August 31st 2024.
Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin made a bold decision to leave their life on land behind and embark on a journey as seaborne nomads. Their plan was to spend years on a cruise, experiencing new cultures and sights along the way. However, their journey has hit a temporary pause. It has been months since they set sail, but they have yet to spend a single night at sea. Their ship, named the Odyssey, is currently undergoing repair work in Belfast. This has delayed their departure from the scheduled date in May for a 3-and-a-half-year round-the-world voyage.
Despite this setback, the couple is making the most of their time in the Northern Ireland capital. Johan shared that they have enjoyed their stay, but they are eager to set sail and continue their journey. Lanette added that they are ready to go wherever the winds may take them. The Odyssey, owned by Villa Vie Residences, is a new venture in the world of continuous cruising. It offers travelers the opportunity to purchase a cabin and live on a ship as it circumnavigates the globe. On its maiden voyage, the Odyssey is set to visit 425 ports in 147 countries across seven continents.
The cabins, marketed as "villas," start at a price of $99,999, with an additional monthly fee for the operational life of the vessel, which is estimated to be at least 15 years. Passengers also have the option to sign up for shorter segments of the voyage lasting weeks or months. The target audience for this venture includes adventurous retirees and digital nomads seeking a unique living experience. The marketing material boasts of a wide range of amenities such as a gym, spa, putting green, entertainment facilities, business center, and an "experiential culinary center."
However, before the Odyssey can sail the seas, it must first leave the dock. Currently, the ship is at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, the same place where the Titanic was built over a century ago. Sebastian Stokkendal, the marketing manager for Villa Vie Residences, shared that the company has been humbled by the scale of work required to reactivate a 30-year-old vessel that has been on a four-year layup. After significant repairs, the ship is almost ready to depart. Stokkendal anticipates a successful launch next week, with the first stop being Bremerhaven, followed by Amsterdam, Lisbon, and then a journey across the Atlantic for the Caribbean segment.
In the meantime, the company has been covering the living expenses for around 200 passengers who are waiting for the ship to set sail. These passengers are allowed to board the ship during the day and are provided with meals and entertainment. However, they are not allowed to stay overnight. The cruise line has also arranged for hotels in Belfast and other European cities for those who want to explore more of Europe while they wait. One passenger, Holly Hennessey, shared with the BBC that she is unable to leave Northern Ireland due to her furry companion, her cat named Captain. She expressed her gratitude to the welcoming city of Belfast and its people.
Johan and Lanette, a Swedish-American couple who met in Hawaii, have used this time to travel to Italy, Croatia, and Johan's hometown in Sweden while they wait for updates on the Odyssey. Lanette plans to run her auto-glass business based in Arizona from the ship, while Johan, a carpenter, is documenting their journey on a YouTube channel.
The Odyssey, built in 1993 and operated under different names by various cruise lines before being impacted by the pandemic in 2020, was eventually bought by Villa Vie Residences in 2023. The concept of residential cruising has faced many challenges in the past. MS The World, launched in 2002, is currently the only vessel of its kind in operation. Another venture, Life at Sea, had to cancel its planned 3-year voyage last year due to the inability to secure a ship. Johan and Lanette had also put down a deposit for this venture and are still seeking a refund. Despite these setbacks, they remain determined and undeterred. Johan believes they may be labeled as crazy, stupid, naive, or resilient, but ultimately, they are following their dreams and embarking on a unique journey.
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