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Villa Vie Residences Launches Age-Based “Golden Passport” Cruise Fare

Villa Vie Residences, the residential cruise brand known for its continual world voyages, has introduced a new lifetime cruise fare based on age.

Villa Vie Odyssey

The “Golden Passport” programme, unveiled on 19th August 2025, lowers the cost of joining its around-the-world lifestyle the older a guest is when they book.

The line’s single vessel, Villa Vie Odyssey, is currently on her maiden three-and-a-half-year circumnavigation, visiting more than 140 countries and roughly 400 ports across all seven continents.

Age-Tiered Pricing Model

Golden Passport offers eight pricing tiers, beginning at $99,999 per person for those aged 90 and over booking the lowest category cabin – a Deck 2 porthole stateroom.

At the other end of the scale, travellers between 55 and 59 years old pay $299,999 for the same accommodation.

Sample pricing shows steady reductions across each age bracket:

  • Ages 65–69: $249,999 per person
  • Ages 75–79: $189,999 per person
  • Ages 85–89: $129,999 per person

Upgraded cabins naturally cost more. A Deck 6 ocean view cabin starts at $199,999 for those aged 90 and above, rising to $399,999 for the youngest eligible group.

The fare includes all meals, beer and wine with meals, internet access, housekeeping, laundry, entertainment, medical check-ups, and more.

Founder Mike Petterson explained: “As people retire, one of their biggest fears is outliving their money. With the Golden Passport, that uncertainty disappears – one payment secures a lifetime of adventure.”

Signals of Expansion?

The company also noted that the new pricing model provides “transferable access across the Villa Vie Residences fleet.”

At present, however, the line operates only one ship, sparking speculation that a second vessel may be on the horizon.

Villa-Vie-Odyssey-Side

However, the cruise line did have a tough time launching their first ship with several delays. It may yet be some time before a second ship could join the fleet, even if planned.

Launched 32 years ago, Villa Vie Odyssey previously sailed as Braemar for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, and before that operated under several other lines including Cunard and Norwegian Cruise Line.

The 24,344-gross-ton ship accommodates 929 passengers, though current guest numbers are thought to be under 200.

Growing Menu of Offers

Villa Vie Residences has continually expanded its products since debuting in 2023. Alongside full cabin purchases and rentals, options include:

  • Endless Horizons: a retirement-geared ownership plan.
  • Seasonal Ownership: $24,999 for 120 credits to be used flexibly.
  • Tour La Vie: one- to four-year memberships with prices from $49,999, featuring ocean-view villas.

The new Golden Passport is aimed squarely at older travellers seeking financial certainty while embracing long-term global cruising.

One thing that customers will need to consider is their insurance costs.

Guests in their 90s may like the sound of a lifetime cruising passport costing less than $100,000, but their insurance premiums for each trip they take is likely to be extremely high.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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Hurricane Erin Wreaks Havoc On Caribbean Cruise Itineraries

Hurricane Erin is continuing to disrupt cruise plans across the Atlantic and Caribbean, with at least half a dozen major ships adjusting itineraries to keep guests and crew safely out of harm’s way.

Tropical hurricane

The storm, which briefly reached Category 5 strength with sustained winds of 160 miles per hour, has already altered voyages for Carnival, Norwegian, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean.

Carnival Sunshine Heads South Instead of Bermuda

Carnival Sunshine guests boarding in Norfolk on Sunday 17th August were expecting a 6-night Bermuda sailing.

Carnival Sunshine

Instead, the vessel is bound for Celebration Key and Nassau after the Bermuda calls were cancelled.

All Bermuda excursions have been refunded, with new tour options offered for the revised ports.

MSC World America Shifts to Mexico

MSC’s brand-new World America – sailing her inaugural season – was forced to drop calls to Amber Cove and San Juan.

The ship is now calling at Costa Maya and Cozumel, with Ocean Cay still on the schedule before returning to Miami.

Excursion refunds have been provided, and new tours opened for booking.

Norwegian Aqua Swaps Bermuda for Canada

Guests aboard Norwegian Aqua’s 4-night cruise from New York were expecting Bermuda, but instead will head north to Saint John, New Brunswick.

Norwegian is compensating passengers with onboard credit and a 20% Future Cruise Credit, while also warning that docking in Saint John will depend on final weather conditions.

Zuiderdam Cancels St. John’s, Heads to Halifax

Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam, on a transatlantic voyage, has cancelled an overnight call in St. John’s, Newfoundland, citing rough seas.

MS-Zuiderdam

The ship will now enjoy an extended stop in Halifax before continuing on toward Boston.

Norwegian Jewel Cuts Bermuda Visit Short

From Boston, Norwegian Jewel arrived in Bermuda as planned but departed a full day early to allow ample distance from the approaching storm before her return to New England.

Liberty of the Seas Trades Bermuda for Nova Scotia

Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas was to have enjoyed an overnight in Bermuda, but instead sailed north to Halifax, where guests received onboard credit to compensate for the change.

Disney Treasure Switches to the Western Caribbean

Meanwhile, Disney Cruise Line has rerouted its newest ship, Disney Treasure, away from the Eastern Caribbean entirely, opting for a Western Caribbean itinerary far from Erin’s path.

Disney Treasure size

Across all sailings, cruise lines continue to emphasise that safety remains the top priority.

How Cruise Lines Handle Hurricanes

While the disruptions may be disappointing for travellers, cruise ships are among the safest places to be during a storm.

Caribbean hurricane

Ships rarely, if ever, sail into hurricanes. It wouldn’t make sense. Instead, they reroute to calmer waters or adjust itineraries to ensure safety.

With average speeds exceeding 20 knots, cruise ships are faster than most hurricanes and can easily outpace storms.

Captains also receive detailed forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and in-house meteorologists, giving them ample time to avoid dangerous conditions.

Itineraries are often adjusted to substitute different ports, add sea days, or switch to an entirely different region if necessary. Cruises are only cancelled outright when departure or arrival ports are directly affected and cannot operate safely.

While these changes can be frustrating, they underscore the industry’s strict safety-first approach, ensuring guests remain comfortable while still enjoying their vacation.

Travel insurance is also vital for anyone cruising during hurricane season.

Even though cruise lines refund cancelled tours and sometimes offer credits, independent bookings like private excursions, hotels, or flights usually aren’t covered unless you’ve taken out the right policy.

Guests should look for insurance that specifically includes missed port cover so they’re not left out of pocket when itineraries change unexpectedly.

My Recommendation

My recommendation for cruise insurance depends on where you live.

These are trusted price comparison sites that will quickly get you lots of quotes to match your exact needs.

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Holland America Line Review

I just disembarked from a 7-night cruise to Iceland onboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam and it wasn’t what I expected…

Holland America Line review - me with the ship

I’ll admit I’ve been very late to the party when it comes to Holland America Line. I never fully understood what it was that this cruise line had to offer. I wasn’t sure if it would be exciting enough for me.

But now that I’ve sailed with them, I completely understand why once people try Holland America, they don’t want to go anywhere else.

Note: I was invited aboard as a guest of Holland America Line, but all of the opinions in this review are mine, and as always, the cruise line has no control over the content.

Embarkation

I boarded Nieuw Statendam in Rotterdam which was so quick and easy. There was a large troll to welcome us, as get us in the mood for the Scandinavian theme of the cruise.

With its Dutch heritage, Holland America Line offers a wide range of departures from Rotterdam and Amsterdam. There are a choice of 30 embarkation ports across the world though, including Dover for those who prefer to sail from the UK.

Prior to the cruise, I stayed overnight in the Nhow Hotel, which was so close to the cruise port it was practically touching the ship. I’d definitely recommend this hotel for any cruise departing from Rotterdam.

My boarding time was ‘anytime between 12 pm and 5 pm’, which was perfect. I checked out of my hotel at 12 and within minutes I was onboard the ship! It was the easiest embarkation morning ever!

As I’d done my check-in on the Holland America Line Navigator App beforehand, all that was left to do was drop my bag, show the barcode on my phone and walk right onto the ship. It was so quick and easy!

Accommodation

I stayed in a standard balcony cabin onboard Nieuw Statendam and it was lovely. Although I cruised solo, I would be very happy to have a room like this for a family of four, as it had plenty of space.

Some of the features I love include:

  • Larger than average balcony
  • Larger than average shower
  • Super comfy bed with drawers underneath
  • Evening turndown service with towel animals and pillow chocolates
  • Bathrobes to use
  • Luxury Elemis toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand wash and body lotion

When I arrived, the bed was made up as two singles. I mentioned to my cabin steward that I would prefer a double and he was happy to change that for me. There was also a card to fill in with any extra requests, which I think is a great idea!

The bed was incredibly comfy and I also loved the sofa area, well-lit desk and the large TV which had a great selection of channels and movies on demand at no cost.

Dining

I was pleasantly surprised by how great the food was on Holland America Line. There was a lot of choice and everything was delicious.

Main Dining Room

The main dining room on Nieuw Statendam is truly beautiful – one of the most stunning dining rooms I’ve ever seen.

Niewu Statendam main dining room

I love that dining times are flexible – you can arrive at any time between 5pm and 9pm – and I could choose to dine alone or at a shared table.

You can check the daily menus for each restaurant on the app, and at first I wasn’t sure if the main dining room was for me as I couldn’t see any vegan options. However, when I went to ask, they handed me a full vegan and vegetarian menu with so many lovely things to choose from, much of it made with Beyond Meat, like these ‘beef’ tacos and spaghetti bolognese.

Suggested read: The Best Cruise Lines For Vegans

Buffet

The buffet on Nieuw Statendam is fantastic. It’s really big, and everything is served to you for increased hygiene. I found there to be more choice available at breakfast and lunchtime than dinner, but there were always lots of things to tempt me.

HAL buffet

Most things were labelled with allergens. Not everything was, but there were always crew members there to ask and they were happy to help with any questions.

In the buffet, there are also crew members who will come over and serve drinks, which was a lovely touch.

Casual Dining

Nieuw Statendam has some fabulous casual dining options. By the pool there’s Dive In, which offers a range of burger and hot dogs (including Beyond Meat options) as well as fries with various sauces.

Dive In hot dog

You won’t want to miss the New York Deli & Pizza which is just upstairs from the main pool. Here you can get breakfast bagels, sandwiches, salads, pizzas, desserts and snacks like pretzels, popcorn and crisps.

HAL giant pretzel

I love that they make you a whole pizza with whatever you want on it – this is much better than the ready-made slices that you see on most cruise ships.

There’s also the Grand Dutch Cafe which has a range of Dutch specialities like friet (chips with mayo and peanut sauce), poffertjes (pancakes), bitterballen (breaded meatballs) and stroopwafels (caramel biscuits).

Speciality Dining

Nieuw Statendam has five speciality dining restaurants offering a range of cuisines.

  • Pinnacle Grill – Refined steakhouse serving premium beef and seafood in an elegant setting
  • Rudi’s Sel de Mer – French‑style seafood brasserie by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin
  • Tamarind – Pan‑Asian cuisine spanning flavours from Thailand, China, Japan, Malaysia
  • Nami Sushi – Traditional sushi dishes with modern twists
  • Canaletto – Italian dishes in a casual yet distinct space near the buffet

If you opt for the ‘Have It All’ package, you’ll get some included speciality dining meals (how many depends on the length of your cruise) as well as drinks, WiFi and shore excursion credit.

I found the service in the speciality restaurants to be impeccable and the waiters offered to adjust any of the dishes to suit – such as switching meat for tofu on any of the dishes in Tamarind.

If you stay in a suite or opt for the Club Orange package, you’ll also get to dine in the exclusive Club Orange restaurant.

The Club Orange Dining Room on the Rotterdam, a Holland America Line cruise ship, featuring an inviting arrangement with two-toned chairs, set tables with orange water pitchers, and a selection of black-and-white and color art pieces on the walls.
Club Orange Dining Room on Rotterdam

Drinks

Holland America Line ships offer a wide range of drinks. And if you want a cocktail that’s not on the menu, the bartenders will always be happy to make it.

With the ‘Have It All’ package, you get a Signature drinks package included, which is much better value than buying the drinks package on it’s own.

HAL Have it all package

I had the Quench soft drinks package which is excellent value at $17.95 per day as it includes all non-alcoholic drinks including fancy coffees, mocktails, smoothies, canned water and cans of soft drinks.

Suggested read: Holland America Line Drink Packages Guide

cocktail on Holland America

I also discovered that if you accumulate 1500 points in the casino (as I did), you get free drinks in there. You don’t have to consume your drink in the casino, so you can order a glass of wine and then take it with you to the theatre or even to dinner.

Onboard Activities

I found there to be a good selection of activities to do onboard Nieuw Statendam. The ship has two pools – one with a retractable roof and one adults-only pool at the aft. There are five hot tubs too so taking a dip is a good option whatever the weather.

Nieuw Statendam pool

The sports facilities on this ship are great with a pickleball court (including beginner lessons and tournaments), two table tennis tables, a large gym, outdoor exercise equipment and a running track on the top deck.

There are organised activities throughout the daytime. I particularly enjoyed the art studio which has classes in water colouring, doodling and sketching, all included in the cruise fare.

HAL art studio

The casino onboard is fantastic with a great selection of machine and tables. I never found it to be particularly busy. Although smoking is allowed in the casino, it was very rare to see anyone smoking in there.

HAL casino

In the Crow’s Nest bar there’s a huge selection of board games and jigsaw puzzles, one of the largest I’ve seen on a ship.

Entertainment

If you like live music you’ll love Holland America Line. Nieuw Statendam has four live music venues offering everything from duelling pianos to rock cover bands to Memphis-style rhythm and blues.

Live Music on HAL

In the theatre, there are two shows each night too with a mix of big productions, magicians and live bands. In that daytime this venue is often used for lectures.

HAL theatre

There’s also a big screen by the pool where you can enjoy movies either under the stars or under the comfort of the retractable glass roof.

Ports and Excursions

The cruise I took called at Alesund in Norway and then four ports in Iceland – Djupivogur, Akureyri, Isafjordur and Reykjavik. Many passengers then continued for a second week to see more of Iceland as well as Scotland before returning to Dover or Rotterdam.

Nieuw Statendam in Iceland

I was surprised to learn how so many of the guests I met onboard were doing back-to-back cruises. Some were onboard for four weeks, six weeks or even longer. People seemed to have a strong preference to Holland America Line over other cruise lines that they had tried, too.

At some of the ports, I was able to step off the ship and there was lots to see within walking distance. In Akureyri I did spot an excursion coach visiting many of the same places that I walked to, so I would advise anyone to do their own research before booking excursions as they’re not always needed.

Sky Lagoon

In Reykjavik I did an excursion to the Sky Lagoon. This was fantastic. We had the perfect amount of time there and hopping on the coach that was waiting by the ship was easier and more cost-effective than making my own way there.

rainbow street in Reykjavik

Service

The crew members on Holland America Line really went above and beyond to make sure that every guest was happy. They’re all super friendly and I love how they make time to chat.

I found that if I visited the same bar a few times then the bartenders would remember my name and if i were to order the same drink regularly then I’m sure they’d remember that too.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere onboard was wonderfully relaxed. The ship was very spacious and never felt busy. I never once had to queue for anything and there was always a choice of places to sit.

Holland America Line doesn’t do formal nights as such, but there were a couple of ‘dressy’ nights which gave people the option to dress up if they wished. I did find the casual nights to be very casual. I usually change into a casual dress in the evening, and some people did this while others just stayed in the same casual clothes they had worn ashore that day.

However you like to dress, you can feel relaxed and comfortable onboard. I found the other guests to be lovely and it was easy to make friends, especially at the solo traveller events which were popular.

Family Facilities

Given that Holland America Line isn’t known as a family-friendly cruise line, I was really surprised at how good the children’s facilities are. The Club HAL kids’ club has separate areas with organised activities for younger kids (age 3-5), older kids (age 7 to 11) and teenagers (age 12-17).

HAL kids club

The teen area, High Score, was open to everyone after 6 pm most evenings. I love this idea as it meant that younger children and their parents could also enjoy the activities together. And there was so much to do here, with pinball machines, games consoles, table football, air hockey and so much more.

This is one of the best kids clubs I’ve seen, and I know that when I return here with my children, they’ll be spending a lot of time in this area. We’ll be booking on one of the newest Pinnacle-class ships (Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam, Koningsdam) as they’re bigger with more facilities for children.

There are also reduced fares for children up to the age of 17 years when sharing with two adults, and you can look out for Kids Sail Free offers at certain times too. I’m currently looking at a sailing in the Easter holidays, and the kids fares are showing as just £27 per night, which is fantastic!

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The Verdict

I loved my week on Nieuw Statendam and am already planning to return. Next time, I’d like to bring my husband and children and we’ll do either a British Isles cruise or a transatlantic cruise with some time in Florida beforehand.

I think that Holland America Line is great for anyone who just wants a relaxing time on their cruise. Whether you’re a solo traveller, a couple or a family, it’s a great choice.

Of course, everyone is different, so if you like non-stop action, loud nightclubs, waterslides and a constant party atmosphere, then it’s probably not for you. But if you’ve sailed with Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard or Azamara, then I’m sure you’ll love Holland America Line too.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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All-Inclusive Celebrity River Cruises Open for Priority Bookings in Two Weeks

Celebrity Cruises has announced that bookings for their new river cruise line will open for priority access reservations on September 3, 2025. The cruises will be all-inclusive with drinks and shore excursions included in cruise fares.

Celebrity River Cruises
Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity River Cruises will begin sailing in 2027 with cruises taking place on both the Danube and Rhine Rivers.

Guests who place a $500 deposit will receive early access to book a 2027 cruise ahead of the general public. The bookings open at 9:00 am on September 3, 2025 and are fully refundable.

The following will be included in all cruise fares on Celebrity River Cruises:

  • WiFi
  • All meals
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
  • One shore excursion every day
  • Onboard experiences

Guests also have the option to add a pre- or post-cruise stay in Prague or Budapest when they open for bookings in 2026.

Celebrity River Cruises will be a natural extension of Celebrity’s premium offering that will bring its unique service-first approach to the river.

Guests will get the keys to sail through the heart of culturally and historically significant cities, experience locally inspired cuisine and unique shore experiences – The Celebrity Way.

The cruise ships will give guests a 360 degrees of breathtaking views with every moment designed to immerse guests in the beauty of the journey.

Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, gave the following statement about bookings opening for reservations for their river cruise line:

“We are excited to offer guests the chance to experience the first-ever Celebrity River Cruises vacations in 2027 with Priority Booking Access. Guests will enjoy the warm hospitality Celebrity is known for, on innovative ships, with land experiences unlike any other, as we set sail on Europe’s iconic Danube and Rhine rivers.”

To gain Priority Booking Access, you can head to https://www.celebritycruises.com/river or contact a Celebrity River Cruises expert at 1-833-474-8803. Other options are to visit Future Cruise onboard a Celebrity ship or by contacting your preferred travel professional.

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12 Cruise MISTAKES Senior Travelers Still Make (And How To Avoid Them)

Cruising over 60? Avoiding these mistakes can save you money, keep you safe, and make your trip far more enjoyable. From port scams to cabin choices, accessibility, travel insurance, and more — these are the real-world tips most cruisers never hear until it’s too late.

*Travel agency I recommend – MEI Travel (no fee): http://bookmeicruise.com/lifewellcruised



FTC LEGAL DISCLOSURE – Some links found in the description box of my videos are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally like and trust.


*Business inquiries & media: please contact Ilana at lifewellcruised@gmail.com

Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise and travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer.

ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!

Please note I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travelers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.


Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic

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At Least 8 Cruise Ships Impacted by Hurricane Erin

Several cruise ships have had to alter their itineraries due to Hurricane Erin, as the Category 3 storm continues churn in the Atlantic towards the Eastern coast of the U.S.

Hurricane Erin and Freedom of the Seas
Left photo: NOAA. Right photo: ID 45972249 © Zhukovsky | Dreamstime.com

Six major cruise lines have been adjusting their routes to steer clear of the storm’s path, which has impacted destinations including Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Here is a look at the ships and their new itineraries as of Tuesday, August 19, 2025.  Keep in mind that this information is still fluid and more changes may be on the way.

Disney Cruise Line

  • Disney Treasure: The August 16 sailing on Disney Treasure was originally an Eastern Caribbean cruise with calls in Tortola and St. Thomas. To avoid the storm, the ship has rerouted to the Western Caribbean, with new port calls in Cozumel, George Town, and Falmouth. The ship’s scheduled stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is still expected to proceed as planned.

Carnival Cruise Line

  • Carnival Sunshine:  Carnival Sunshine has canceled its scheduled Bermuda calls on August 20 and 21. Instead, the ship will be heading to Celebration Key, Carnival’s new private destination in the Bahamas, and Nassau before returning to Norfolk as scheduled.

Royal Caribbean International

  • Vision of the Seas: Vision of the Seas has canceled its overnight visit to Bermuda. The ship is instead visiting Port Canaveral, Florida, and will also call at Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
  • Freedom of the Seas:  Freedom of the Seas is skipping its August 17 call in Nassau and returning to Miami a day early on August 18.
  • Liberty of the Seas:  Liberty of the Seas, which departed from Port Liberty, has canceled its visit to King’s Wharf in Bermuda and has been rerouted north for an overnight call in Halifax, Canada.
Hurricane Erin wind projections
NOAA

MSC Cruises

  • MSC World America: The newly launched MSC World America has replaced its planned port calls to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and San Juan, Puerto Rico, with calls to Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico. The ship’s visit to Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, is still scheduled.

Norwegian Cruise Line

  • Norwegian Aqua:  Norwegian Aqua was scheduled for a seven-night cruise to Bermuda. To avoid Hurricane Erin, the ship is now sailing north to Canada, with a planned visit to Saint John.
  • Norwegian Jewel: Norwegian Jewel also had its itinerary adjusted, departing from its overnight call in King’s Wharf, Bermuda, a day early to avoid the worst of the storm.

Princess Cruises

  • Enchanted Princess: Enchanted Princess changed its current itinerary and has swapped port stops in Dominica and St. Maarten for visits to Martinique and St. Kitts.

As Hurricane Erin continues its track, cruise lines are maintaining close communication with their fleet operations centers and local port authorities to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers.

This list will be updated and adjusted as new changes are announced.

Read more: What happens when there is a hurricane during my cruise?

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7 Things You MUST Know Before Booking

All cruises are NOT made equal. In fact, here are some key differences between the most popular cruise lines that we just don’t talk about enough. While no cruise line is bad, in this video I share important differences between contemporary & premium cruise lines, & why this matters to you!

Whether you’re a first time cruiser or avid cruise traveler, this video is a must-watch! I share how contemporary cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC & Norwegian Cruise Line compare to premium, more upscale cruise lines like Princess, Holland America, Celebrity & more.

We look at passenger to crew ratio, food & dining, entertainment, service & more – plus I share real tips & experiences I’ve had on recent cruises. This video is a great cruise conversation, that will also help with cruise tips as well!

This will help you decide which cruise line is right for you, which is best & which is worst.

ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!

Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.


Some of the B-Roll used in this video: Courtesy of RCCL, Celebrity Cruises and NCLHC


Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic

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Cruise Line Announces Golden Passport for Unlimited Lifetime Cruises

A cruise line has announced a new Golden Passport that starts at just $99,999 and allows for unlimited lifetime cruises.

Golden passport
Golden Passport by Villa Vie Residences

Villa Vie Residences’ new Golden Passport introduces an age-tiered pricing model to help make the dream of living at sea more attainable.

Guests who hold a Golden Passport will sail continuous cruises around the globe. The sailings will last from three to three and a half years in length and visit more than 400 destinations in 140 countries. 

Many of the port visits will range from two- to three-days in length allowing guests to spend more time where the ship docks.

The cruise line visits 12 of the world’s 14 Wonders and explore all seven continents.

Golden Passport

Here is a look at what’s included in Villa Vie Residences’ Golden Passport:

  • Lifetime living at sea starting at $99,999–$299,999
  • Age-bracketed tiers designed to open the program to every generation
  • Transferable access across the Villa Vie Residences fleet
  • All-inclusive lifestyle covering dining, housekeeping, laundry, internet, entertainment, annual medical check-ups, plus wine or beer with meals
  • No hidden fees, port taxes and service charges included

Mike Petterson, Founder of Villa Vie Residences, gave the following statement:

“As people retire, one of their biggest fears is outliving their money. With the Golden Passport, that uncertainty disappears—one payment secures a lifetime of adventure.

“Our age-tiered pricing ensures that Endless Horizons is no longer just a dream for the few, but an attainable reality for many.”

cruise ship floating deck
Villa Vie Residences Floating Oasis

Kathy Villalba, CEO of Villa Vie Residences, added:

“Life moves quickly, and the regret most people share is that they didn’t travel the world when they had the chance. The Golden Passport makes that dream possible—and affordable—in a way the cruise and travel industries have never seen before.”

Villa Vie Residences is a cruise line with a ship that you can live on. You can buy, rent or lease a cabin on their ship as they offer different flexible, long-term options.

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