In 2015, Randy and I discussed that someday, we wanted to retire to a cruise ship — Residential Cruising wasn’t yet a thing.
In early 2023, Randy pitched it seriously as “early retirement” when he read about Storylines, but the costs weren’t right for us, and that company wasn’t ready to go anyway. (Still isn’t!)
The Big Transition
There were some other fits and starts, but our life on Odyssey is a dream come true. The lifestyle is so natural for us, it fits us like a soft leather glove.
We were landlubbers …until suddenly we weren’t. The transition has been remarkably smooth.
Both of us are fascinated by weather and pay close attention to what it’s doing around the world. I suspect that will come in handy as we visit the far reaches of the globe because we’ll appreciate the Captain’s steering us away from rough conditions. We love looking at clouds, rainbows, shadows cast on the ocean surface. Because we could read clouds in Colorado, we are able to pretty well read clouds at sea.
It’s the daily life that is especially suiting us because we can keep an easy schedule and avoid the stresses of daily living on land — shopping for food, preparing it, cooking it, and cleaning up after it. Doing laundry, cleaning the house (or wishing it would clean itself), and maintaining the house.
We now have delicious meals, with laughter and conversation with a rotating series of other folks (or, now and then, a private table so we can just talk with each other.) The staff on Odyssey cheerfully take care of us and cater to our idiosyncracies. Our cabin steward even caters to my environmental approach to our lives.
Regaining the Good Habits
The stress we experienced in getting here is slowly dissipating. The illnesses that plagued us are almost cleared. My mind is clearing. And our excess weight is already starting to melt off so our bodies can be as easy with our new life as our hearts and minds are.
As I knuckled down to clear out our house, offices, and garage from belongings so we could sell and move to Odyssey, a few things in my life fell by the wayside: meditation, healthy food, frequent and intentional movement, frequently connecting with friends, and good sleep. Yes, I gained several hours in my day to do my culling, but I lost myself. I lost my grounding, the sense of purpose beyond moving, and the focus on my business.
Seems that combination of stress, poor sleep, and poor food choices combined to have me gain weight. Lots of weight. I knew stress encourages weight gain. Selling the house really encouraged it, especially since most of my movement was packing things, and carrying them away. It was disheartening and seemed hopeless to stop.
And those same conditions created major brain fog. At times I described it as my brain being “wrung dry.” I couldn’t easily understand documents I read, or remember names and faces. I felt as if I was really falling apart in all the way that mattered to me.
Knowing the process of getting ready to move would come to an end gave me hope. It just took longer to get a stable life so I could get back to my morning ritual that kept me grounded, and my daily routine that kept my spirits lifted. The need for stability had eluded me as an important factor in my healthy life. Journaling, as planned, didn’t happen. Vlogging was put aside — for a later date. Expanding my coaching business didn’t happen, either. I kept faith that I would get back to my home space, my place of comfort.
Stability wasn’t found in visiting friends and family for two months before our initial intended departure date. When we were forced to pause, six months in Las Vegas with friends didn’t give me the stability I seemed to need, though it was a wonderful time. Four months in Belfast also didn’t contribute to stability since we were on constant alert that we would be embarking “soon”: in a couple of weeks, in three days, next week, just one more week, in a few days … I lived with too much anticipation to feel stable.
The Clouds Start to Lift
It finally came! On September 30 we boarded Odyssey, settled into our cabin, and absorbed the energy of the place and the people. Making a calendar entry for the meditation and exercise routine got me going. I haven’t missed a day yet. Giving myself grace for flexing my daily schedule has helped me find joy in getting my life back.
After almost four weeks of a successful daily ritual and routine, I’ve been emboldened to add to my routine. I’m adding daily podcast listening and port research. Now my days are filled with the things that keep me being Kit, and interacting with my new neighbors and engaging in the various ports we visit.
I’m eating well, thanks to our talented kitchen staff. I’m moving regularly — through the streets and countryside of whatever port we’re visiting, or laps around Deck 5 if at sea. I’m sleeping like a baby, at least most nights. I’m not stressing about much of anything, which is helping me relax and enjoy the new people and situations in my life.
I’m finally able to kick back and be grateful for this wonderful life. This is the life we set our sights on.
Dreams can indeed come true, but they take some focused planning, and more than a little work.Last Updated November 2, 2024 Originally Published November 2, 2024
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I found myself becoming more relaxed as I read what you’d written. THANKS!
I loved the photo with the palm tree. The “cells” in the native flora looks much better than the “cells” on camouflaged structures. To me the worse are the “cell trees” that tower over the real trees.
When my county wouldn’t approve the construction of a cell tower in a cemetery near me, a new flagpole with a nice gold globe on top was installed. No one objected until it came out that there was a “cell” in it.
I’m glad you could join me on the trip to relaxation. 🙂
Cell towers are a hot topic for many communities. It fascinates me how people think about these things.
Job well done. Your walk about was a great read — and Randy’s essay on The Troubles. I am about to retire, so I am gleaming some of your knowledge base as January 15 is 74 days away.
Ahoy from Jacksonville, Florida!
(How did you turn in ballot to vote?)
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But who’s counting? (See Can Residential Cruisers Vote?) -rc
Excellent! I’m glad our articles are serving more than one purpose. Helping you retire with vibrancy is a great goal. Wishing you the best of retirements!
Nevada has on-line voting. We voted the first day it was allowed. Whew!
Great read, so pleased you have gotten into your new healthy routine on your home at sea. Must of been so stressful. Onwards and upwards for more exciting ventures.
Dean, it was more stressful than I’d thought even at the time. Yes, it was insanely stressful. And interestingly, the stress of getting rid of everything we owned made it easier to flex as life required it. That right there was a huge gift.
The Camino word for “onwards and upwards” (with joy) is Ultreia. It’s one of my mantras still. I hope you fill your life with exciting ventures.
So glad to hear you are getting your Kit back! We’ve had many months of getting ready to sell our house and I know what it feels like to lose yourself in the doing of the things. So looking forward to keeping up with yours and Randy’s adventures.
Stormy, ugh. Years of living in a house is a challenge to unwind. Physical and emotional challenges. 🙂 I don’t know if you’ll leave bread crumbs or a string to trace back so you don’t lose yourself, but be sure to keep track.
Welcome along! It’s good to hear from you.
Glad you’re feeling grounded again, Kit (thankfully, not in a nautical sense). I can imagine that the last year must’ve been very disruptive for your routines. I hope Randy is faring as well.
A question: I have tried to find an itinerary of ports of call for you guys, but have had no luck. Is there anything online that shows Odyssey’s intended stops?
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Yes: Go to the company’s web site, then scroll all the way to the bottom. You’ll find two buttons: you don’t particularly want the “Itinerary Brochure” (even though it’s gorgeous) since it’s already out of date. Instead, click “Download Odyssey Itinerary” for the latest, in .xlsx (Excel) format. Note that it, too, will change as needed, but it’s a starting point for you, and you can go back and get a new copy every once in awhile. (Current version: Oct. 16, though there are probably changes since then….) -rc
Thanks, Doc. Yeah, life is good — and getting better.
Randy’s doing well. And his allergies are hardly an issue anymore and his level of exhaustion is diminishing. Woohoo!
Very happy things are going well & that you’ve settled in so well. LOVE reading your FB posts on the voyage & what’s going on. Please keep them coming. Wishing you continued smooth sailing & good times wherever you go or stop.
Thanks much, Mike. We’ll post as much as seems right — and as we can. You follow along and live vicariously through us.
Enjoying the descriptions of your adventures. Happy that you are finding a healthy rhythm to your life. I’m looking for that, too, so it helps to hear about your journey. Thanks and bon voyage!
Suzanne, copy as much of our rhythm as fits, adapt other stuff, and leave the rest behind. You’ve got your own style so I know you’ll navigate it perfectly.
A great article. Selling a house and moving is one of the top stressors in most peoples lives, right up there with divorce and death of a spouse. You multiplied it many times with your change of lifestyle, and then all of the issues you faced before finally boarding. No wonder you experienced issues.
I am a bit jealous of both of you. While I am not sure cruising is the way to go for me, the freedom to see and do new things that you now have is very attractive. I have started to travel and have some adventures now that my kids are grown. But, I still have a few years of work left, and my job cannot be done online. So, someday.
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Even if you don’t do this, exactly, starting to think about things you “could” do when you have time to plan is awesome. -rc
As Randy said, you don’t have to do residential cruising to create your dream life. Figure out what would be ideal for you and manifest it. Happy dreaming, Stephanie!
Outstanding. Hooray for finding your way.
Thanks, Matt. At times I wondered if I’d figure out which way was up, much less which way was forward. I’m glad I/we persevered. It’s a good life we have.
Thanks for following us!
Wonderful write up, Kit! Thank you for sharing your journey behind the scene with us! It’s never easy, to re-algn yourself, given so many changes simultaneously. I’m glad you rediscovered new Kit Land and thriving with your ownership!
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Mmm! Kit Land! I should explore. 🙂 -rc
Ah, thanks for your note, Jia. I know you have uprooted yourself a few times so can relate. Like Randy, I love “Kit Land”. And you can be sure Randy will explore with me.
You know I am thriving. That’s the way it should be. 🙂
Kit, I have been following (silently) during your on again off again departures and have been one of Randy’s subscribers for years. Still here and loving both. Thank you both.
While you are spending days at sea, don’t forget to look at the sea that surrounds your ship. On occasion you may spot some of the life that shares your new environment. You might be able to spot flying fish sail from one wave crest to another. Maybe a shark or two as you enter of leave a port. If you are lucky, a whale may swim past. I have even seen a sunfish once.
My wife and I love to cruise and being lucky enough to share the sea with some of its inhabitants, even from a distance, is rewarding.
Enjoy your new life style, as I know you will.
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We did see whales recently — the bridge lookout saw them, and called out to us since we were on deck right below him. Other Residents have seen (and gotten video of!) dolphins swimming alongside. No flying fish yet, but we do watch the water (and were disgusted at how much trash was in it in Dakar). -rc
Hey, Richard, thanks for the tips!
I do tend to look around, but mostly I’m checking the clouds, sky, and waves. I’ll “shorten” my focus to take in the sea life … and more birds.
We are very much enjoying the lifestyle, as you and your wife have in your own way.
I can’t describe how happy I am reading this.
Things in my world have improved markedly as well.
Let’s keep moving forward. ❣️
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Deal! -rc
Oh, Tom, I’m glad this article made you happy. I’ll hope each one will do that for you.
Forward! Onward!
Glad you found your North Star again Kit. Clouds will always come and go, but the star is always there, just waiting for them to pass.
So many places to see and nothing but time to visit them. I envy you guys!
I love your poetic response, Michael. I so agree with your words and thoughts.
Feel free to travel with us vicariously.
This is so wonderful and I am so happy for you! Additionally, this is really inspiring! I hope your journey continues to delight and engage you as you settle into it this amazing new life.
Thank you, Kelley.
I’m certain this journey, this adventure, will continue to delight and engage us.