Residential Round-the-World Cruise Delayed Once more, Free Accommodations Axed

Villa Vie Odyssey has been readying to embark on a unending trip that will circumnavigate the world each 3 ½ years, stopping at 147 nations and 425 locations alongside the best way — all whereas offering vacationers with the comforts of a conventional cruise.

Twin occupancy cabins begin at $120,000, with an extra month-to-month charge of $1,750 per particular person.

The extremely anticipated vessel was initially scheduled to set sail in Could following the corporate’s acquisition of Fred Olsen Cruise Traces’ greater than 30-year-old Braemar vessel, now renamed Villa Vie Odyssey. Nevertheless, points just like the ageing ship’s rudder shares and certifications have since delayed its departure.

Mikael Petterson, the founder and CEO of Villa Vie, informed Enterprise Insider in an electronic mail in early September that his “finest guess” is that Odyssey would set sail on September 9 or 10, noting that it was nonetheless a “transferring goal if it is both of these days.”

However come September 9, as a substitute of embarking on their around-the-world journey, patrons had been notified of but one other delay.

The residential ship lately accomplished its extremely anticipated sea trials, a milestone “check drive” for cruise liners. Nevertheless, within the memo to prospects, Petterson informed would-be residents that the vessel was nonetheless awaiting its Passenger Ship Security Certificates, which is critical to set sail.

“We’re actually on the finish of the tunnel and might lastly see the sunshine,” he stated.

Since Could, greater than 100 Villa Vie patrons have stayed within the UK in anticipation of the ship’s departure. Residents can spend their days on Odyssey however aren’t allowed to remain in a single day. Within the interim, the corporate had offered shuttles to and from the ship, meals, drinks, excursions, and lodging — or a each day per diem for individuals who “select to do their very own factor.”

That’s, till Monday. Within the memo, Villa Vie has requested its residents to pay for their very own lodging for the following seven days “or so” till the floating condominium receives full certification.

For the reason that preliminary delay, Petterson informed BI that Villa Vie had paid nearly $2 million for its patrons’ resorts. “I would not say it is crushing, nevertheless it does compound the stress of nonetheless not having launched and nonetheless not making income,” he stated.

For some would-be tenants, like Angela and Stephen Theriac, this announcement means they’re going to have to depart the UK, the place they have been since Odyssey’s preliminary departure date in Could, to return to the US.

“Seven days is loads in Belfast,” the couple stated in a video posted to their YouTube channel, MidLife Cruising. “The costs are a minimal of $200 an evening. It is cheaper for us to fly again to the US.”