Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin, a couple who gave up life on land to become seaborne nomads on a cruise aboard the Odyssey, have found themselves stuck in Belfast undergoing repair work that has delayed their departure for a 3 ½-year round-the-world voyage. Despite enjoying their time in the Northern Ireland capital, they are eager to set sail and begin their adventure. The Odyssey, operated by Villa Vie Residences, offers travelers the opportunity to buy a cabin and live at sea while sailing around the globe, visiting 425 ports in 147 countries on seven continents. Cabins, known as “villas,” start at $99,999 plus a monthly fee for at least 15 years.
Marketing material for the Odyssey targets adventurous retirees and digital nomads, advertising the opportunity to own a home on a floating paradise with amenities such as a gym, spa, putting green, entertainment facilities, and more. However, before the ship can embark on its voyage, it needs to leave the dock at Belfast’s Harland & Wolff shipyard, where the Titanic was built over a century ago. Sebastian Stokkendal, the marketing manager for Villa Vie Residences, expressed the challenges of reactivating a 30-year-old vessel and shared that the ship is nearly ready to depart for its anticipated launch next week.
Approximately 200 passengers have been waiting in Belfast for the Odyssey to set sail, with the cruise line covering their living expenses and providing meals and entertainment during the day. Passengers are not allowed to stay overnight on the ship while repairs are being completed. Holly Hennessey from Florida, who is accompanied by her cat named Captain, expressed gratitude towards Belfast for their hospitality while she waits for the voyage to begin. Canen plans to run her Arizona-based auto-glass business from the ship, while Bodin, a carpenter, is documenting their journey on a YouTube channel.
The Odyssey, built in 1993 and previously operated by various cruise lines before being acquired by Villa Vie Residences in 2023, represents a new venture in residential cruising. Although the residential cruising business has faced challenges, with MS The World being the only vessel of its kind currently in operation, Canen and Bodin remain determined to embark on their adventure. Despite setbacks with other cruise ventures, they are eager to begin their journey around the world and remain optimistic about the experiences that await them. As they continue to wait for the Odyssey to depart from Belfast, they have been exploring Europe and documenting their experiences for their followers.
