Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey, which served as Fred. Olsen’s Braemar from 2001 to 2024, arrived in Belfast on 28 April from layup at Leith Docks. She had been there for some considerable time, since before the Covid pandemic.
She entered dry dock at H&W on arrival and had initially been due to set sail from Southampton on a round-the-world cruise on 15 May, but the departure date and port were changed to 30 May from Belfast.
However, at the beginning of August she was still in Belfast, almost three months after first arriving. According to reports, new rudder stocks had to be manufactured, which contributed significantly to the delay in getting her into service.
The 1993-built ship was floated on 24 July and moved out of the dock to the ship repair quay on 2 August. Recent estimates indicate she will depart Belfast on 20 August. Villa Vie Residences are still awaiting certification from the MCA and a classification society.
Photo by Scott Mackey
