A couple who decided to change their lifestyle drastically by selling 31 cars, leaving behind their Hawaii home, and embracing the sea, have reached an impressive milestone: 500 days of full-time life at sea, and they’re eager to share their experiences.
Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin, who originally hail from Maui, share their sea-bound life aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey through their YouTube channel Living Life on a Cruise.
In a recent video, they discussed the reality of living on a cruise ship, highlighting both the positives and negatives, as well as the unexpected challenges that come with leaving traditional land life behind.
The couple secured their cabin on the residential cruise ship before it was even operational, securing a monthly rate of about $3,500 for both of them.
For those looking to join now, the minimum monthly fee is around $4,000. This cost covers an array of services including food, beverages, housekeeping, laundry, WiFi, gym access, entertainment, and gratuities.
This price can be seen as reasonable when compared to the expenses of mortgage payments, car insurance, utility bills, and the general complexities of modern life on land.
During their 500-day adventure, they’ve explored 53 countries and visited nearly 170 ports around the world—from Belfast to Bora Bora, navigating through fjords, across the Pacific, and currently journeying along the Australian coast between Townsville and Sydney.
While one might assume cabin size to be a concern, with their cabin measuring approximately 144 square feet, Lanette and Johan have adapted well. Having downsized five years before setting sail and living in a small one-bedroom unit in Maui, they’ve found the cabin space manageable.
Despite spending over 500 days in close quarters, they emphasize their relationship remains strong.
The ship offers alternative spaces such as the observatory, library, business center, and Palms lounge for when they need some personal space.
Missing family is cited as the most significant challenge. Johan stated, “That’s number one,” and Lanette acknowledged that while FaceTime helps, it can’t replace real-life connections.
They’ve made trips to visit family and aim to do so at least twice a year in the future.
Interestingly, Lanette and Johan report spending less living on the cruise than they did in Maui. With no car payments, home maintenance, HOA fees, or traditional vacations, their expenses are consolidated into one monthly payment. They also use travel miles and points for special excursions, such as a notable trip to Bora Bora that cost them just $180 each using points.
Lanette continues to manage a marketing business remotely, while Johan remains active. They prefer to describe themselves as ‘rewired’ rather than retired, continuing their work between destinations like Fiji and French Polynesia rather than from a home office in Hawaii.
One unusual adaptation has been losing track of traditional time. Initially, Lanette kept track of the days, but now their life is structured around sea days and port days rather than weekdays.
They’ve formed a community on board, with crew members and fellow passengers becoming like family. The departure of their steward, Sammy, was more of a heartfelt farewell than a mere staff change.
The Odyssey has truly become their home, with rare departures for essentials like a week in the Galapagos or visits to family.
If given the chance, Lanette and Johan would make the same life-altering decision again. Despite being far from family, living in tight quarters, and the occasional travel fatigue, they find the slower pace, strong community, and stunning ocean views to make it all worthwhile.
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