World's Longest Cruise Finally Sets Sail After Months-Long Delay in Belfast
After unexpected repairs delayed its departure, a 3.5-year world cruise is set to leave Belfast. Passengers, some planning to make it their permanent home, have mixed feelings about the extended stay.
A unique maritime adventure is about to commence as the Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey prepares to depart from Belfast on October 1, 2024, following months of unanticipated delays. This extraordinary voyage, spanning 1,301 days and visiting 425 ports across all seven continents, is being hailed as the world's first continual cruise.
The journey's commencement was initially scheduled for May 2024 but was postponed due to essential repairs to the ship's rudders and gearbox. After successful sea trials, the vessel recently received approval from the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Public Health authorities. The MCA, established in 1998, plays a crucial role in ensuring maritime safety and environmental standards.
Passengers have shown remarkable resilience during the extended stay in Belfast, a city renowned as the birthplace of the RMS Titanic. John Frim, a Canadian passenger celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife Monica, expressed unwavering faith in the cruise concept despite the delays. The couple's perspective highlights the relative insignificance of a four-month delay in the context of a 3.5-year voyage.
The cruise company has compensated guests for the unexpected delay by covering accommodation costs in Belfast and other European locations. This gesture aligns with the industry's commitment to customer satisfaction, considering that cruise tourism contributes approximately $150 billion to the global economy annually.
The Odyssey, with a capacity of 650 passengers, offers a unique living arrangement. Travelers can either purchase cabins for the ship's entire operational life or rent them for specific segments of the journey. This concept builds upon the rich history of world cruises, which originated in 1922 with Cunard's RMS Laconia.
"I will always have a fond place in my heart for Belfast. Meeting so many different kind people, living in an urban environment, being carless, and being away from American politics has been wonderful."
The ship boasts modern amenities including restaurants, a pool, spa, business center, and medical facilities. These features reflect the evolution of cruise ship design since the Adriatic, launched in 1906, became the first to feature a swimming pool. Today's cruise ships are marvels of engineering, capable of desalinating up to 500,000 gallons of water per day to meet passenger needs.
As the Odyssey embarks on its record-breaking journey, it will traverse iconic waterways such as the Panama Canal, an 82 km long engineering marvel opened in 1914. The ship will also visit diverse locations like Rio de Janeiro and Singapore, showcasing the global reach of modern cruising.
Interestingly, some passengers view this voyage as more than just a trip. Melody and John Hennessee from the United States plan to make the ship their permanent home, embodying a new concept of maritime living. This extended voyage surpasses the previous record for the longest continuous cruise, set by Viking Cruises at 245 days in 2019.
The delay in Belfast has even sparked romance among the passengers. Gian Perroni from Canada and Angela Harsanyi from the United States met during their extended stay and recently announced their engagement, planning to marry between the Panama Canal and Costa Rica, a country home to about 5% of the world's biodiversity.
As the Odyssey prepares to set sail, it represents not just a journey around the world, but a testament to human adaptability, technological advancement, and the enduring allure of maritime exploration.
