Residential Cruise Ship Completes Sea Trials and Readies for Departure from Belfast Port

The residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey, which underwent maintenance and inspection at Harland & Wolff for four months, has successfully completed sea trials and is preparing to depart Belfast. The vessel, built in 1993, faced delays in its refurbishment and classification renewal process, with the managing director citing stricter requirements from the class society compared to the previous operator, Fred. Olsen. Despite the challenges, the ship is now ready to set sail, with departure expected as soon as Wednesday.

Villa Vie Residences offers a unique residential cruise operating model, similar to other startups in the industry like Life at Sea, Storylines, and Utopia. The company markets cabins aboard the Odyssey starting at $99,999, providing leaseholders with a residence on the ship for 15 years. Additionally, Villa Vie offers a “pay as you go” program for shorter-term rentals of 35-120 days. Passengers who had leased cabins on the Odyssey faced delays in departure, leading to some dissatisfaction among travelers. Two individuals were reportedly removed from the voyage for allegedly making negative comments.

Overall, the Villa Vie Odyssey’s journey from maintenance and inspection to successful sea trials highlights the challenges and complexities of the residential cruise industry. Despite delays and stricter requirements, the vessel is now ready to offer a unique living experience at sea for leaseholders. The company’s innovative approach to residential cruising aims to provide a more affordable alternative to luxury residential ships like The World, catering to a range of travelers seeking a long-term or short-term cruise experience.

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