When people think about their retirement, they imagine themselves sitting on a recliner with a good cup of coffee. Sharon Lane, 77-year-old, decided to do the opposite: she moved out of her Orange County community and onto Villa Vie Odyssey for a planned 15-year journey. She bought an interior “villa” and pays monthly dues that cover meals, housekeeping, laundry, Wi-Fi and more.

How “residential cruising” actually works

A handful of ships now sell long-term living at sea. Villa Vie’s program is an all-inclusive model: your cabin is your home, the itinerary loops the globe, and essentials are bundled into a predictable fee. It’s not the only option, but Villa Vie aims to make the concept accessible to middle-class retirees who want simplicity and community.

For some, the math competes with land life when you add up housing, utilities, groceries, car costs, entertainment and gym fees. Then there’s the lifestyle: built-in friends, daily activities, and a new port most weeks. Many Americans have been doing exactly this, living aboard or stringing long voyages together to turn retirement into a rolling adventure.

But can you really live like this long-term?

Legally, yes. Cruise companies offer long-stay contracts or outright residence programs. The fine print lives with immigration: every country you visit sets its own entry rules.

The U.S. State Department urges cruisers to carry a passport book and check visa requirements for each stop—your line won’t do it for you. If your retirement plan is to stay aboard for years, you’ll still need a home base for mail and banking, and a plan for renewing passports and IDs.

Cruise ships have doctors and nurses and follow industry/ACEP guidelines, but they’re not hospitals. Original Medicare only pays aboard a ship in a U.S. port or within six hours of one; outside that zone, you’re usually on your own.

Many long-term cruisers add travel medical/evacuation insurance and cluster routine appointments on U.S. port days. Medicare telehealth rules are generous through Sept. 30, 2025 (subject to change), so you can handle some check-ins from your cabin—but assume you’ll still need in-person care. If retirement at sea is your goal, build care logistics into the plan.

Money and taxes while living in a ship

Moving onto a ship doesn’t move you outside the tax code. U.S. citizens owe federal tax on worldwide income; you’ll file each year no matter where you roam. State income tax depends on domicile —your legal home— so part of planning a seagoing retirement is picking and documenting a domicile (many nomads choose no-income-tax states) and keeping clean records. Talk to a pro before you untie from the dock.

Could this fit your life?

Mobility & meds: Can you manage stairs, tender boats and pharmacy refills on a global route?
Family ties: Are you comfortable being away for long stretches?
Budget: Add travel insurance, occasional hotels, and shore visas to the monthly fee.
Temperament: Do you enjoy community living? retirement at sea is social by design.
Paperwork: Passport validity (often 6-month rule) and any visas for your itinerary.

You’ll enjoy this life more if you hit 65 in good shape. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity a week (plus strength and balance), and Harvard research links midlife healthy habits to more disease-free years—prime fuel for a roving retirement. Start with brisk walks, light strength work, and balance drills; add a simple Mediterranean-leaning diet and consistent sleep. Future-you on Deck 9 will thank you.

Sharon Lane’s story is both genuine and inspiring: retirement at sea is possible, lawful, and —planned well—practical. It’s not for everyone, and it’s not “set-and-forget.” You’ll need a passport strategy, medical plan, insurance, and tax/domicile homework. Nail those details, though, and retirement can look a lot like an adventure around the world with room service.