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Belfast cruise ships schedule

Belfast, Northern Ireland  cruise calendar 2023 provides an opportunity to search the arrival and departure schedules of cruise ships.  Cruise liners arriving in Port Belfast dock at Stormont Dock - Belfast Harbour used by larger ships, and Pollock Dock reserved for berthing of smaller vessels.  The timetable displays dates and times cruise ships are scheduled to dock in port in two separate columns for arrivals and departures with the name of the ship, cruise operator, and maximum passenger capacity.  Please note, the following cruise port schedule is created on updated itineraries from the following cruise lines: Azamara, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania Cruises, Marella Cruises, TUI, P&O Cruises, Aida Cruises, Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Viking and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. Here you can  view cruise ship Itineraries  classified by cruise lines.

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Port Belfast (Northern Ireland UK) experiences record-breaking 2023 cruise season

In 2023, Belfast (Northern Ireland) experienced a record-breaking cruise season, as reported by Cruise Belfast, the collaboration between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast responsible for promoting the city as a premier cruise tourism destination.

The announcement coincided with the arrival of 2023's final cruiser - Fred Olsen 's ship Borealis , scheduled to dock on October 21st.

Throughout the 2023 cruise season, Belfast welcomed 57 ships from 32 different cruise lines, carrying a total of 320,000 passengers and crew who were warmly received. Among these, 14 ships made their inaugural calls to Belfast.

The 158 cruise ship calls in the 2023 season represented an 8% increase compared to the pre-pandemic record established in 2019. Onboard, passenger capacities averaged around 90% per vessel.

With the increase in passenger numbers and more visitors exploring Northern Ireland's tourism offerings, Cruise Belfast estimates that passenger spending alone injected over GBP 20 million into the local economy.

This year also marked a significant milestone, with the arrival of the 2 millionth cruise visitor to Belfast Harbour since the first cruise ship called in 1996. This milestone passenger arrived aboard the Norwegian Dawn , operated by NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line in May.

As a testament to its growing significance in the cruise industry, Belfast Harbour has begun facilitating several cruise turnarounds/roundtrip itineraries in 2023, including ~1200 Americans from the luxury ship Oceania Riviera .

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Record Number Of Cruise Ships To Dock In Belfast In 2023

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Belfast, Northern Ireland

Port schedule.

Belfast, Northern Ireland cruise ship port calendar shows all scheduled arrival and departure dates in a timetable format. The cruise calendar displays the ship’s estimated time of arrival including related information such as how crowded is the port, as well as the ship’s next port-of-call.

The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise ship arrivals from all major cruise lines. In order to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departure times just follow the ship’s link.

Belfast Cruise Port Guide Info

Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast.

• Spirit of Discovery 1.000 passengers 01 Jun 2024 - 08:00
• Queen Anne 3.353 passengers 02 Jun 2024 - 00:00
• Regal Princess 4.272 passengers 02 Jun 2024 - 07:00
• Star Pride 312 passengers 06 Jun 2024 - 08:00
• Mein Schiff 3 2.700 passengers 08 Jun 2024 - 04:45
• Ambition 1.428 passengers 12 Jun 2024 - 07:00
• Regal Princess 4.272 passengers 12 Jun 2024 - 07:00
• Celebrity Silhouette 3.463 passengers 14 Jun 2024 - 09:00
• Oceania Sirena 803 passengers 15 Jun 2024 - 07:00
• Silver Spirit 648 passengers 15 Jun 2024 - 08:00
• Jewel Of The Seas 2.573 passengers 16 Jun 2024 - 08:00
• Seven Seas Splendor 829 passengers 17 Jun 2024 - 08:00
• Carnival Legend 2.549 passengers 19 Jun 2024 - 07:00
• Mein Schiff 3 2.700 passengers 19 Jun 2024 - 07:00
• Arcadia 1.904 passengers 23 Jun 2024 - 00:00
• Star Legend 312 passengers 23 Jun 2024 - 07:00
• Oceania Insignia 803 passengers 24 Jun 2024 - 06:00
• Ambition 1.428 passengers 24 Jun 2024 - 07:00
• Viking Neptune 930 passengers 27 Jun 2024 - 00:00
• Celebrity Silhouette 3.463 passengers 30 Jun 2024 - 07:00
• Spirit of Discovery 1.000 passengers 01 Jun 2024 - 17:00
• Regal Princess 4.272 passengers 02 Jun 2024 - 21:00
• Star Pride 312 passengers 06 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• Mein Schiff 3 2.700 passengers 08 Jun 2024 - 20:45
• Ambition 1.428 passengers 12 Jun 2024 - 17:00
• Regal Princess 4.272 passengers 12 Jun 2024 - 21:00
• Celebrity Silhouette 3.463 passengers 14 Jun 2024 - 18:30
• Oceania Sirena 803 passengers 15 Jun 2024 - 17:00
• Silver Spirit 648 passengers 15 Jun 2024 - 22:00
• Jewel Of The Seas 2.573 passengers 16 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• Seven Seas Splendor 829 passengers 17 Jun 2024 - 21:00
• Carnival Legend 2.549 passengers 19 Jun 2024 - 16:00
• Mein Schiff 3 2.700 passengers 19 Jun 2024 - 19:00
• Oceania Insignia 803 passengers 24 Jun 2024 - 16:00
• Ambition 1.428 passengers 24 Jun 2024 - 17:00
• Star Legend 312 passengers 24 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• Celebrity Silhouette 3.463 passengers 30 Jun 2024 - 18:00

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Last Call of 2023 Brings Record Cruise Season for Belfast to a Close

Belfast enjoyed a record cruise season in 2023, with 158 calls reported by Cruise Belfast, the partnership between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast which markets the city as a leading cruise tourism destination.

The announcement was made as the final cruise ship of the year to call to Belfast, Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s ‘Borealis’ arrives in the port on Saturday 21st October.

This year’s cruise season saw 57 ships from 32 different cruise lines dock in the port, carrying 320,000 passengers and crew, who received a customary warm welcome. Among them were 14 ships who made their inaugural calls to Belfast.

The total of 158 calls made by cruise vessels during the 2023 season marked an 8% increase on the pre-pandemic record set in 2019. On board, passenger capacities have increased to an average of around 90% per vessel.

With increased passenger numbers, and more visitors arriving into Belfast to experience the tourism offerings across Northern Ireland, Cruise Belfast estimates that more than £20m was injected into the local economy through passenger spend alone.

This year also marked the arrival of the 2 millionth cruise visitor to Belfast Harbour since the first cruise ship called to Belfast in 1996. The milestone passenger arrived onboard the Norwegian Dawn, operated by the Norwegian Cruise Line in May this year.

A further indication of the city’s growing status in the cruise industry, Belfast has also begun to facilitate a number of cruise turnarounds during the year, the largest of which saw 1,200 US passengers from the Oceania Riviera ending their holiday in Belfast and a further 1,200 starting their trip in the city.

Michael Robinson, Port Director of Belfast Harbour said : “After a couple of disrupted years due to the pandemic it’s clear that cruise tourism in Belfast is now in very good health. We continue to receive a lot of positive feedback from passengers, crew and cruise line management on the quality of Northern Ireland’s tourism offering and the service the industry provides.

“Bookings for the 2024 cruise season are currently strong, with similar levels to this year’s record season, which is great news for the city and the industry. We look forward to another busy year welcoming visitors from around the world.”

Gerry Lennon Chief Executive at Visit Belfast added: “Belfast as a gateway city to Northern Ireland, now takes its place among Europe’s most vibrant and captivating destinations, for leisure, business and cruise visitors.

“With the continued investment in the city’s infrastructure and iconic world class attractions such as Titanic Belfast. Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Titanic Distillery and Belfast’s cultural programming for 2024, we will ensure we have a range of new and exciting giant experiences to attract the growing cruise market. Cruise Tourism is vital element of our tourism portfolio, and its impact is significant contributing to the visitor economy and bringing a great vibrancy the city region.”

Welcoming the continued growth in the sector, Naomi Waite, Tourism Northern Ireland’s Director of Marketing, added:   “Cruise tourism is increasingly important to the city and wider tourism economy, providing more opportunities to showcase Belfast and Northern Ireland’s wide range of visitor attractions, driving spend and economic impact.

“A highly competitive sector, our growing cruise tourism industry continues to benefit from over a decade of investment and marketing focus and I’m delighted by its continuing success.”

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Interactive world cruise map, home | cruise ships | port expenses | hints and tips, belfast ireland cruise port guide.

Belfast has three locations: See Map

* D1 Belfast Cruise Terminal is used for all "cruise calls" - cruise ships just visiting. This new terminal (2019) can accommodate ships with up to 6,000 passengers and crew and it has a smart cruise visitor information centre, a gift shop, plenty of seating and free wifi plus a large coach parking area and space for shuttle buses and taxis. *  Stormont Wharf is used for smaller ships. *  Pollock Dock is used only for "turnarounds" ships starting or ending their cruise in Belfast.

Most of the time there are shuttles that run between the harbor and the city center, close to the tourist office, every 15 minutes.

This is only announced the night before, so not to jeopardize the excursion sales. The usual rate is $12 per person.

A taxi only costs £7 one way per taxi, and thus is a much better deal especially if traveling with more persons.

Printable map to take along.

Hotels near the Cruise Terminal

Cruise calendar for this port.

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Sightseeing:

The center of Belfast is small enough to be explored by foot.

To make the most of your time in the city your first point of contact should be the centrally located Belfast Welcome center (Tourist Office) at 9 Donegall Sq North, opposite of City Hall. The staff can provide maps, book tours, recommend itineraries and places of interest. There is also a useful left luggage facility. See gotobelfast.com for more information.

If you are interested in going to the Titanic Belfast museum, buy your tickets online at www.titanicbelfast.com . The museum is only a few years old but it’s still popular enough that it sells out.

Tours Excursions Transportation:

At the cruise dock taxi tours of 90 minutes can be booked to see the World Famous Catholic & Protestant Murals that paint a picture of Belfast colorful history while your personal tour guide gives you the inside info. £35 per taxi. A very highly rated tour.

If your time is limited, the open-top ' Belfast Sightseeing ' bus tours are recommended, costing about £13 per person for a 2-hour journey. You will be shown the sights in the city center and suburbs including famous murals painted on the ends of terraced houses during 'The Troubles' in the Falls Road area, the Harland and Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built and Queens University. The guides are friendly, well informed and interesting. As guides are "real": only English spoken and no earphones.

It pays to compare your cruise line tours here

Nearby Places:

The top visitor attraction in Northern Ireland is the Giants Causeway . Considered by many to be the eighth wonder of the world, the Giants Causeway is well worth the effort to get to it.

Shopping and Food

St. George's Market , on May Street, is situated near Belfast Central Station, It is Northern Ireland's largest indoor market and one of Belfast's major attractions for visitors and locals alike. Farmers markets are held on Saturdays, and variety markets are held on Sundays and Fridays. It sells a fascinating range of foods, clothing and crafts. You can pick up some real bargains here, and the market itself provides a fascinating glimpse into Belfast life both past and present.

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Communication:

English is spoken everywhere but Irish (Gaeilge) is also used.

Free WiFi at the Belfast Welcome center and the new terminal.

Opening Hours and Holidays:

City center Shops generally open Mon- Sat, 9.30am-5.30pm (Thurs. until 9pm).Some larger stores open Sun 1-5pm. Neighborhood stores and garage forecourt convenience shops often open much longer - 24 hours in many cases.

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Belfast in for a ‘record’ season for visiting cruise ships

Published on 27 February 2023

Belfast can expect a £20m boost to its economy in 2023 as it pulls in 170 cruise ship calls over a record year, it was announced today.

Cruise Belfast said the number of cruises slated for a Belfast visit during 2023, bringing 250,000 tourists, was up 20 per cent on the previous record in 2019.

That was before the industry took a colossal hit during the pandemic.

In contrast, between March and October this year, 62 vessels from 36 cruise lines will dock at the port carrying more than 350,000 passengers and crew. In total, the 62 vessels will make 170 calls.

There will also be six cruises leaving from Belfast with Ambassador Cruise Lines, where residents can start and finish their cruise from the city.

And 15 ships will drop anchor in Belfast for the first time, including Disney Dream, Norwegian Prima and MSC Preziosa, as well as Ambassador Ambition.

Cruise Belfast said the number of first-time visitors demonstrated Northern Ireland’s increasing popularity as a cruise destination.

Michael Robinson, port director at Belfast Harbour, said: “With 170 vessels due to dock in Belfast this year, it’s clear that cruise tourism is back on track in 2023.

• Belfast can expect a £20m boost to its economy in 2023 as it pulls in 170 cruise ship calls over a record year
• Cruise Belfast said the number of cruises slated for a Belfast visit during 2023, bringing 250,000 tourists, was up 20 per cent on the previous record in 2019
• 62 vessels from 36 cruise lines will dock at the port carrying more than 350,000 passengers and crew, between March and October this year
• With 170 vessels due to dock in Belfast this year, it’s clear that cruise tourism is back on track in 2023

“Last year, we had 141 calls to the port as we transitioned from the 2021 cruise season, which was still partially curtailed by the pandemic, but this year we are on course to surpass our previous record year in 2019 as the global industry returns to full capacity.

“Cruise visitors make an important contribution to Northern Ireland’s tourism mix, attracting visitors from across the globe on day trips to attractions all across the region.

"We’re expecting a quarter of a million passengers to arrive to Belfast Harbour this season, which will provide an estimated £20m boost to the local economy.”

Mary Jo McCanny, director of visitor servicing at Visit Belfast, added: “The outlook for the cruise industry in 2023 is extremely positive with figures suggesting we will break the record for cruise calls that was set in 2019, demonstrating the strong partnerships that Cruise Belfast has formed with global cruise operators.

"This is an exciting year for the city as the tourism offering is going from strength to strength with more visitor experiences such as the Titanic Belfast multimillion pound refresh, the launch of Titanic Distilleries and McConnell’s Distilleries and the reopening of HMS Caroline.”

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The origins of Belfast Port can be traced back to 1613, when, during the reign of James I, the town was incorporated as a borough by royal charter, with provision for the establishment of a wharf or quay.

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Belfast Harbour has opened applications for the 2023 Belfast Harbour Community Awards, with an increased pot of £80,000 available for grass-roots organisations across Northern Ireland.

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Belfast Harbour to Welcome a Record 170 Cruise Ship Call in 2023

Belfast Harbour To Welcome 170 Cruise Calls in 2023

As the cruise industry in Northern Ireland continues to provide a welcome boost to the economy, the number of ships expected this season represents a 20% increase on the previous record set in 2019.

Between March and October this year, 62 different vessels from 36 different cruise lines will dock at the port carrying more than 350,000 passengers and crew.

This season will feature six embarkation cruises departing from Belfast with Ambassador Cruise Lines, where local residents can start and finish their cruise from Belfast

There will also be 15 ships calling to Belfast for the first time, including Disney Dream, Norwegian Prima and MSC Preziosa, as well as Ambassador Ambition, demonstrating Northern Ireland’s increasing popularity as a cruise destination and providing testament to the quality of award-winning visitor attractions across the region.

Michael Robinson, Port Director for Belfast Harbour said:

“With 170 vessels due to dock in Belfast this year, it’s clear that cruise tourism is back on track in 2023. Last year, we had 141 calls to the Port as we transitioned from the 2021 cruise season, which was still partially curtailed by the pandemic, but this year we are on course to surpass our previous record year in 2019 as the global industry returns to full capacity.

“Cruise visitors make an important contribution to Northern Ireland’s tourism mix, attracting visitors from across the globe on day trips to attractions all across the region. We’re expecting a quarter of a million passengers to arrive to Belfast Harbour this season, which will provide an estimated £20m boost to the local economy.”

Mary Jo McCanny, Director of Visitor Servicing at Visit Belfast, added:

“The outlook for the cruise industry in 2023 is extremely positive with figures suggesting we will break the record for cruise calls that was set in 2019, demonstrating the strong partnerships that Cruise Belfast has formed with global cruise operators. This is an exciting year for the city as the tourism offering is going from strength to strength with more visitor experiences such as the Titanic Belfast multimillion pound refresh, the launch of Titanic Distilleries and McConnell’s Distilleries and the reopening of HMS Caroline. The quality of our visitor attractions throughout the region continue to draw visitors from across the world and the Visitor Services team are excited to welcome them shore-side this season.”

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Please Note: Dates / Times are as advised by the Cruise Lines and may be subject to change at short notice. Cruise Belfast does not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained within this schedule.

Hebridean Sky

COMPANY:   Noble

Spirit Of Discovery

COMPANY:   Cunard

Regal Princess

COMPANY:   Princess Cruises

COMPANY:   Grand Circle

Viking Saturn

COMPANY:   Viking

Hanseatic Nature

COMPANY:   Hapag Lloyd

The Hanseatic nature will be a German-speaking ship, with all cruises conducted in German only. It's a newly launched expedition ship. Ships Agent: Hamilton Shipping.

Mein Schiff 3

COMPANY:   TUI

COMPANY:   Celebrity

Please note that throughout 2021 this ship is operating with reduced capacity to allow for greater social distancing.

COMPANY:   Oceania

Silver Spirit

COMPANY:   Silverseas

Jewel of the Seas

COMPANY:   Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

Seven Seas Splendor

COMPANY:   Regent Seven Seas

COMPANY:   Carnival

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Carnival Legend

COMPANY:   Carnival Cruise Lines

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Norwegian Dawn

COMPANY:   Norwegian Cruise Lines

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Renaissance

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Seabourn Quest

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Seven Seas Voyager

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COMPANY:   Azamara

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Seven Seas Navigator

COMPANY:   Noble Caledonia

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Spirit Of Adventure

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Caribbean Princess

COMPANY:   Princess Cruise Lines

Viking Venus

World Voyager

COMPANY:   Mystic Cruises

Norwegian Star

COMPANY:   Norwegian Cruises

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Oceania Cruises, Ireland from Belfast, June 21, 2023

Cruising from: Belfast, Northern Ireland ;

Departure Date: 21 June, 2023 ;

Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises ;

Cruise Ship: Riviera ;

Duration: 8-day cruise ;

Ports of Call: Belfast, Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Bantry Bay, Galway, Killybegs, Londonderry, Belfast ;

8-day cruise to Belfast, Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Bantry Bay, Galway, Killybegs, Londonderry, Belfast on board Riviera.

Day 0 belfast, northern ireland.

Belfast is Northern Ireland's capital. If passing through as part of a cruise, be sure to head straight for the so-called Golden Mile, which runs from Belfast City Hall to Queen's University, and is where you'll find the majority of the city's historic attractions as well as its best bars, restaurants and cafes.

Day 1 Dublin, Ireland

Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland is steeped in Celtic legend, and is one of the liveliest and most historic cities in Europe. Among the many must-see highlights that the city offers is the National Museum of Ireland, which is spread out over several venues, each covering a different speciality. The famous Book of Kells can be seen in the Old Library at Trinity College, while the Christ Church Cathedral is Dublin's oldest building.

Day 2 Waterford, Ireland

Waterford is a city in Ireland, situated at the head of Waterford Harbour. Waterford City, steeped in history, heritage and culture, represents a unique blend of modern shopping centres, traditional pubs and highly acclaimed gourmet restaurants. There is also much to do and see: the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre, the highly praised Waterford Museum of Treasures and the Waterford Walking Tour as well as Christ Church Cathedral.

Day 3 Cork, Ireland

Cobh is a town on the south coast of Ireland, on an island in Cork city's harbour. It's known as the Titanic's last port of call which sailed from here on 14 April 1912. The centre of Cobh is compact and quite flat with a large waterside park and a good selection of bars, shops, cafes and restaurants.

Day 4 Bantry Bay, Ireland

Bantry is a lovely little harbour town at the head of Bantry Bay, where visitors can find peace and tranquillity. Wonderful coastal countryside, hidden glens, hills, woods and forests are what every nature lover is looking for. And for adventurers there are well-organized outdoor activities like sailing through the various peninsulas, see kayaking or visiting nearby islands.

Day 5 Galway, Ireland

Galway is the fourth largest city in Ireland and it is special because of its atmosphere, the culture, the people, and the events. Outside of Galway City, Connemara region offers spectacular scenery of valleys, mountains and lakes. The coast line is wrought into rocky inlets sheltering white sand beaches, and is studded with the beautiful Aran islands that make for interesting day trips. Galway is the unofficial cultural capital of Ireland and home to many artists, writers and artisans.

Day 6 Killybegs, Northern Ireland

Killybegs is a town in County Donegal in Ulster, Ireland and the second largest fishing port in Ireland. Killybegs is famous for its tapestries and carpets, some of which were produced on the biggest carpet loom in the world at the "Donegal Carpet Factory". Fintra beach, located on the outskirts of Killybegs town, consists entirely of fine golden sand and it is regarded as one of the safest beaches in Ireland.

Day 7 Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Londonderry or Derry is the second-largest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-largest city on the island of Ireland. Derry is the only remaining completely intact walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe. Combining tradition and modern tendencies, there are plenty of shops and boutiques, pubs with traditional Irish music as well as museums and galleries.

Day 8 Belfast, Northern Ireland

Sail with Oceania Cruises from Belfast to British Isles on board Riviera cruise ship. Discover the best of Northern Ireland, Ireland on this British Isles cruise and discover amazing Belfast, Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Bantry Bay, Galway, Killybegs, Londonderry, Belfast. Riviera leaving Belfast, Northern Ireland for 8 days from June 21, 2023.

British Isles cruise June 2023

British Isles cruise from Belfast June 2023

Please note that port orders, dates, and itinerary details, including content, are subject to change. Verify specific details for your chosen sailing date on the Oceania Cruises website.

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Villa Vie Odyssey’s Drydock Almost Complete

• May 31, 2024

Villa Vie Odyssey’s refurbishment in Belfast is progressing well, according to Villa Vie Residence’s video update.

The video details the work completed over the ship’s second and third drydock week in Northern Ireland, ahead of its launch, which has now been postponed to June 4.

“Things are finally starting to pick up, we’ve got work up here on deck 8, deck 5, lifeboats, hull, engine room … It’s finally starting to look like a proper drydock,” said Charlie Kinnear, director of technical operations at Villa Vie Residences on the video.

“We are now getting to that point where we can write things off, we know what we’re working, what we’re not working…There are just a thousand moving pieces in making something like this work,” added Kinnear.

Some of the enhancements onboard the Odyssey include updated pool deck renovations, refurbished crew cabins, fresh paint and new carpeting.

George Zeitler, director of certification and compliance, said: “The work up here is going at quite a satisfactory pace, really impressed with the crew up here and the quality of work they’re doing.”

Originally scheduled to depart on its perpetual voyage from Southampton on May 15, the Odyssey’s departure was pushed to May 30, departing from Belfast.

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Endless cruise set to tour the world – and it'll always be summer

U nder a blazing blue sky in the legendary Harland & Wolff shipyard in Northern Ireland, where the Titanic was once built, the modestly sized Villa Vie Odyssey sits in dry dock, dwarfed by the huge 12-deck Caribbean party boat that looms beside it.

But when it sets sail on May 30, after intense refurbishment and cosmetic work, this 31-year-old ship will be one of the hottest new innovations in the cruise industry. It will be one of only two residential cruise ships in operation – and its world tour will have successfully launched where others have very dramatically failed.

Around 300 passengers – or "residents" – will be on board to start the voyage from Belfast which will visit 425 ports in 147 countries across all seven continents, circumnavigating the globe every three-and-a-half years.

For this is to be a cruise without end, where passengers can choose between pay-as-you-go and ownership options, spending as little as 35 days or the whole of their natural life on board, with the ship itself being replaced around every 15 years.

1,301 days of summer

The relatively small size of the 924-capacity vessel means it's capable of docking in the heart of destinations, with port stays ranging from a leisurely two to seven days, rather than the typical "hit and run" cruise ship approach. These long-term cruise residents do, after all, have all the time in the world.

The global itinerary , broken down into 16 "segments" over 1,301 days, has been carefully designed so that it catches the spring-summer seasons in both the northern and summer hemisphere. Residents, if they so choose, may never feel the winter chill again.

There's no commitment to stay on board for the full three and a half years, or to get off when that's over. Residents can pick and choose between segments as they like. South America is the most popular part and the transatlantic section the least, Villa Vie Residences CEO Mikael Petterson told the dry dock press tour Sunday.

Learning from the past

Takeup has been high. Of the 295 cabins available at launch, 270 have been sold, with some residents choosing to join later in the voyage. Petterson expects all cabins to be fully booked by the end of the Northern European segment, which ends in August, and more will be opened up during segment two, which is Greenland to Miami.

"We have a significant amount of people that want to come and see the ship themselves before committing, for obvious reasons," says Petterson. It's been a long journey to this upcoming launch and this is not the first venture of its kind.

In November 2023, Life at Sea Cruises canceled its three-year voyage shortly before departure, having not secured a ship, leaving passengers stranded and pursuing refunds of tens of thousands of dollars.

Villa Vie was started by Petterson and other former members of the Life at Sea executive team who quit when the original team split in May 2022. He says they've been able to learn from the mistakes of those who've gone before.

Conservative option

The ship now known as Villa Vie Odyssey was constructed in 1993 and – as the 495-cabin MS Braemar – was purchased from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines last year for $13 million. A further $12 million has been spent on the refurb and getting it fully recertified and up to standard.

"At $25 million all in, it's less than half of what anyone else has been trying," says Pettersen. "The ship is much cheaper, the financing is in place, the equity's in place, the sales are more than twice what Life at Sea had, so we're just in a completely different position."

The reason the team chose this conservatively sized and priced vessel is "because we wanted to make sure we could pull it through," he says. "The challenge has all been with the technical and getting her from asleep to awake. We're largely there. We're moving onto the hotel and that's the easy bit," he laughs.

The boat is wearing its age well and it's not all been an uphill struggle. In 2009, it was enlarged during a refurb, and was renovated again in 2019, with many of the public areas getting a stylish new face.

"A lot of these spaces were only in service for four months since they were last revitalized, so we haven't had to do anything to them," explains Pettersen. There are plans to keep updating spaces after launch, too – like a lived-in home rather than an off-the-peg hotel.

Under $33,000 a year

As the Odyssey, the ship will have eight decks, a wraparound promenade and an enlarged pool – combining the Braemar's two, so that passengers can swim laps. And when that feels too energetic, there are two Jacuzzis to lounge in.

There will be three restaurants, five bars and lounges, a spa, a fitness center, a library and a medical center. Then there's the spacious business center with sea views, internet from Starlink and Viasat 3, and an "interactive culinary center" for those missing the kitchen, as well as for cooking classes.

There will also be a golf program with a simulator on board and outings to greens around the world.

It's also surprisingly affordable, as round-the-world cruise experiences go. Over on megayacht The World – the other residential cruise ship – prices start at $2 million a year. But on Villa Vie Odyssey, an annual rental works out at less than $32,485, while a three-year stint will set you back $97,455.

An inside cabin is $89 per person per day, outside cabins start at $119 per person per day, and balconies at $199. All food and soft drinks are included, plus alcohol at dinner, as well as Wi-Fi and medical visits (but not procedures or medicines). There'll also be 24/7 room service, weekly housekeeping and bi-weekly laundry service at no extra cost.

Endless Horizons

Meanwhile, buying entails paying outright for a cabin – starting at $99,000 for an internal one, $149,000 for an outdoor and $249,000 for a balcony. Owners must then pay monthly fees starting at $1,750 per person, $2,500 per person, or $4,000 per person respectively – or $21,000, $30,000 or $48,000 per year.

Owners can then rent it out to other people themselves (for no charge) or through Villa Vie for a fee.

Those buying a cabin will be guaranteed it for 15 years, which is the estimated life of the ship. And then there's the newly introduced Endless Horizons program, where residents make a one-time payment of ​​$299,000 for lifetime access to a cabin, transferring ships when the cruise does.

Prices are based on double occupancy. Solo travelers get discounts of 30% for an internal cabin, 20% for an outside one and 10% for a balcony.

There are also a lot more solo travelers than one might expect on a typical vacation cruise – 50% of this first takeup are single. In the under-40s range, there are a lot more single male travelers than female, but post-retirement age, there are more women. The average age of traveler is 58 and 80% are from the United States, with Canadians being the next biggest group.

Floating community

A few of them are on board during the dry dock tour, such as John and Melody Hennessee, flamboyantly coordinated in hats and vests. They've made headlines around the world for selling their worldly goods to live on cruise ships for the rest of their lives, and they were there Sunday to plan out their triple-cabin with the team.

As these are people's homes, there are generous customization options afforded to residents, with requests accommodated where possible. There are a small number of large suites available to the ritziest of passengers – the biggest has a price tag of $900,000.

New Zealand couple Mark and Katrina Howard, in hard hats to get their first look at their home for the next three and a half years, have no problem with the downsizing requiring to fit their belongings into a two-person cabin. "We've done motor-homing," says Katrina.

As for cruise ships, "we met on one in 1994, out of Auckland," she says, and now "we'll be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary on board" Villa Vie Odyssey.

It's just one of the many celebrations, landmark moments and life-changing events that are set to take place among this floating community of strangers who are about to become close and near-permanent neighbors. Whatever waves or storms lie ahead, the summer-led itinerary ensures the sun will largely be shining.

READ MORE: Endless cruise set to tour the world – and it'll always be summer

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Belfast Cruise Ship Schedule For 31 May 2023

More From Forbes

Endless residential cruise sets sail for first 15 years.

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A never-ending cruise sets sail on 30 May, where passengers can always be at sea, and in the warm ... [+] weather

If living life perpetually onboard a cruise ship sounds like bliss, then book a slot on the cruise ship leaving Belfast this week that intends to spend its entire life at sea. Marketing itself as the world's 'first endless cruise', it's opening itinerary will take in 425 destinations over 1301 days—that's over three and a half years, and all in a warm climate.

Setting off from the same dry docks that built the Titanic, the ship is not the largest in the world—that headline belongs to the aptly named Icon Of The Seas , that is five times the size of the Titanic, and set sail from Miami in January.

This ship, the Villa Vie Odyssey, has a modest 485 cabins to house 800 passengers that will divide their time between three restaurants, five bars, a library, a pool and a gym, as well as a business center. It has a golf program, with an onboard golf simulator and plans for excursions to play on greens around the world.

Its comparatively small size means that it can dock in smaller ports and the planned length of the journey gives passengers more time in each place. The itinerary, reports CNN , is designed to take advantage of the spring/summer seasons in both the northern and southern hemispheres, keeping passengers in perpetual warmth.

Passengers can join on one of the 16 segments of the trip (segments range in length between 35 to 120 days), or they can join a cabin for the entire duration and even rent it out to others. It will cost around $32,485 to rent a cabin onboard for one year, and around $97,455 for three years—the pay-as-you-go option costs $89 per person per day for an inside cabin, $119 for an outside cabin and one with a balcony would cost $199. That includes food and soft drinks, alcohol at dinner, plus housekeeping, wifi and doctor's appointments (but doesn't include medical procedures or medicine).

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You can also buy a cabin, though, for the life of the ship. Inside cabins start at $99,000, outdoor cabins cost $149,000 and it's $249,000 for a balcony. In addition, passengers pay a $1,750, $2,500 or $4,000 monthly fee, per person respectively, meaning in addition to the cost of buying the cabin, it costs between $21,000 to $48,000 per year to stay onboard. Passengers must give six month's notice to leave the ship to get a full refund.

If anyone plans to stay on longer than the planned 15-year life of the the ship, for a fee of $299,000 they can transfer to a new cabin on a newly refurbished ship.

It's being marketed as an alternative retirement plan, cheaper than the price of a home in many places across the U.S. One couple, Grace and Jerry Grady, have sold their house in the U.S. and are intending to rent a cabin for a year. If they want to invite friends and relatives, it is possible—guests can stay for up to two weeks and would pay $33 per person per day for a cabin.

Half of the first wave of passengers were single, 80% are from the U.S. (followed by Canadians) and the average age onboard is 58.

This isn't the first time that someone has tried to start a residential cruise. Life At Sea was due to set sail for three years but was cancelled in November 2023, just weeks before departure, leaving many booked passengers seeking refunds—it hadn't secured a ship before taking bookings. Villa Vie has been started by members of the original Life At Sea team who are keen to reassure they have learnt from past lessons.

The first segment takes in northern Europe starting with the Norwegian Fjords. The idea is that new itineraries will be added on as the ship continues sailing around the world for the next 15 years.

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