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In the famous ancient Greek poem "The Odyssey," Odysseus' journey home took him 10 years. The voyage of the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship was much shorter.
The promise of Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey cruise ship was that passengers could purchase or rent one of the rooms, with the idea of spending the rest of their days aboard a luxurious cruise ship.
The company had retrofitted the 33-year-old ship and sold permanent cabins priced from $119,999 to $439,999.
However, the company suspended the cruise ship's operations on October 27, 2026, just over two years after it first set sail. Villa Vie Residences cited rising fuel costs as the reason.
"I think we would have been absolutely fine — and we would have seen this through — if there was no Iran war," Mikael Petterson, founder and executive chairman of Villa Vie, told Business Insider this week.
With photos from Villa Vie Residences' media kit for the Odyssey, and information from its official website, take a look inside the doomed Villa Vie Odyssey.
The Odyssey is 195 meters long and could house 650 residents.
Residents could either opt for full ownership of a room or rent one for a shorter-term stay.
It offered a culinary experience using local ingredients from every place it traveled.
The Thistle Restaurant offered a daily menu that rotated on a 14-day cycle, with an emphasis on healthy, locally sourced cuisine.
The Coral Club was the spot for late-night entertainment.
It offered activities such as live music, dancing, and karaoke.
The Observatory also offered a similar day-to-night vibe.
On Deck 8, The Observatory was a café that turned into a sunset-watching spot in the evening.
Villa Vie describes the Neptune Lounge as the place for "top-tier entertainment."
It offered local entertainment from each destination, such as live music and shows.
The Business Center offered a place to work for residents.
Connected to Starlink, the Business Center was open to all residents at no extra charge, with private offices available as well.
The Fitness Center features cardio and strength-training equipment, along with ocean views.
It also offered classes, such as yoga and wellness sessions.
On Deck 3, there is a spa equipped with a sauna and steam room.
There was an on-site hairdresser in the spa.
As well as a nail salon.
There is also a medical center on-site Deck 3.
On Deck 8, there is a pool deck.
It's also equipped with jacuzzis.
The deck also has a pickleball court.
One of the room types available for rent was the porthole villa.
During meal times, all residents were given access to complimentary wine and beer.
The balcony suites have a separate living area.
The superior suite had a private balcony, a separate living area, and an additional living space.
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Roya is a reporter on Business Insider's Editorial Partnerships team. She is based in London. Before joining Business Insider, she worked as a reporter at financial newswire Alliance News and was an intern at The Wall Street Journal. Roya graduated from City St George's, University of London with an MA in International Journalism.
