Villa Vie Residences, an innovative new world cruise brand, has purchased the former Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ship, The Braemar to be named Villa Vie Odyssey. The 924-passenger, 24,344 GRT vessel will enter service in May 2024 following the completion of a multimillion-dollar transformation into a residential cruise ship complete with villas as residences.
Villa Vie Residences, a groundbreaking world cruise brand, has acquired The Braemar, a former vessel of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Renamed Villa Vie Odyssey, this 24,344 GRT ship, accommodating 924 passengers, is set to debut in May 2024 after undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation. The transformation will convert it into a unique residential cruise ship, featuring villas as individual residences.
Villa Vie Residences takes a creative approach to cruise ship living with the flexibility travelers are seeking today. Villa View Residences’ extraordinary Continual World Cruise invites travelers to discover more than 425 ports in 147 countries across all seven continents as it circumnavigates the globe every three and a half years for 1,301 days.
Through its ownership program, travelers can embrace life as a global resident by owning a villa at sea. Those unable to commit to the full world cruise program can curate their own unique journey and purchase segments ranging from 35 to 120 days. The onboard experience features the comforts of home, along with amenities most discerning travelers expect, creating a harmonious blend of convenience and wanderlust fulfillment.
Villa Vie Residences CEO Mikael Petterson states, “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.”
Villa Vie Odyssey will offer an intimate, new cruise lifestyle, able to reach parts of the world that larger ships cannot access, often docking in the heart of destinations. The ship’s flatter hull enables her to navigate inland waterways and rivers too. In October 2019 (sailing as The Braemar), she became the longest ship ever to transit the Corinth Canal.
Villa Vie Odyssey will feature eight decks including cascading aft decks and a wrap-around promenade. Lengthened in 2009 and refurbished in 2019, she offers three restaurants, eight bars and four lounges, an extended pool with four Jacuzzis, a spa and fitness center, and a well-stocked library. Petterson adds, “Villa Vie Odyssey will be customized for her immersive, 3.5-year global circumnavigations, ensuring all the comforts and amenities of home.”
Amongst the things unique to the company is its ‘for the residents, by the residents’ approach. As founders themselves, residents own the majority of Villa Vie’s shares and actively participate in decision making – choosing themselves to name their ship, Odyssey. Laura, a Founders Club member and resident, shares, “Villa Vie isn’t like a regular corporation–it’s open and we feel a part of it.”
A large, central business center will allow the digital nomad to flourish at sea with private offices and conference spaces. Starlink and Viasat 3 will provide fast and reliable internet access for all residents and guests. The ship will also feature an interactive and educational culinary center, as well as a pioneering golf around the world program complete with onboard golf simulator and tours and classes led by a Master PGA Professional.
With bold innovation, Villa Vie Residences is transforming the way people experience global travel with a visionary approach. Travelers may choose to own or rent their villa. The company offers the opportunity to explore the world while living aboard a cruise ship at a price comparable to traditional condominium ownership. For $89 per day, each resident will enjoy an all-inclusive lifestyle where rent, utilities, food, travel, and entertainment are all included.
Additionally, the brand is answering to customer demand for heightened flexibility with its unique, “pay-as-you-go” concept that allows travelers to select and combine various portions of its world cruise itinerary. Offering never-before-seen options to travel the world, Villa Vie Residences empowers adventurers with extraordinary opportunities to experience 425 ports across 147 countries for 1,301 days on a meticulously crafted continuous world cruise. Stays in port range from 2- to 7-days.