Passengers’ hopes were high last week after Villa Vie Residences announced that its long-delayed vessel, Villa Vie Odyssey, would finally leave for sea trials.
However, a troubling video update from two of its guests revealed that the 31-year-old ship is facing more setbacks.
Americans Angela and Steve Theriac arrived in Belfast more than three months ago. Due to one canceled embarkation date after another, the couple has toured Europe and the UK to pass the time. Earlier this week, they learned that their much-anticipated round-the-world cruise had suffered another blow.
They described a notice from Villa Vie Residences CEO and Founder Mikael Petterson. Angela informed YouTube viewers, “So, you wake up this morning and find out that there are still some problems. The sea trials weren’t as great as expected. They still have to get some final certifications.”
Several guests have been stranded in Belfast since May, when the first postponements were announced. The cruise line has supported passengers by allowing them to stay in their staterooms during the day, paying for their accommodations, feeding them three daily meals, and offering shuttles to and from the shipyard.
Related: Villa Vie Announces Purchase of 30-Year-Old Ship
The same letter added that Villa Vie Residences could no longer shoulder these expenses. The cruise line explained that it had spent approximately half a million dollars on its passengers and could not afford to shell out more.
“They’ve extended a request that we cover ourselves for at least the next seven days,” Angela shared. “It’s just I think crushing them financially,” she added.
Cheaper To Fly Home Than Stay in Belfast
After doing the math, the Theriacs have decided to fly back to the United States because it’s cheaper than staying in Belfast, even with the cost of flights factored in. According to the couple, local hotels cost at least $200 a night without the discounted group rate of the cruise line.
Striving for optimism, Angela remarked, “It is what it is. Yes, we’re still hopeful that this will set sail. Hopefully, we get news in the next week: ‘Come back. We’re ready to set sail.”
| If they return to Belfast, the couple mentioned they’d like to see something in writing first. While waiting for the 3.5-year cruise, they’ve flown to and from Northern Ireland four times. Each time, they were made to believe that their sailing date would finally push through. |
Villa Vie Residences has yet to release a statement regarding its vessel’s sea trials and new embarkation date.
The company’s CEO, Mikael Petterson, was also the managing director of Life at Sea Cruises, another 3-year global cruise that faced multiple delays before being scrapped and leaving people stranded in Europe. There is currently a lawsuit pending against that company.
