Travel_Around_The_World

The Marco Polo was also completely rebuild, internally and externally, including a complete reconditioning of the engines. It took over 2 years (1991-1993). They basically extended the ships life that way. Can't compare that to a couple of hacks who think a 4-week drydock is enough to resurrect an aging ship which was laid up for 4 years.

When I checked that track I looked at the speed. Never exceeded 6-10 knots, not even going out or coming back in.

You'd be surprised how much people buy into the things when they listen to snake oil salesmen or used car sales people. They are able to sell them chicken poop for chicken salad. Mike was always a good talker...well the few times when he was sober anyways. 😂

I don't have the detailed port schedule on my mobile, just the segments. On Sept 29 or 30 the Caribbean segment begins. If they actually sail on September 20 they will have to do the TA within days. Holy crap. I would not go on a 50/50 TA chance of making it....and I love TAs.

Honestly, I wouldn't need to see a business plan. The second I would hear that they resurrect a 30-year old ship which was out of service for the last 4 years and only plan on a 4-week dry dock I would have walked away. For a normal, in-service, younger cruiseship a 4 week refurbishing dry dock is pushing it.

Out of pocket? Not his own money. If he did he made a chunk of money from a bankrupt company and maybe soon another bankrupt company. Very generous for someone who didn't have a pot to pee in just a couple years ago. The problem I have is that all those monies paid and all these financial arrangements made for 4 Months and suddenly with less than a week to go "oh you are on your own for now". There is something very fishy going on.

and speaking of.... “While the road has had its challenges, every decision we’ve made is focused on the well-being and safety of our residents,” Petterson said. “We have supported our residents with trips around Europe, and spent over $2,000,000 in hotel stays and trips to accommodate and entertain them while Odyssey has been getting ready for launch,” he told Cruise Industry News. “Since residents are scattered throughout Europe in over 20 different hotels, we have decided to let residents plan their hotels and way back to the ship for launch,” he noted. “These costs will be compensated with onboard credit of up to $200 per day. The hard work continues, and we are on track to welcome passengers onboard by the end of this week. We look forward to launching with pride and purpose, knowing we’re not just building a ship but a united community at sea together.” Villa Vie CEO: ‘Hard Work Continues’ on Residential Cruise Start Up Not sure how we got from 500,000 to 2 Mill. But whatever... More articles: Residential Cruise Ship Frustrates Waiting Guests ‘Devastated’ passengers told to cover expenses after cruise ship delay Villa Vie Odyssey Passengers Asked to Cover Expenses as Cruise Faces Further Delays After Disappointing Sea Trials

Oh, about Villa Vie I have no clue. I am going along just like everybody else. But I do know the main players from before Villa Vie and before Life at Sea....many years before. I know them, their kids, some of their friends. Might give some insides on why things happen the way the happen.

When this saga is over I will tell you how close I am to the main players. I have even pictures to prove it. 🤣

And here is Johan from Sweden supporting his Swedish buddy Mike.

Now the "residents" lost their own stuff as well? 🙄

And they hired a new accountant specialist. 😆 https://www.facebook.com/VillaVieResidences

Yup, too many promises broken and too many lies. I did not know that the Captain left. 🤣

It does require a major investment. The reason why The World works is because it was build for that purpose. Initially they thought about buying a cruise ship but decided to custom build one. Cruise ships are build for a purpose, and that is for temporary housing. And buying 30-year old ships from a cruising era past gone is just not the way to go. The question was always: can a concept like that work for middle class people? What the failed Life at Sea and Villa Vie Residences have shown is that there is interest and people are willing to pay for it. It requires a certain amount of money for a new build and the acceptance that a project like this may take a while to pay for itself. But it definitely is not impossible.

Are you disappointed in my comments? Not sure why. I made a general statement not about a particular couple or person. Maybe it was confusing because I quoted your entie post. I was simply responding to your statement "those poor people" which I thought applied to all people who bought into this and not only that one particular couple. Maybe there is a simple misunderstanding. That happens.

The trouble might be deeper than they let up. Either they are completely out of cash or they know that the Odyssey won't be sailing for a while. Other than one or the other I cannot explain they pay for lodging and stuff for almost 4 months but they cut the customers off with the reason "not before next week".

Not sure how sorry I feel for them. I'd be twice as careful giving my money to a guy who just failed in the same business the prior year. People think Petterson was so innocent at Life at Sea because he left before the company went bankrupt. Forgotten is that he had a hand in that bankruptcy by inflating sales numbers and then deciding the ship is not good enough only to turn around less than a year later to buy the sistership of the ship he deemed not good enough. Just as the owners of the company failed their responsibility of due diligence, so did those who bought into that scam. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice,..... The interesting part now is, how will the lenders react. I am sure they already started the monthly repayment process but are now missing significant residual income by not getting the monthly fees, which I am sure was an important part of getting that multi-million dollar loan. If that ship stays docked much longer, the bank(s) might begin a recall of the loan. The other interesting part will be: how many residents will ask for refunds? I can imagine that even the most loyal customer has a treshhold of acceptance. So many promises broken, literally on a monthly basis. To top it of, the company released a "successful" sea trial video just to turn around and admit that the ship did not pass. Did not pass a successful sea trial - that must push even the most loyal and most tolerant and most patient customer over the edge. How many times can one be lied to?

Isn't Residences at Sea (The World) also building a new ship? I thought I read that somewhere.

whaaaat???? Are you saying I can't beg anybody here to buy me coffee? 🤣

Thanks so much. That was some great info.

The comments are hillarious but of course controlling opinion is a big factor. From the commeent section before it disappears.... @Lori-q7d 15 hours ago Funny, I read a negative comment and then it magically disappears! Only the “everything is fine, nothing to see here” comments seem to survive the cut! @Teacher659 15 hours ago I just had two deleted, that concerned a party getting out of this and getting his money back. Censorship is only used to hide something bad. @Lori-q7d 15 hours ago I had one deleted as well! This ship is going no where. Bankruptcy by the end of the year is my opinion. The math just doesn’t work. Besides that, who in the world would get on a small, ancient, 31+ year old ship to face the wrath of Mother Nature for months on end? What happens if you have a medical emergency? How does that work and who pays? Seems like a total illusion! @Teacher659 14 hours ago @Lori-q7d we live within 45 minutes of a Florida Cruise port, we go on weekends to have lunch, a cocktail and wave them off. We go on Royal, Disney. This ship, looks like a bottom tier ship. They want no neg comments…censorship only benefits bad things @justcreeky5483 11 hours ago That's how it's been with Church of Mike since Life at Sea.1 - he or the cult will cut out any dissenting questions/ people. The question I have goes to @chengkp75 who seems to know something about sea trials. In the past most sea trials I have seen included tight turns, zick zack patterns and some kind of high speed/cruising speed runs. All I have seen (which I posted earlier) is a leisure spiral test pattern with a comfty speed of 6-10 knots and a casual return at 6-10knots to port. If they are considering this ship as a "new certification" after a 4-year lay up shouldn't they be a little tougher than a casual, cruising-like test.

According to this article they hope for a certification by Monday or Tuesday. CNN Article: They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port The article is a mix between earlier info and latest info and a full fledged blame game by M Petterson. That was to be expected. Again, if they would have done their due dilligence all of it could have been avoided. A spokesperson for DNV said that it does not comment on individual clients’ cases. Samantha Stimpson, CEO of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, told CNN: “We enjoyed many happy years of sailing with this ship, and completed thorough and regular maintenance throughout her operational time. She was in lay up during the pandemic. “Prior to the sale, the ship was subject to a full and independent survey and technical inspections by the team at Villa Vie. “We wish Villa Vie every success in their upcoming venture with this wonderful ship.” Maybe that inspection team from Villa Vie was utterly clueless. You always hiree a third party who has the experince in ship inspections. And what I have said earlier there is probably some benefit to become the marketing voice for Villa View: The couple have also been upgraded from an interior room to an ocean view, which has likely helped their mood. They’ve started a YouTube page to document their journey, as have Canen and Bodin.

Now it all makes sense. Have I missed the big launch date announcement today? 😝

Like the original residents? Or management?

Well, we'll see.