Departure of ‘continual’ world cruise delayed for second time in a week

Villa Vie Odyssey
By Lisa James
05/06/2024
Home » Departure of ‘continual’ world cruise delayed for second time in a week

Cruise operator Villa Vie Residences has delayed the start of its three-and-a-half year sailing for the second time in a week.

The cruise, on Villa Vie Odyssey, which was previously Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Braemar, had been due to leave Southampton on 15 May but its departure date and port were then changed to 30 May from Belfast, when refurbishment work took longer than expected.

Last week, Villa Vie Residences said the ship needed to stay in dry dock at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast until 3 June because of ‘issues in the steelwork in one of our grey water tanks’, with a new departure date set for this week.

It’s now been delayed again, due to rudder stocks requiring replacement before the ship can be certified to sail.

Odyssey is now not expected to sail until 15 June – a month after its original departure date. Villa Vie Residences is reportedly looking at alternative options for passengers while the work is being carried out.

One couple, who are booked on the cruise, posted on their Facebook page to say: “Yes, we are delayed until June 15th but know we will set sail eventually.”

Villa Vie Residences announced last year it is to operate a ‘Continual World Cruise’, calling at 425 ports in 147 countries, including multi-day stops, such as 12 days in Singapore.

Passengers can either own a cabin on the ship and sail on the entire world cruise programme, or buy individual cruise segments, ranging from 35 to 120 days. Those who buy cabins can lease them out or sell them later.

Cabins can be bought outright from $100,000 for an interior to $250,000 for a balcony room, with additional monthly charges starting from $3,500 per room.

Odyssey was built in 1993 for Crown Cruise Line, and has since been operated by Cunard Line, Majesty Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Commodore Cruise Line and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, which sold the ship to Villa Vie Residences in December 2023.

Latest News

Loading