Odyssey Cruise Ship Embarks on 3.5-Year World Voyage After Belfast Delay
After a four-month delay in Belfast, the Odyssey cruise ship has finally set sail on its 3.5-year world tour. Passengers celebrated the departure, having formed strong bonds during the unexpected stay.
The Odyssey, a cruise ship operated by Villa Vie Residence, has finally departed Belfast after an unexpected four-month delay. The vessel, which embarked on its ambitious 3.5-year world voyage from Southampton in May 2024, encountered technical issues that required extensive repairs at Belfast's historic Harland & Wolff shipyard.
Mikael Petterson, Villa Vie Residences' chief executive, confirmed the ship's readiness to depart on October 1, 2024. Passengers expressed their excitement and relief as the Odyssey left the dock, anchoring overnight in Belfast Lough before commencing its journey.
The extended stay in Belfast, while unplanned, resulted in unexpected positive outcomes for many passengers. Cyndi Grzybowski, a 69-year-old from Appling, Georgia, shared her appreciation for the experience:
"We started out as strangers in Southampton and Belfast and now we truly are family. Thank you all so very much – truly, Belfast has been such a wonderful place."
The delay even sparked a romantic connection between two passengers. Gian Perroni from Vancouver, Canada, and Angie Harsanyi from Colorado, became engaged during their time in Belfast. The couple plans to marry aboard the ship in April 2025, with the captain officiating the ceremony.
Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey represents the latest venture in the continuous cruising industry, which emerged in the early 2000s. The concept offers travelers the opportunity to purchase a cabin and live at sea while the ship circumnavigates the globe. This particular voyage is scheduled to visit an impressive 425 ports across 147 countries on all seven continents, including the rarely visited Antarctica.
The cruise industry, valued at over $23 billion in 2021, has seen growing interest in extended voyages. While the average cruise duration is much shorter, with passengers typically around 47 years old, continuous cruising appeals to adventurous retirees and digital nomads seeking a unique lifestyle.
Cabins on the Odyssey, marketed as "villas," start at $99,999 plus monthly fees for the operational life of the vessel, which is expected to be at least 15 years. This is significantly longer than the average cruise ship lifespan of 25-30 years. The ship offers various amenities, including a gym, spa, entertainment facilities, an onboard hospital, and a culinary arts center.
While continuous cruising presents an attractive option for some, it's important to consider the environmental impact of such extended voyages. Cruise ships consume significant amounts of fuel and generate waste, which can have long-term effects on marine ecosystems.
As the Odyssey embarks on its global journey, it joins a fleet of cruise ships that collectively employ over 1.2 million people worldwide. The industry continues to evolve, with the largest cruise ship as of 2024 being Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, dwarfing the more intimate experience offered by continuous cruising vessels.
Mikael Petterson offered a candid assessment of the Belfast experience, acknowledging the stress of the delay while humorously critiquing the local cuisine and weather. Despite these challenges, the unexpected stay in Northern Ireland's capital has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the Odyssey's passengers as they finally set sail on their long-awaited adventure.
