Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Villa Vie Odyssey has finally set sail, with several other ‘perpetual’ cruises hoping to lure passengers in the coming years
Living full time on a luxury ship is a dream for many, with endless travelling, few worries and constant pampering. After more than a few hiccups, the first affordable residential vessel, Villa Vie Odyssey, left Belfast this month to begin its maiden three-and-a-half-year world cruise. But it’s not the only company trying to enter this lucrative sector – here are some of the ventures that have succeeded, failed, or have yet to launch…
The original residential ship – but for multi-millionaires only. Since 2002, The World has visited more than 1,000 ports in over 120 countries, circling the globe every two to three years. Described as a cross between a six-star hotel and a private yacht, it offers up to 200 residents and guests four restaurants, putting greens, the only full-size tennis court at sea, pools, a library, lecture theatre and cinema. Residences cost between $2.5million and $15million (£1.9million and £11.5million). Next year it will sail the western coast of the US before heading to South America, the Caribbean, across to the Med, Africa, and on to Australia, ringing in the new year in Tasmania.
This subsidiary of Turkish company Miray Cruises planned to send passengers on a 130,000-mile world voyage – but days before it was due to set sail in 2023 the project was abandoned due to a lack of funding (and ship). Life At Sea Cruises filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Florida in July. The company had planned to buy a ship from German line Aida but another cruise firm, Celestyal, snapped it up instead. Vedat Ugurlu, the owner of Miray Cruises, told customers – many of whom had flown to Istanbul to join the voyage – that investors had pulled out because of unrest in the Middle East. One disappointed passenger, Jenny Phenix – who is owed $30,000 (£23,000) – says: “When they told us it was cancelled, I was homeless with everything packed to begin my three-year journey.”
Having toyed with using existing ships, Storylines decided to launch a purpose-built vessel called Narrative, originally in 2023. Construction at the Brodosplit yard in Croatia has yet to start, however, and delivery has been pushed back to 2027. Ambitious plans include 20 restaurants and bars, a garden/farm, microbrewery, bowling alley and 10,000-book library. The 530 residences cost up to £7.6million each and there’s even a dog park.
As well as three pools, Narrative will have a marina deck that’s level with the water, so passengers can take out jet skis, kayaks and sailing boats – or even plunge straight into the ocean – when the ship is moored. CEO Alister Punton blames the delays on the pandemic and the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but adds: “We’re thrilled to be moving forward with the construction.” One buyer, Suzanne Lankes, says she’s prepared to wait, adding: “Storylines will give me days in every port, a much more relaxing experience. A residential ship is a lifestyle, not just a cruise.”
The line’s website says that Victoria Majestic will leave Port Everglades on July 26, 2025, and will circle the world in 29 months. Of the 886 days, 703 will be spent in ports. However, Utah’s Division of Consumer Protection has taken action to stop the Hungarian company selling in the US following customers’ complaints that they had not been refunded for previously postponed voyages. “I do not believe that consumers who paid Victoria Cruises Line will receive the promised cruise nor a refund of their payments,” says the company’s former US brand ambassador, Valerie Linderoth, in a court affidavit.
Wellness and sports are the keywords for this company, which says it has agreed with a “major five-star cruise line” to acquire its first vessel late next year. A redesign would provide 30 residences, with one-bedroom apartments selling for $2,566,000 (£1,960,000) and penthouses for up to $5,802,000 (£4,430,000). For that money, you get perks including a seat at the chef’s table, private wine storage and butler service.
The ship will also provide 160 passenger suites which will be double the size of cabins on other cruise lines. Blue World co-founder Fredy Dellis says several of the residences have been reserved. “Visiting exciting destinations without leaving home is the ultimate lifestyle for sophisticated travellers,” he adds. Residents will have the full run of the ship, including a seawater lap pool and a marina deck with water sports.
Described as a private superyacht, Njord will have 117 residences and be ice-strengthened for the Poles. Budding James Bonds will be able to fly in the executive helicopter, dive in two submarines or ride an underwater scooter. There’s a serious side, too, with the ship equipped to do scientific and oceanographic research. Bio-methanol fuel and a hybrid electric power plant will mean it leaves no carbon footprint in its wake. The ship was first unveiled in 2019 and is forecast to sail by next year. Owners Ocean Residences say they will be releasing more information soon.
Making the Clyde a great shipbuilding centre again was one of the aims behind a project called Dark Island, announced three years ago. The plan was to launch a 101-suite ship by 2026 with residential prices starting at £8 million. Three restaurants would serve classic Scottish dishes, as well as fare from regional destinations, and there would be a spa, hydrotherapy pool and fitness centre. The company, Clydebuilt, and its MD Tommy McGinn did not reply to the Telegraph’s requests for updates, however.
Somnio – meaning “dream” – was originally planned to launch this year with 39 apartments starting at €17 million (£14,230,000). The ship, still in its design phase, is now scheduled to be delivered from its yard – yet to be announced – in 2027. A spokesman says: “The terms for the build have already been met, which means many apartments have been sold. Most buyers are from Europe, the USA, Australia and the Middle East.”
Depending on your circumstances, yes. Costs on residential ships are advertised at starting from £70 a day – and that includes heating, food and entertainment. Passengers Melody and John Hennessee on Villa Vie Odyssey say: “Living at sea costs nearly half of what we used to spend on land. We have one monthly payment – we do not have a mortgage, house insurance, car payments, utility or food bills.”
The ships carry a doctor and nurses though, of course, any major surgery or treatment would have to be done on land. Passengers must have insurance to cover treatment on shore plus medical emergencies such as being airlifted from the ship.
Dentists will make occasional visits to the ships.
Ships such as The World are floating tax havens for permanent cruisers because passengers only stay in the national waters of individual countries for a day or two.
Britons living overseas can register as electors if they meet certain criteria. Proxy or postal votes are possible, says the Electoral Commission.
They are welcome on ships such as Storylines, which even promises help with homeschooling.
Villa Vie provides passengers with a US address where mail can be forwarded – it is then sent on to meet the ship at its next port every four weeks. Storylines will offer a service where you can agree to have your letters opened, scanned and sent to your email.
Hair curlers are banned as a fire risk, as are candles and other open flames. You also can’t bring knives with blades longer than 4in – or skean dhus for Scots. And no fresh flowers either.
The World includes kitchens in many of its cabins. Storylines will provide communal lounge areas with cooking facilities, meaning passengers can throw a dinner party and leave the crew to clear up. Cabins on that ship will have fridges and pantry space as well as basic equipment such as toasters and microwaves.
Like cruise lines, residential ships have different rules on whether alcohol is covered in the fare. Villa Vie includes drinks with meals – separate bar bills have to be paid for.
Most ships now use the Starlink system which provides good coverage across the world – though some users say even that can be affected by bad weather.
Unless the ship has a licence to screen games, Sky services are geographically restricted to the UK. Even watching downloaded content on Sky Go requires an account registered to a UK address. However, you should be able to watch Netflix using Wi-Fi.
Villa Vie allows passengers to invite guests on board for just $33 (£25) a day each. If there’s no space in your cabin, they can sleep in spare rooms on the lower decks. Or, if you’re away, they can stay in your cabin for free.
Some Villa Vie residents have rebuilt or redecorated their cabins but there are strict rules on materials they can use, to comply with International Maritime Organisation regulations.
Up to two cats per cabin are welcome on Villa Vie (resident Holly Hennessy is travelling with her Siamese cat called Captain) and Storylines ship Narrative will have areas for dog walking and play. There will also be a kennel and grooming station, plus an exam room for use by the on-board vet.
Bring what you like, as long as you can fit it in your cabin. Some ships have common storage areas on lower decks for cases and other spare belongings.
Browse Telegraph Travel’s selection of best river and ocean cruises