Luxury Around-the-World Cruise Turns into ‘SS Clusterf***’ for Passengers
A luxury around-the-world cruise aboard the Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey ship has faced a rocky start, falling far short of the lavish experience promised to passengers. Delayed for months and plagued by technical issues, the Odyssey, which promised to take passengers to 425 ports in 147 countries over three and a half years, has been dubbed “SS Clusterf***” by one disgruntled passenger.
Initial Delays and Outright Problems
The Odyssey’s journey began in September, four months later than initially planned, leaving over a hundred passengers stranded in Belfast throughout the summer. Once underway, the problems continued. Joe Rhodes, a passenger on board, took to his Substack blog to detail the initial woes of the cruise.
“Every single thing, from the food to the furnishings, the TV channels to the swimming pools (neither of which are yet operational), have turned out to be something less than advertised,” Rhodes wrote.
A Night of Foul Odours
Rhodes described a particularly disturbing incident on the first night of the journey. Hot water stopped working, and then, the water was completely shut off. This happened in Brest, France, their first stop on the itinerary.
“Nothing from the taps, nothing from the showers and — most importantly — no way to flush the toilets. Most residents didn’t realise this — the shutdown happening in the middle of the night — until AFTER they’d made deposits, so to speak.
“Yep, we awakened to the faint smell of s*** marinating in a hundred unflushed bowls, wafting through the corridors, gently mixing with the ocean breeze,” he wrote.
While Rhodes noted that the water issues were resolved within a day and the water was eventually restored, the incident left a lingering stench and a negative impression on the passengers.
Things Looking Up?
Since the initial problems, Rhodes has reported that things have improved. He said that the food has gotten better, and the hot water and other issues have been resolved. Other passengers have echoed this sentiment, stating that while there were some “glitches,” they are being addressed.
Randy Cassingham, who is on the cruise with his wife, explained a possible reason for the initial water tank issues. The ship’s extended stay anchored outside Belfast meant the tanks filled up, and Villa Vie was unable to dump raw sewage into the sea. He stated that the company brought in sewage trucks to offload the tanks at the first few stops.
Villa Vie’s Response
Villa Vie’s CEO, Mikael Petterson, acknowledged the water issue in a statement to The Independent. He explained that the water was temporarily shut off due to the full forward water tanks and the need to transfer water to the rear of the ship. Petterson assured that water was available again the next morning.
Petterson also confirmed that the swimming pools needed complete replacement and would be operational by the time the Odyssey reaches the Caribbean.
Ready for Your Own Adventure?
Despite the initial hiccups, Villa Vie Residences is continuing its ambitious journey around the world. If you’re interested in learning more about this unique cruise experience, visit the Villa Vie website or contact their representatives for details.