Latest news with #VillaVieResidences
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Villa Vie Odyssey Makes Historic First Visit to Honolulu, Marking U.S. Debut
HONOLULU, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Villa Vie Residences proudly announces the inaugural U.S. arrival of its flagship residential cruise ship, the Villa Vie Odyssey, as it docks in Honolulu, Hawaii. This momentous occasion marks the vessel's first visit to the United States, offering a unique opportunity for local residents and officials to experience the innovative concept of residential cruising firsthand. The Villa Vie Odyssey is currently on a groundbreaking 3.5-year global voyage, visiting over 425 ports across more than 140 countries. Designed to serve as a floating community, the ship offers various residency options, including full ownership, seasonal stays, and flexible rental programs. Residents enjoy luxurious amenities such as a business center, medical facilities, a culinary studio, and a golf simulator, all while exploring the world's most captivating destinations. "Our arrival in Honolulu is a significant milestone for Villa Vie Residences," said Mikael Petterson, Chairman of Villa Vie Residences. "We are thrilled to introduce our unique lifestyle concept to the U.S. and share the extraordinary experiences that come with living at sea." Following its Hawaiian stop, the Villa Vie Odyssey will continue its journey along the U.S. West Coast, with scheduled visits to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. The ship will then proceed to Alaska before heading towards Asia and the South Pacific, continuing its mission to redefine the future of travel and living. For more information about Villa Vie Residences and the Villa Vie Odyssey, please visit About Villa Vie ResidencesVilla Vie Residences reimagines cruise ship living with flexible, long-term options that cater to today's travelers. Its Continual World Cruise explores more than 425 ports in over 140 countries across seven continents every three and a half years. Residents choose to own, rent, or lease for life through the Endless Horizons Program, enjoying a unique blend of home comfort and global discovery. Contact:Villa Vie ResidencesEmail: media@ For images and assets, please click here View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Villa Vie Residences
The Star
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Yes, you can live full-time on a cruise ship just like this couple
American couple Jim and Chris Guld will be travelling around the world, living full-time aboard a cruise ship called Villa Vie Odyssey. Will it be exciting? Yes. Expensive? Kind of. Tight? Well, the Gulds say they're not worried about feeling cramped inside of a 13sq m stateroom for the 15-year option they just purchased. They recently spent 14 years together in a recreational vehicle, hitting each of the lower 48 states in the United States. 'We will not be in our room very much,' Chris says. 'Every morning I plan to walk up the three decks to the gym where there's an exercise class. And there's the buffet where we will eat, and there's entertainment in the afternoon.' That might get boring after a while if not for the port calls. The ship's itinerary includes stops at 425 ports in more than 140 countries over the three-and-a-half year 'Continual World Cruise'. The Gulds got on the ship during its stop at the Colombian port of Cartagena at the end of April, and are staying aboard for at least seven years, and longer if they love it. The ship is currently in its seventh month sailing as the flagship of a Pembroke Pines-based company called Villa Vie Residences that the Gulds say offers the only affordable option for living on the sea. The company caters to people who truly want to get away from it all while still remaining connected through the Starlink Internet service. Mikael Petterson, the company's chairman, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that 354 of 480 cabins have been sold (at the time of writing) to long-term residents since the company purchased the Villa Vie Odyssey, built in 1993, from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines in 2023. 'We are looking forward to having Jim and Chris onboard,' Petterson said during an interview earlier. 'We are sure they will love it.' A life of tech and travel The Gulds seem uniquely well-suited for permanent life aboard a cruise ship. They met while Chris, now 72, operated a computer training centre called Computer Savvy in Florida with her mother in the 1980s and 1990s. Local companies would send employees for training on programs like WordPerfect, Novell NetWare, and Microsoft's Excel and Access. Jim, now 71, worked for a Deerfield Beach company, building, installing and networking personal computers. Chris purchased computers from the company for her training centre, and Jim showed up to service them. 'So he had to keep coming back,' Chris said. Eventually, Chris hired Jim away from his company to focus full-time on her business. They bonded over their mutual love of scuba diving, computers and travel. A few years after Chris sold the centre and 'retired' in the late 1990s, they sold their first house and bought an RV (recreational vehicle). They spent 14 years from 2003 to 2017 travelling the US, holding seminars to teach RV enthusiasts how to get on the Internet, and creating computer training videos for a company they founded called Geeks On Tour. Subscribers to the Geeks On Tour website get access to a long list of class presentations, learning guides and tips. But anyone can click on the more than 900 videos the couple has posted over the years, mostly while wearing their trademark propeller beanies. Their earliest videos were a mix of travelogues and tutorials for types of software that travellers would use to take, upload and geotag photos, set up travel blogs, assign drive letters to external USB drives, and navigate highways. More recently, their videos focus on smartphone apps, including how to shoot time-lapse video, use Google's photo app, communicate over Zoom, and use WiFi calling if cellular service goes down. Video bloggers amok After seven years in another landed home, the couple is itching to travel again – but without the headaches of traffic and shopping. The Gulds plan to continue to post training videos from the ship that show how they respond to challenges that arise as they visit the various ports on the ship's itinerary. They've already started sharing their plans with their 16,700 YouTube subscribers and just under 1,000 paid Geeks On Tour members. They won't be alone using the Internet to work on the ship, Jim says. A large number of the ship's cabins are occupied by solo travellers who make their livings working remotely. Like the Gulds, many shoot and post videos. A search for the ship on YouTube turns up several accounts – Living Life On A Cruise, MidLife Cruising, and DC Hidden Gems – by residents documenting their lives aboard the ship. The cruise line offers a variety of pricing options, depending on the chosen size of living quarters and tour length. Residents can purchase for up to 15 years or rent their cabins for shorter periods. Purchasers have the option of selling back unused portions of their residency terms, trading up to larger, more expensive cabins, or leasing or selling their space 'with the potential of receiving a net return on your investment', according to the company's website. The Gulds learned about the ship by following one of its residents, Randy Cassingham, long-time author of an online entertainment newsletter, This Is True. Cassingham started a blog called Residential Cruising after moving aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey last year. 'Jim said, 'Take a look at this website about living on a cruise ship',' Chris said. 'And I looked at it and said, 'OK'.' Finding the right price The couple said said they were initially interested in buying a cabin with a balcony. But the company wanted US$340,000 (RM1.48mil) for a balcony cabin, plus US$8,000 (RM34,988) a month for amenities such as food, entertainment, health-club use and laundry services. During a week-long 'try before you buy' sailing, the Gulds tried out a cabin with a window and no balcony. 'Thankfully, I decided that I liked that because that was only only US$170,000 (RM743,496) up front and US$5,000 (RM21,866) a month,' Chris said. 'At that rate, we might actually be saving money compared to all that we spent on travel last year.' While on the 'try it' trip, the couple says they met and were impressed with many of the residents who are experts in their chosen fields. They keep each other entertained by giving seminars and TED talks, the Gulds said. 'One guy used to be an emergency medical technician, so he gave a talk about what that's like,' Chris said. 'One was a marine biologist that gave a talk about whales.' One amenity that won't be available: casinos. 'They actually had a poll, and they asked the residents if they would consider having a casino. And they said, not just 'no',' said Jim. 'They said, 'hell, no',' added Chris. Not everyone was happy about the Gulds' life-changing decision. While Chris has no children, Jim has a son from his previous marriage who lives near the couple. 'He was not for it at all at the very beginning when he first heard about it,' Jim said. 'He thought that it was just a horrible thing that we were going to leave him.' 'But hey, he's 44 years old, you know?' Chris said. She added, 'We're still, in our opinion, fairly young. And we're healthy, but we're definitely getting older, so if we want to have one more chapter in our adventure, this is the time to do it. 'This is the next chapter.' – South Florida Sun-Sentinel/Tribune News Service
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This cruise ship is getting a $70-million face-lift to become a home-at-sea for the ultra-rich
A cruise ship is being transformed into luxury residences at sea. The Navigator, originally built in 1999, will undergo a multimillion-dollar renovation. Condos on the ship will cost upward of $750,000, and residents will have access to butlers. A two-decades-old cruise ship is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation to become a floating residential community for the ultrawealthy. Regent Seven Sea Cruises' Navigator is set to become the first ship of the Crescent Seas fleet. Crescent Seas announced in an Instagram post that the ship is scheduled to set sail on December 31, 2026, following a $70 million renovation. Originally constructed in 1999, the Navigator underwent a major refurbishment in 2016. In its current form, it has eight decks, 248 suites, a pool, and a putting green. After the refurbishment, it will feature 210 private residences, offering buyers the chance to purchase homes and live on board as it travels the globe. Russell Galbut, the cofounder of real estate development firm Crescent Heights, which launched Crescent Seas, told Bloomberg that the price of homes on the ship will range from $750,000 to $8 million. He said owners will pay maintenance fees starting at $210,000 a year, which will cover butler service, meals, housekeeping, and access to Starlink internet. Sales of the luxury residences are set to begin on April 9 this year. A spokesperson for Regent confirmed in an email to Business Insider that the Seven Seas Navigator will leave its fleet on October 14, 2026, as part of the terms of a new long-term agreement with Crescent Seas. The ship's final voyage under Regent is scheduled to depart on October 2 next year, from Turkey to Egypt. They added that guests whose trips are canceled due to the agreement will receive a full refund. Galbut told Bloomberg that Crescent Seas is negotiating with three other ships and is in talks to commission a new vessel as part of long-term plans to develop more options for residential living at sea. The company's website said the design firms MAWD, Lissoni & Partners, and Journey will lead the Navigator's redesign. Luxury residential cruise ships already exist, including the Villa Vie Residences, where villas on board start at $129,999, and The World, where condos cost between $2 million and $15 million each. The World is equipped with a large spa, a tennis court, and personalized concierge services. Peter Antonucci, who lived on The World for six years, told BI last year that it is like the "Four Seasons on Steroids." Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Villa Vie Residences Launches Unleashed Endless Horizons, Limitless Cruising for Life
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Villa Vie Residences, the leader in residential cruising, introduces Unleashed Endless Horizons, offering an all-inclusive forever cruise providing the ultimate way to live and explore. For a one-time payment of $399,999 USD for single occupancy or $699,999 USD for double occupancy, individuals can retire into a life of limitless adventure, cultural immersion, and luxury. The Unleashed Program covers not only meals, accommodations, housekeeping, laundry, and high-speed internet, but also premium onboard services like alcohol, spa treatments, and medical visits. Unleashed Endless Horizons is designed for those who want their retirement years to be filled with new experiences and personal growth—without the stress of inflation or hidden costs. By combining a Permanent Cruise Right with an All-Inclusive Onboard Offering, Villa Vie Residences ensures that residents enjoy a guaranteed Outside Cabin and full access to all amenities onboard at no additional charge. This includes everything from medical check-ups and spa treatments to nail and hair appointments—and even refreshing pina coladas. "At Villa Vie Residences, we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in cruise retirement, and our latest program is the ultimate way to secure the best life for the rest of your life," said Mikael Petterson, Founder and Chairman of Villa Vie Residences. "We've redefined retirement to perfection—no stress, no worries, just endless enjoyment and adventure." The Villa Vie Odyssey is currently finishing up its South American segment and will transit the Panama Canal this spring. This summer, it will travel up the west coast of the U.S. for an extended Alaska season before heading to Japan. "Our one-of-a-kind offering redefines retirement with an all-inclusive lifestyle like no other," said Kathy Villalba, Chief Executive Officer of Villa Vie Residences. "Imagine leaving behind traffic, stress, and the daily grind to embark on a seamless journey with a community of like-minded explorers—all for one transparent, affordable upfront cost." Villa Vie will host its US inaugural and press events at Catalina Island (Los Angeles) on June 18, 2025. For details and media inquiries, please contact media@ About Villa Vie ResidencesVilla Vie Residences reimagines cruise ship living with flexible, long-term options that cater to today's travelers. Its Continual World Cruise explores more than 425 ports in over 140 countries across seven continents every three and a half years. Residents choose to own, rent, or lease for life through the Endless Horizons Program, enjoying a unique blend of home comfort and global discovery. Contact:Villa Vie ResidencesEmail: media@ For images and assets, please click here View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Villa Vie Residences Sign in to access your portfolio
