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Couple Living Full-Time On Cruise Ship Reveal Unexpected Side Effects Of Life At Sea

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The couple opened up about both the cost and the reality of living full-time on a cruise ship
An American couple who decided to leave their life on land behind and move onto a cruise ship full-time have shared what the experience has really been like so far. They spoke openly about how day-to-day life in a cabin has affected them and what changes they have noticed.Johan Bodin and Lanette Canen have committed to what is expected to be a 15-year journey aboard the Ville Vie Odyssey. This is a residential cruise ship operated by Villa Vie Residences and designed for long-term living rather than short trips.People who buy a cabin on the ship are given the chance to travel widely, with the itinerary covering 425 destinations across 147 countries over a cycle of about three and a half years. This setup allows residents to keep moving while still having a fixed home base.

 

 

For anyone who has ever imagined traveling the world while enjoying a more comfortable and structured lifestyle, this type of setup may sound appealing. The idea of combining travel and everyday living into one experience is something more people are starting to consider.The couple, who had previously told WGN News in May 2025 that they truly enjoyed their new way of living, recently spoke to UNILAD about what life has been like since leaving Maui and moving out to sea.

Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin live full-time on a residential cruise shipSupplied

 

 

According to the pair, who are both 56, one of the biggest challenges they have faced is sticking to a healthy eating routine. With food available almost all the time, it can be difficult to maintain balance.The ship offers a wide range of dining options, including three restaurants, a buffet-style setup, multiple bars, lounges, and even a culinary center. With so many choices, it becomes easy to eat more than planned or try everything on offer.“Portion control is probably the biggest [side effect]—it’s easy to overdo it when food is always available. But there are also a lot of healthy options,” Bodin and Canen admitted.

“We actually feel more active than we did at home because we’re walking a lot and exploring in every port. Overall, we’ve maintained our weight and feel good.”The couple explained that they paid around $130,000 upfront to secure their residential cabin. On top of that, they now spend about $4,000 each month to continue living onboard.

Living on a ship 24/7 can make food portioning difficult , the pair confessedSupplied

 

 

This monthly cost covers a wide range of services and amenities. These include meals, beer and wine during lunch and dinner, housekeeping, laundry services, access to the gym, fitness classes, onboard entertainment, WiFi, and gratuities.Although the amount may seem high at first, it has been reported that the $4,000 monthly cost is about half of what they used to spend when living a more traditional lifestyle on land.“We no longer have things like car payments, insurance, gas, home maintenance, HOA fees, groceries, or even traditional vacations—it’s all kind of rolled into one lifestyle now.”

When asked about common misconceptions surrounding life on a residential cruise ship, the couple pointed out that many people misunderstand both the cost and the level of freedom involved.“A lot of people think we’re stuck on the ship or that you have to be rich to do this.”“Others assume it’s crowded and chaotic like a typical cruise. In reality, it’s much quieter, more spacious, and feels more like a small community than a vacation cruise.”

The cruisers’ pay $4,000 per month, with payments going towards food, drink, and laundry serviceSupplied

 

 

Even though the experience offers many benefits, the couple admitted that it is not perfect. One of the hardest parts of living this way is being far away from loved ones for long periods of time.“That said, we’ve made an effort to reconnect along the way—like flying back to surprise our granddaughter for her first birthday.”Despite this, they said that anyone thinking about making a similar move should seriously consider going for it and not hold back.

They shared that life is too short to spend time wondering about missed opportunities or holding onto regrets.“And if you’re not sure, try it first—but don’t wait too long. We’ve learned that time and experiences matter more than things.”

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