Villa Vie Residences

[UKCruiseJeff]

The key revenue issue is that The World doesn’t promise that the current annual fees will never increase, a promise I believe cannot be made by anyone in good faith.

 

It is impossible to make such a promise when you have absolutely no idea about inflation and what future costs of running and maintaining a very old ship and the future costs of fuel, earnings, supplies etc.  Anyone with a financial background (Mikael) making such a promise I believe is disclosing a lot about their intentions.  I’m amazed that anyone would trust and sink their savings into a long-term project like this having read that promise. The logic goes that if a single promise is made that clearly stinks should you not shrug and walk away immediately. 

 

I think most of us can work out that if the operation doesn’t fold, the future increases will be demanded and those that refuse will be offloaded. 

 

Jeff

 

Edited 12 hours ago by UKCruiseJeff

[90scruzer]

3 hours ago, as3369 said:

My husband just said they are in a prison!  I guess some of the cabins are about the size of a cell.  

Well, to be honest - the room only looks to be slightly smaller than my college dorm room, which had to be shared with three others.

 

41 minutes ago, gkbiiii said:

Real Ongoing Costa of living: The World.

 

Thanks for info!   I already knew I could never afford this one.  Crossing fingers that at some point I can enjoy a more modest ship like Odyssey.

[Travel_Around_The_World]

1 hour ago, gkbiiii said:

But oddly, the same amount of staffing is required, costs of fuel (are less on The World, vs 30 year old ship) port charges, etc. are fixed costs, not different on same sized ships. I wonder how it would work, to buy an old Seabourn, "all suite" vessel and sell the "Suite Cabins" for a cool Million, & $150K Annual Dues?

Oh no. To make it feasible long term you have to built a new ship with modern technology. More fuel efficient. More energy efficient. That is more so important if you target a customer base with somewhat limited funds.

[Travel_Around_The_World]

1 hour ago, UKCruiseJeff said:

The key revenue issue is that The World doesn’t promise that the current annual fees will never increase, a promise I believe cannot be made by anyone in good faith.

 

It is impossible to make such a promise when you have absolutely no idea about inflation and what future costs of running and maintaining a very old ship and the future costs of fuel, earnings, supplies etc.  Anyone with a financial background (Mikael) making such a promise I believe is disclosing a lot about their intentions.  I’m amazed that anyone would trust and sink their savings into a long-term project like this having read that promise. The logic goes that if a single promise is made that clearly stinks should you not shrug and walk away immediately. 

 

I think most of us can work out that if the operation doesn’t fold, the future increases will be demanded and those that refuse will be offloaded. 

 

Jeff

 

Oh definitely. Increases have to be calculated in. 

[gkbiiii]

16 minutes ago, Travel_Around_The_World said:

Oh no. To make it feasible long term you have to built a new ship with modern technology. More fuel efficient. More energy efficient. That is more so important if you target a customer base with somewhat limited funds.

Notice The World and the future new wealthy ships, have a $10 million minimum net worth (you must prove liquid assets) and one new ship build, wants in excess of $28 million assets.

[broberts]

It seems to me that any venture proposing annual costs less than the cost of a year on a mass market ship is suspect.

[Charry_]

On 10/4/2024 at 11:03 PM, Leither said:

We sailed several times on the Braemar as was and it was a lovely ship, just the right size. Last time was in 2019 when we went through the Corinth Canal, a fascinating, memorable experience. We’ve only cruised with Fred Olsen but have never ever had to use a travel agent. Not sure what you mean about “few, if any, amenities” ; certainly it doesn’t have go-kart tracks, zip wires etc but then lots of us don’t want to cruise on this sort of ships.

Apart from that, this is a fascinating thread with several very knowledgeable contributors.

, 

I'm sure the ship was fine for a short cruise and that is what it was designed for. But living in a ship for years is a different proposition. Once you've bought into VV they have you- unlike a cruise line that relies on good word of mouth and repeat patronage. With VV you are stuck - you can't just say " well I won't sail with them again" and use someone else. You've spent hundreds of thousands.  The ship wasn't built for people to live full time - I mean an interior cabin as your permanent room? Seeing the same people every day of your life including those you don't like?  having to eat and socialise with them everyday? I think most people wouldn't like that- even avid cruisers like me- I love it, but I also like that the companies I cruise with have to keep up a certain standard- VV promises no fee increases for the life of the ship- what does that tell you? Either they are drastically overcharging OR they don't intend to be around for very long. I think the idea of a life at sea is wonderful, and on a ship that is designed for that, it might be a great lifestyle - but too many red flags and dodgy behaviour has it as a big NO for me. I respect others don't see it that way and want to purse a dream- but there comes a time where rational thinking has to balance that out. 

[PG_traveller]

I love cruising as much as anyone here, but at the end of my cruise I very much love returning home. To my own bed, my bathroom, my kitchen, etc. I can't imagine having to eat restaurant food every day, day in, day out. At minimum I would need a big enough room to accommodate a couch,  a balcony, Queen size comfortable bed (after the first night on board one of the vloggers reported that the bed was hard), mini kitchenette.

 

I'm an introvert, I can't handle being around people 24/7. I need my own living space.

 

I like the concept of seeing the world in a floating hotel, just not sure the reality would be for me.

[Travel_Around_The_World]

What did I just read? The passengers couldn't get off tthe ship in Brest but Kathy and Mike left to fly back to Florida? OMG!