The Odyssey, formerly the Braemar, was purchased from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. As Captain of the Braemar, Jozo Glavic was the first ever to usher a cruise ship through the narrow Corinth Canal. The ship must be close to Glavic\u2019s heart, because he has now signed on to captain this new adventure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Odyssey\u2019s inaugural voyage from Southampton, England is scheduled to begin 15 May. It will sail to all seven continents, 147 countries and over 400 ports, docking in several for seven days or more and allowing for extensive exploration and excursions. Future residents have already connected, planning various clubs, classes and social events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, only when it came down to dollars and cents could this dream become a reality for skeptics like me. The clincher was all about options. Villas can be purchased or rented, and rather than committing to (and paying for) the full 3.5 years, individual segments can be booked. A 10-percent deposit is required, with the balance for each segment due 90 days before sailing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThis was huge because I couldn\u2019t imagine forking over a boatload of money for something that I wasn\u2019t even sure was going to happen!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Keeping its promises … so far<\/h2>\n\n\n\n According to the Villa Vie website, there are different levels of residents–“founders,” or investors; owners who purchase cabins starting at $99,000 but also pay monthly fees of $,1750 per person double or $2,500 per person single; and renters based on segment duration, starting at $89 per day per person for double occupancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ownership duration is for the “operational life of the ship,” with a guaranteed minimum 15 years and buyback and trade-in options throughout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company seems to be abiding by its all-inclusive promise and is forthcoming about things that are fluid and changing decisions, i.e., it was recently announced that there would be an upcharge for the gourmet restaurant (but not the other two). Gratuities are included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medical care is included but not procedures and medicines; wifi is included and the business center is open to all but private offices must be rented; and, certain excursions and spa treatments are extra. Housekeeping and laundry are also included, as well as amenities such as a library, a culinary center, an observation deck with telescopes, a pickleball court and a golf simulator. Friends and family can visit and occupy vacant cabins for a fee, and residents can also “earn” friends and family visits over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Owners are free to sell or rent out their cabins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Odyssey is quite small at less than 700 feet, with 485 cabins, the smallest being single inside at 130 square feet and the largest 300 square feet. It accommodates about 900 people. The environment\u00a0seems akin to a river cruise ship \u2013 much more intimate and comfortable than those large cruise ships with 4,000-plus passengers on board. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prior to sailing, the ship is being refurbished at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast where the Titanic was built.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arrivederci Tuscany, Hello World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n I chose two consecutive segments \u2013 to include 35 countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America and Antarctica \u2013 for a total of seven months on board. And, since I won\u2019t board until September, I can monitor the cruise\u2019s progress to see how it\u2019s all panning out before I commit further. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(But, if all goes well, going on to circumnavigate the globe sounds pretty appealing.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Given the sketchy history of other attempts, obviously caution is the order of the day. And, it\u2019s important to consider whether you\u2019re even cut out to live on a ship for months or years at a time. (Having served on a mercy ship delivering relief supplies to developing countries for over two years, I can safely say it\u2019s my forte.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s certainly not for everyone but, for retirees and digital nomads with that touch of wanderlust, there\u2019s a new option out there that may just work for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for me, it looks like it may be arrivederci <\/em>Tuscany, hello world!<\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The failed Life at Sea around-the-world cruise has become the stuff of legend. The three-year excursion was billed as a dream journey \u2013 circumnavigating the globe while passengers live and work comfortably and affordably aboard ship, checking off a lifetime of bucket list destinations. Of course, it never happened. After some paid hefty deposits, even […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43995,"featured_media":133015,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[971,58,531],"yoast_head":"\n
Dreaming of a multi-year world cruise? Do your research<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n