Tag Archive for: cruise condo lifestyle

Avora Lumina Tour: First Look Inside the Future Residential Cruise Ship

We recently had the opportunity to tour Regent’s Seven Seas Navigator, the ship that is planned to become Avora Lumina, a luxury residential cruise ship.

The funny part is that we were already on a 20-day cruise when we were invited to attend. So we arranged with Celebrity to disembark, left the ship, and flew from Florence to Barcelona for the tour. Because apparently, when you are considering living on a ship, flying off one ship to tour another ship makes perfect sense.

The night we arrived, we were greeted by a group of future residents, people seriously considering purchasing, and others who had already made commitments. Chris Cox, President of Avora Residences, and Kathy Villalba, Co-Founder and CEO, hosted the event along with the marketing team.

We went out for tapas and started connecting with our potential new neighbors on Avora. Kim and I have reserved a residence on the ship, which is scheduled to launch from Lisbon in January 2028.

The stories around the table were fascinating. One couple had been on Villa Vie Odyssey, while another had experience with The World. Let’s just say we learned a lot from both ships, and I will leave some of those details unmentioned. Every residential ship seems to have its own learning curve, its own personalities, and its own version of community life.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was the power of community.

We heard stories about Christmas tree decorating contests on Villa Vie, and even how one resident who was a seamstress took on a project to redo cushions on the ship. I was amazed by the level of community. Honestly, I was also a little worried about how tight-knit these communities can become. I am not sure Kim and I had fully prepared ourselves for that part.

There seemed to be a club for almost everything, from poker nights to scuba diving.

Kim and I are both in our mid-50s, and the idea of meeting new friends at this stage in life can feel almost impossible. The idea of meeting hundreds of people seemed daunting. After dinner, we both talked about the need to set some social boundaries when we get there. We want to enjoy the community, shared dinners, and new friendships, but also make sure we still have one-on-one time together.

One gentleman described it perfectly. He said that at times, “his social cup was full.”

We live in a pretty lonely world for the most part, so the idea that you might have to manage your social life is something we had not really considered before. Usually, people are trying to find more connection. On a residential ship, the challenge may be making sure you get enough quiet time.

The next day, we all headed over to the ship. After the usual formalities with passports and boarding passes, we were able to go onboard during the turnover period.

We were greeted by Regent executives, who walked us through several different suites, the pool deck, theater, dining room, casino, and other public areas. The casino is expected to be converted into work areas, which makes sense for a residential ship, although there was some talk about keeping a few of the tables for casino theme nights.

I was really blown away by how large the suites were.

Kim and I had originally booked the Navigator Suite on this ship years ago. Ironically, it was the same type of room we have now reserved for Avora, but because of Covid, that original trip was moved to another ship.

The Solstice Suite, as it will be called on Avora Lumina, felt just right. Kim described it as “perfect.” It has a separate bedroom, balcony, walk-in closet, bathtub, dining area, and living area. The Solstice is listed at 509 square feet, and it really feels more like a small condo than a cruise cabin.

You can see it in the tour video we put together here.

We also loved the mattress. Originally, we thought we would need to buy a new mattress, but we found out the suite already had a very comfortable Elite Slumber bed. That was a pleasant surprise.

After traveling on Celebrity Equinox, which was built in 2009, the Navigator felt more luxurious and, in some ways, even newer. You could really see the impact of the major 2016 refurbishment.

One example was the theater. On Equinox, the theater has more traditional, smaller theater-style seating. On Navigator, the room had more of a cabaret feel. It felt more intimate and less crowded. The dining room also felt much less packed.

I enjoyed seeing the spa as well. We were able to film both the ladies’ and men’s spa areas, which are very similar. Both include a steam room and a cedar dry sauna. There was also discussion about possibly reducing the size of the upper levels of the theater and adding things like a pool table or other resident-focused spaces.

Both Kathy and Chris seemed very interested in hearing what future residents wanted. That was one of the best parts of the tour. It did not feel like everything was already set in stone. It felt like they were still listening and trying to figure out how to make this ship special.

Another topic that came up was the idea of an “owner’s closet.”

Kim and I own Airbnbs, and when you travel to your own property, having an owner’s closet is incredibly useful. Someone mentioned wanting to store golf clubs. Others had their own ideas. It is a small thing, but when you are thinking about living on a ship part-time or full-time, storage becomes a big topic very quickly.

After a full morning of touring, we sat down for lunch in Compass Rose, which we were told will be renamed Meridian House. We were served on beautiful Versace tableware, with caviar, foie gras, and a few other things I could not spell even if you gave me three chances.

I asked Chris if they were keeping the plates, and he said absolutely. He also said they intend to work with The Apollo Group, which provides hotel and logistics services to cruise brands, including Regent Seven Seas, to help maintain a very high-end experience onboard.

There really were not a lot of negative things I could say.

The only thing that bothered me a little is that the balconies have more traditional metal railings instead of the glass balconies you see on many modern cruise ships. It is not a dealbreaker, but it does change the feel a bit when you are sitting outside.

The other challenge for us is that there is still no real place for our dog, Ginger. That will likely mean shorter trips for us, at least at first. Don’t worry, Ginger has our adult children and friends, who she seems to love more than us. Definitely more than me.

Overall, the tour made the idea of living aboard Avora Lumina feel much more real.

It is one thing to look at renderings and floor plans. It is another thing to walk the ship, sit in the dining room, see the suites, meet future neighbors, and imagine how your life might actually work there.

The ship is scheduled to set sail from Lisbon in January 2028 and begin its first global journey. At one point, I suggested that maybe they could just pick us up in Miami instead. Chris laughed and said, “I don’t think you are going to miss the inaugural sailing.”

He is probably right.

It does feel like it will be history. And after seeing the ship, meeting the people, and imagining what this could become, I think Kim and I will want to be there from the beginning.

Check out the tour video here. It was not professionally shot, and it was my first time using a gimbal with my iPhone, so let’s keep our expectations somewhere below Spielberg. But our team at Live At Sea did a great job putting it together, and I think it gives a real feel for the ship.

Feel free to share the video with anyone who is curious about living at sea. And if you have not already done so, join our Live At Sea Facebook group.

What Kind of Food Do People Really Want at Sea?

Ask almost anyone considering residential cruise living what matters most, and food quickly comes up in the conversation.

Meals become part of daily life when people are living onboard for months at a time. Unlike traditional cruises where dining is part of a short vacation experience, residential cruising turns restaurants into neighborhood gathering spots. Over time, food becomes deeply personal. People want comfort, variety, healthy choices, and occasionally, a little indulgence.

That’s why a recent community poll in the Live at Sea group sparked so much conversation.

The poll asked members to vote for the kinds of restaurants they would most want aboard a cruise condo ship. The responses painted an interesting picture of what future residents value most.

Italian cuisine came out on top with 20% of the vote, edging out American-style food at 17% and steak-focused dining at 13%. Japanese cuisine followed closely at 12%, while French-inspired dining and healthy organic food options each earned strong support as well.

Some of the results were expected, but a few stood out. Italian food has broad appeal almost everywhere in the world. Pasta, salads, breads, seafood dishes, and simple ingredients translate well across cultures and age groups. But the bigger takeaway is that residents aren’t necessarily looking for luxury dining every night. They’re looking for food they can imagine enjoying consistently over the long term.

That difference matters more than people may realize.

Traditional cruise ships often focus heavily on spectacle dining , oversized buffets, themed restaurants, and once-a-week specialty meals. But residential cruising appears to demand something different. People want places that feel familiar and sustainable for everyday living.

The popularity of American comfort food supports that idea. Burgers, pizza, wings, and casual meals remain a reliable part of how many people eat at home, and residents clearly want those options available at sea as well.

The strong showing for Japanese cuisine is also telling. Sushi and lighter stir-fry dishes appeal to residents who may be thinking long-term about wellness, freshness, and balance. Several members commented separately about wanting healthier dining options overall, which likely contributed to the 10% support for organic-focused menus.

Interestingly, highly specialized cuisines received less support. Indian cuisine, for example, received only 1% in this poll despite its growing popularity globally. Spanish tapas also ranked lower than expected.

That doesn’t necessarily mean residents dislike those cuisines. More likely, it reflects how people think differently when imagining life onboard full-time versus taking a short vacation. Residents appear to prioritize consistency, flexibility, and comfort over occasional novelty.

One of the more interesting parts of the poll was the demand for variety itself. One community member added “Variety” as its own category, which earned support independently. That may ultimately be the most important takeaway of all.

People don’t want to feel locked into a single dining style.

A residential cruise ship isn’t just a floating hotel. It becomes home. And like any home community, residents want choices that reflect different moods, schedules, health goals, and social experiences.

One night might call for steak and wine with friends. Another might mean sushi after a shore excursion or pizza during a casual movie night onboard.

For operators developing residential cruise concepts, these results offer practical insight. Residents appear to value:

* Familiar foods they can enjoy regularly

* Healthy and lighter dining options

* Flexibility and variety

* Restaurants that feel community-oriented rather than overly formal

* Comfort dining balanced with elevated experiences

As residential cruising continues to evolve, dining may become one of the defining factors that separates successful long-term communities from short-term novelty projects.

People can adapt to smaller cabins. They can adjust to changing itineraries. But food becomes part of emotional wellbeing very quickly.

And based on this poll, future residents seem to be saying the same thing clearly:

Give us quality, give us variety, and give us meals that feel like home.

Join the Live at Sea Facebook Group to share your ideas and stay updated!

Live at Sea (Rent or Buy) Facebook Group: A Place to Rent, Buy, Dream, and Gawk

For many people, the idea of living at sea still feels like a fantasy. Waking up to a new horizon, spending weeks or months aboard a ship, and calling the ocean home sounds almost too good to be real.

But for some people, it is already happening.

That is why I created the Live at Sea (Rent or Buy) Facebook Group. It is a sister group to the main Live at Sea Facebook Group, and its purpose is simple: to give people a dedicated place to explore cruise condos, ship residences, and live-at-sea opportunities that are available for rent or purchase.

A lot of us are curious about what is out there. Some are seriously looking to buy. Others want to rent before making a bigger commitment. And plenty of us just enjoy seeing the different options, layouts, ships, destinations, and lifestyles that are becoming available. Let’s be honest, it is quite fun to gawk at all the possibilities. Humanity has turned “window shopping” into a full-time hobby, so we may as well do it with ocean views.

This group is designed for people who want to promote a unit for sale or rent, as well as those who are interested in finding one. If you have a residence, cabin, or cruise condo available, you are welcome to post it here. If someone is interested, the two parties can connect directly through private message and work out the details privately.

My wife and I recently bought a place on Avora Lumina, and we expect that we may rent it out from time to time. We also intend to rent Villa Vie when she reaches Europe. That experience made me realize there should be an easier place for people in this niche community to share listings, compare options, and connect with others who are interested in this lifestyle.

The live-at-sea movement is still young, but it is growing quickly. More ships, more ownership models, more rental opportunities, and more creative ways to live aboard are appearing all the time. Some people are looking for adventure. Some are looking for a more flexible retirement. Some want to see the world without constantly packing and unpacking. And some are just curious enough to follow along until the right opportunity appears.

The Live at Sea (Rent or Buy) Facebook Group is for all of those people. Join here now.

Whether you are ready to buy, hoping to rent, listing your own unit, or simply enjoying the view from your screen, welcome aboard.

Residential Cruise Condo Rentals: Poll Shows People Would Stay 6 to 7 Months

How Long Would People Rent a Residential Cruise Condo?

I recently asked a simple question in our Live at Sea community:

If you were to rent a residential cruise condo, how many months would you rent it for?

The results were fascinating.

The largest group, 32%, said they would rent for 1 to 3 months. Another 21% said 7 to 9 months, and another 21% said more than 12 months. Only 10% said they would rent for less than a month.

 

When you average out the results using the midpoint of each range, the average rental period comes out to roughly 6 to 7 months.

That is very different from the traditional cruise market. According to CLIA’s 2024 global report, the worldwide average cruise length was 7.1 days. (cruising.org) Here, we are not talking about a one-week vacation. We are talking about people considering a lifestyle experiment measured in months.

That is the real opportunity.

Today, renting a residential cruise condo in the same way someone rents a luxury Airbnb home is not yet a mature market. There are early rental programs beginning to appear, including Villa Vie’s segment rental and rent-to-own options, which the company advertises from 35-day segments and month-to-month rent-to-own programs. (Villa Vie Residences) Avora is also entering the market with Lumina, a residential ship focused on ownership at sea. (Avora Residences)

But the broader rental ecosystem is still in its infancy.

That will likely change as more residential cruise inventory comes online. As supply grows through companies like Villa Vie and Avora Lumina, more owners may want to rent out their residences when they are not using them. And more travelers may want to test the lifestyle before buying.

This is similar to what happened in luxury vacation homes. I currently run an Airbnb business with luxury homes in South Florida, renting to families, retirees, and other qualified guests. But we are very selective. We do not allow parties. We require guests to be at least 25 years old. They also need to have a strong Airbnb rating.

I believe residential cruise condo rentals will need the same kind of standards.

This is not a party cruise. It is someone’s home. It may also be part of a tight-knit community at sea. Owners, operators, and residents will want renters who respect the property, the crew, and the lifestyle.

There may also be a strong economic case for renting. A residential cruise condo could end up being less expensive on a long-term basis than booking a traditional cruise cabin for months at a time. The model is different. Residential ships may have less entertainment, less daily turnover, and potentially lower fuel costs because they are not necessarily racing from port to port every day.

Traditional cruises are built around short vacations. Residential ships are built around living.

And based on this poll, the demand may not be for a week or two. It may be for half a year.

The future of cruising may not just be people buying cabins at sea. It may be people renting them first, testing the lifestyle, and discovering that home does not always have to stay in one place.

 

Colin C. Campbell

 

How long would people rent a residential cruise condo?

Based on the poll results, the average intended rental period is roughly 6 to 7 months. The strongest response was 1 to 3 months, but a meaningful number of respondents said they would rent for 7 to 9 months or even more than 12 months.

Is there currently a rental market for residential cruise condos?

A broad Airbnb-style rental market for residential cruise condos does not really exist at scale yet. However, as more residential cruise inventory comes to market through companies such as Villa Vie and Avora Lumina, rentals may become more common.

Why would someone rent a residential cruise condo instead of buying one?

Renting gives someone a way to test the lifestyle before committing to ownership. It may appeal to retirees, remote workers, families, lifestyle explorers, and people who want to experience living at sea for several months without making a long-term purchase.

Would renting a residential cruise condo be cheaper than a traditional cruise?

It could be less expensive for longer stays. A residential cruise ship may have less entertainment, less daily port-to-port movement, and a model designed more around living than short vacation turnover. That could make monthly residential rentals more affordable than booking a traditional cruise room for months at a time.

What kind of rental standards would make sense for residential cruise condos?

A strong rental model would likely need strict screening standards. That could include no parties, a minimum renter age such as 25 years old, and a good rental history or Airbnb rating. Since these units are homes, not just vacation cabins, owners and operators will likely want responsible renters.

Who is most likely to rent a residential cruise condo?

The most likely renters may include retirees, remote workers, long-term travelers, families testing the lifestyle, and people who want a more flexible way to live at sea. The poll suggests interest is strongest for multi-month stays rather than short one-week vacations.

 

Would People Really Live at Sea Full-Time?

People talk a lot about the concept of living at sea, but one question comes up more than almost any other:

Would people actually live onboard year-round?

The answer, according to a recent Live at Sea community poll, is yes , and by a larger margin than many people expected.

When community members were asked how many months per year they would realistically live onboard a cruise residence, the single largest group selected 12 months per year.

In other words, full-time living at sea.

That option received 38% of the total vote.

That number surprised a lot of people. After all, most people still view cruise ships primarily as vacation experiences rather than permanent residences. But as the residential cruising concept gains momentum, perceptions appear to be shifting.

What makes the poll especially interesting is the broader breakdown.

While 38% said they would happily live onboard year-round, another 20% selected between 7 and 11 months annually. Meanwhile, 42% said they would spend six months or less onboard.

When all responses were averaged together, the community landed at roughly 8.5 months per year living at sea.

That number may ultimately represent the sweet spot for residential cruising.

Rather than replacing land life entirely, many people appear to envision a hybrid lifestyle , part floating residence, part traditional home base.

That makes sense for several reasons.

Family obligations, healthcare access, business commitments, and personal routines still tie many people to life on land. Even among enthusiastic supporters of residential cruising, there’s recognition that full-time ship life may not fit every stage of life equally.

Yet the poll also demonstrates something important:

The idea is no longer viewed as unrealistic.

Only a few years ago, the concept of spending most of the year living aboard a cruise ship would have sounded extreme to the average person. Today, a large percentage of this community views it as not only possible, but desirable.

A few things are probably contributing to that shift in thinking.

First, remote work has fundamentally altered how many people think about location. For growing numbers of professionals, work is no longer tied to a single city or office. Reliable internet and flexible schedules have opened the door to more mobile lifestyles.

Second, many people are rethinking what “home” actually means.

Traditional homeownership comes with rising costs, maintenance responsibilities, taxes, insurance, and geographic limitations. Residential cruising offers an alternative model built around mobility, simplicity, and experience.

Instead of mowing lawns or dealing with winter weather, residents imagine waking up in Greece, Japan, South America, or Alaska.

That emotional appeal is powerful.

At the same time, the poll suggests that most people still value balance.

The fact that 42% selected six months or less indicates many residents may initially approach ship life gradually rather than diving into permanent residency immediately.

That’s probably healthy.

Residential cruising doesn’t need every resident to commit to 365 days per year in order to succeed. In fact, flexibility may become one of the model’s biggest strengths.

Some residents may spend winters onboard and summers near family. Others may rotate between multiple residences throughout the year. Retirees, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and part-time travelers may all use residential cruising differently.

The key insight from the poll is that people are actively imagining how this lifestyle could fit into their real lives.

That’s a major shift.

The idea is starting to move from fantasy into something people can realistically picture themselves doing.

People are beginning to ask:

How long would I stay?

Which destinations would matter most?

What kind of community would I want onboard?

How would healthcare, fitness, dining, and social life work long-term?

Those are the kinds of questions people ask when an idea starts feeling real.

And based on this poll, living at sea is beginning to feel very real to a growing number of people.