A US company using a former Fred Olsen Cruise Lines ship to run a three-and-a-half-year ‘residential’ world cruise has delayed its departure.
Start-up Villa Vie Residences had planned for the ship Villa Vie Odyssey to leave from Southampton on May 15.
But the former Fred Olsen ship Braemar will now embark from Belfast on May 30.
The vessel entered dry dock in Northern Ireland on April 28 after Villa Vie Residences secured an unspecified long term loan from Norwegian maritime fund manager NRP Maritime Asset Management two days earlier.
The ship is now due to leave dry dock in Belfast on May 21.
“Due to operational enhancements aimed at elevating the overall experience and safety of its residents, the departure of Villa Vie Odyssey, originally scheduled for May 15 from Southampton, has been rescheduled to May 30 out of Belfast,” the company said.
Villa Vie Odyssey is undergoing “extensive refurbishment” before embark on a “transformative journey across seven continents, offering residents an unparalleled lifestyle of luxury and exploration”.
The renovation is being carried out on the ship, which first entered service 31 years ago, “to elevate the onboard experience to new heights, catering to the sophisticated needs of modern travellers”.
A dedicated hotline has been established “to address any concerns or inquiries related to the rescheduled departure”.
Villa Vie also pledged to cover all change fees incurred by passengers due to the new departure date.
Passengers wanting to experience the ship before departure can attend tours at the port of Belfast to view the amenities on board.
Chief executive Mikael Petterson said: “We are excited about our latest accomplishments and our upcoming launch of Villa Vie Odyssey and the enhancements we are making to ensure an exceptional experience for all our residents.
“The delay in departure is a necessary operational adjustment aimed at upholding the highest standards of service and safety.”
Chief operating officer Kathy Villalba added: “Our team is committed to providing personalised assistance and ensuring that our residents have a seamless and enjoyable experience with Villa Vie Residences.
“Excitement over our upcoming cruise is growing – with over 80% of our available cabins sold – and continues to increase everyday as we near our departure.”
The ship is due to circumnavigate the globe every three and a half years, covering more than 425 ports in 147 countries across all seven continents.
Prices start at $99,999 for the full cruise, with users able to rent out their accommodation when they are not on board.
Rates lead-in at $89 per person per day for segments of the continuous world cruise that range from 35 to 120 days.
Travellers can choose from 16 various segments of the 1,301-day itinerary.