While some Brits look to retire abroad, Johan and Lanette Cahen have taken it to a whole different level as they move onto a cruise ship full time with all their meals, drinks and bills included
A couple fed up with sky-high bills and the daily nine to five work grind have waved goodbye to life on land and hello to 15 years sailing around the world on a luxury cruise ship.
Johan and Lanette Canen, both 55, are six months into the ultimate retirement dream after snapping up a cabin on the Villa Vie Odyssey, a residential cruise ship that’s taking passengers to 147 countries and 425 ports across the globe over the next three-and-a-half years.
But this isn’t a one-off holiday for the Canens – this is their new life. The pair plan to keep cruising for the next 15 years, swapping rent and chores for sunsets at sea, fine dining, and fresh adventures at every port.
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“It was a no-brainer,” Johan told the Mail Online. “We looked at the cost and realised it was actually cheaper than living in Hawaii.”
The couple had been based in the sunny US state for a decade, running a car rental business and living a fairly relaxed life. But when they went on a cruise holiday, everything changed.
“We thought we’d die happy in Hawaii,” Lanette said. “But then we stepped onto that ship… and we were hooked.”
They sold their business, said goodbye to their fleet of 31 cars – and bought a cabin on board.
Now, for £2,716 a month (or around £1,403 each), the Canens enjoy a fully inclusive lifestyle: all meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, laundry service, and housekeeping twice a week.
“It’s not just for millionaires,” Johan insisted. “People think you have to be rich, but this is absolutely doable – especially when you compare it to the cost of living in places like London.”
And it’s not just about saving cash. The couple say they feel like royalty, with staff bowing to them and no responsibilities to weigh them down.
“I’ve got no regrets,” Lanette smiled. “We don’t need ‘stuff’ anymore. We’ve got stories, sunsets, and freedom.”
Since boarding the ship, they’ve already visited 25 countries, including Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar and parts of South America. Unlike most cruises, the Odyssey lets passengers spend up to four days in each destination – meaning more time to explore and connect.
Next month, they’re hopping off in Mexico before flying to the US to meet their one-year-old grandchild for the first time. While they’re gone, they’ll sublet their cabin.
They can also invite friends and family to join them – for free – for up to 28 days, complete with their own room.
There are a few downsides, like rough weather and the occasional missed destination (they had to skip the Falklands once due to storms), but for Johan and Lanette, it’s all part of the ride.
“We’re old enough to do it, but still young enough to enjoy every second,” Johan said. “We’ve got no plan to stop.”
And as rent prices soar and remote work becomes the norm, Lanette reckons they’re ahead of the curve.
“This is going to be the new way of living,” she said. “Why stay in one place when you can have the whole world?”
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