A British expat has discovered an unconventional yet appealing lifestyle: living full-time on a luxury cruise liner. Fraser Allen, 58, moved onto Villa Vie Residences' ship, Odyssey, in December 2024 and has since embraced a nomadic existence at sea.
Allen, who holds dual citizenship of the UK and Cayman Islands, is halfway through a three-way rental agreement with the liner. He has already explored South America, North America, Japan, the Philippines, the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand.
All-Inclusive Living at Sea
For Allen, one of the greatest advantages of residing on a 350-resident cruise ship is being completely 'taken care of.' 'Stereotypically, as a bachelor, I would say that everything being ‘taken care of’ within the rental fees is great,' he told the Daily Mail. 'That includes: all food (plus wine and beer), laundry and cabin service, gym and fitness classes, sauna and steam room through to the pickle ball court and swimming pools!'
The only additional expense is beer outside of meal times, which he describes as 'very reasonable.' Allen pays $125 (less than £100) per day for an inside cabin, though pricing has changed since he secured his deal. His other monthly expenses—toothpaste, snacks, clothing, and excursions—range from $1,000 to $2,000 (£734 to £1,470).
Funding the Adventure
Allen funds his cruising lifestyle through savings, pensions, and rental income from his house in the Cayman Islands. 'Prior to the voyage on the Odyssey, I downsized completely (a cathartic exercise!) and now have my place rented out in Cayman,' he explained. 'This provides additional monthly income to cover travelling expenses. Essentially, I have become nomadic for the next couple of years.'
Despite moving from a spacious home to a small cabin, Allen describes himself as a 'minimalist' and finds the cabin space more than sufficient. 'It’s more than sufficient for me. We also have anything that exists beyond the cabin as our ‘living room’, which has everything you need and more!'
Experiences and Challenges
Allen has visited 146 ports so far, with highlights including cruising the Chilean Fjords, pulling into Vancouver on Canada Day, and anchoring in Moorea, French Polynesia. However, not all ports have been pleasant. 'Rio plus a few other ports in Brazil weren’t a great experience,' he revealed. 'Security was an issue and several residents were mugged, ripped-off and/or made to feel uncomfortable.'
Life at sea has minor downsides, such as misreading the itinerary. After a night of overindulgence, Allen once woke up to a lifeboat drill, arriving late with his t-shirt inside out. 'That’s my worst-case scenario! How bad can it be?'
Community and Future Plans
Allen values the close bonds formed onboard. 'Everyone becomes ‘extended family’. Activities and interests are generated by the residents, alongside contracted staff. This makes for a very eclectic and diverse environment.' He plans to take a six-month break from full-time cruising, returning to the Cayman Islands, and then re-join the ship in Singapore in November for another 13 months. He is not looking forward to the flights and airport security, saying, 'Our seafaring alternative really is the way to see the world; very much hassle free!'
