The VVR Odyssey, which was previously called the Braemar by Joseph Olsen Cruises (and originally built for Cunard), had sailed for approximately 15 years in the Caribbean, Europe and Greek Isles. The ship has been sitting dormant for over 3 years in Scotland, since Covid shut down the entire cruise industry. Therefore, the ship needs to be gently woken up: testing & powering her 4 engines; put through the paces for all inspections of sea worthiness and then sail from Scotland to Belfast, for its dry dock overhaul. The renovations include replacing all the weather worn outside decking, a major overhaul to the pool deck, repainting and rebranding the exterior of the ship, minor upgrades to all the cabins and creating the new business and culinary centers. Then VVR has to load all the provisions and crew and get the Odyssey ship shape! Pun intended.

Amenities on the ship include: three restaurants, eight bars and four lounges, a heated salt water pool with two Jacuzzis, a spa and fitness center, a well-stocked library, game and craft rooms, culinary center, convenience store, bikes, scuba program with equipment and certificate, golf simulator and a golf around the world program & club storage, a newly added pickleball court, shuffleboard, an observation deck with firepits and star gazing equipment, a business center w/ sound proof rooms if you need for privacy / recording / music etc. Any activity / hobby a passenger has a penchant for they have been encouraged to start up and give VVR a list of equipment needed and they will supply. Residents are offering to lead yoga, tai chi, mahjongg and poker games and other interest. There is also a a chiropractor and massage therapist are also packing their specialty equipment and language experts willing to give lessons and help. 

We have a resident only APP that we have all been conversing on since we signed up for the trip. The APP works great for keeping us current on everything going on at VVR, with regards to the ship and their vendors, and gives us passengers a way to get to know each other before we set sail. Once we are underway, they will use the APP to communicate all kinds of ship news. We will book our excursions and services through the APP and get all notifications on arrivals and departures, port / country news etc. Each of us also has a unique profile page where you can introduce yourself and passions to all. Through the App I was able to meet up with four other passengers in Puerto Vallarta, when I was there in January, as they noted they were too. They are the first residents I have met in person. Two of them are just down the hall from me, on deck 6.