Travel_Around_The_World

19 minutes ago, rebeccalouiseagain said:

I've repeatedly asked Johan and Lanette if they are "founders" and they probably don't like me, but haven't answered.  Why?

I am sure they are. According to the last video they paid their deposit in June/July of 2023 before VVR was even a business (August 2023). Only friends or investors/founders (or both) would do that. But they won't admit to that. It would skew their 'objectivity' they are publicly trying to display. 

The wild part is that they are talking about the ongoing trial and already give details about it. The only way you have such an information pipeline is to be a founder or friend (or both). 😅

Update from Johan. Couldn't help myself to comment on the video. 

🤣

https://youtu.be/NnxOQnCNMVQ?si=STlXQW9LyXKLYd-d

41 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

I didn't know the Odyssey had a schedule to meet.  If they did sail at 12 knots, that saves $116,000 in fuel cost over doing it at 17 knots.

The last time I checked they were scheduled in Bermuda on the 25th and 26th of September. But I would think those dates are out of the question and I don't know if cruise ships can make easily another docking date on short notice.

Their past pattern is to just simply cancel the ports of the itinerary. One could assume they do the same with Bermuda which would make them go straight to the Caribbean. The ports after Bermuda would be Freeport on Sept 30, Nassau on Oct 1 and Long Island on Oct 4.

Did they pass their sea trials finally?

2 hours ago, rebeccalouiseagain said:

Thank you for the responses.  The World only has one ship in their fleet, which indicates to me that the concept wasn't wildly successful.  Had it been there would have been more.  Residential cruise lines probably break even- is a guess.

Not necessarily.  It can be a success with only one ship. As long as they have a managed turnaround of residents only one ship is needed. Only time a second ship would be needed is if the waitlist would dramatically increase (in numbers and wait times). 

If they build a second ship just because and can't sell it all they would be forced to water down the product to make it feasible. 

I would but not VVR like. More like The World but affordable. It basically has to be apartment style and balconies only. I am sure it can be done but it requires someone taking a shot at it and seeing it as a long term investment. It can be less luxurious than the The World. 

VVR is totally overpriced for what they offer. $5000 a month for two people is a lot for a tiny room with a tiny window. That's 60k a year. If you include all your perks you can probably cruise cheaper for a year with regular cruise lines. For 5k a month I need at least a bedroom, living room and decent sized bathroom. Nothing big or fancy. 

It is a concept which could work but it would require some investment. Instead of a secondary condo I could buy into that concept. 

The problem was and is we have people trying to do it who have no clue how to. They couldn't manage food trucks much less a project like this. 

Kinda wonder what SRQ-BLOUGH under To/From means @chengkp75?

28 minutes ago, rebeccalouiseagain said:

No one even knows who the Captain of the Villa Vie Odyssey is. It's not Jozo Glavic.  It may be Valentin Giuglea but no one I asked (residents and VVR) had answered.

Cpt Mikael Petterson? 🤣

Sea trials Wednesday?
And departure on Sunday?

 

1 hour ago, VL1 said:

Once this implodes, and it will, it will be a long time before folks will be willing to buy into an affordable residential ship.

Because the last two or three attempts companies half-assed it (can I say that? If not please edit mods). 

If there is a company who invests first and does not take deposits or pmts without having a ship first you may get the trust back.
Before even a sail date is announced there should be at least a ship financed (build or rebuild), ship yard for building or rebuilding announced, and have a real life estimate when the ship will come out for sea trials. 
You do not take anybody's money unless you have a firm launch date and not some wishy-washy crap VVR is doing or LAS did. 

12 minutes ago, rebeccalouiseagain said:

Yeah- they did seem to be "high 5-ing" each other. I know that Johan and Lanette invested in Life At Sea as well.  It seems quite a few former LAS passengers have purchased on VVR, which was pretty dumb IMO.

He already fooled the former LAS customers by jumping off early enough and staying clear of the final disaster. The fact is that everybody went by false customer numbers which he provided. 

Just before being exposed he declared the MV Gemini as not up to the task and threw a wrench into this whole thing. It enabled him to officially leave LAS before the crap hit the ceiling. But he was the very origin why LAS failed. They may have failed eventually anyways but he definitely sped the whole thing up. 

I really would like someone to ask him publicly why he declared the MV Gemini as not good enough but her sister ship is?

1 minute ago, chengkp75 said:

While business may continue, the problem is that H&W are out of cash to make payroll, so that will affect their ability to continue working.

How does administration works? In the US in chapter 11 all business non essential stuff is being trimmed down and assets (including labor) is being routed towards essential business i.e. current contracts and obligation because those areas are cash producing. 

1 minute ago, rebeccalouiseagain said:

I was wondering what Johan's relationship is to Mike.  They are both from Sweden.

Told ya. They are buddies. 

1 minute ago, rebeccalouiseagain said:

I'm sure that it will impact the repairs, unfortunately. 

It shouldn't.  I don't know how "administration" works in Europe but I think it is similar to the US Chapter 11. 

Business should continue but it will definitely be used as an excuse. Kinda like trying to put the blame on Fred Olson. 

And just like clockwork. Bad comments under one video (midlifecruising) and some bad news in the press and here comes his personal buddy Johan....🤣

5 minutes ago, Zap Rowsdower said:

It has just been confirmed on the news that as of today the Harland and Wolff shipyard has been placed into administration. Will be interesting to see what impact that this may have on Villa Vie Odyssey, though the article is saying operations at the shipyard won't be affected. 

Another black eye for VVR for not doing their research.  

Well they are paying Mrs Phenix more attention now. And they indeed had to sign an NDA. Wow. What authoritarian world are these people (Petterson and wife) living? 

Passenger Removed From Delayed Villa Vie Odyssey Cruise Over Text App Comments

Passenger Booted from World Cruise After Complaining About Delays

1 hour ago, Charry_ said:

I just don't get the difference in monthly fees depending on what cabin you have. Sure, buying a bigger cabin or one with a balcony/ window logically costs more, but why the higher monthly fee if you have a window versus an inside cabin? The differences are quite large. Does anyone have a clue? 

Window cleaning service? 🤣

It is the same with the fees per person at double occupancy and solo occupancy. 
It should be per room. In a condo building your fees are by condo not how many people live in the condo. 😆
 

Soooo....VVR put a new ship page up which includes increased pricing and the ship definitely does not look like this. 🤣

https://villavieresidences.com/odyssey/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFUR2NleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcvdmqiKjqCWYjy8qKdYC6HeKFqoGWRKCJe41-tmzx9TjZlaNX3JpY6IGA_aem_W9VwMzhknJL2Uox8lfRqsg

Dang, there is a super long post under this video. Long but I couldn't have said it better. Wonder how long it will stay up.
 

4 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

For those condemning this ship for being 30 years old, remember the MS Marco Polo, which was 55 years old at the time it stopped service, and it made worldwide cruises for decades, after turning 30.  Fair enough, there were several very costly dry dockings and upgrades over the years, but that just goes to show that an older ship, if well maintained (at a cost) is just as seaworthy as a new one.

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. 

28 minutes ago, TwoBadKnees said:

Clicking on "Traffic Expected', does this mean Saturday departure 8am for sea trials? I guess job type SHFT means it is 'shifting' location and expected back relatively soon?

 

https://booking.belfast-harbour.co.uk/

 

The prior sea trials track showed tight turns (loops) to starboard, but big turns (loops) to port. I forgot to check the speed when making those turns so I don't know if the big turns were due to higher speeds.

 

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

22 minutes ago, VL1 said:

It is time for people to cut their losses, lawyer up and get a refund.  It is hard to let a dream die, but it is time to let it go.

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. 😂

1 hour ago, rebeccalouiseagain said:

The latest is that VVO is scheduled for the second sea trial on September 14 (this saturday).  Whether it will actually do another sea trial is another matter, but it is on the port schedule.  The scheduled sailing date is now September 20, 2024 but history has shown that these dates end up being cancelled and rescheduled.

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.

12 minutes ago, Charry_ said:

Apart from the whole debacle surrounding the actual launch, let's pretend for a moment they actually do. Who on earth is going to buy cruise segments on this ship? It's old and tired and in no way could compete with other cruise offerings ( even some of the lower quality ones!). If this is going to be what they rely on to make the business model viable, I think they are going to be in a world of pain!  I wonder if the people who have bought these cabins actually saw a business plan and had it checked out independently? I can't look away! 

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.