Cruise News

World Cruise Delayed Again by Failed Inspection, Passengers Left Waiting

The 1,301-day residential world cruise, with fares of up to $500,000, has been delayed for the third time. Citing inspection issues, the sailing date has been pushed to June 15 to accommodate extended dry dock repairs.

A large white cruise ship, preparing for its 300-day round-the-world cruise, is docked for maintenance in a shipyard. It’s surrounded by cranes and industrial structures with a cityscape in the background. — The shipyard in Belfast. (Photo courtesy of Villa Vie Residences)

Timeline of Villa Vie Odyssey

April 28: Odyssey enters dry dock in Belfast, Ireland
May 15: The scheduled embarkation date pushed to late May for additional work
May 30: Embarkation rescheduled to June 4 because a wastewater tank failed inspection
June 4: Embarkation rescheduled to June 15 to replace rudder post for inspection
June 15: TBD

What is a rudder post?

The bow of a large ship, part of a round-the-world cruise, is depicted cutting through ocean waves, with a clear horizon and distant coastline in the background under a partly cloudy sky. — (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

The rudder post is a critical part of a ship’s steering system. It connects the rudder to the steering gear and transmits the force needed to turn the rudder. Positioned vertically through the hull, the rudder post enables the rudder to pivot and effectively control the ship’s direction.

Though the current rudder post was said to be grandfathered in for operation, VVR was advised that it needed to be changed before the ship could pass inspection.

Villa Vie Odyssey

FRED OLSEN BRAEMAR SHIP — The Odyssey formerly sailed as the MS Braemer. (Photo courtesy of Fred. Olsen)

Villa Vie Residences bought the ship previously known as MS Braemar from Fred. Olsen Cruises last December. In April 2024, work at the Harland & Wolff dry dock in Belfast began. A photo sent to our tip line on Tuesday shows the ship is still out of the water.

With one of the longest cruise itineraries, the Odyssey must be in excellent shape for its 3.5-year sailing.

Aside from Fred. Olsen, the vessel has changed ownership several times. Its other owners include Crown Cruise Line, Cunard Line, Majesty Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Commodore Cruise Line.

Villa Vie Assists Guests

A large white cruise ship from Villa Vie Cruises is anchored near the shore, with green hills and a mountain in the background, ready to welcome passengers eager to explore or perhaps even retire at sea. — (Photo courtesy of Villa Vie Residences)

Meanwhile, the company has assisted guests in Ireland with housing, transportation, and excursions as they await the Odyssey.

The cruise line’s terms and conditions mention that passengers can get a refund if the voyage is delayed by over two weeks.

“If the inaugural sail date is delayed by more than 15 days, then VVR will refund the full Fare that has been paid,” the document reads.

Counting the days from May 15 to June 15, the cruise has been canceled for a month, so per the contract, the passengers can ask for their money back.

After the high-profile flop of Life at Sea Cruises in late 2023, many are skeptical that the vessel will make it out of dry dock this summer.

VILLA VIE DRY DOCK — Harland and Wolff dry dock facility where work is currently being done aboard Odyssey.

However, if VVR succeeds in getting the Odyssey out to sea, it will be one of the longest continuous sailings.

It will surpass Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, 274 nights long. Similarly, Regent Seven Seas has a global voyage planned for 2026, but it’s still shorter at 154 nights.