by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 1:45 PM ET, Wed May 15, 2024
Want to spend the rest of your life on a cruise ship?
Now, thanks to Villa Vie Residences, you can. The new residential cruise line—which is set to offer the first three-and-a-half-year world cruise this spring—is unveiling a new, one-time fee that will let travelers live out the rest of their days onboard the Villa Vie Odyssey ship.
Called “Endless Horizons,” the program requires guests to pay a one-time fee: $299,999 for a solo cabin or $499,999 for a double. In return, travelers get lifetime guaranteed access to an outside cabin, as well as meals, high-speed internet, some shore excursions and other perks. Travelers will also be able to participate in more than 50 active interest groups focused on fitness, food and more.
"Our goal is to offer a seamless solution for those looking to retire on a fixed budget to never worry about ongoing expenses again," says Mikael Petterson, chief executive officer of Villa Vie Residences. "This is more than just a travel opportunity; it's a new way of life. For less than the price of an average home, you can secure a lifetime of experiences."
The new cruise line’s ship, Villa Vie Odyssey, is undergoing refurbishment in Belfast. It was originally slated to depart on its inaugural three-and-a-half-year world cruise on May 15, but it appears that departure date has been pushed to May 30.
The startup purchased MS Braemer, a 30-year-old ship, from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and changed the name to Villa Vie Odyssey. That purchase was announced just a few weeks after Life at Sea Cruises canceled its three-year voyage because it couldn’t secure a ship.
When Villa Vie Odyssey sets sail later this month, the ship is scheduled to visit all seven continents, with stops in more than 425 ports in 147 countries.
"One aspect most people nearing retirement age are concerned about is ongoing living expenses and the possibility of outliving their savings," says Kathy Villalba, chief operating officer of Villa Vie Residences. "This program eliminates that concern altogether while offering the ultimate dream: exploring every corner of the world by sea."
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