Life Afloat: How a Florida Couple Transformed a Tiny Cabin into Their Home on a Cruise Ship

Adjusting to life on a cruise ship is a significant transition, but for Jim and Chris Guld, it’s been a smooth journey so far. The couple, who recently embarked on living full-time aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, a converted cruise ship, has embraced their new lifestyle after spending 14 years in an RV.

During a recent video call from the ship, Jim expressed how surreal it feels to wake up every morning at sea. With mornings spent enjoying walks on the promenade deck and evenings filled with sunsets and playful dolphins, Jim describes their life as a fantasy. Despite experiencing few inconveniences, like minor internet issues and occasional demagnetization of their room key, they treat these as trivial “first-world problems.”

The Gulds, aged 71 and 72, decided to sell their Oakland Park home to escape the burdens of property maintenance, hoping to enhance their semi-retirement. After a trial voyage in December, they invested $170,000 in a 15-year residency option on the ship. Their $5,000 monthly fee covers amenities such as meals, laundry, housekeeping, internet, and entertainment.

Currently, the Villa Vie Odyssey is on a 3.5-year “Continual World Cruise” with plans for 425 stops in over 140 countries. Having boarded in Cartagena, Colombia, on April 20, their journey has already included ports in Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala, with more destinations in Mexico and the United States lined up.

While they recognize the many excursions available at each port, they have chosen to stay on the ship to enjoy its offerings. Jim points out that life aboard is different from a typical cruise; it’s a slower pace that allows residents to form meaningful connections. They have already reunited with acquaintances and even attended a wedding onboard.

The couple continues to share their adventures through tech-tip videos as part of their online platform, "Geeks on Tour." Their small cabin has become a creative space for filming and blogging, decorated with personal items that remind them of home.

As they settle into their new living situation, Jim and Chris are filled with anticipation for future travels, including upcoming stops in Asia this fall, where they plan to visit Expo 2025 in Japan. They view this journey not just as travel, but as a new way of life filled with endless possibilities.

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