90 Days at Sea: What We've Really Learned

90 Days at Sea: What We've Really Learned

Our First 90 Days: The Realities of Life at Sea


by Chris and Michael from ChartingOurCourse.com

It’s been three months since we stepped aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey to begin our new life as full-time residents at sea. The initial excitement was electric, but the big question is, after 90 days, does the reality live up to the dream? [00:21] The answer is a resounding yes, but it’s also been a journey filled with incredible learning curves.


How Do You Adapt to Constant Change?

According to us, Chris and Michael, one of the biggest lessons has been learning to embrace unpredictability. As people who love to plan, we’ve had to get comfortable with itinerary changes due to everything from weather to geopolitics [01:34]. While it can be a challenge, we’ve learned to see it as part of the adventure. It’s taught us to be more flexible and better at contingency planning, which is a valuable skill for any traveler [03:23].


Does a Small Cabin Work for Full-Time Living?

Living in a small space full-time is different from a one-week vacation. We started in an interior cabin and realized within about two weeks that for us, it just wasn't going to work long-term [11:04]. We needed more space and light. Upgrading to a cabin with a balcony was a game-changer. That private outdoor space has become essential to our daily happiness, providing a quiet place to read, have a coffee, and simply watch the world sail by [11:58].

What Are the Unexpected Challenges?

Life at sea isn't without its unique hurdles. We've learned that you can't just pop onto Amazon and have something delivered the next day. The logistics of receiving mail and supplies in remote ports are complex [23:48]. We even had a "toothpaste shortage" at one point! [24:14] The key takeaway? Stock up on essentials before you board!

Another big adjustment has been moving from a life of solitary travel to being part of a community [30:48]. As introverts, we’re learning to find our "tribe" and balance social time with the quiet moments we still need [32:57]. You can see more of our day-to-day experiences on our DC Hidden Gems YouTube channel.

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Chris and Michael with the Residential Cruising Guide

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Is It Still Worth It?

Absolutely. The challenges are real, but they are far outweighed by the incredible experiences. We love the slow pace of travel, the ability to explore hidden gem ports, and the simple joy of having a gym just steps away [28:04]. We prefer the quiet "date night" atmosphere of the main dining room over the buffet [18:38], and we’ve fully embraced our "springboarding" strategy to explore deeper inland [06:38].

This is a maiden voyage for a startup company, and while not everything is perfect, the transparency and constant improvements are encouraging [14:43]. After 90 days, we can honestly say we are happy. This is our home, and we love the adventure.

If you were to live at sea, what is one creature comfort from land you absolutely couldn't live without? Let us know in the comments!


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