Couple sells their business and sets sail on all-inclusive, 15-year cruise — for just $3,500 a month

New York Post - Apr 13th, 2025

Lanette and Johan Canen, a retired couple, have embarked on a unique 15-year journey aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, a residential cruise ship. They sold their rental car business and left their life in Hawaii, finding that living on the ship is more affordable than their previous land-based expenses. For $3,500 a month, the couple enjoys an all-inclusive lifestyle that covers food, drinks, WiFi, and cleaning services while traveling to 425 ports in 147 countries over the first three years. Their choice reflects a growing trend among retirees seeking adventure and a simpler life at sea, away from the maintenance of a traditional home.

The Canens' story highlights a shift in lifestyle choices driven by rising living costs and the desire for new experiences. Their journey, documented on their YouTube channel 'Living Life On A Cruise', has inspired many with nearly 30,000 subscribers. The Odyssey offers longer stays at ports compared to typical cruises, enabling deeper exploration. With family visits allowed for up to 28 days at no extra cost, the couple doesn't feel isolated. As housing costs increase globally, the Canens believe this lifestyle represents the future, attracting those who can work remotely and prioritize experiences over possessions.

Travel Retirement You Tube Lanette Canen Johan Canen Villa Vie Odyssey Cruise Lifestyle Affordable Living

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article offers an intriguing glimpse into the unconventional lifestyle of a couple choosing to live on a cruise ship for 15 years. It excels in clarity and engagement, presenting a captivating narrative that is easy to follow. However, the story's accuracy and balance could be improved by incorporating more diverse sources and perspectives, particularly from experts or other residents. Transparency about the basis for specific claims and a deeper exploration of the broader implications of this lifestyle choice would enhance the article's credibility and impact. While the story is timely and taps into current trends, its limited scope and lack of controversy suggest a moderate influence on public discourse.

Accuracy

The story presents a compelling narrative of a couple embarking on a 15-year cruise, but several factual details require verification. The claim that the Villa Vie Odyssey will visit 425 ports in 147 countries is ambitious and should be cross-checked with official itineraries. The monthly cost of $3,500 for an all-inclusive stay should be compared with average living costs in Hawaii to validate the affordability claim. Additionally, the story mentions the couple's YouTube channel and subscriber count, which can be easily verified. While the story's core claims are plausible, specific numbers and facts need confirmation to ensure precision.

Balance

The story predominantly focuses on the positive aspects of the couple's lifestyle change, highlighting the affordability and adventure of living on a cruise ship. However, it lacks perspectives on potential challenges or downsides, such as limited space, potential isolation, or health care access. Including viewpoints from other residents or experts on long-term cruising could provide a more balanced perspective. The article does not explore the broader implications of such lifestyle choices, which might be relevant for a more comprehensive understanding.

Clarity

The story is well-structured and easy to follow, with a clear narrative arc detailing the couple's transition from land to sea living. The language is straightforward and engaging, effectively conveying the excitement and novelty of the couple's lifestyle. However, the article could benefit from clearer distinctions between verified facts and the couple's personal opinions or experiences. This would help readers differentiate between subjective experiences and objective information.

Source quality

The story relies heavily on quotes from the couple, Lanette and Johan Canen, which provides a personal touch but limits the diversity of sources. There is a lack of input from independent experts or representatives from Villa Vie Residences to corroborate claims about the ship's amenities and policies. The reliance on a single source type raises questions about the story's depth and reliability. Additional authoritative sources could enhance the article's credibility and provide a more robust foundation for its claims.

Transparency

The article provides clear information about the couple's motivations and lifestyle change, but it lacks transparency regarding the methodology for verifying claims about the cruise ship's itinerary and costs. There is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or any affiliations the couple might have with the cruise line. Greater transparency about the basis for the claims and any potential biases would improve the article's trustworthiness and help readers understand the context of the couple's decisions.