We’re still in pause mode: our Residential Cruising ship, which was supposed to sail May 15, still hasn’t sailed. At minimum it will be more than a month of delay — we’re not sure yet. And we’re not upset by that.
Why? Life is change.
So many put so much energy into trying to resist change, and it drives them crazy. Obviously, yes, our preference is that everything went great and we got onboard and sailed on time. But we’re among the first passengers on a first of its kind ship in a brand new industry. To expect it will be perfect would be foolish.
After all, what has happened in the industry so far? Life At Sea has failed, sparking a gigantic lawsuit and investigations. Victoria Cruises Line has delayed again and again, with a fraud investigation that makes the company look like an out and out scam.
Making Our Own Change
When Randy and I decided to pursue a life at sea in Residential Cruising, we pursued it with focus and passion. It’s not been free of challenges, as you have heard. We anticipated challenges and were ready for them. Or so we thought. We have had a blend of chosen, forced, and unobserved change.
Our house sold faster than we or our realtor anticipated. Time to adjust, shift the gears, and clear the house as fast as we can.
We first chose VCL, thinking we’d be sailing come December 1, 2023. Nope! We stuttered for a few days, trimmed the sails, and moved forward. I even got to practice my sailor’s language during those stuttering days!
Spending six months in Las Vegas was another change we chose, and it had its surprising challenges. We went from living in the middle of nowhere, with the silence and dark skies you would expect, to living in the middle of the city with the noise and bright skies you would expect — though the skies were brighter than bright since we lived by the Sphere, which operated 24×7. That’s what sleep masks and earplugs are for. We deepened friendships and made new friends. That was a change we made the most of.
The new ship we chose as our residence had the transparency we wanted. We not only knew who the management was but got to talk to them before we signed on. That was a refreshing change! See, there’s that word and concept again.
Some Changes are Opportunities to Pivot
We changed our plans of driving to Miami to board The Ship to Nowhere to driving to NYC to sail with Norwegian Cruise Lines to Southampton, where we would board Villa Vie Odyssey. On the NCL cruise we met some of our future neighbors and started building the community we had always hoped VVR would become. What a refreshing change! It was all that we wanted, as far as the connections and ease of travel.
Yet before we even got to England, we learned that Odyssey was being delayed 2 weeks because the ship ahead of it in drydock needed more work than anticipated.
VVR company management didn’t complain. Good thing, because the Odyssey ended up needing more work than anticipated, leading to nearly a month’s delay! Luckily there doesn’t seem to be another ship waiting to come in behind it (yet).
That was a change we didn’t choose and it was really inconvenient, but we didn’t resist so we were able to rise above the change and turned the lemon into lemonade. We went to Dublin, Ireland, to spend time with our Vegas friends and take in the culture.
That stay wasn’t quite as we had anticipated since we both got sick during the Atlantic crossing, with Randy ending up in a Dublin hospital with pneumonia. So the delay really worked out: he needed time to heal, and we didn’t have to miss the inaugural departure! I did enjoy the HOHO (Hop On Hop Off) bus tour, even more than hanging out in the hospital with Randy. More change embraced.
When we got to Belfast, Northern Ireland, with the plan of getting to tour our ship and then move onto it, there was another pivot point. Bringing a ship from cold storage to usability is no simple feat. The ship revival efforts were going slower than anticipated so we were delayed again. Ugh. My spirit was getting tired of the delays. I was more than ready to start my cruising life. But, we had to wait another couple of weeks.
And again and again the delays rolled out. This last one hit me the hardest. Despite sitting in a lovely Canary Island resort, I felt totally deflated. Until…! Until I decided to embrace it and make the most of it. All of our compatriots we spent a week with came up with other plans and have now left. More change!
As soon as I decided to turn my disappointment at the delay and the being alone into a power move, my spirits lifted and plans started popping in my head like a pot full of popcorn. No more sitting around and waiting for my life to begin. No more waiting for the time or space to work. I decided to change my attitude and get into work mode and rise.
Rather than be part of the problem I decided to be part of the solution. The problem, in this case, was feeling helpless and disconnected. The solution, in this case, was to empower myself and get reconnected with my passion for what I do. The first thing I did was start clearing off the desk in our room that had become the catchall for supplements, food, my travel purse, and general clutter so that I would have a surface to work on.
Then I turned to Randy and asked for his input on what kind of article I should write first. His suggestion: why we’re not upset with all these changes! And finally my brain started writing.
The Solution
When life isn’t what you want it to be, are you going to be part of the problem and dwell on what it isn’t, or will you be part of the solution and look up and forward? I can tell you from personal experience that the latter is much more satisfying.
As 95-year old college graduate Nola Ochs said, “Set a date to begin. Do something. Don’t just sit there.” While she was talking about your pursuit of purpose and meaning, I think that applies just as well to embracing your challenges that bring change.
Life is change. Embrace it. The solution is to roll with it, not fight it. We knew that signing up for this trip would be an adventure. These changes have simply become part of our adventure. Who knew we would spend a week or two in the Canary Islands?! We sure didn’t. We’re beyond ready to board our ship, but not upset with the adventure in getting there.
Oh, and the unobserved changes? I think we are more at peace, more flexible about changes, and we have even improved our senses of humor. More positives from change.
P.S.: Latest projected boarding date: June 20.
Last Updated June 13, 2024
Originally Published June 13, 2024
- About the Author
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Kit is the co-founder of Residential Cruising, and is best known as a longevity mindset coach at Live in Focused Energy. She and her husband, Randy, are moving to a full-time Residential Cruising ship in June 2024, where they will be “Digital Nomads” — continuing their work while aboard the ship.
Good for you both for learning to embrace change as part of the adventure!
Many years ago, I saw a hand-painted “Serenity Prayer” that graced my office wall for years. It was in Spanish, but you might recognize this translation:
“Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.”
I had that painting for years before someone told me it originated with Alcoholics Anonymous. Still valid!
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The Serenity Prayer was composed by Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the early 1930s. It was adopted quickly by the YMCA, and then by AA in the 1940s. -rc
Doc, I’ve long seen challenge as part of the adventure. This is a bigger adventure with the commensurate bigger challenges. When you are first, you have different challenges than those who follow and learn from you.
Thanks for pointing out the Serenity Prayer. It’s very appropriate here.
I’m guessing it will come as no surprise to either of you that I’m envious as hell of your opportunity to wander the world!
Oh guys, I’m sorry to hear of your travails but also inspired by your coping mechanisms!
You’ll get there yet! 💪
Jim, it’s nice to hear from you.
You don’t need to think of our challenges at travails. I see them as learning and growth opportunities. They’ve already taught us better coping mechanisms!
Yes, we’ll be sailing very soon. Stay tuned.
I bet residential cruising will encourage your learning in so many unexpected areas! I love the attitude and life lesson.
Have you been given any information on whether parts of the itinerary will be cut, or do they just try to rearrange and keep all the destinations?
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They’ll be cutting off the front of the itinerary since they must reserve docking spots way in advance. But remember, we will continue to cruise indefinitely, so we have more chances at the places we’re missing early on. -rc
I’m anticipating continued learning — something new at every port. What an exciting opportunity for us! Thanks for your note.
Such a wonderful article and fantastic attitude. I know I couldn’t deal with all you have, not in a positive manner. Good for you both!
You know, Donna, attitude is a choice. You can make what you want of any situation. I bet you could handle challenges for something you want badly with aplomb. I bet you already have faced uncomfortable challenges well. And, thanks for the note!
My mantra for the better part (literally) of my life has been: “Life is 10% situation and 90% attitude.” That simple phrase reminds me to choose how I deal with every facet of this journey I’m on. I’m so very glad to see more and more folks from our generation finally accepting the world as it is and making their own improvements to it. Bravo Zulu, Sailors (to be).
I like that mantra too. Dealing with what is dealt us is all about choosing how we respond. It’s not always easy, but we choose one way or another. I’d rather choose contentment than misery.
Nice to hear from you, Kit! I’ve been in touch with Randy a few times. Did not know he was in the hospital though! You are both excellent writers, and have a wonderful view of life. I will be turning 70 tomorrow, and collecting my 1st SS check in July. Lost my Dad recently (3 weeks shy of 95). I’ve received part of my Inheritance, but will probably have to wait a year for the rest. Still considering Endless Horizons, but it would take a big chunk, not leaving much left. Haven’t been able to take that leap of faith yet!
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That program, with such a big chunk of up-front money, is a big commitment. Definitely one to really think over, and maybe do a segment first to ensure it’s something you really want to do. -rc
Thanks for chiming in, Kana. I’m sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. In my book he lived to be 95 years old. My dad died 6 weeks shy of being 94, and I proclaimed him 94. 🙂
Best of luck in finding the lifestyle that suits you. And do it with your eyes open, as you seem to be.
Happy belated birthday, Kana!
It does take a passion for something different and taking, as you call it, a leap of faith. It’ll be interesting to hear what you do for your next step.
As you know, I was supposed to join you on the inaugural cruise, but life got in the way, and I had to cancel. It seems divine providence that I now have the time to deal with my health issues etc. and did not miss all of the last-minute changes you guys are dealing with. My best wishes to you in dealing with these slight hurdles. I have been watching the conversations of those affected and I love your positive attitude.
I am hoping to see you near the end of September in Freeport and I look forward to hearing how it all goes once you set sail.
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As a now-retired medic, I was quite interested in your recent health issue — it’s the sort of thing I’ve had to deal with (in patients, not in myself!) I’m glad you came through it so well.
Yes, in reality our problems are quite small! “Aw, they have to wait some extra time before they live on a cruise ship full time? Poor babies!” We’re just not going to call ourselves victims or unlucky! I look forward to seeing you in Freeport. -rc
Thanks for your support both with VVR and this article. I’m sad you aren’t with us and happy that, as you pointed out, that you are able to tend to your health. First things first, you know.
Can’t wait to see you in Freeport. Let’s make it a reunion!
I was startled to hear of your life changes. Glad all seems to be on the mend nicely, now. Freeport will be a great celebration when I get to meet you.
The changes have been interesting. We signed up for an adventure, which usually includes changes, so we are getting what we asked for. 🙂
Sail with us vicariously.
To quote one of my favorite podcasts, “Change can be scary, but eventually it happens just the same.” (The fact that the podcast in question is a horror podcast and I’m fairly certain that was one of the major villains that came out with that line is wholly immaterial.)
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Heh! Yes it is. 🙂 -rc
Or as I say — Life is change.
LOL! I guess life is also a horror show? 😀
First, I’m glad Randy is getting & feeling better! Second, good for you for finding a way to deal with the changes & departure slippages. This company sounds much more reliable & upfront about changes and the reasons for them than the others so I hope/expect that things work out well for both of you. Best of luck with all the future holds!
Thanks, Mike. Yes, these people are upstanding folk and doing the best they can with the hand they’ve been dealt. Learning to deal with change is part of life — it’ll make you or break you. I’m not interested in being broken by life so I’ll let it help make me. Stay tuned for more adventures!
I’m always ready to hear of your future adventures! You two are *FAR* more adventurous than I am. So I live my adventures vicariously through you & Randy. ☺️
Once you get to sea…change will be de rigeur because of weather and a gazillion other things. Just roll with the punches and every new thing is an opportunity.
Yep. Change is de rigeur daily, sailing or not for weather and a gazillion other things. That’s what this article is all about. Another way to look at it is that life is an adventure filled with opportunities.
Two steps forward and one step back, is still a net of one step forward. Visible progress means you’ll eventually reach your destination.
And VVR is putting you up in the interim, right? So in a sense you have already started; your VVR payment is already paying for your room and board.
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In a way, yes. What we’re really paying for is room and board -and- constant travel. It’s a pain to live out of a suitcase and not have access to all of our luggage. But indeed there is visible progress and success in sight. -rc
People take cruises to visit exotic locations and beautiful islands. Sometimes people go on land-sea cruises, where they tour by land before joining the ship.
Seems to me the attitude to take with these delays is to treat the time as one of those types of cruises. An extended pre-cruise adventure in an exotic location.
In my own life, I’m also deciding that I need to get ahead of some changes that might be inevitable. When I first moved to Las Vegas 25 years ago, I eventually bought a two story house in a new development and loved it. It was the right house for me then, and has been for a long time. However, I’m not getting younger, and having seen the mobility issues my father and step-mother have experienced, I have decided to move to a single story house within two years. I have a strong financial position, and I’m willing to refurbish the right house if I can find it (and not have to worry about selling my existing house to cover the new one). It’s still a scary proposition.
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Indeed change can be scary, but you do realize how fortunate you are to have the most scary aspect, the finances, already covered. You can choose to make the change an adventure, or a terror. Choose well! -rc
Another way to look at the mobility situation is to stay in your 2-story house so you are sure to get the movement that your body needs to stay healthy and limber. Bodies are made to move, not to be coddled. Move more. Don’t fall prey to the age bias that’s so prevalent in society.
When I was a realtor in Boulder, I had an 80-year-old client who was looking for a townhouse. She insisted it be 2-stories so she was forced to walk up and down. That was wisdom passed on to her by her mother. I’m passing it on to you.
I say it often… and I’ll say it again…. Everything always works out…!!!
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Aye! -rc
Two maxims (maxa?) I live by are “the only thing that doesn’t change is the fact that things always change,” and “the best stories come from things not going according to my plans.”
I’m living vicariously through your posts and looking forward to more adventures.
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I’ve always used maxims for the plural, but if it wasn’t that I’d want it to be maxia. 😉
And yes, those are good ones! Glad you’re enjoying our journey. -rc
Now you just need a Change playlist. Sam Cooke, David Bowie and Boz Scaggs come to mind. There must be lots more!
Good tunes to keep us going is brilliant. Thanks for the reminder!
I’m very interested in the lifetime retirement program. It seems impossible at $300,000 for a single. So even if you only live for for 15 years, that’s just $20,000 a year if my math is correct. And you still have your retirement income to cover all incidentals, etc. Somehow this just does not seem feasible for the company.
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Assuming your numbers are correct (I didn’t check), you have to consider that 1) there’s a limit of 20 slots for this program, 2) the time value of money (they get the interest, not you), and 3) there is HUGE value to them in publicity. -rc
I really appreciate your optimism! You may know that we moved from Virginia to Oregon in June 2023. Big change for us. Into a 25 plus year old, one story house that needed a LOT of outside TLC. We have put much effort into redoing what was neglected. There have been oodles of joy shared by many people that walk themselves and their dogs past what was once very different. One woman even suggested that she should bring me flowers as a “thank you.” We continue to try to make this tiny part of the world more enjoyable for all. Not just for the two-legged homo sapiens!
The Serenity Prayer helps and the chance to share GOOHF cards adds to the smiles for all of us. We have happy memories of sharing a day with you in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison!
Wishing you fair seas and following winds. We look forward to more updates of your wonderful experiences.
George, you’ve chosen quite an adventure of your own. Moving across the country and tackling a big renovation, presumably while you live in it, is a big barrel of change! Enjoy all that you are going through and may your results be even better than you dream of.
A quote that I have been fond of since I was 12: “I am more and more convinced that our happiness or our unhappiness depends far more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of those events themselves.”
—Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835), German philosopher, linguist, government functionary, diplomat, and founder of the Humboldt University of Berlin.
Enjoy your journey!
Nancy, I think Wilhelm said it well. It is our attitude and the choice we make about the event. We are choosing happiness.
Kit, as the saying goes, “nothing ever stays the same”, we are in a constant state of change. As you say, “Life is all about dealing with change.” So, it is not the “change”. It’s how we deal with the change. And that’s where we find our power. Love your work and its flair.
Marti, thanks for your kind note. Yep, life is change. 🙂