Villa Vie Odyssey’s long-awaited 3.5-year residential world cruise is finally underway. After several delays from its planned 15 May launch, the ship set sail on 2 October. The roughly 150 residents sailing on Odyssey’s inaugural circumnavigation include retirees, digital nomads, explorers and travel junkies.
Many had gathered in Belfast, Northern Ireland where the ship was in dry dock being readied for launch, back in late May. When various repair and preparation obstacles arose, Villa Vie put us up in hotels, even sending many on vacations to destinations such as the Canary Islands.
Some spent the long waiting period traveling around Europe on their own, while still others chose to return home until they were sure the ship was ready to sail (those who still had homes, that is). As the launch date was repeatedly pushed back, residents came and went, becoming intimately familiar with Belfast.
For this writer, that was the only plus. Having never visited Northern Ireland, I was delighted by the community’s warmth and friendliness, from taxi drivers to pub and shop owners, church members and hotel staff.
Many felt sorry for us.
The press was merciless, given other companies’ past failed attempts to launch a residential perpetual world cruise. We even wondered if we might replace the Titanic as the legend of Belfast.
(The iconic vessel having been built in Belfast, the city is now home to the captivating Titanic Museum.) “The wait was frustrating because we were all so anxious,” said one resident. “We had to keep encouraging one another that this was really going to happen.”
Some have joined the startup venture for “segments” of weeks or months, some for the full 3.5 years and still others for a lifetime. While most residents are renting their villas, many have bought in as owners. The group hails from countries worldwide, including the United States, Italy, Australia, England, Canada and Mexico. While awaiting the ship’s launch, we had the opportunity to connect, identify common interests and begin what will surely be lifelong friendships.
Delay worth the wait
When we finally set sail last week and settled into Odyssey’s unique residential environment, all seemed to agree that the delay was well worth the wait. Digital nomads have become accustomed to working from far-flung locations around the globe – and now, at sea. Odyssey’s business center has private offices available for rent, plus workstations and equipment for residents’ use without charge.
The ship’s Wi-Fi is Starlink, also included, and is proving dependable for multi-purpose connectivity.
Despite the delayed sail date, Odyssey’s refurbishment is still not complete. Finishing touches are happening even while we’re underway, but for the most part the ship is impeccable and already being enjoyed by residents. From the pool/jacuzzi deck and stunning observatory, to lounges, a theater, library, full-service spa, fitness center, pickleball court and soon-to-be-opened golf simulator, there will be no shortage of things to do on our lengthy journey.
Although some activities are typical of today’s popular ships, Odyssey’s smaller size (capacity just over 900 pasengers) is more akin to a river cruise ship, allowing for a more intimate and comfortable feel. The deafening noise and unbearable crowds are nowhere to be found.
Lifestyle
Residents’ cabins, or “villas,” vary from inside, oceanview and balcony suites. Per short-term cruise vessels, the cost of Odyssey’s villas varies based on type of cabin and number of occupants. (See the VillaVie website here). But residents agree that, as their new home, Odyssey’s affordability is comparable to the lifestyles they left behind – with a round-the-world vacation thrown in. All villas are equipped with typical bath, TV, desk, fridge and coffeemaker. Weekly housecleaning and laundry are also included in the cost of each villa.
Being the highlight of most cruise vacations, the restaurant environments and menu choices were priorities for many. We were not disappointed. The three restaurants onboard are a main dining room and a buffet, which are included, and a specialty restaurant with an upcharge, along with several bars and lounges.
During our extended delay in Belfast, while we were not able to sleep aboard ship, we did spend our days here, getting to know the crew, decorating our cabins and enjoying meals and entertainment. The process of shuttling back and forth from our hotels to the ship each day got old pretty quickly, but the days aboard ship were a great intro to what we’re experiencing today.
A magical expedition
So, where are we headed?
The launch delay meant several Northern European ports were cut from the itinerary, perhaps the biggest disappointment being Reykjavik, Iceland. But our remaining European stops include several ports in France, Spain and Portugal before heading west to the Caribbean, South America, Antarctica, the U.S., Asia and the South Pacific, Australia, Africa and beyond – an itinerary that is already proving to be a truly magical expedition.
As a former American expat in Italy for nearly three years, and someone who had already traveled the world extensively, I had fully embraced the expat life since my retirement in late ’21. Little did I know this new world awaited. Along with fellow residents, most who are also well-traveled, I am finding myself in constant wide-eyed wonder in this new life of residential cruising.
And we’ve only just begun.
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Carla Bastos is a former journalist and newspaper editor. An American expat in Italy for several years, she now makes her home traveling the world aboard Villa Vie Odyssey.