Yes, an Unlimited Cruise Pass Actually Exists and Here’s How to Get It!
Trading a house for a cabin at sea might sound like a wild idea, but that’s precisely what Villa Vie Residences is offering with its Golden Passport. Instead of paying monthly bills and planning occasional trips, this program gives you the chance to live full-time on a residential cruise ship while traveling the world. People have already signed up, and some are even selling their retirement homes to do it.
The Golden Passport Explained
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The Golden Passport is a lifetime membership for Villa Vie’s Endless Horizons program. Once purchased, it gives you access to the company’s residential cruises without any need to buy traditional tickets.
The Odyssey, Villa Vie’s current ship, is circling the globe on a three-and-a-half-year itinerary that covers 425 ports across 147 countries. Most stops last two or three days, with some stretching longer, which makes it easier to experience the culture rather than just rushing through.
Pricing works on a sliding scale based on age and cabin choice. At the lowest tier, people in their nineties pay $99,999. Those in their fifties pay far more, up to $299,999 for a Deck 2 porthole cabin or $399,999 for a Deck 6 ocean-view cabin, since they are likely to spend more years on board. The age brackets are designed to balance affordability with how long someone might use the program.
What the Price Covers
The one-time fee covers daily living costs, from meals and drinks with dinner to housekeeping, laundry, internet, entertainment, and yearly medical checkups. Port taxes and service charges are also included, and Villa Vie stresses there are no hidden bills.
Cabins come in different layouts depending on preference and budget, and guests can bring along family or friends for $129 per day. On top of that, residents have access to extras like wellness programs, curated shore excursions, and social events.
Retirement at Sea
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For many passengers, the Golden Passport is appealing because it removes the uncertainty of long-term retirement planning. Villa Vie founder Mike Petterson has said that one of the biggest fears for retirees is outliving their savings. By rolling everything into a single upfront payment, the program offers financial stability along with the chance to see the world.
A clear example is Sharon Lane, a 77-year-old from California. She left her retirement village, used her savings to buy a 15-year cabin lease, and moved aboard the Odyssey. For her, it was about finally living the way she had always wanted, with the freedom to travel constantly instead of staying in one place.
Freedom on the Water
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Golden Passport holders can board when they choose and stay as long as they like. Of course, they can also disembark whenever they feel ready. Villa Vie CEO Kathy Villalba explained that many people regret not traveling more when they had the chance, and this program was created to help them avoid that regret.
Purchasing the Golden Passport means swapping grocery runs and electric bills for sunsets on deck and a new stamp in your passport every few days.