Villa Vie Residences reveals plans for its second vessel, Legacy, set to launch on September 30, following the success of Odyssey.
Villa Vie Residences, which draws attention with its long-term living concept at sea, is expanding its investments in the rapidly growing residential ship market. The company announced that it is continuing preparations for its second residential ship, Legacy, and will reveal all the details of the ship at a special event to be held on September 30.
The event will coincide with the second anniversary of the entry into service of the company’s first residential ship, Odyssey. Villa Vie aims to further advance the success of the floating housing model it launched two years ago with its second ship.
85% of the residences on Odyssey have been sold.
Villa Vie began its operations with Odyssey, which it added to its fleet in 2024. The 24,344 gross ton ship, which previously served as a cruise ship named Braemar from 1993 until the COVID-19 pandemic, was transformed into a residential ship after a comprehensive refurbishment.
The 650-passenger Odyssey has reportedly surpassed 660 days on its first world tour, which is planned to last over three years, with more than 85% of the residences on board sold. The company offers full ownership, as well as short-term rental and fractional ownership options.
Mike Petterson, Founder of Villa Vie Residences, stated, 'While bringing Odyssey to life, we aimed to demonstrate that living on a residential-type ship is not only possible but also sustainable. The sales rate we have achieved two years later and the experiences we have gained form the foundation of the Legacy project.'
Legacy will be larger and better equipped.
According to the information provided by the company, Legacy is set to enter service in 2029. In the new ship:
Cabins will be 50% larger,
Dining areas will be expanded,
Common living spaces will be enlarged,
Health and wellness facilities will be developed,
Additional social amenities for passengers will be offered.
Villa Vie has launched a pre-sale campaign for 24 residences before the launch, granting those who purchase these residences the right to live on Odyssey for three years until Legacy is delivered. Additionally, a special promotion will be implemented that provides advantages in maintenance fees.
It is claimed that the former Veendam will be transformed.
While Villa Vie has not yet disclosed details regarding the purchase agreement for the second ship, shared visuals reveal that the ship is the former Holland America Line cruise ship Veendam.
The 55,450 gross ton ship, which entered service in 1996 and has a capacity of 1,350 passengers, was built by Fincantieri. The ship, which was taken out of service during the COVID-19 pandemic, was later purchased by the Greece-based Seajets and renamed Aegean Majesty. However, the ship has been idle in Greece for nearly six years.
Avora Lumina is coming for the luxury segment.
Villa Vie's growth plans are not limited to Legacy. The company's founder, Mike Petterson, also announced that they have established a new brand called Avora Residences this year.
In this context, a nine-year leasing agreement has been signed for the 28,800 gross ton Seven Seas Navigator. The ship will be reintroduced into service under the name Avora Lumina and is expected to join the fleet by the end of 2027. The ship, which has a capacity of approximately 496 passengers, will feature residences targeting the luxury segment in various sizes.
The residential ship market is growing.
Although the concept of permanent living at sea has gained interest in recent years, the number of successful examples in the sector is quite limited. To date, only The World, which entered service in 2002, has been built entirely as a residential ship and has managed to operate continuously.
In contrast, many companies have planned to convert old cruise ships into residential ships or have announced new projects. However, the majority of these initiatives have not reached the operational stage. Villa Vie Residences aims to maintain the sales success it achieved with Odyssey through the Legacy and Avora Lumina projects, positioning itself as a permanent player in the growing residential ship market.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
