Cast out from their cruise-ship home, couple not ready to come back to South Florida

Key Points:

• Jim and Chris Guld of Oakland Park embarked on a dream lifestyle aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship in April 2025, planning to travel around the world twice over seven years but were forced to disembark after 18 months due to the operator's unaffordable fuel costs.
• The couple visited 30 countries, enjoying unique experiences such as zip lining in Fiji, scuba diving in French Polynesia, and line dancing with locals, while maintaining their tech education business online via the ship's Starlink internet.
• Financial difficulties surfaced in August 2026 when the ship required additional funds for fuel and port fees, leading passengers to raise money, but ultimately the operator Villa Vie Residences faced insolvency, leaving passengers like the Gulds uncertain about recovering their $170,000 deposit.
• Despite the setback, the Gulds remain positive about their experience, plan to stay in Thailand temporarily to teach workshops, and express willingness to contribute more funds to resume their voyage and visit remaining continents.
• The couple valued the community and activities on board, highlighting the unique social environment with diverse passengers, including a Nobel Laureate, and the freedom to enjoy personalized entertainment and scenic ocean views from their cabin.