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Villa Vie Residences Purchases Braemar from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: December 13, 2023  - Last updated: December 14, 2023

New cruise brand Villa Vie Residences has purchased Braemar , a former Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ship, and will rename the vessel Villa Vie Odyssey .

The 24,344-ton, 924-passenger Villa Vie Odyssey will enter service in May 2024 after undergoing a multimillion-dollar conversion to a residential cruise ship featuring villas for residents.

“The ship’s name symbolizes the company ethos of creating a community to share unforgettable moments of discovery on an extended journey, connecting people, places, and self,” explained Villa Vie Residences CEO Mikael Petterson in a press release .

Villa Vie Residences’ Continual World Cruise

Villa Vie Residences’ Continual World Cruise aboard Odyssey will let travelers discover more than 425 ports in 147 countries across all seven continents as it circumnavigates the globe every three and a half years.

Stays in each port range from two to seven days, allowing cruisers to experience each location for much longer than the average cruise ship port call.

The new cruise brand aims to transform the way people experience global travel with a novel approach, allowing cruisers to own or rent an onboard “villa”—the company’s term for its staterooms. Villa Vie offers the opportunity to explore the world while living aboard a cruise ship at a price comparable to traditional condominium ownership.

Villa ownership starts at $99,999 USD for an inside cabin, with a monthly fee of $3,499 per couple. Solo owners receive a discount on the monthly fee.

Residents will enjoy an inclusive experience with food (including 24-hour room service), non-alcoholic drinks, and entertainment included.

Related: Which Cruise Lines Have All-Inclusive Cruises?

Responding to consumer demand for more flexibility, the company also offers a “pay-as-you-go” option that lets customers select 35- to 120-day segments of the world cruise itinerary, up to a whopping 1,301 days of continuous global cruising.

The majority of Villa Vie’s shares are owned by its residents, who also take an active role in the decision-making process in a “for the residents, by the residents” approach. As founders, they chose the name Odyssey for their ship.

A Villa Vie Founders Club member and resident identified as Laura said, “Villa Vie isn’t like a regular corporation—it’s open and we feel a part of it.”

What to expect aboard Villa Vie Odyssey

Villa Vie Residences promises that Odyssey will offer an “intimate, new cruise lifestyle,” and the ship will be able to reach parts of the world inaccessible to larger ships—often docking in the heart of destinations.

Due to her flatter hull, Odyssey can also navigate rivers and inland waterways. In October 2019, the vessel (operating as Braemar ) became the longest ship to ever pass through the Corinth Canal in Greece.

With eight decks total, including a wraparound promenade and cascading aft decks, Villa Vie Odyssey features three dining venues, eight bars, four lounges, a spa and fitness center, an expanded swimming pool with four Jacuzzis, and a well-stocked library. The ship was extended in 2009 and was last refurbished in 2019.

Odyssey ‘s central business center, equipped with conference rooms and individual offices, will let digital nomads work at sea in comfort. All residents and guests will have complimentary internet access via Starlink and Viasat 3.

Villa Vie Odyssey will offer an interactive and instructional culinary center, as well as a golf around the world program, complete with an onboard golf simulator, tours, and seminars taught by a Master PGA Professional.

Petterson noted that “Villa Vie Odyssey will be customized for her immersive, 3.5-year global circumnavigations, ensuring all the comforts and amenities of home.”

Update: Villa Vie Residences Takes Delivery Of Odyssey, Announces Captain

More news from the world of cruising

Would you consider purchasing a cabin aboard a cruise ship like Villa Vie Odyssey ? Do you think the cost is worth the benefits? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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Louis Stryker

Saturday 30th of December 2023

Why would anyone take a chance on Mikael Petterson after his last "world cruise" disaster "Life at Sea?" I wouldn't trust the man as far into the ocean as I could chuck him.

Carrie Ann Karstunen

Monday 1st of January 2024

Hi Louis, I'm sure a lot of cruise fans share your sentiment. However, Villa Vie (unlike Life at Sea) actually has a ship! I'm watching this new venture hoping it will be a success. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your opinion!

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Fred Olsen sells cruise ship MS Braemar to Villa Vie Residences

The UK-based Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has confirmed the sale of MS Braemar to Villa Vie Residences , who intend to rebrand the vessel as Villa Vie Odyssey , transforming it into a residential cruise ship featuring villas as residences.

A representative from Fred Olsen expressed pride in Braemar's tenure within their fleet since 2001, highlighting the diverse voyages it has offered guests over the years. Mention was made of significant moments, such as Braemar becoming the largest ship to navigate the Corinth Canal under the company's banner in 2019.

The decision to sell Braemar followed the acquisition of two newer vessels - Bolette and Borealis , in 2020.

Currently, Fred Olsen's cruise fleet groups 3 smaller ships, with select sailings departing directly from Scotland. Balmoral , the fleet's smallest, is scheduled to commence its summer season from Rosyth in late June, offering voyages to the Norwegian fjords, Iceland, and Portugal's Azores.

According to Villa Vie Residences, the 924-passenger ship will commence service in May following a multimillion-dollar drydock refit and complete refurbishment .

Mikael Petterson (company's CEO) emphasized that the ship's new name reflects the company's commitment to fostering a community for shared experiences during extended journeys, connecting people, places, and self. Villa Vie Odyssey will undergo customization to facilitate immersive, 3.5-year world circumnavigations , ensuring residents enjoy the comforts and amenities of home.

Villa Vie Odyssey promises an intimate cruise lifestyle, enabling access to destinations beyond the reach of larger vessels, often docking in the heart of destinations. Originally lengthened in 2009 and refurbished in 2019, the ship boasts 3 restaurants, 8 bars, 4 lounges, an extended pool with 4 Jacuzzis, a spa, gym, and a well-appointed library.

Additionally, a central business center will cater to passengers requiring workspaces and conference facilities. Notable onboard features include an interactive culinary center and a unique golfing cruise program , complete with a golf simulator and tours led by a Master PGA Professional.

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Fred Olsen to give smallest cruise ship the heave-ho

Cruise operator to sell Braemar as UK market remains ‘uncertain’

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is selling its smallest ship , which has been laid up since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 24,300-gt Braemar (built 1993), which is expected to be sold via broking channels, is one of two cruise ships on which Fred Olsen holding company Bonheur recently took an asset value impairment of NOK 456m ($45.7m).

Bonheur, in its third-quarter results, said the UK cruise operation, which owns four vessels, posted an Ebitda loss of NOK 42m, against a deficit of NOK 138m the year before.

The operation was affected by low occupancy due to rebookings, high fuel costs and the falling value of the British pound.

Bonheur called the outlook for the UK cruise market “uncertain”.

Fred Olsen told travel media on Tuesday that the Braemar was “not aligned with where we now want to be as a business”.

Although Fred Olsen has marketed the smaller size and traditional style of its vessels as an antidote to giant modern mass-market cruise ships, it took advantage of Carnival Corp’s pandemic fleet sell-off to acquire the 61,800-gt Rotterdam (built 1997) and 62,700-gt Amsterdam (built 2000) from Holland America.

Put into service under the names Borealis and Bolette, these two ships were twice the size and had double the passenger capacity of the elderly pair of former Royal Viking vessels they replaced. Nevertheless, they are still considered relatively small in today’s cruise market.

The 924-berth Braemar is currently laid up in the Scottish port of Rosyth.

Bonheur also owns Norway’s DN Media Group, the parent company of TradeWinds.

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TradeWinds is part of DN Media Group. To read more about DN Media Group, click here

Passenger (Cruise) Ship, IMO 9000699

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The current position of ODYSSEY is at North East Atlantic Ocean reported 4 mins ago by AIS. The vessel arrived at the port of Belfast, United Kingdom (UK) on Sep 20, 16:22 UTC. The vessel ODYSSEY (IMO 9000699, MMSI 311541000) is a Passenger (Cruise) Ship built in 1993 (31 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Bahamas .

Voyage Data

Ship position & weather, recent port calls, vessel utilization, vessel particulars, similar vessels, related news.

ODYSSEY current position and history of port calls are received by AIS. Technical specifications, tonnages and management details are derived from VesselFinder database. The data is for informational purposes only and VesselFinder is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of ODYSSEY data.

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Home Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Braemar

An excellent option for experienced travellers and first-time cruisers, Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s Braemar offers a homely onboard experience with various contemporary attractions.

Braemar joined the Fred Olsen fleet in 2009 and is the line’s smallest ship. Offering capacity for no more than 929 guests, Braemar provides comfortable accommodations, fantastic dining options and outstanding service courtesy of Fred Olsen’s award-winning crew. Life onboard the ship is unhurried, with an atmosphere comparable to a members-only British country club.

In 2019, Braemar spent a period in drydock, during which many of the vessel’s public areas, cabins and suites were upgraded and enhanced. Elements of the ship retain a wonderful air of tradition; however, noted improvements to the ship’s Coral Club lounge and speciality dining venues give Braemar a contemporary twist sure to impress younger guests – it’s a ship that really does offer the best of both worlds.

If you love small-ship cruising and would prefer a cruise holiday that departs from a UK port, Braemar promises an unforgettable experience that will have you returning time and time again.

To find out more about Braemar cruises or to receive a quotation for an upcoming itinerary, please call our Voyage Consultants on 0800 008 6677 . Alternatively, please make an online enquiry for your preferred sailing.

Braemar Accommodation: Cabins & Suites

Superior Suite Accommodation on Braemar.

Braemar offers a choice of five accommodation categories. Every cabin and suite benefits from standard amenities, including a private en-suite bathroom, a television, a writing/vanity desk and ample storage space.

The accommodation categories and their associated grades are as follows:

• Interior: Interior Cabin
• Porthole: Ocean View Cabin
• Picture Window: Superior Ocean View, Large Superior Ocean View
• Balcony: Balcony Cabin, Superior Balcony Cabin, Deluxe Balcony Cabin
• Suites: Superior Suite, Balcony Suite

The accommodation on Braemar also caters excellently to solo travellers, with each a select number of cabins and suites reserved for those available for those cruising alone.

Braemar Dining: Restaurants

The Thistle Restaurant on Braemar.

Where dining is concerned, Braemar offers a choice of five restaurants and eateries. From sophisticated main dining rooms to laid-back buffets, the ship provides a range of mouthwatering options day and night.

Inclusive dining venues

Thistle Restaurant

Completely refurbished in 2017, the Thistle Restaurant is the largest dining venue on Braemar. Here, you can enjoy a fantastic continental buffet-style breakfast and a world-class evening meal consisting of five delicious courses. The restaurant’s panoramic windows and elegant furnishes guarantee add to the ambience, as does the excellent service from Fred Olsen’s staff.

Grampian Restaurant

A perfect alternative to the Thistle Restaurant, the Grampian offers similar menus albeit in a more intimate setting. It enjoys a privileged position on Braemar’s Marquee Deck and therefore provides fantastic views of the local landscapes and passing scenery.

Also subject to a major overhaul in 2017 was Braemar’s Palm Cafe. Offering a serene setting without the formality of the main dining rooms, Palms Cafe offers buffet dishes during mealtimes, with no reservation required.

The Marquee Bar

A firm favourite with Fred Oslen regulars, the Marquee Bar serves up snacks and light bites during breakfast and lunch, with open-air dining available should you wish to soak up the sunshine.

Speciality dining venues

The Grill is Braemar’s only speciality dining venue. Taking inspiration from a variety of international favourites, the Grill provides a choice of starters and mains, including grilled fish, steaks, salads and a host of lovely desserts. This exclusive spot is primarily an open-air venue and only open between 6.30 pm and 9 pm. Reservations required.

24-hour room service

Should you wish to dine in your cabin or suite during your cruise, you’ll find the room service is exemplary. You can order up until 11 pm every day with menus available from many of Braemar’s restaurants.

Braemar Activities, Entertainment & Facilities

Guests enjoying the Neptune Lounge on Braemar.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines are renowned for the facilities and entertainment programmes on their ships. On Braemar, there is plenty to enjoy during your cruise, from sports and fitness activities to bombastic evening shows and laidback cocktail lounges.

Daytime Activities & Entertainment

Braemar boasts a fantastic pool deck area, with ample seating and loungers, jacuzzis, and shaded areas should you wish to avoid sitting directly in the sun. Near the top of the ship, you’ll also find the promenade deck, which is ideal if you still want to get your steps in or work off a few calories before your next meal.

Health and fitness enthusiasts will love the fully-equipped fitness centre, which offers complimentary use of the latest gym equipment and access to classes led by a professional instructor. Of course, if you’d prefer to keep things a little more relaxed, Braemar’s Atlantis Spa provides an idyllic environment in which to indulge in a range of treatments, including massages and body wraps.

Braemar also has six different bars and lounges. The Morning Light Pub is ideal if you’re looking for a good old-fashioned British pub experience, while the Bookmark Cafe is extremely popular with guests looking to enjoy a spot of quiet time while immersing themselves in a good book or genial conversation with fellow guests. Other lounges on Braemar include the poolside Marquee Bar and the ultra-relaxing Observatory Lounge .

Evening Activities & Entertainment

Braemar offers a range of entertainment options perfectly suited to laid back evenings at sea. The ship’s main evening venue, the Neptune Lounge , hosts nightly musical performances and cabaret acts, while those who want to try their hand at Blackjack or Roulette should head to the gaming tables found on the Lounge Deck.

The Coral Lounge is Braemar’s alternate entertainment venue, offering both a dance floor and music from the ship’s resident band. The Observatory Lounge is open late into the evening and provides a serene setting in which to enjoy a nightcap before heading back to your cabin or suite for a restful sleep.

Other facilities on Braemar include:

• Boutique Shop
• Laundry Room

To find out more, please call our Voyage Consultants on 0800 008 6677 .

Ship Gallery

Additional Information

Single Superior Balcony

This room is approximately 140 square feet in size and can be found on Bridge Deck 7 and Lido Deck 6. It has a balcony and bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts). Smoking is permitted on room balconies.

Single Balcony Suite

This suite is approximately 190 square feet in size and can be found on Marquee Deck 8 and Bridge Deck 7. These single suites have a bedroom with balcony, sitting area, bathroom with shower and/ or bath. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts). Smoking is permitted on room balconies.

Superior Suite

Ocean View Higher

Ocean View Lower

Interior Higher Cabin

Deluxe Balcony

Balcony Suite

Balcony Cabin

Superior Balcony

Single Ocean View

Single Ocean View Note – Some Cabins may have restricted view.

Single Interior

Ocean View Cabin

Large Superior Ocean View Room

These rooms are approximately 175 square feet in size and can be found on Lido Deck 6 and Bridge Deck 7. They have a bedroom with a large picture window and a bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts).

Interior Lower Cabin

Inside Lower Cabin

Deluxe Balcony Cabin

This room is approximately 225 square feet in size and can be found on Marquee Deck 8. It has a bedroom with balcony, bathroom with shower and/ or bath. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts). Smoking is permitted on room balconies.

Superior Ocean View

Superior Ocean View Note – Some Cabins may have restricted view.

Interior Cabin

This room is approximately 130 square feet in size and can be found on Marina Deck 2. It has a shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts).

Superior Balcony Cabin

These rooms are approximately 190 square feet in size and can be found on Bridge Deck 7 and Lido Deck 6. They have a bedroom with balcony and bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts). Smoking is permitted on room balconies.

This room is approximately 140 square feet in size and can be found on Bridge Deck 7 and Lido Deck 6. It has a bedroom with balcony and bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts). Smoking is permitted on room balconies.

This room is approximately 130 square feet in size and can be found on Atlantic Deck 3. It has a shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts).

These rooms are approximately 140 square feet in size and can be found on Atlantic Deck 3 and Marina Deck 2. These rooms have 2 portholes and a bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts).

These rooms are approximately 140 square feet in size and can be found on Main Deck 4 and Bridge Deck 7. These rooms have a picture window and a bathroom with shower. Please note, room 4003 has a porthole. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts).

Twin Interior

This room is approximately 130 square feet in size and can be found on Atlantic Deck 3. It has a bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts).

This room is approximately 130 square feet in size and can be found on Main Deck 4. It has a bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts).

This room is approximately 130 square feet in size and can be found on Bridge Deck 7 and Lido Deck 6. It has a bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts).

Twin Ocean View

This room is approximately 130 square feet in size and can be found on Marina Deck 2. It has two portholes and a bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts).

This room is approximately 140 square feet in size and can be found on Atlantic Deck 3. It has two portholes and a bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts).

Superior Ocean View Cabin

This room is approximately 140 square feet in size and can be found on Lido Deck 6 and Main Deck 4. It has a bedroom with picture window. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts). Please note, rooms 6097 and 6095 have been equipped for use by disabled passengers.

Superior Twin Ocean View

This room is approximately 140 square feet in size and can be found on Lido deck 6 and Main Deck 4. It has a picture window and a bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts).

This room is approximately 140 square feet in size and can be found on Lido Deck 6. It has a picture window and a bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts).

These suites are approximately 225 square feet in size and can be found on Bridge Deck 7 and Lido Deck 6. They have a sitting area, picture windows, a balcony, bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts). Smoking is permitted on room balconies.

These suites are approximately 300 square feet in size and can be found on Bridge Deck 7. They have a sitting area, picture windows, a balcony, bathroom with shower. All rooms are non-smoking, have 24 hour room service and require a European 2 pin plug (220 volts). Smoking is permitted on room balconies.

Marquee Deck

Bridge Deck

Lounge Deck

Atlantic Deck

Marina Deck

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EXCLUSIVE Passengers on 'cursed' cruise ship stuck in Belfast since May are told their £27,000-a-month luxury liner is finally setting sail... before a new crisis delays the beleaguered boat AGAIN

By Lettice Bromovsky In Belfast

Published: 03:51 EDT, 26 September 2024 | Updated: 07:04 EDT, 26 September 2024

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Passengers of a 'cursed' cruise ship which has been stuck in port in Belfast for four months had been told they could finally set sail today - only for the trip to be delayed by a new crisis, MailOnline can reveal.

Hundreds of wealthy tourists, some of whom used their life savings to book a three-year world cruise on the luxury Villa Vie Odyssey costing up to £27,000-a-month, have instead been stuck in Northern Ireland since May as the boat has undergone a series of repairs and tests.

The frustrated tourists, who had exhausted every tourist attraction that Belfast has to offer, with some visiting the famous Giant's Causeway twice to pass the time, were told earlier this week that the ship was finally ready to go – and that they should pack their bags.

But now it's emerged that despite the ship passing its sea tests a new critical issue will delay their departure for at least another three days - and potentially considerably longer.

The unforeseen new problem is that the ship has been moored for all this time in docks owned by the world-famous Harland and Wolff company - famed for building the even more ill-fated Titanic - which went bust last week.

The Villa Vie Odyssey, a US cruise liner operated by Villa Vie Residences (pictured), has been delayed once again after being stuck in a Belfast port for four months

Gian Perroni, 62, (left) with his partner Angela Harsanyi, 53, (right) are engaged after meeting in Belfast after the cruise ship got stuck four months ago

Passenger, Holly Hennessy, of Florida, (pictured), laughed and suggested that changing the boat's name may have brought bad luck 

Customers who have paid an eye-watering £27,000-a-month for the lavish cruise have been stuck in Northern Ireland for months (Pictured: the interior)

This means the shipyard where the Villa Vie Odyssey is moored cannot legally allow passengers to enter - and there is currently no available mooring where this can happen.

One dockyard worker told us today: 'I can understand why people are calling this trip 'cursed'. I've been working in this business for nearly three decades and I don't think I've ever seen a ship go through so many setbacks and delays.

EXCLUSIVE We met when our luxury round-the-world cruise was delayed - four months later we're engaged

'But they cannot board the passengers where the boat is moored now for safety and insurance reasons - so they're having to wait for a space to become free elsewhere and they don't know how long that will take.

'It's incredible that they've finally fixed the engine problems but now have nowhere to board their passengers. What a twist!'

Harland and Wolff announced last week that it would be going into administration for the second time in five years, making dozens of its workers redundant.

While sympathetic, the cruise passengers didn't grasp this would have any effect on them - until today when news filtered out that its new status will prevent any passengers now entering the vicinity of the ship.

One passenger, Gian Perroni, 63, said today: ''As you know we're trying to keep the most positive attitude, but it certainly does seem like the gods are against us!

'Harland and Wolff going bankrupt was a surprise and once again it seems like the stars are not aligned with the Odyssey's plans, however perseverance has become our mantra.

'We're so close that nothing will stop us now!'

Gian, 63, has every reason to be optimistic - he has met fellow passenger Angie Harsanyi, 53, during the delay and now they are engaged to be married. 

The pair believe they are soulmates after meeting in Belfast when the cruise ship suffered engine problems 

The couple have gone for a pink engagement ring rather than a more traditional clear diamond

However with the cruise suffering more delays Gian Perroni, 63, said they were trying to remain positive onboard 

EXCLUSIVE Cursed cruise ship on luxury three-and-a-half-year voyage will finally set sail next week

Fellow passenger Holly Hennessey, when asked about the latest delay, laughed and said she was concerned that the changing of the boat's name may have brought bad luck - The Villa Vie Odyssey was called the Braemar until her rebranding earlier this year.

There is a superstition against doing this, Ms Hennessey - who has been to Giant's Causeway twice while stuck in Belfast as well as seen other attractions - explained: 'They say it is bad luck to change the name of a vessel.

'Being a yachtie, I take sea rituals very seriously.

'Anything to pacify Neptune or Poisiden to help us set sail, I would approve of.

'And since we haven't caught one lucky break in this entire process, I'm going to suggest they add Irish and Celtic sea gods to the ceremony.'

'I didn't have that experience with my own boat. But the Odyssey has had quite the pedigree with many name changes in her history.

The couple even got matching tattoos in Belfast, a trinity knot to symbolise their never-ending love 

'All that matters now is that she's ours. I expect she will love all the grateful souls that have the opportunity to live aboard her as much as we'll love her.'

But she played down talk of a curse: 'I don't think she's cursed. No doubt that staffing at Harland and Wolff contributed [to the delays], but I'm heartbroken to see such an iconic brand suffer.'

EXCLUSIVE Life on the round-the-world cruise that's been stuck in Belfast for three months

A chef from another ship docked in Harland and Wolff's shipyard added: 'I'm not sure I believe in curses but if I did I would say that ship could be. I don't work on that boat but I know she has had to have so many changes. The poor people waiting to board for that long, I feel sorry for them.

'They also changed the ship's name, which anyone who spends most of their time at sea knows is a bad omen.'

The new blow comes just hours after Villa Vie Residences received their final Passenger Ship Safety certificate from the DNV, a maritime safety assessment organisation, which they had thought would mean they would finally be off to circumnavigate the world.

Managing director Mike Petterson had told MailOnline last week that he was confident she would be able launch today or tomorrow - but the latest development means the ship will now need to be moved to another port before passengers can board.

The luxury cruise liner also includes cabins that are worth between $92,000 and $920,000

The Odyssey, initially set to sail in May 2024 as part of Villa Vie Residences' luxurious plan to offer 'floating homes', has had more false starts than a cursed regatta.

First, when it arrived at the shipyard for its overhaul, the problems started piling up: the ship's certifications were all out of date, and the vessel had been out of action for so long that it needed a complete reboot.

Despite a series of fixes—including a new rudder system in July—by September, the Odyssey was still stuck in Belfast unable to secure the necessary paperwork to take passengers anywhere.

The shipping company and Harland and Wolff have been approached for comment.

Share or comment on this article: Passengers on 'cursed' cruise ship stuck in Belfast since May are told their £27,000-a-month luxury liner is finally setting sail... before a new crisis delays the beleaguered boat AGAIN

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Former Braemar Sails from Scotland Ahead of Villa Vie Debut

• April 24, 2024

The former Braemar has sailed from Scotland ahead of debuting for Villa Vie Residences.

After spending almost four years docked in Rosyth, the 1993-built vessel left the port under its own power on Tuesday morning.

Set to be renamed Villa Vie Odyssey, the cruise ship is now on its way to the Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where it is expected to arrive on April 25.

At drydock, the 924-guest vessel is scheduled to undergo significant technical work, including the reactivation of systems, class inspections, general maintenance and more.

The Villa Vie Odyssey will also receive a new livery, as well as new public areas and features. Among the new additions are a culinary center and a pickleball court.

According to Villa Vie Residences, the vessel will also be enhanced with a state-of-the-art business center, an upgraded pool deck, a new observation deck and refurbished staterooms.

All 480 cabins are set to undergo upgrades to ensure “the utmost comfort and style,” the company said.

Following the refit, the Odyssey is scheduled to sail to Southampton to embark on its maiden voyage for the new operator.

After leaving Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ fleet in late 2022, the former Braemar was acquired by Villa Vie Residences earlier this year .

Building on a residential ship concept, the startup brand plans to offer a continuous cruise that will circumnavigate the globe every three-and-a-half years .

Passengers are able to buy their own “villas” onboard the ship, becoming owners of one of the ship’s cabins.

For its first world voyage, the Odyssey is scheduled to visit all seven continents, sailing to over 425 destinations in 147 countries. The itinerary also allows guests to explore 13 of the 14 Wonders of the World, Villa Vie said.

Built in Spain in the early 1990s, the former Braemar also sailed for Cunard Line, Crown Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and others.

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Port Canaveral reopens to cruise traffic after one-day shutdown due to Hurricane Helene

(This story has been updated to note that the port has reopened.)

Port Canaveral reopened Friday morning after being closed since early Thursday, as Hurricane Helene brushed by Brevard County.

The U.S. Coast Guard cleared the port to reopen after crews completed inspecting the channel at Port Canaveral for shoaling and debris.

Port officials say there were no issues the crews found that would prevent the reopening of the port. Teams from Port Canaveral, the Canaveral Pilots Association and the Coast Guard were doing the inspections of the port channel to assure that it was safe for cruise and cargo vessels to sail through.

The shutdown of Port Canaveral disrupted cruise ship schedules at the port, with the delayed return of five ships at the end of their cruises on Thursday and Friday. The ships that were delayed began sailing into port Friday morning.

Meanwhile, the port's Jetty Park campground area was experiencing a power outage Friday morning. Florida Power & Light crews restored power to Jetty Park around noon.

The port closed the 188-campsite Jetty Park facility Wednesday in advance of the storm. Jetty Park was at 35% occupancy when the closing order was issued.

Jetty Park is reopening to campers on Saturday.

Affected ships

The cruise ship most affected by the Port Canaveral shutdown was the  MSC Seashore , whose scheduled return to the port on Thursday morning was pushed back a day, meaning the ship's next scheduled cruise departure on Thursday afternoon also was delayed by a day.

Affected to a lesser degree were four cruise ships scheduled to arrive at Port Canaveral to complete their cruises on Friday morning and to depart on their next cruises Friday afternoon. The ships are Carnival's Glory, Disney's Wish, and Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. Their arrivals at Port Canaveral, scheduled for early Friday morning, were delayed by several hours, and so were their scheduled Friday afternoon departures.

One cargo vessel also had been delayed from docking at Port Canaveral. The Corinthian Spire, which is carrying lumber, had been scheduled to arrive at the port Thursday evening. It now is due into port on Saturday.

The Port Canaveral-based Victory 2 gambling ship has been undergoing a regularly scheduled dry-dock maintenance since Sept. 8 in Charleston, South Carolina, so its sailings out of Port Canaveral were not affected by Helene. The ship is scheduled to resume sailing from Port Canaveral on Oct. 3.

Sixteen shrimp boats were riding out the storm Thursday, docked at Port Canaveral. They typically would be shrimping in the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys or the Atlantic Ocean. With the reopening of the port, they were expected to sail out to the shrimping areas on Friday.

Port restaurants and other businesses were not required to close because of the storm.

Dave Berman is business editor at  FLORIDA TODAY.  Contact Berman at  [email protected] , on X at  @bydaveberman  and on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54

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• How Don Johnson Channeled His Love for the Water Into a New TV Series

The famed "Miami Vice" star and powerboat champ takes on a new waterborne role as the captain of a cruise ship in "Doctor Odyssey."

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Johnson shared the character’s flowing locks, his sockless, casual-cool vibes and his adventurous lifestyle, racing powerboats offshore, counting sunsets with Jimmy Buffet and falling in and out of love with a string of models and actresses.

They were men’s men in a time when that implied a swaggering, take-life-by-the-throat bravado that few were questioning.

Except maybe Johnson. “I saw Sonny Crockett as the undoing of the American male,” he says on a video call from his home office, dressed in a white “LA” ball cap and a grey hoodie. “The law-and-order part of Sonny’s job was overwhelming, impossible to keep up with, and it’s kind of debilitating when you can’t make a difference. By the end of the fifth year, the character was so dark, and it was affecting my soul.”  

This is relevant because in a life and career defined by water and boats, Johnson is back at the helm, playing the role of Robert Massey, the captain of a luxury cruise ship on Doctor Odyssey . The show features a string of guest stars who come aboard for episodic tales. That may sound familiar, but it’s definitely not The Love Boat . “It’s more like The White Lotus on a ship,” Johnson says. “It’s about what happens when people lose control. [Writer/producer] Ryan Murphy is a genius at figuring out what people want to see.”

“I think the interesting question in all this is, would there be there a place for that guy in this world?”

That’s a question he might never have asked himself if he hadn’t become a world-famous actor and ’80s sex symbol, albeit through an unlikely route.

On the third day of his senior year in high school, Johnson arrived at business class vowing to keep his eyes open. He’d dozed off the first two days, and his teacher—“she had a voice like Thorazine”—threatened ejection.

Johnson needed the class to graduate, but “my butt barely hit the seat, and I was sawing logs,” he says, his familiar smile wrapped by a whitening goatee. He got tossed, and the only other class available was a speech and drama section. “And I couldn’t just sign up,” he says. “I had to audition.”

That didn’t sit quite right. Johnson had grown up bouncing between Kansas and Missouri, which resulted in a “thick hillbilly accent,” a devotion to sports, and extensive time in the outdoors “with my dad and my uncles and my grandfather hunting and fishing,” he says.

Acting didn’t resonate among those social circles. But lacking options, he showed up at the audition, and the teacher, Dr. Sharon Pyle, not only admitted him to the class, she immediately cast him as Tony in “West Side Story.” Suddenly, he was not just acting, but singing and dancing, too.

“She saw something in me I didn’t even see in myself,” he says. “She started throwing all this wild stuff at me—Shakespeare, Ben Johnson, Sartre, Tennessee Williams, and others. Not the rest of the class, just me and this one girl.” She also gave him daily diction worksheets that unbent his accent.

What followed was a decade-and-a-half of small theater productions and bit parts in movies and TV shows, until, in 1984, he landed Miami Vice . The show grew so big so fast that Johnson soon needed round-the-clock security. “When we were on location, it was not uncommon for us to walk out of our trailers and find police tape holding back a crowd of 10,000 people,” he says. “I couldn’t really go out or do anything.”

He escaped by water.

“I did all the boat work on the show, right from the start,” he says. “I even did the stunts, but not the crashes, because only the bad guys crashed.” He smiles. “I just had a feel for it. Any time I get on a boat on the water, it’s like, Oh, I got this .”

The show maintained several versions of its signature Scarab and “the producers made the horrible mistake of giving me one of those boats to use on my own,” he says. “I spent a lot of my time offscreen doing that.”

The craft’s 330 horsepower MerCruiser sterndrives pushed it to 70 mph, a taste of speed that left Johnson searching for more. In 1986, he drove a brand-new 43-foot Scarab in an 1,100-mile race up the Mississippi river that he won. He later worked with Wellcraft to design a “Don Johnson signature edition” of that boat.

By 1988, he turned his attention to offshore racing, taking the wheel on a 46-foot Scarab with three turbocharged engines and surface-piercing drives. After an up-and-down season, Johnson’s boat finished strong to take the APBA World Championship in the superboat category and he was named Top Driver.

At the end of the season, he teamed with Revenge boats and designed and oversaw the production of a 50-foot catamaran called Team USA. “It had four big-block Chevy truck engines bored and stroked into race engines that produced 1,100 foot-pounds of torque each, which is insane.”

The boat had four eight-inch exhausts above the waterline and was so loud that, he says, “the first time I turned it over, it broke every window in the shops along the water in Key West.” Its first speed test flirted with 150 mph. “We hit 149-point something on the open ocean,” he says. “At that point it’s basically an aircraft. You’re just touching down from time to time and holding on for dear life.”

With Johnson flying back and forth between shooting locations and race sites, Team USA performed well but he failed to repeat as champ, even as he burnished his rep as fearless and aggressive. “I was fearless because I was good,” Johnson says. “Boat racing required serendipity and amnesia, because you had to block everything out and focus on the task at hand and hope nothing went wrong.”

Nothing did, but as the ’80s ended, so did the world in which Sonny Crockett and, to some extent, Don Johnson held a central role. Miami Vice was cancelled in 1991. Johnson stopped racing that year, too.

Johnson’s relationship with the water survived though. “I became good friends with Jimmy Buffett,” he says. “And one of the reasons was that I liked the water and Jimmy liked the water. We loved to be on it fishing, loved to be on it floating, even loved to be on it just sitting.”

He brings up his boys while returning to the question of what a latter-day Crockett would look like today. “There’s a place for that guy—but modified ,” he says. “My sons hunt and fish and ride motorcycles, they have the adventure bug, but they’re not wild and crazy like I was. They do it in disciplined ways and they have fun. The big difference is the opportunity for growth and maturity we’ve been offered to accept from women. I have an abiding respect for women. They’ve taught me to be less toxic and more mindful.”

After telling the story of Key West’s broken windows, Johnson leaned toward the screen. “Of course, these things tend to get embellished over time,” he said. “I’m guessing just one window cracked.” He laughs a laugh that suggests it very well could have been none. The anecdote contains the echoes of a very different time and place, but it’s better this way—it’s entertaining but more honest, more real. Modified.

“ Doctor Odyssey” debuts Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. on ABC and streams on Hulu.

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Why some Juneau residents want to ban cruise ships on Saturdays — and what’s at stake

Imagine one day a week in summertime Juneau when there are no large cruise ships floating in the harbor, no tourists bustling down the docks and no buses driving people to the Mendenhall Glacier.

If Proposition 2 is passed by Juneau voters this fall, that could become a reality.

The proposition, known as Ship Free Saturdays, asks voters whether to ban all cruise ships that carry 250 or more passengers from visiting on Saturdays and on the Fourth of July as soon as next summer. Throughout the spring, supporters gathered over 2,300 signatures  to get it on the ballot.  

Advocates for the proposition say enough is enough and the reins need to be pulled on the growth of tourism, but opponents say the financial and legal implications could hurt the local economy.

Who’s for it, and who’s against it?

Karla Hart is a longtime activist against tourism growth in Juneau. She was at the forefront of getting the proposition on the ballot. 

“Ship-Free Saturdays would give us a relief,” she said during a  recent forum . “Every week we will have one day of a pause. We can breathe, we can do things in our homes without helicopter noise. We can go out in the community and not be diluted by all the people who are here who aren’t from here.”

According to  data  provided by the city, Juneau’s cruise passenger volume has more than tripled in the last three decades.

At the forum, Hart and other residents like Steve Krall said the growth of tourism has drowned them out. Krall said they simply want one day a week during the summer to get a break from it. 

“What would we do if we had Saturdays? We’d actually live our lives like we used to, like we hoped to,” he said. “I used to be able to launch a kayak from downtown. I’ve got a sailboat, I could sail it in the harbor. I could actually maybe walk downtown and not wonder if I was going to get hit by a car.”

Hart said the Ship Free Saturdays campaign is a grassroots effort made up of everyday residents. According to  campaign finance records , the group has only raised $380.

On the other side, hundreds of thousands of dollars have poured in from cruise ship company affiliates and businesses that want to stop the proposition in its tracks. Campaign records show that the group advocating against the proposition, Protect Juneau’s Future, has  raised more than $300,000.  That money has gone toward banners across town, social media ads and mailers. Big donors for the opposition campaign include a Norwegian Cruise Line affiliate and Westmark Hotels, which have each given $75,000 to the cause. 

It’s not just big companies that are against the proposition — many local businesses are too. Wings Airways & Taku Glacier Lodge, a local tourism business, has donated $10,000. Holly Johnson is its chief marketing officer.   

“This is not about Saturdays. It will never be good enough,” Johnson said at  a panel  hosted in August. “All days of the week would never be good enough for the people that are really pushing this. But they tacked on to something that was really emotional.”

Johnson and other members of Protect Juneau’s Future said during the panel that their businesses rely on tourism, and even taking away one day of the week would be a major financial blow.

According to  data  shared by the city, cruise visitors to Juneau in 2023 directly spent $30 million on Saturdays alone. They also produced $3.7 million in revenue for the city on those days. 

McHugh Pierre is the president and CEO of Goldbelt, Inc., a local Alaska Native corporation. The company owns the popular Goldbelt Tram tourist attraction downtown and has invested millions into a gondola project at Eaglecrest Ski Area. 

“I don’t want to be told when to do things and when not to do things, because when does it stop and start? Is it just visitors on Saturdays? Is it truck drivers on Tuesdays? Is it cultural storytellers on Wednesdays?” Pierre said during the August panel. “I don’t like any of it. It’s bad, and we just need to vote against it.”

What happens if it passes?

Some companies are already putting legal pressure on the city too, according to Juneau Municipal Attorney Emily Wright. 

“If this moves forward we likely would get sued,” she said in an interview.

Since April, the city has received three letters  threatening  lawsuits if voters pass the proposition. 

In a letter sent to the city attorney’s office in June, Royal Caribbean Cruises called the proposition unlawful under state and federal law. Allen Marine Tours said it violated federal maritime law and citizens’ constitutional right to travel. And, a law firm that represents the privately owned A.J. Dock also voiced legal concerns. 

“We could have multiple lawsuits that come in that get joined together because it’s the same issue. We could have the dock owners. We could have businesses who are having their businesses impacted. We’ve got the two private docks, and then we’ve got the cruise lines themselves,” Wright said. 

If voters pass the proposition, it becomes law. That means it’s the city’s responsibility to defend against lawsuits — using taxpayer dollars. 

This wouldn’t be the first time the city has been sued over conflicts with cruise lines. The industry previously  sued Juneau  over how it spends the money earned from passenger fees.

That three-year legal fight was  settled in 2019 . Juneau agreed to pay Cruise Lines International Association Alaska $1.5 million to cover legal fees, and both parties agreed to settle future disputes outside of court.

Juneau’s law department is closely watching a legal battle over limiting cruise ships in  Bar Harbor, Maine.  That’s where a ballot initiative to limit cruise passengers passed in 2022. A local business group tried unsuccessfully to sue the town and is in the process of appealing the ruling. 

Wright said if Ship Free Saturdays passes in Juneau, there could be injunctions filed over the proposition.

“An injunction means to stop something. So we would say, ‘Okay, guys, you’re not allowed here on Saturdays’ and the cruise ships would ask the court to stop us from enforcing that until the court makes a final decision about whether this is legal or not,” she said.

The business group in Bar Harbor tried to do that but failed. Wright said it’s hard to know how things will play out in Juneau if it comes to that. 

Voters have until Tuesday, Oct. 1 to make their choice. The final results of the by-mail election won’t be certified until Oct. 15. 

Find more election coverage at  ktoo.org/elections .

Clarise Larson, KTOO - Juneau

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Coast guard airlifts 8-year-old boy from cruise ship after he falls severely ill on board

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The U.S. Coast Guard had to airlift an 8-year-old boy from a cruise ship after he became severely ill.

According to a press release , Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders were notified of the emergency on Tuesday (24 September) at around 7 a.m. local time when the Royal Princess ship was about 20 miles west of Eureka, California . Crew members – including aviation survival technician Philip Morie and helicopter pilot Lt. Katherine McDonnell – were notified that “an 8-year-old male passenger onboard was diagnosed with appendicitis and needed to be medevaced.”

“We didn’t have it in sight, which from 10 miles out, flying at like 300 or 400 feet … [it] was a giant cruise ship, we should be able to see it, and we couldn’t see it,” McDonnell recalled to Good Morning America . “We were like, ‘That’s unusual.’ As we got closer and closer, we were out about 5 miles and we’re like, ‘Well, we still can’t see it.’”

Although foggy conditions made it difficult to spot the ship, at around 8 a.m. local time, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter arrived to evacuate the passenger named Daniel Jiang, and his family. Footage shows Morie rappelling down to hoist the boy into a large metal rescue basket before the helicopter lifted him into its compartment.

“On the way up, you know, I’m just still talking to the kid and, you know, giving him high fives and trying to keep him calm,” Morie noted. Throughout the medevac situation, Daniel told the outlet he kept his eyes shut the entire time.

Two more of Daniel’s family members – his mother Nicole and brother – were taken up in the basket as well.

Nicole explained what happened at the time, saying: “The doctor in the cruise said the situation is very [much an] emergency ... Daniel got [a] very high fever and the situation [grew] worse and worse.”

“I don’t know how to describe [it],” she recalled of the experience, noting the rescue was “unbelievable.”

The Coast Guard team was able to rush Daniel and his family in time to a hospital so that he could be immediately admitted into surgery and get an appendectomy. His surgery was thankfully a success and has since remained in the hospital, recovering from the procedure. His doctors have confirmed that he will be alright.

The rescue mission was McDonnell’s first on the job, with the pilot reflecting that it was “a pretty incredible feeling” knowing that she played a part in saving the youngster’s life. Meanwhile, Morie, for whom this wasn’t his first rodeo, noted that it was “a big win for everybody involved.”

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Australian father dies on cruise ship during family vacation.

An Aussie father-of-two has died while on a cruise with his family overseas.

Edward Langley was on holiday with his family when the cruise stopped over in Vanuatu.

Langley reportedly “unexpectedly fell on the footpath”, according to a GoFundMe page set up for his family.

The fundraiser, set up by a friend of Langley’s wife, Heidi, states the fall could have been from a heart attack or stroke, though the cause of death is still not known.

“Our hearts goes out to Heidi … and the rest of the family,” the fundraiser states.

“Our deepest and most sincere condolences to each of you. We can’t even begin to understand what you are all going through now.”

More than $6500 has been raised for the grieving family.

“There has been a few requests on how friends and family can support and help her, so this is just one way to donate and help in a way that we all know is hard and expensive,” the fundraiser states.

“I want to thank you all for the smallest amount and if you can share this page it would be highly appreciated.

“I want to thank you on behalf of Heidi and hope that we can come together, to not only celebrate Edwards life but also support this family that needs all of us now more than ever.”

NewsWire has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.

The fundraiser was shared on social media, with the organiser urging people “keep Heidi and her kids in your thoughts and prayers”.

People expressed their condolences in the comments, calling it “heartbreaking news”.

“I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but please know that my thoughts are with you constantly,” one person wrote.

“During this incredibly difficult time, I hope you find comfort in the love and support of those around you.”

“This is absolutely devastating. so sorry to hear — we’ll be praying,” another wrote.

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