Since May, many passengers on the world’s longest cruise have been stuck in Belfast – just like their ship. Now it finally set sail.
Four months ago, the “Villa Vie Odyssey” was supposed to set off on the world’s longest cruise, but the departure had to be postponed several times. On Tuesday night, the ship finally set sail from Belfast in Northern Ireland, as Reuters and CNN report.
The passengers who have been waiting since May for the start of the three-and-a-half-year journey around the world are promised great adventures. The mega tour will visit 425 travel destinations, 147 countries, seven continents and 100 islands.
“We are excited and relieved at the same time,” passenger Lanette Canen was quoted as saying by US television channel CNN. “We’re constantly smiling.” Mike Petterson, managing director of cruise start-up Villa Vie Residences, said: “Finally getting on board is an amazing feeling. I’ve aged 15 years in six months. I feel like I’ve just given birth brought.”
According to him, the fact that the departure was delayed by so many months was due to the long, complicated certification process. The ship, the “Braemar,” which was originally built in 1933, had to be rebuilt and brought up to date in all areas. In the end, the gray water tanks and the steering system were not approved by the authorities; they had to be repaired, which took a lot of time. Meanwhile, many of the angry passengers were stuck in Northern Ireland, just like their ship.
But what exactly attracts people to the giant cruise? The deal is this: Passengers buy their cabins for a certain amount and pay a monthly maintenance fee of $3,500. They can even live on board for several decades, but the first route is designed for three and a half years.
The price includes meals and a washing and cleaning service. To combine the experience with life, there are restaurants, a pool, a gym, a beauty and hair salon and work rooms on board. Your own cabins can be sold or rented flexibly. It says family members can even visit and enjoy the all-inclusive onboard option for $33 per person per day.
Villa Vie Residences are not the only operators offering this type of long-term cruise – and have encountered problems. Another company, Life at Sea Cruises, also recently planned a three-year round-the-world trip starting in 2023 (read all about it here). It was repeatedly postponed before it was finally canceled last November.
