A few hundred passengers who signed up for one of the world’s longest cruise itineraries are wondering when or whether it’s going to start; for the moment they’ve been in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for more than three months waiting to start on what the company calls “the first perpetual world cruise.”
Ville Vie Odyssey, billed as a ‘residential cruise ship,’ was scheduled to leave Belfast on a three-and-a-half-year cruise May 30 has yet to leave its dock after three months of waiting on repair work to its rudders and gearbox.
During the repairs, the passengers, who have paid between $99,000 and $899,000 for their cabins, are able to use the ship’s facilities and entertainment during the day, but must sleep ashore in provided hotels. Management of the company say they are sure the problems will be solved soon, but they have been saying that all along.
The ship, built in 1993, originally sailed as Crown Dynasty for Cunard and then as Braemar for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. The planned itinerary calls for 425 port calls in 147 countries on seven continents. If it ever leaves Belfast…
UPDATE
Another week has gone by, and the ship still has not sailed. A number of the guests waiting have returned home to wait, while others are scattered in as many as 20 hotels in various parts of Europe.
Several complained to press that the company is no longer covering their hotel expenses, leaving them on their own to pay. Ville Vie’s CEO told USA Today that “We have supported our residents with trips around Europe, and spent over $2m in hotel stays and trips to accommodate and entertain them while Odyssey has been getting ready for launch. Since residents are scattered throughout Europe in over 20 different hotels, we have decided to let residents plan their hotels and way back to the ship for launch.”
He also said that they will be compensated for their expenses in the form of shipboard credit of up to $200 per day.
The operating company says it still hopes to sail soon, but has not yet been able to get all systems certified after the ship’s four years out of service.