Villa Vie Residences has announced the launch of the Golden Passport, a new program designed to make permanent living at sea more accessible.
The one-time purchase plan allows travelers to join the company’s Endless Horizons program, a continuous global circumnavigation, for life.
The Golden Passport offers age-tiered pricing starting at $99,999 and ranging up to $299,999.
According to the company, this structure is intended to make the lifestyle attainable across different generations.
What the Golden Passport Includes
The program covers:
- Lifetime residence at sea across the Villa Vie fleet
- All-inclusive services such as dining, housekeeping, laundry, internet, entertainment, annual medical check-ups, and wine or beer with meals
- Port taxes and service charges included with no hidden fees
- Transferable access if holders switch to another ship within the fleet
Golden Passport holders will live aboard Villa Vie Odyssey, which sails continuous world voyages lasting 3 to 3.5 years. Each circumnavigation is scheduled to include 7 continents, more than 140 countries, 400 destinations, and over 100 tropical islands.
Extended port stays of two to three days are designed to give residents deeper cultural immersion, and itineraries will feature 12 of the world’s 14 Wonders.
A Retirement Alternative
Villa Vie positions the program as a solution for retirees and long-term travelers. Mike Petterson, Founder of Villa Vie Residences, said the initiative helps address financial uncertainty in retirement. “With the Golden Passport, that uncertainty disappears. One payment secures a lifetime of adventure.”
CEO Kathy Villalba added that the program removes barriers to global travel. “The Golden Passport makes that dream possible—and affordable—in a way the cruise and travel industries have never seen before.”
Failed Health Inspection
Despite the excitement around the Golden Passport, there is a note of concern.
The Villa Vie Odyssey recently failed its first U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health inspection, receiving a score of 81, which is below the minimum passing threshold of 86.
Inspectors cited low chlorine levels in drinking water, food safety violations, poorly maintained pool areas, exposed mechanical spaces near food service zones, and the presence of fruit flies in a pantry.
The company is required to submit a corrective action plan before the ship can return to U.S. waters for a follow-up inspection.
It has no plans to return to the U.S. for months.
