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A CRUISE line is offering escape voyages during President-elect Donald Trump’s second term in the White House. Florida-based Villa Vie Residences recently announced the launch of its Tour La Vie program, which allows passengers to spend up to four years on the island. During the four-year cruises, travelers will visit more than 140 countries while avoiding the United States.
Tour La Vie voyages offer a variety of stays aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, including a one-year “Escape from Reality” cruise, a two-year “Mid-Term Selection” cruise, a three-year “Everywhere but Home” option and a four-year “Skip Forward” voyage.
“We created this marketing campaign before we even knew who was going to win. Regardless of who was going to win, you’re going to piss off half the population,” CEO Mikael Petterson told Newsweek. “We really don’t have any political views. We just wanted to give people who felt threatened a way to get out.”
Cruise ticket prices
For those who want to take the cruise, cruise tickets start at $40,000 per year, while single occupancy cabins for the full four years start at $256,000, with double occupancy going up to US$320,000 for the trip.
For Americans who will be on board for the 2026 midterm and 2028 presidential elections, travelers will still be able to vote by absentee ballot, which will be sent to the cruise line and then to the ship.
Cruise Ship Capacity
Villa Vie Odyssey can accommodate over 600 travelers. There are usually three distinct groups: retirees, with the oldest being 92; semi-retirees; and the youngest group of digital freelancers. “It’s great to see the community, young and old, come together,” Petterson said.
The ship recently entered the second month of a 15-year world tour that will visit all seven continents, 13 wonders of the world and more than 100 tropical islands. The ship was previously docked in Belfast for four months while repairs were made to a sudden breakdown. The Odyssey was due to leave Northern Ireland in May for a three-year circumnavigation of the globe but instead set sail from Belfast Harbor at the end of September.
All meals and drinks are included in the price, as are WiFi and medical visits. Housekeeping is provided weekly and laundry is provided bi-weekly at no additional cost, while alcohol is only included at dinner.
Destinations
During the cruise, the ship will sail to various locations around the world. Travelers will spend a month in the Caribbean before embarking on a four-month South American itinerary that includes two Panama Canal transits, two Wonders of the World, the Chilean Fjords, an Antarctic cruise, Carnival in Rio and an eight-day trip up the Amazon River. [independent.co.ud/photo special]
