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The three year cruise is over. Long live the three-and-a-half year cruise.
As dust falls on Life at Sea Cruises, The voyage was canceled for three years. Due to the inability to secure a ship just before departure, another candidate for the throne has emerged.
Another long-term cruise startup, Villa Vie Residences, has confirmed the purchase of a ship for its own three-and-a-half-year round-the-world trip. Departure is scheduled for May 2024.
The company acquired MS Braemar from Fred. Olsen Cruise Line changes its name to Villa Vie Odyssey. The ship was built for the Crown Cruise line in 1993 and sold by Cunard, then went to Majesty, NCL, then back to Crown and was finally purchased by Fred. Olsen in 2001.
Mr. Peter Deere, Managing Director, Fred Company. Olsen Cruise Lines confirmed to CNN that the ship had been sold to Villa Vi, adding that “delivery is expected to occur at the end of February 2024.”
Bremers have been around for 30 years and have not been bred in that time. It was expanded during renovation in 2009 and renovated again in 2019. The longest ship to pass through the Corinth Canal. The company put her up for sale in November 2022.
In a statement released exclusively to CNN, Villa Vi said it has a capacity for 924 passengers in 485 cabins and its relatively small size allows it to dock centrally at its destination. Its flat hull allows it to navigate inland waterways.
Like the Odyssey, the ship will have eight decks, a wraparound promenade, and an enlarged pool combining two of the current ones, allowing passengers to swim laps. We also added a Jacuzzi tub, bringing her total on deck to four.
There will be three restaurants, eight bars and four lounges, as well as a spa, fitness centre, library and medical centre.
Provided by: Villa Vi
Although the ship is 30 years old, it is well maintained.
So far it’s normal. But there’s also something for everyone to experience as he travels through 147 countries and 425 ports for 1,301 days. It’s fast, reliable internet with Starlink and Viasat 3, an “interactive cooking center” for those without a kitchen or for cooking classes.
A golf program featuring a simulator and trips to greens around the world are also planned.
Port stays vary in length from two to seven days, allowing people to get past the surface of the typical “hit and run” cruise ship approach.
For those interested in a long-term cruise but wary of committing to a full three-and-a-half years, we also offer the ability to book “segments” of as little as 35 days on board. There’s also good news for those for whom 1,301 days isn’t enough. The plan is to sail cruises to cruises, and cruises to cruises, and cruises to cruises, allowing people to spend their entire lives at sea.
“This isn’t really a cruise, it’s a lifestyle. It’s a house with a constantly changing backyard,” says CEO Mikael Pettersson.
Provided by: Villa Vi
Cabins with balconies are the most expensive.
Villa Vie was founded by former members of the Life at Sea management team who left when the original team split in May 2022.
CEO Mikael Pettersson, a former managing director of Life at Sea, said the concept was inspired by stories from customers interested in other cruises.
“I talked with thousands of people and built Villa Vi on what I learned from ‘Life at Sea,'” he tells CNN. “People want the flexibility of paying as they go, rather than paying upfront for three years. Many wanted to own a shed and have a say in the business.”
He said the proposal was “completely different” from previous proposals by his colleagues, as the ship would be smaller and would allow short stays on board on a “pay-as-you-go” basis.
The prices aren’t that different from Life at Sea’s introductory offer, but there are more options. This means passengers can either buy or rent cabins (generously known as “villas”).
Just like a regular cruise, when you rent, you basically pay for the trip and pay for onboard use starting at $89 per person per day. This works out to $32,485 per person per year, or $97,455 for her over three years. Outdoor cabins start at $119 per person per day, and balconies start at $199.
There is no obligation to sign up for all three and a half years. The 1,301 days are divided into segments ranging from 35 to 120 days. Passengers can purchase as many segments as they like.
Provided by: Villa Vi
If you’re planning on cruising for more than three years, buying one is a smarter option.
To buy a cabin, on the other hand, you’ll have to pay full price, starting at $99,000 for indoors, $149,000 for outdoor, and $249,000 for balcony. Owners then must pay monthly fees starting at $1,750 per person, $2,500 per person, or $4,000 per person, respectively, or $21,000, $30,000, or $48,000 per year. Owners can rent it out to others themselves (for free) or for a fee through Villa Vie.
Those who purchase the cabin are guaranteed for 15 years, the estimated lifespan of the vessel.
Pettersson said the long-term goal is to buy more ships, in which case owners could get a 15% credit to move on to another ship at the end of the year. There is. If that does not happen, his 15% of the payment will be refunded as scrap value.
Prices are for 2 people. If you’re traveling solo, you’ll save 30% on indoor cabins, 20% on outdoor cabins, and 10% on balconies.
“If you’re staying for less than three years, you’re paying rent. If you’re staying for more than three years, you’re better off buying,” says Pettersson.
All meals and soft drinks are included, and alcohol is included with dinner. WiFi and medical visits (but not procedures or medications) are also included, making it an attractive proposition for U.S. customers. Weekly housekeeping and bi-weekly laundry service are available at no additional charge.
Provided by: Villa Vi
Previous Life at Sea sign-ups only need to pay a 5% deposit.
While many will feel hurt by Life at Sea’s failure to depart, Pettersson says Villa Vi will depart as scheduled.
Passengers must pay a 10% deposit to secure their seat, and all deposits will be held in escrow until February 15, at which time payments will be made for the first 90 days of the cruise. Payments will then be made 90 days prior to the start date of each segment.
The cost of the ship was covered by private investment. Pettersson said “not a penny” of people’s savings will be spent before February 15.
Now that the vessel has been acquired, the next step is a 10-week refurbishment, including two weeks in dry dock.
Staterooms (commonly known as villas) will be upgraded, a business center will be added, and the pool will be expanded.
Pettersson said the bar and restaurant will remain largely intact and the ship is already in good condition.
So why trust Villa Vi after the Life at Sea debacle? “We’re totally different,” says Pettersson. “We’re not asking people for hundreds of thousands of dollars upfront. We’re recruiting a small number of participants to see who is serious and will actually come. ”
He says previous Life at Sea sign-ups have “demonstrated commitment” to similar projects, so he only pays a 5% deposit.
