ONTD Original: The Odyssey of Villa Vie - A Scam on the High Seas

[squirrels_oh_no]

Stranded luxury cruise ship still stuck off coast of Northern Ireland https://t.co/lM5dyKAP9O
- Guardian news (@guardiannews) October 2, 2024
Villa Vie Residences promised its customers a luxurious three-and-a-half year world cruise, visiting locales on every continent and in-depth chances to explore little-seen places across the world - 425

Comments

[xdaisyxlovesxbb]

I don't why ppl sold their house and belongings for a 3 year cruise. Like what would they do after the cruise was over?

[squirrels_oh_no]

People also did that for the nine-month Royal Caribbean cruise. One ONTDer's parents were on board, but I haven't seen them around recently to inquire how their parents were dealing with it being over LMAO. RC says they're going to do it again in a few years LMAO, and now Celebrity (its sister line) is doing a 111-night "grand voyage" which is about how long normal world cruises are.

Villa Vie is promising that 3.5 years is just the first lap, though - they think they will get FIFTEEN YEARS out of this ship. They will be lucky to get 15 months before something catastrophic happens to the engine/propeller shaft/something else critical, but lbr this company will fold long before then.

[progression]

I always think of that ONTDer because when they said their parents were going on a 9mo cruise I thought it was some insane rich people thing. I didn’t know there were so many others that signed up for it and that it would become a huge thing on TikTok.

[dulcius]

this was fascinating, i love cruise drama! thanks OP!

there is so much wild shit going on here but one of the things that is bothering me the most is that people SOLD THEIR HOUSES?! to go on this cruise

i feel like if you are rich enough to do something like this, you'd be rich enough to hold onto your real estate asset and idk rent it out while you are gone?

i guess im too poor to understand thinking that everything will work out well enough that i can safely sell my house??????

[squirrels_oh_no]

There is a reason this is popular with "normal" people who have to sell their houses - there is another perpetual world cruise option that has been sailing for over 20 years now, but you never hear about it because it's waaaaay more expensive, you have to be nominated and approved to buy a cabin from someone selling theirs, and it's very hush hush. It did shut down during COVID, though. It's called... THE WORLD (of Residensea). There are generally only a few dozen residents on board at any time, and the residents get to vote on where they will go. It's MUCH nicer. MUCH. Like $2 million for a studio plus yearly fees, and $15 million for the nicest suite. It's currently in Brisbane. Base price is $132k or so in fees up to over $800k.

The other option is what a few people do - they buy back to back to back cruises on the same ship with the same cabin, but they have to get off when it gets back to its homeport due to security reasons or something.

For some retirees, it's cheaper than retirement homes and comes with food, housekeeping

[dulcius]

Wow this is so interesting, thank you!!

[squirrels_oh_no]

NP! For some people, cruising definitely makes sense compared to assisted living or a retirement home. It's often cheaper, they get everything provided for them, they get to travel and meet new friends constantly, the activities are way more fun than on land. A lot of ships book different guest entertainment every cruise so they can see a variety of shows, magicians, comedians, singers, etc. The food is included (and tasty) and unlimited, and nowadays, they can even still work if they want to.

[qaladriel]

lmao I can't believe this is on ontd. the couple who seemingly have said they want to live the rest of their lives on this ship feel like a set-up for a fable on the follies of western entitlement. all this and they still want to! I think they renovated their suite while stuck ashore? (ontd doesnt read, op mentioned that)

still, not the worst ship disaster associated with belfast.

[evilgerbil]

Hold those words. The ship hasn't tried to cross the Atlantic yet.

[squirrels_oh_no]

It hasn't been more than a few miles from Belfast for over four years now LMAO. Even the sea trials just went into the bay and did a bunch of circles.

[evilgerbil]

Their itinerary includes going to the Caribbean after France. That seems like a bad idea.

[mcdork]

I've been on the Braemar and really don't understand how they're getting upto 899,999 for a room. Lol

She must have been super renovated with all their money.

[squirrels_oh_no]

Here are the people who paid that much giving a tour of their cabin LMAO (they're quoted in this article).

[mcdork]

Sorta feels like a hostage video..

Like guys.. blink if you need help.

[flyingpigs_live]

I could never do a 3.5 year cruise, even those legit ones. I'd go crazy after just a week. If i'm gonna travel the world, i'm doing it my own way on my own schedule.

I love reading shit like this though. Those poor customers. They're not all millionaires/billionaires either, so they legit gave up everything they had for this. DO RESEARCH ON EVERYTHING Y'ALL

[squirrels_oh_no]

My plan is that if I do decide one day I want to sail the world, I am buying myself a catamaran and doing it myself. Like a 40 footer or something. And pretending I'm in Waterworld.