise ship?

Speaking to NBCLA, the Californian retiree said the decision took her all of 10 minutes.

“Not only was it affordable to me, it would actually cost me less money to live here like this, have everyone taking care of me instead of me taking care of everybody,” she said.

A retired foreign language teacher and long-time Southern California resident, Lane had been living in Laguna Woods when her lease expired.

Rather than find a new apartment, she decided to purchase an ‘interior villa’ aboard the cruise ship Villa Vie, which markets itself as ‘the only affordable residential cruising option offering this lifestyle’.

Lane didn’t reveal what she paid, but the company states that interior villas start at $129,999, plus monthly fees beginning around $3,000.

That amount includes all meals, housekeeping, laundry, internet, entertainment, wine and beer, and full access to ship amenities.

Living full-time on a cruise ship isn’t all good

The idea of living full-time on a cruise ship has grown in popularity in recent years.

This is particularly true among retirees looking to escape high housing costs, enjoy built-in travel, and avoid the isolation of aging alone.

For many, it offers a unique combination of adventure, community, and convenience, without the hassle of mortgages or assisted living centers.

With the average cost of living in California continuing to rise, the Villa Vie model is gaining attention for offering something rare: a lifestyle that’s both exciting and economical.

Of course, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

One content creator who lives full time on a cruise ship recently shared the dark side of living on one, although she said it still made financial sense for her.

Others, who spent nine months at sea traveling the world, also chimed in on the pros and cons of a protracted cruising.

Nevertheless, the Californian retiree seems to have made her decision to formally live on a cruise ship.

Lane officially moved onboard on June 16 and said her children and grandchildren were completely on board with her decision.

“It’s not just a vacation,” she said.

“It’s home.”

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