Villa Vie Odyssey, the residential cruise ship designed to sail a lap of the globe and visit all seven continents over three and a half years, has arrived in Sydney for the first time.
Docked in White Bay, the 196-metre, 970-passenger capacity Villa Vie Odyssey is on its Continual World Cruise itinerary and will remain in Australian and New Zealand waters for the next six weeks.
Villa Vie Residences offers flexible, full-time living at sea option, exploring more than 425 ports in over 140 countries across seven continents every three and a half years. Residents choose to own, rent, or lease for life through the Endless Horizons Program with its Golden Passport, for example, offering a liveaboard option with a one-time payment starting at $99,999 and topping out at $299,999.
“As people retire, one of their biggest fears is outliving their money. With the Golden Passport, that uncertainty disappears – one payment secures an adventure of a lifetime,” Villa Vie Residences founder Mike Petterson said. “Our age-tiered pricing ensures that Endless Horizons is no longer just a dream for the few, but an attainable reality for many.”
The Golden Passport includes Lifetime living at sea starting at age-bracketed tiers designed to open the program to every generation. All-inclusive lifestyle covering dining, housekeeping, laundry, internet, entertainment, annual medical check-ups, plus wine or beer with meals. All port taxes and service charges are included.
“Life moves quickly, and the regret most people share is that they didn’t travel the world when they had the chance,” added Kathy Villalba, CEO of Villa Vie Residences. “The Golden Passport makes that dream possible – and affordable – in a way the cruise and travel industries have never seen before.”
Villa Vie Residences has also announced an alliance with a new luxury line, Avora Residences, to offer residents a “more refined” experience on the waves.
Avora Lumina, the Avora line’s inaugural vessel, is scheduled to make its maiden voyage from Lisbon, Portugal, with 268 residences in January 2028.
Residences on Avora Lumina starts at US$219,600 for five-year ownership of the lowest room category. Currently, cabins on Odyssey start from around US$130,000.
Under the partnership, residents of both Villa Vie Residences and Avora Residences will gain access to Villa Vie Odyssey and Avora Lumina, as well as any additional future vessels by the brands.
Guests who booked a cabin aboard Odyssey in February for a minimum three-month stay will receive a complimentary two-week visit aboard Lumina following its debut.
Cabin ownership on Villa Vie Odyssey is offered from under $565,800, far below the multi-million-dollar price tags associated with other ultra-luxury residential ships such as The World, the largest privately owned residential yacht. Launched in 2002, it features 165 luxury apartments (studios to 3-bedroom units) owned by residents from over 20 countries who select their itinerary.
But it has not all been smooth sailing for Villa Vie Odyssey, the ship was stranded in Northern Ireland for four months just before it was due to embark on its maiden voyage in 2024.
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