This cruise line lets passengers ‘fast forward’ four years on an around-the-world voyage
Following the U.S. presidential election, one cruise line is presenting travelers with an opportunity to escape for the duration of a presidential term.
Villa Vie Residences, a residential cruise company, is launching its Tour La Vie program which allows individuals to embark on a global journey that lasts from one to four years. The company’s Villa Vie Odyssey vessel plans to sail around the world every three and a half years, making stops at over 400 locations.
“A perfect circumnavigation experience varies for each resident as we welcome new travelers aboard at different ports,” stated Mikael Petterson, the company’s CEO, in a recent press release.
This Tour La Vie initiative was established before the election. While the press release did not mention the election or ex-President Donald Trump’s win over Vice President Kamala Harris, it did outline the various trip segments available:
- 1-Year Escape from Reality
- 2-Year Mid-Term Selection
- 3-Year Everywhere but Home
- 4-Year Skip Forward
According to Villa Vie’s website, the price for the program starts at under $40,000 per year, based on a commitment of four years.
The ship commenced its maiden three-and-a-half-year voyage last month after several delays. Initially, this journey was set to begin in May, but the company encountered obstacles in their preparations for departure.
Petterson mentioned to YSL News in August that Villa Vie experienced “humbling challenges in getting a 30-year-old ship ready after being out of commission for four years. With all certifications expired, we now treat it as a new ship where all systems must function as if brand new.” The Odyssey previously operated as MS Braemar under Fred Olsen Cruise Lines before Villa Vie acquired it in 2023.
“Villa Vie Odyssey will spend a month cruising the Caribbean before starting a four-month expedition to South America, which includes two transits of the Panama Canal, visits to two World Wonders, exploration of the Chilean Fjords, a sail-by of Antarctica, participation in Carnival in Rio, and an eight-day exploration deep into the Amazon River,” the company detailed in the recent release.
