A pair opted to bundle up their simple town existence.
Wyoming
And embark on the journey of a lifetime — an opulent world cruise.
Paul and Lynn Montoya resided in Laramie—a town boasting around 31,000 inhabitants—and ran a guesthouse in Vedauwoo when they received an unexpected jolt that changed their lives.
COVID-19
during the pandemic to see all that the world has to offer.
Paul mentioned, “We understood that we had not explored the world while managing our business as we did in Wyoming,”
Cowboy State Daily.
We didn’t have many opportunities to travel extensively before. Last year was actually our inaugural trip to Europe since we’ve reached our 60s, so we’re eager to discover more of the world.
That’s precisely what they did – bidding farewell to their home, loading a hired car with their cherished belongings, and setting off on their journey.
Villa Vie ship Odyssey,
The initial world cruise sees travelers setting out on a voyage lasting three and a half years as they circle the planet.
Cruises are frequently seen as costly, however, for the Montoyas, they quickly discovered that achieving their dream would not be more expensive than staying in Laramie.
Currently, the pair is relishing an extensive holiday costing around $80,000 annually since they boarded a cruise ship in April to sail through 147 countries, visit 425 ports, and explore 100 tropical islands.
Their expenditure details encompass the price of their cabin, daily meals, recreational activities, cleaning services, washing facilities, and internet access.
The most affordable cabin choice begins at $129,000 along with a monthly maintenance charge of $2,999 – approximately $45,000 per year – for an individual to reside there.
For a pair of individuals, the charge is $3,999 or $57,000 annually, as stated by the
ship’s website
The occupancy duration might extend up to a minimum of 15 years if needed.
Though the exact amount paid by the couple remains unknown, the typical price for a home in Laramie is approximated at around $378,258, as per estimates.
Zillow.
That’s something the Odyssey truly focuses on—it aims to create an environment for affordable living,” Lynn explained to the outlet. “Think of it as akin to a retirement community, perhaps a place designed for those aged 55 and above.
She proceeded to draw comparisons between their new way of life and those residing in two of the priciest areas in the United States.
“If you’re residing in places like California or New York, I doubt you’d be able to afford renting an apartment these days,” she commented.
‘To them, this might be a simple choice. For us though, it’s just like life back in Laramie, except now we have the chance to explore the globe.’
She and her spouse aren’t required to remain in their cabins throughout the entire duration, since they can step out for crucial family gatherings such as funerals or weddings.
They can choose to lease their cabin similar to how Airbnb rents out homes. Additionally, they have the option to either sell their cabin back to Ville Vie at a reduced price or put it up for sale to a prospective buyer looking for a new cabin.
The couple mentioned that their cabin is now valued at around $20,000 more than the original purchase price.
Considering this, Paul mentioned that he and his wife have aspirations for the future development of their cabin.
“If we pass away, our family could also inherit this property. However, we’re optimistic that its value will increase so we might be able to sell the cabin at or above what we originally paid, particularly if it becomes highly sought after,” he explained.
The cruise also provides a flexible payment option, allowing passengers to opt for a pay-as-you-go plan if they cannot cover the cost upfront.
The Montoyas encountered a man who has two cabins; one is for his personal use, and he rents out the other.
‘What he’s currently doing is leasing both properties, and with the rent he collects from them, he covers his expenses aboard the ship,’ Lynn clarified.
‘The person left back in August, so they have been involved with that for quite some time now.’
Even though the cabins are budget-friendly — especially when contrasted with the expense of residing on land in the US — the pair cautioned that available space is quite limited for practical use.
‘The usual size of a cabin tends to be around 200 square feet. It typically includes a bed and a desk, perhaps a side chair, along with a compact bathroom,’ was their description.
However, you can still personalize the cabins according to your preferences since the couple intends to make alterations to their area shortly.
Paul mentioned, “The construction team will be removing all the cabinets, and we plan to put up new wallpaper as well.” He added, “Additionally, we’ll be replacing the current bed with our own.”
They can reclaim their bed when the vessel docks in San Diego.
Although they have ensured their living quarters are cozy, the couple mentioned that they mostly spend their time at the ship’s gym, business center, or engaging in enjoyable and distinctive activities during stops at various ports.
Recently, the Montoyas had the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as they elaborated in detail.
YouTube page.
They also
created their own website
To provide updates about their travels, along with a list of all the locations they’ve visited and those still left to explore.
By Sunday, the pair had explored eight locations in Mexico, along with one each in El Salvador and Guatemala.
They still have plenty of locations left to check out, such as voyages to Hawaii, Canada, Washington, California, Alaska, Japan, and South Korea.
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