The couple say the cruise is ‘no more expensive than living on land’. Grace and Jerry Grady have been living out of suitcases for the past couple of weeks. But it is a minor inconvenience as they prepare to fulfil the dream of a lifetime.
The multicultural couple, who are in their 70s, are soon going to be two of the roughly 800 passengers on a three-and-a-half-year cruise around the world. The epic voyage begins on 30 May and will visit 425 ports in 147 countries across all seven continents. The itinerary is timed to catch the spring and summer seasons wherever it travels.
Once it launches, the Villa Vie Odyssey will be one of just two residential cruise ships in operation. The Gradys moved back to Grace’s homeland two years ago and have been living in a rental property since then. Having sold their house in the States, they have spent the last few months selling off their worldly possessions in order to fund their trip.
“In the end, we sold most of our belongings to friends,” says Grace. “The smart ones came right away.” Since then, they have been living with the bear minimum having shipped several suitcases ahead to the ship.
“I’ve been wearing the same clothes everyday and washing them by hand each night,” says Grace. “No more showing off my wardrobe.” The proceeds have gone towards renting a cabin on the Villa Via Odyssey, which will work out at roughly $43,435 (€40,038) for a year.
The is surprisingly affordable. The most expensive annual renta.
