CNN
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The ship was scheduled to set sail 4 months in the past for a 3 and a half yr cruise.
After seeing its departure postponed a number of instances, Villa Vie Odyssey lastly set off from Belfast, Northern Eire, Monday evening.
The previous Fred. Olsen Cruise ship departed round 11:30 PM on September 30, 2024, after months of setbacks.
“We’re excited and relieved,” passenger Lanette Canen mentioned shortly earlier than Odyssey’s departure. “We’re at our muster station doing the security drills now. [Villa Vie] did it! There may be nothing however smiles right here.”
A shiny spot in a journey that’s already seen its share of twists and turns as residential cruise start-up Villa Vie Residences labored to launch its long-term cruise.
Lastly embarking “feels superb,” Villa Vie CEO Mike Petterson mentioned late Monday.
Nevertheless it’s been removed from simple. “I’ve aged 15 years in six months. I really feel like I simply gave delivery to a child,” Petterson mentioned.
Petterson had beforehand blamed the delay on an extended than standard certification course of. The ship, previously the Braemar, was constructed in 1993 however has been held to the requirements of a brand new vessel, Petterson mentioned.
The ship went via its remaining sea trials earlier this month and had been ready for coast guard clearance, which it lastly acquired a few days ago.
The delay meant that its passengers had been ready to depart since Could. Frustration and disputes bubbled up because the months handed.
Passengers had been flown home to attend it out. Some, together with Canen and her accomplice, Johan Bodin, stayed busy touring whereas the ship sat in port in Belfast.
The pair – who had been beforehand residing in Hawaii – paid $100,000 for his or her cabin, which can stay theirs for the ship’s lifetime, estimated to be round 15 years. They then pay a $3,500 month-to-month payment to be onboard. Prices vary in accordance with cabin and different components.
Villa Vie’s shouldn’t be the primary prolonged cruise plan that’s run into issues. One other firm, Life at Sea Cruises, had scheduled a 3 yr round-the-world cruise – the primary of its sort to be comparatively inexpensive – for departure in 2023. That voyage was postponed many times, earlier than being canceled definitively in November.
The essential distinction for Villa Vie? It has a ship. And after an extended wait, the Villa Vie Odyssey has lastly set sail.
CNN’s Marnie Hunter contributed to this report.