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Woman who lives on cruise ship explains why it ‘costs less money’ than living on land

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A retired teacher has made it clear she has no regrets about selling everything to live on a cruise ship for the foreseeable future.

Sharon Lane is a former high school foreign language teacher, and recently made a purchase for the trip of a lifetime.

The 77-year-old is now retired and opted to trade in her home in a retirement community for the open seas.

While this would be a massive change in lifestyle for many people and would take a whole lot of time deliberating about the pros and cons, Lane has said the decision to live on a cruise ship only took her about 10 minutes.

She also noted that her children and her grandchildren were all ‘on board’ with her decision to live at sea as a retiree.

Lane has said she previously lived in Los Angeles and San Bernardino, adding that her home in Orange County, California was popular retirement community.

The retiree has said her family has supported her massive life changing decision (NBC4)

Speaking to NBC Los Angeles, she said: “Not only was it affordable to me, it would actually cost me less money to live here like this, have everyone taking care of me instead of me taking care of everybody.”

Lane is now set to sail the seas on the cruise ship for its full 15-year-journey, having purchased an interior villa aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, the world’s first perpetual cruise.

She didn’t explain just how much she paid for the villa, but the company behind the cruise has said an interior villa like hers is priced at $129,999, which is a one-time fee.

Those who permanently reside on the ship can pay monthly fees as low as $3,000 which covers everything – meals, beer and wine, housekeeping, laundry, WiFi, daily activities and full access to all ship amenities and facilities, according to Villa Vie.

Lane is intending to stay on the cruise ship for its entire 15 year journey (NBC 4)

Lane added: “All the chores you do in life? Done! If you put your to-do list on a piece of paper and you cross off anything that wasn’t a fun activity, then you end up with the life we have now.”

Speaking to CNN travel, she explained just how happy she is with her purchase.

She said: “I’m finally able to do what I’ve wanted to do for years. I buy the cabin, I live in the cabin, and that’s it. And then there’s no end.”

Villa Vie is marketed as the ‘only affordable residential cruising option offering this lifestyle and as it gets more difficult on land to buy and rent, this lifestyle could become even more popular.



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Cruise & Ferry

Expert Reveals The Truth Behind How Crime Is Handled While On Cruise Ships

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1 hour ago

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July 18, 2025

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When someone commits a crime, there is typically a process. Depending on the level of crime, you receive a punishment. Some crimes go to trial, some result in a mere ticket. Others could land you in prison for a very long time. In addition to the type of crime, the place in which you commit it alters how you will receive punishment. So, what happens if you commit a crime on vacation? Usually, you have to abide by that country’s rules. However, what about if you are out at sea? Experts have now answered that question by revealing the truth behind how crimes are handled on cruise ships.

How Crime Is Handled While On Cruise Ships

Image via Shutterstock

LadBible shares the ins and outs of handling crime while on cruise ships. Let’s face it, it is not as simple as on land. When on land, you have police forces readily available to tackle any issues that arise. However, on cruise ships, that is not the case. So, what is done to handle any trouble that arises? If there are trouble-makers on cruise ships, they are typically detained.

However, how do they know which rules to follow when they are in international waters? LadBible shares that “Cruise ships are often registered in countries like Panama, the Bahamas, or Liberia- known as ‘flags of convenience’- to avoid taxes, safety regulations, and labor laws.” Additionally, they share that “the ship operates under the laws of the country where it’s registered and not necessarily where it sails.”

While crime on cruise ships is low, it does happen. Cruise ship security acts similarly to police in the sense that they will intervene and handle the individuals causing said crime. However, unlike police officers, security does not have the authority to arrest anyone. Instead, they just detain them. In regard to detaining, this could mean being confined to their room, having their room card blocked, or being prohibited from making additional purchases.

If the cruise is smaller, these disgruntled individuals may be confined to their rooms. However, larger ships may offer “brig-like” spaces or secure rooms to detain passengers, causing issues. At the end of the day, it is the captain of the ship who has the final say in how to deal with any crime that arises onboard.

 

 

 



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European cruise line unveils luxury upgrade for new Galveston ship

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2 hours ago

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July 18, 2025

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Several renowned Houston hotels and resorts were just declared the best in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, according to the publication’s annual World’s Best Awards.

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa was honored as the No. 1 best resort in Texas, while the prestigious Post Oak Hotel ranked as the No. 7 best hotel in the nation. Among T+L’s list of the 15 best hotels in Texas, four more distinguished Houston properties made the cut.

Every year, Travel + Leisure surveys its readers to determine the ultimate travel experiences around the world, which include the top hotels, resorts, travel destinations, and more. The 2025 survey had more than 180,000 responses from T+L readers with over 657,000 votes across 8,700 accommodations, cruise lines, and other properties.

The Houstonian Hotel reclaimed the top spot for 2025 after previously slipping into No. 4 in 2024. The publication celebrated this “serene sanctuary” for its numerous sports and fitness activities, plus its rejuvenating 26,500-square-foot spa, pool, and jacuzzi. The resort’s location next to Memorial Park also provides guests with the feeling that they’ve escaped the hustle and bustle of the city.

  “The staff treats you like you are a long-awaited family member,” said a T+L reader.Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

“Resort guests receive complimentary access to the fitness club, which has dedicated spaces for a myriad of sports, including nine tennis courts, a shaded jogging trail, an indoor track, and a lap pool,” the report said. “On top of the unbeatable facilities and location, the Houstonian’s memorable hospitality had our voters eager for repeat visits.”

In a press release, general manager Steve Fronterhouse said the entire Houstonian team was honored to receive the worldwide recognition.

“To be named the best resort in Texas by the discerning readers of Travel + Leisure is not just a reflection of our 27 acres and amenities; it’s recognition of the Southern hospitality and warmth our staff delivers every day,” he said. “We are grateful to all of our guests who continue to make The Houstonian their home away from home.”

The full list of best Texas resorts, in order, are:

  • The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Houston
  • Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, Frisco
  • JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio
  • Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin
  • Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine
Best hotels in the U.S.
In addition to being ranked among the top 10 best hotels in the U.S., The Post Oak Hotel was also hailed as the No. 1 best hotel in Houston. The hotel succeeds at providing guests with a flawless level of service and accommodations, while its on-site restaurants and bars add to the overall opulence of the property’s amenities.

“And naturally, there’s a world-class spa on site and a Rolls‑Royce showroom in case you need to pick up a new ride,” the report said.

  Stay in style at The Post Oak Hotel.  Photo courtesy of The Post Oak Hotel  

A T+L reader said The Spa at The Post Oak Hotel is “a destination in itself” and noted that guests could still have a memorable experience in Houston even if they never step foot off the 700,000-square-foot premises. But if guests did choose to explore everything the city has to offer, the hotel provides an over-the-top travel method.

“There is a rooftop helipad so that you don’t even have to sit in Houston traffic if you don’t want to,” the reader said.

The full list of Houston winning hotels, in order, are:

  • No. 1 – The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
  • No. 2 – Hotel ZaZa
  • No. 3 – Four Seasons Hotel Houston
  • No. 4 – JW Marriott Houston Downtown
  • No. 5 – Hilton Americas-Housto

Other Texas awards
San Antonio’s Hotel Emma and Fort Worth’s Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection were the only two other Texas properties to earn acclaim in T+L’s list of the “15 Best City Hotels in the U.S.”

San Antonio was also deemed one of the best U.S. travel destinations in 2025, ranking 12th out of 15 total cities.

In a release, Travel + Leisure editor in chief Jacqui Gifford said the 2025 World’s Best Awards “reflect a travel landscape in motion.”

“From a high-desert city in the American Southwest to a quiet Greek island, our readers are seeking depth, character, and a strong sense of place,” Gifford said. “We’re thrilled to honor the hotels, destinations, and travel companies that are delivering those transformative experiences.”



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Cruise ship gastrointestinal outbreaks hit 18, matching all of 2024 in months

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3 hours ago

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July 18, 2025

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Over 130 passengers recently caught a gastrointestinal bug while sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. 

The outbreak occurred during a weeklong cruise to Mexico from Los Angeles, California, and was the 18th incident recorded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2025. 

Among the 3,914 guests onboard, 134 reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, along with 7 crew members. This means that 3.4% of the passengers and 0.6% of the crew reported being sick during the 7-night cruise to the Mexican Riviera. 

The cause of the outbreak has not been confirmed, but it is likely norovirus, a highly contagious virus that spreads easily through contaminated food, water, or surfaces.

In response to the outbreak, Royal Caribbean ramped up its cleaning protocols, isolated sick passengers and crew, and collected stool specimens for testing. 

Navigator of the Seas was on a weeklong cruise from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, when the outbreak occurred. 

The incident on Navigator of the Seas marks the 18th cruise ship gastrointestinal outbreak reported to the CDC so far in 2025, equaling the total reported in 2024

Between January 1 and July 11, 2025, 18 gastrointestinal outbreaks were reported to the CDC, with the first being on Sea Cloud Cruises’ Sea Cloud Spirit. The causative agent wasn’t norovirus, though. Instead, the CDC lists it as Ciguatera (presumed).

Following the Sea Spirit, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Ray reported an outbreak that was eventually revealed to be caused by E. coli. 51 out of 681 passengers on the luxury ship reported being ill during the voyage. 

It wasn’t until January 15, 2025, that the first norovirus outbreak was reported, occurring on Holland America Line’s Volendam. 

Since then, multiple cruise lines, ranging from Royal Caribbean to Princess, Viking, and Cunard, have faced similar incidents.

Norovirus remains the most common cause of gastrointestinal illness outbreaks at sea, with 12 of the 18 reported outbreaks attributed to the highly contagious gastrointestinal virus. 

Here’s a full list of the gastrointestinal illnesses reported to the CDC in 2025:

  • Sea Cloud Cruises, Sea Cloud Spirit (January 4-10, 2025): Ciguatera (presumed)
  • Silversea Cruises, Silver Ray (January 4-20, 2025): E. coli
  • Holland America Line, Volendam (January 4-25, 2025): Norovirus
  • Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking Mars (January 10-24, 2025): Norovirus
  • Princess Cruises, Coral Princess (January 20-February 5, 2025): Norovirus
  • Royal Caribbean, Radiance of the Seas (February 1-8, 2025): Norovirus
  • Holland America Line, Rotterdam (February 2-14, 2025): Norovirus
  • Holland America Line, Eurodam (February 19-March 1, 2025): Norovirus
  • Princess Cruises, Coral Princess (February 5-March 9, 2025): Norovirus
  • Holland America Line, Rotterdam (March 7-16, 2025): Norovirus
  • Cunard Line, Queen Mary 2 (March 8-April 6, 2025): Norovirus
  • Seabourn Cruise Line, Seabourn Encore (March 16-April 8, 2025): Norovirus
  • Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking Polaris (April 11-23, 2025): Norovirus
  • Lindblad Expeditions, National Geographic Sea Lion (April 15-29, 2025): Unknown
  • Holland America Line, Zuiderdam (January 4-May 6, 2025): Unknown
  • Holland America Line, Eurodam (April 12-May 3, 2025): Norovirus
  • Regent Seven Seas, Seven Seas Explorer (April 26-May 14, 2025): Unknown
  • Royal Caribbean, Navigator of the Seas (July 4-11, 2025): Unknown

Comparatively, 2024 saw 18 gastrointestinal outbreaks from January to December, whereas 2025 has already matched that total by mid-July. By July 2024, only 8 gastrointestinal illnesses had been reported to the CDC. 



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