: Residents like Sharon Lane, a 77-year-old retired teacher, sold their homes to live at sea permanently.

In 2008, Chris Willson made headlines by purchasing a —the Aurora —after finding it listed on Craigslist.

For many, "buying" a cruise ship means purchasing a on a specialized vessel like The World or Villa Vie Odyssey .

: It reportedly appeared in the James Bond film From Russia With Love and helped inspire The Love Boat .

The story of buying a cruise ship ranges from tech developers finding vintage vessels on Craigslist to retirees trading their suburban homes for permanent cabins at sea. The Craigslist Captain

: Cabins on residential ships can range from $129,000 for interior units to over $13 million for luxury suites.

: Secondhand ships from the 1970s or 80s occasionally hit the market for $3 million to $10 million , often requiring significant overhauls to meet modern safety standards. Key Considerations for Prospective Buyers