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According to guests, Villa Vie Residences is not covering the hotel and other related expenses for those waiting to embark on its three-and-a-half-year world cruise.

Angela and Steve Theriac shared that the company requested passengers to cover their own costs “for at least the next seven days” due to further delays in the ship’s departure, as explained in a video on their YouTube channel, MidLife Cruising, released on Tuesday.

Considering the high hotel rates in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the Villa Vie Odyssey is currently docked, the couple concluded it would be more economical to fly back to the U.S. Passengers had been allowed to board the ship during daytime hours but were required to disembark at night.

“It is what it is,” Angela stated in the video. “We’re still hopeful that it will sail soon. We wish to receive news in the coming week saying, ‘Come back, we’re ready to set sail.’ But this time, I’m going to request, ‘Can I see that in writing?’”

The Theriacs did not immediately make themselves available for an interview.

CEO Mikael Petterson remarked to YSL News via email, “Despite the challenges, our focus has always been the well-being and safety of our residents. We have arranged various trips through Europe and spent over $2 million on hotel accommodations and activities to entertain our residents during the preparation of Odyssey for launch. Since residents are distributed across Europe in over 20 different hotels, we have decided to allow residents to coordinate their hotel arrangements and return to the ship for launch.”

He further stated that guests would receive compensation for these costs through onboard credits totaling up to $200 per day.

“We are diligently working to ensure we can welcome passengers aboard by the end of this week,” Petterson added. “We anticipate launching with pride and purpose, as we are not just building a ship but also fostering a united community at sea.”

The cruise that was originally scheduled to commence in May has encountered many obstacles while preparing the vessel for the journey. Petterson mentioned last month that Villa Vie has been “quite humbled by the extensive work required to reactivate a 30-year-old ship after a four-year hiatus. With all certifications expired, we are now treated as a new ship, necessitating that all systems operate as if they are brand new.”

The Odyssey previously operated as MS Braemar for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines before Villa Vie acquired it in 2023.

In a statement on August 29, he indicated that the ship was expected to begin operation the following week.

The delays echo the previous cancellation of a three-year world cruise by Life at Sea Cruises late last year due to investor withdrawals and issues with securing the desired ship. Petterson had been involved in that project as well but resigned several months prior to the cancellation, as reported by The New York Times.

Angela Theriac mentioned in Tuesday’s video that Villa Vie’s cruise represents “our dream, and we’re committed to seeing it through.”

“We really hope this doesn’t turn out like other ill-fated residential cruise projects,” she added. “We just wish it’s only another week or so.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for YSL News, based in Nashville.