Friday, October 4, 2024 After 17 weeks of delays, Villa Vie Residences’ highly anticipated ship, Villa Vie Odyssey , has finally embarked on its maiden three-and-a-half-year voyage. The luxurious cruise ship, which is set to visit 425 destinations across 147 countries, represents a unique blend of exploration, comfort, and long-term travel. Originally scheduled to depart in May 2024, the Odyssey departed from Belfast, Northern Ireland, on October 3, 2024, bound for its first stop in Brest, France.
The ship, formerly known as Braemar under Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, had been laid up in Edinburgh, Scotland, since the cruise industry halted operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Villa Vie Residences acquired the vessel in March 2024 and undertook extensive refurbishments at Belfast’s iconic Harland & Wolff shipyard, creating a state-of-the-art floating residence for long-term travelers.
A Delayed Departure: The Impact on Travelers The journey to launch Villa Vie Odyssey was not without its challenges, which resulted in significant delays for travelers eager to embark on this world-spanning cruise. The ship faced numerous technical setbacks, including water tank, gearbox, and rudder stock issues. Additionally, it went through an unusually lengthy certification process, being held to the same standards as newbuild ships despite its 1993 construction.
Further complications arose just before departure, as Harland & Wolff entered administration on September 27, 2024, cau.