Tag Archives: southampton

Former Braemar Sails from Scotland Ahead of Villa Vie Debut

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The former Braemar has sailed from Scotland ahead of debuting for Villa Vie Residences.

After spending almost four years docked in Rosyth, the 1993-built vessel left the port under its own power on Tuesday morning.

Set to be renamed Villa Vie Odyssey, the cruise ship is now on its way to the Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where it is expected to arrive on April 25.

At drydock, the 924-guest vessel is scheduled to undergo significant technical work, including the reactivation of systems, class inspections, general maintenance and more.

The Villa Vie Odyssey will also receive a new livery, as well as new public areas and features. Among the new additions are a culinary centre and a pickleball court.

According to Villa Vie Residences, the vessel will also be enhanced with a state-of-the-art business centre, an upgraded pool deck, a new observation deck and refurbished staterooms.

All 480 cabins are set to undergo upgrades to ensure “the utmost comfort and style,” the company said.

Following the refit, the Odyssey is scheduled to sail to Southampton to embark on its maiden voyage for the new operator.

After leaving Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ fleet in late 2022, the former Braemar was acquired by Villa Vie Residences earlier this year.

Building on a residential ship concept, the startup brand plans to offer a continuous cruise that will circumnavigate the globe every three-and-a-half years.

Passengers can buy their own “villas” onboard the ship, becoming owners of one of the ship’s cabins.

For its first world voyage, the Odyssey is scheduled to visit all seven continents, sailing to over 425 destinations in 147 countries. The itinerary also allows guests to explore 13 of the 14 Wonders of the World, Villa Vie said.

Built in Spain in the early 1990s, the former Braemar also sailed for Cunard Line, Crown Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and others.

Cunard Officially Welcomes Queen Anne with Ceremony at Fincantieri Shipyard

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The Queen Anne has officially joined Cunard’s fleet during a handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, according to a press release.

The event was attended by the Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, and Italian Minister for Relations with Parliament, Luca Ciriani.

Also present were Katie McAlister, president of Cunard; Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK; Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and managing director of Fincantieri; Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of the Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division; and Marco Lunardi, director of Fincantieri Shipyard.

McAlister said: “We are so excited to welcome Queen Anne to our fleet as she completes a remarkable quartet alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria – marking the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships in simultaneous service. We are now fully focused on readying her to welcome guests for her maiden voyage on May 3 before she embarks on a historic British Isles Festival Voyage, including a momentous Naming Ceremony in Cunard’s spiritual home of Liverpool on June 3.”

The 3,000-passenger ship will now set sail for Southampton ahead of its seven-night maiden voyage to Lisbon on May 3.

Folgiero added: “We are very pleased and eager to deliver Queen Anne to Cunard, a pioneering figure in luxury sea travel, renowned for setting new standards in oceanic voyages for over 180 years. This beautiful and iconic ship testifies to the longstanding partnership between our two companies, underscoring our shared commitment to excellence and tradition in the maritime industry. Queen Anne, as Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, the other two ships we built for Cunard, proudly bear Fincantieri’s signature, embodying our enduring expertise, reliability, and craftsmanship in shipbuilding.

“Constructing a liner for such a distinguished shipowner not only reconnects us to our origins but propels us towards the future with a determination to blend tradition and innovation. Fincantieri thus confirms its leadership in the cruise shipbuilding sector, a fundamental pillar of the company’s business project, as both the Group’s Business Plan and the vitality of the post-pandemic cruise sector clearly show.”

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Completes Two Decades at Sea

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The Queen Mary 2 is completing its second decade at sea in 2024.

Having started sailing in early 2004, the 151,400-ton vessel was the result of the “Queen Mary Project.”

Announced by Cunard Line in 1998, the project called for the construction of the “the biggest and most luxurious ocean liner ever.”

After being built by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, the Queen Mary 2 was christened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in Southampton on Jan. 8, 2004.

A few days after the ceremony, which celebrated Cunard’s British heritage with performances of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Marines band, the ship set sail on its first voyage: a transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale.

Before starting its transatlantic service, the Queen Mary 2 offered a media preview cruise, in addition an 11-night cruise to the Caribbean.

As the world’s last ocean liner, the ship traditionally spends most of the year offering one-way Atlantic crossings that sail between New York City, and Southampton, in the United Kingdom. Guests can also embark or disembark on the German port of Hamburg on some of the sailings.

Most of the six- to eight-night voyages feature only sea days and sail at higher speeds when compared to regular cruising.

In 2024, after returning from its 108-night world tour, the vessel is set to offer two- to 13-night cruises to Western Europe, the Norwegian Fjords, the British Isles, Canada & New England, the Caribbean, and more.

Cunard’s website describes the Queen Mary 2 as its “legendary flagship,” a “true icon,” and a “astonishing liner.”

According to the company, the 2,620-guest vessel offers several unique features, including a vast library, an indulging spa, and more.