Villa Vie Residences, the world cruise model that allows passengers to purchase a stateroom or hire one long-term onboard Villa Vie Odyssey, has rolled out some new choices in a bid to spice up visitor numbers.
Villa Vie Odyssey is the previous Braemar that sailed for Fred. Olsen Cruise Traces and was acquired by Villa Vie Residences in 2023. The ship has capability for about 600 company, however is at present crusing her first world voyage with roughly 125 company.
That leaves loads of empty cabins on a ship that was embroiled in controversy via the second half of 2024, when delay after delay impacted her launch. Villa Vie Odyssey lastly set sail in October 2024, some three months later than scheduled.
New options introduced on January 28, 2025 embody a Seasonal Possession plan, a financing program for 2 cabin-purchase choices, and a brand new supply to take a trial cruise on the residential ship earlier than agreeing to purchase a cabin.
Beneath the Seasonal Possession plan, cruisers pay $24,999 per particular person to obtain 120 credit per contract. Credit could be redeemed for cruises in inside, ocean view, or balcony cabins starting from 30 days to 9 months. Annual charges of $7,999 per contract additionally apply.
The corporate’s new financing choice is legitimate on the total possession and Countless Horizons plans. Beneath full possession, company purchase a cabin for charges beginning at $139,000 per particular person in a contract legitimate for 15 years.
Countless Horizons, which is designed for retirees, requires a cabin buy beginning at $349,999 per particular person with limitless entry to an ocean view villa.
The financing plan features a 25% deposit and one other 25% due 180 days earlier than embarking the ship. The remaining steadiness is paid in 20% annual installments.
Villa Vie Residences’ new Attempt Earlier than You Purchase supply primarily is a 7-day cruise onboard the ship with single occupancy fares of $1,499 and double occupancy fares of $1,998 for ocean view lodging.
“We’re making the dream of touring the globe by ship extra attainable. With our new Seasonal Possession and Financing Choices, vacationers can now expertise this extraordinary way of life with minimal dedication and most flexibility,” mentioned Mikael Petterson, chairman of Villa Vie Residences.
Learn Additionally: 14 Cruise Etiquette Guidelines You Must Know About
It isn’t the primary time that Villa Vie Residences has carved out new choices to achieve company. In November 2024, it launched the Tour La Vie program, which affords company one- to four-year choices in an ocean view villa.
The one-year deal prices $49,999 per particular person, double, and $79,000 per particular person, single. Charges rise with the cruise size chosen, with the four-year value topping out at $159,999 per particular person, double, and $255,999 per particular person, single.
Ship Sails Maiden Voyage After Months of Delay
Villa Vie Residences, based mostly in Fort Lauderdale, invested in a renovation of Villa Vie Odyssey after its buy in 2023, the identical 12 months that the world cruise firm launched itself to the business.
It billed itself as providing a “Perpetual, Circumnavigating the World Each 3.5 Years” voyage. The residential ship is slated to name at 420 ports throughout the globe on every voyage.
The renovation on the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Eire, revealed a number of mechanical points with the 32-year-old vessel.
Among the many issues had been defective gray water tanks, which maintain used water from the kitchen, showers, laundry amenities, and different sources. After that was corrected, a serious operational difficulty with the ship’s rudder inventory was discovered. Rudders allow ships to show, so the issue additional postponed the ship’s launch.
In the meantime, dozens of company who had purchased cabins on Villa Vie Odyssey had been ready to embark the ship in Belfast. Two of these company chronicled their lengthy wait on their YouTube channel referred to as Midlife Cruising.
The ship lastly sailed from Belfast on October 3, 2024. Villa Vie Odyssey will maintain inaugural occasions at Catalina Island, off Los Angeles, on June 18, 2025.
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