Weeks after a closely promoted three-year cruise promising to let distant staff journey the world for $30,000 a 12 months vanished in a puff of smoke, one other multi-year cruise has risen from its ashes. And this time, organizers say, the boat has been secured.
Villa Vie Residences has purchased a former Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ship and plans to rework the ship in time to supply a 3.5 12 months cruise starting Might 2024. Costs for passage begin at just below $33,000 per 12 months.
Organizers of the 1,301-day cruise say passengers will cease at 425 ports throughout 147 international locations, spending between two and 7 days in every port.
And in contrast to the Life at Sea cruise that by no means set sail, this cruise will provide a extra versatile pricing plan.
Passengers have the choice of renting or shopping for a cabin. Those that hire can accomplish that for as little as 35 days, shopping for as many segments as they want. Inside cabins begin at $89 per individual per day, whereas exterior cabins start at $119 per individual per day.
Those that decide to purchase a cabin will likely be assured it for 15 years, the estimated lifetime of the ship. Costs vary from $99,000 for inner cabin to $249,000 for a balcony. There’s additionally a month-to-month charge, which ranges from $21,000 to $48,000 per 12 months. House owners are free to hire the cabins out to others.
All meals and drinks are a part of the value (though alcohol is simply included at dinner); so is WiFi and medical visits. Housekeeping is supplied weekly and laundry service is bi-weekly, every with no further price.
The ship, which was renamed the Villa Vie Odyssey, has been refurbished twice earlier than and will likely be once more earlier than it units sail, say organizers. It options eight decks, three eating places, eight bars and 4 lounges. For recreation, passengers can take pleasure in a pool with eight Jacuzzis, a spa, health heart and library. It has a capability of 924 passengers in 485 cabins.
Villa Vie is headed by Mikael Petterson, who was former managing director at Life at Sea Cruises earlier than leaving greater than a 12 months in the past after expressing issues about that firm. And after the collapse of that cruise, passengers actually have the right to be wary of one other long-term live-at-sea providing.
To place folks comfortable, Villa Vie says all passenger deposits (10% of their price) will likely be kept in escrow until Feb. 15. All cash being spent on the ship and upcoming renovations is from non-public fairness, organizers say, and no passenger cash will likely be spent earlier than the February date.
Former Life at Sea passengers will solely be provided a 5% discount from the checklist worth.
