Villa Vie Odyssey has seen worldwide attention after the grand initiative of a 3.5-year long world cruise was terminated before its planned completion while in Cambodia. Increasing price of fuel made the voyage unaffordable for the firm.
This luxurious cruise liner was built for tourists wishing to travel without leaving the sea for long periods of time.
Read more about Villa Vie Odyssey and the interrupted world cruise.
- The World Cruise Started on October 3, 2024.
The world cruise of Villa Vie Odyssey began on October 3, 2024, when it departed from Belfast, Northern Ireland. The voyage was supposed to last for a period of around 3.5 years.
Prior to the official opening of the cruise, it was delayed for about 4 months due to some documentation issues and technical repairs.
- The Voyage Concluded on the 755th Day
On October 23, 2026, Villa Vie Odyssey reached Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Four days later, on October 27, the company declared that the vessel could no longer continue its voyage.
The cruise’s journey, therefore, ended after it had spent 755 days at sea since its launch in October 2024.
Cambodia was not originally planned as the ship’s final stop; it was simply one of the scheduled ports of call on its global voyage.
- Introduced Permanent Residences
What made Villa Vie Odyssey stand out was the residential model. Instead of simply buying tickets for a cruise onboard the vessel, clients could buy a residential cabin to establish a permanent home while traveling the world.
The company offered various types of accommodation, including the option to purchase permanent residential accommodation. The price of initial purchase was followed by a monthly fee calculated according to the type of accommodation and relevant arrangements.
This model attracted those who were eager to combine staying put at home and traveling around the world.
- Used to be Braemar
The ship was formerly known as Braemar which used to be operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. The ship was bought by Villa Vie Residences in 2023 and converted to the residential cruise ship.
Being capable of accommodating about 650 passengers, the ship was built for people living on it voyaging several continents.
- Set to Visit 147 Countries
The itinerary of Villa Vie Odyssey was quite ambitious with 147 nations, 100+ islands, and around 425 destinations around the globe. Although the original course had to cover some of the places in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, the cancellation of operation meant that the ship was never able to implement it.
An Ambitious World Cruise Interrupted
The Villa Vie Odyssey embodies a different kind of long-distance travel, giving its travelers a chance to spend long periods of time on board a ship while also allowing them to explore various world destinations.
Unfortunately, rising operating expenses, particularly regarding fuel, can have adverse effects even on the most ambitious projects in international tourism. This tour was supposed to take 3.5 years, but it had to stop unexpectedly in Cambodia, leaving the travelers and the owners wondering what was next.
