A Florida couple, John and Melody Hennessee, made the bold decision in 2020 to sell their home, business, and most of their belongings in order to embark on a world-traveling adventure. Initially, they planned to explore the United States in a motorhome, but their wanderlust led them to seek a more exciting and unconventional way to see the world. John stumbled upon a Facebook ad for a 274-day cruise with Royal Caribbean and wasted no time registering for the nine-month journey.

Since then, the Hennessees have visited various destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Currently, they are sailing around the Dominican Republic, reveling in their new and more cost-effective lifestyle. With no mortgage, vehicle insurance, property insurance, or utility bills to worry about, their expenses have been reduced significantly. John estimates that their current expenses are approximately half of what they were when they lived on land.

Their travel routine typically involves docking at their destination and exploring for three to five days before setting sail again. According to the couple, traveling the world by sea is both affordable and enjoyable. However, their journey doesn't end there. The Hennessees have already secured bookings until December 2024 and are preparing to board the Villa Vie residential cruise ship, where they have purchased a cabin.

Villa Vie is one of the first all-inclusive cruise ships offering permanent residences. Roughly 30% of the passengers on board will be full-time inhabitants, with 85% of them being American. The ship is still under construction, but inside cabins start at $99,000, while balcony villas with ocean views cost approximately $249,000. In addition to the initial cost, there is a monthly fee of around $8,000. The cabins will come equipped with a kitchenette and pull-down beds in the living rooms for guests. Residents will be able to bring their families on board for free once the required port fees are paid, and a set number of cabins will be reserved for this purpose.

The Hennessees have already arranged for several people to visit and claim rooms on their block. Mikael Petterson, the founder and CEO of Villa Vie, revealed that almost half of the cabins are designed for singles, while a third will accommodate business owners and remote workers who can utilize the ship's business center and private offices. To ensure the residents' well-being, the cruise ship will have a dentist and doctor available for routine procedures, with a hospital and a two-person morgue in place for worst-case scenarios.

The ship is scheduled to circumnavigate the world every three years, following the warm weather for most of its journey. Melody expressed their love for the ocean, emphasizing their commitment to a minimum of 15 years on the ship, which aligns with their affinity for boating and being on the water.

Looking forward to their new permanent home on Villa Vie, the couple is eager to continue their globetrotting lifestyle. They believe that sailing the seas is not only more exciting but also more affordable than their previous life on land. With their future mapped out and connections to friends and family secured, the Hennessees are looking forward to the adventures that await them on the high seas.