What if retirement meant stopovers, sunsets over the ocean, and suitcases always packed? That's the choice made by Lanette and Johan Canen, a couple in their mid-50s who decided to trade their everyday life in Hawaii for a life aboard a residential cruise ship. An adventure that intrigues as much as it inspires dreams.<\/p>\n
Lanette and Johan now live<\/a> aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, a ship designed to circumnavigate the globe for several years. Their cabin is guaranteed for 15 years, transforming the vessel into a true floating home. The ship's itinerary is staggering: 425 ports of call in 147 countries, spread over approximately three and a half years. A life filled with stopovers, discoveries, and ever-changing landscapes.<\/p>\n On board, the couple also enjoys a very structured daily routine. Meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, housekeeping, and laundry are all included in their package. This arrangement allows them to travel while minimizing material constraints.<\/p>\n What's most surprising about their story is the financial aspect. Before this new life, Lanette and Johan lived in Hawaii, a place known for its particularly high cost of living. According to them, living on this boat would ultimately cost them less than their previous life on land.<\/p>\n Johan sums up their choice with a phrase that has circulated widely on social media: many people imagine you have to be a millionaire to live permanently on a cruise ship, whereas in their view, this solution is less expensive than their previous rent and daily expenses. The couple also explains that they sold their car rental business before embarking on this new adventure.<\/p>\n Beyond the journey itself, Lanette and Johan say they primarily wanted to simplify their daily lives. No more accumulating possessions, maintaining a house, or burdening themselves with responsibilities they found excessive. Their new life is based more on experiences than on possessions. They say they appreciate being able to explore several countries without having to repack their suitcases at every stop.<\/p>\n Since their departure, they have already explored destinations such as Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, and the Galapagos Islands. For some, this idea of total freedom represents almost a modern fantasy: seeing the world while maintaining a mobile "home."<\/p>\n Their daily lives generate a lot of reactions on social media. Some internet users dream of such an adventure and readily imagine leaving everything behind to live at sea. Others are more skeptical. The lack of space, the distance from family, medical care, and the confined lifestyle raise concerns. Criticism also extends to the environmental impact of cruises.<\/p>\n Environmental groups have been denouncing the heavy pollution generated by cruise ships for several years, considering them among the most polluting vessels<\/a> in the world. On average, a single cruise ship emits approximately 20,000 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to the annual emissions of 10,000 cars. Even when docked, these ships continue to produce significant pollution: a cruise ship stopped for an hour emits as much as about 30,000 vehicles driving at low speed. These figures regularly fuel the debate surrounding this type of tourism, which is increasingly criticized for its environmental impact.<\/p>\n Ultimately, despite the criticism, Lanette and Johan say they don't regret their choice. For them, this permanent cruise primarily represents a different way of living and enjoying their time. One thing is certain: living at sea for years leaves no one indifferent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What if retirement meant stopovers, sunsets over the ocean, and suitcases always packed? 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We also cover what guidebooks often leave out, like traveling with peace of mind in a fat body, on a plane or at the beach, so everyone can get away and truly relax.<\/p>\n A comfortable flight starts when you book. Check seat width and legroom on the airline\u2019s website or on a seat map, and if possible reserve an aisle seat or a row with extra legroom. Read the airline\u2019s policy for passengers who need more space, sometimes called a \u201ccustomer of size\u201d policy: some airlines let you buy a second seat, occasionally refundable, while others don\u2019t. On board, you can discreetly ask a flight attendant for a seatbelt extender. Wear soft, stretchy clothes without a tight waistband, and get up regularly to stretch your legs. Our tips on choosing the best seat on a long-haul flight<\/a> round out this advice.<\/p>\n We talk about travel without clich\u00e9s: no \u201cbeach body\u201d to earn before you go, no destination reserved for one body type or budget. We focus on practical advice, accessible ideas and real-life experiences, and we also tackle the thornier topics, like overtourism and the environmental impact of travel. Our goal: helping you travel the way you want, solo, as a couple, with friends or with family.<\/p>\n For a first solo trip, choose a destination known to be safe, well served by public transportation and where you can easily make yourself understood. A large, walkable city, a region of your own country you\u2019ve never explored, or a stay at a guesthouse or hostel lets you find your footing gently.<\/p>\n Prices generally drop outside school vacations and holiday weekends. The shoulder seasons between peak and off-peak periods (late spring and early fall in the Northern Hemisphere) often strike a good balance between pleasant weather, lower prices and smaller crowds. Being flexible with your dates, comparing trains, buses and flights, and traveling with just a carry-on can also help you save.<\/p>\n Yes. Most airlines carry seatbelt extenders on board and lend them on request; you can discreetly ask a flight attendant as soon as you board. For safety reasons, airlines generally require you to use their own approved extender rather than a personal one.<\/p>\n Want to go further? Build a vacation wardrobe that feels like you with our Fashion<\/a> section, and travel more responsibly with our Green<\/a> section.<\/p>","parent":0,"count":288,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":96338,"category_count":288,"category_description":" The Travel section of The Body Optimist shares destination ideas<\/strong> and practical advice for planning your trips, close to home or abroad: preparation, budget, packing, transportation, solo or family travel. We also cover what guidebooks often leave out, like traveling with peace of mind in a fat body, on a plane or at the beach, so everyone can get away and truly relax.<\/p>\n A comfortable flight starts when you book. Check seat width and legroom on the airline\u2019s website or on a seat map, and if possible reserve an aisle seat or a row with extra legroom. Read the airline\u2019s policy for passengers who need more space, sometimes called a \u201ccustomer of size\u201d policy: some airlines let you buy a second seat, occasionally refundable, while others don\u2019t. On board, you can discreetly ask a flight attendant for a seatbelt extender. Wear soft, stretchy clothes without a tight waistband, and get up regularly to stretch your legs. Our tips on choosing the best seat on a long-haul flight<\/a> round out this advice.<\/p>\n We talk about travel without clich\u00e9s: no \u201cbeach body\u201d to earn before you go, no destination reserved for one body type or budget. We focus on practical advice, accessible ideas and real-life experiences, and we also tackle the thornier topics, like overtourism and the environmental impact of travel. Our goal: helping you travel the way you want, solo, as a couple, with friends or with family.<\/p>\n For a first solo trip, choose a destination known to be safe, well served by public transportation and where you can easily make yourself understood. A large, walkable city, a region of your own country you\u2019ve never explored, or a stay at a guesthouse or hostel lets you find your footing gently.<\/p>\n Prices generally drop outside school vacations and holiday weekends. The shoulder seasons between peak and off-peak periods (late spring and early fall in the Northern Hemisphere) often strike a good balance between pleasant weather, lower prices and smaller crowds. Being flexible with your dates, comparing trains, buses and flights, and traveling with just a carry-on can also help you save.<\/p>\n Yes. Most airlines carry seatbelt extenders on board and lend them on request; you can discreetly ask a flight attendant as soon as you board. For safety reasons, airlines generally require you to use their own approved extender rather than a personal one.<\/p>\n Want to go further? Build a vacation wardrobe that feels like you with our Fashion<\/a> section, and travel more responsibly with our Green<\/a> section.<\/p>","cat_name":"Travel","category_nicename":"voyage","category_parent":0}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/441226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8264"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=441226"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/441226\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":441264,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/441226\/revisions\/441264"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/441227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=441226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=441226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=441226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} "People think we're rich."<\/h2>\n
A lighter, less cluttered life<\/h2>\n
A lifestyle that fascinates\u2026 but divides<\/h2>\n
What you\u2019ll find in the Travel section<\/h2>\n
\n
How can you fly comfortably as a plus-size traveler?<\/h2>\n
Our approach<\/h2>\n
Articles to start with<\/h2>\n
\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Where should you go on your first solo trip?<\/h3>\n
When is the cheapest time to travel?<\/h3>\n
Can you ask for a seatbelt extender on a plane?<\/h3>\n
What you\u2019ll find in the Travel section<\/h2>\n
\n
How can you fly comfortably as a plus-size traveler?<\/h2>\n
Our approach<\/h2>\n
Articles to start with<\/h2>\n
\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Where should you go on your first solo trip?<\/h3>\n
When is the cheapest time to travel?<\/h3>\n
Can you ask for a seatbelt extender on a plane?<\/h3>\n