This Cruise Line Is Introducing a New Ship You Can Live On Permanently
Villa Vie Residences, a pioneer in residential cruise living, is expanding its innovative offerings with the introduction of a new luxury brand, Project Lumina.
This exciting development will include the acquisition and conversion of a second ship, which will cater to a more upscale and luxurious segment of residential cruising.
As part of this expansion, Villa Vie has appointed Chris Cox, former head of global sales for Crescent Seas, to serve as president of Project Lumina.
A New Era of Residential Ocean Living
Villa Vie Residences currently operates the Villa Vie Odyssey, a 1993-built vessel that serves as a residential cruise ship offering its guests a continuous world cruise experience. With Project Lumina, the company aims to elevate the concept of living at sea by introducing a luxury product designed to meet the growing demand for fully owned private residences aboard cruise ships.
The first ship under Project Lumina is rumored to be the Regent Seven Seas Navigator, a vessel that Crescent Seas had previously planned to acquire.
However, the startup backed out of the deal last month, and Villa Vie has since moved in to fill the gap, with Cox leading the charge to finalize the acquisition and conversion plans. This new ship will offer world-class amenities, top-tier services, and a curated global itinerary aimed at discerning travelers seeking an elevated, permanent residential experience at sea.
Luxury Living at Sea: The Project Lumina Experience
The Villa Vie Odyssey will continue to operate alongside Project Lumina, maintaining its place as the company’s flagship contemporary residential product. However, Project Lumina will cater to a more luxurious market with a broader range of ownership options, from attainable world-travel homes to ultra-luxury villa experiences.
In a statement, Chris Cox expressed his excitement about the opportunity, saying, “There is incredible demand for authentic, residential oceangoing lifestyles—from attainable world-travel homes to ultra-luxury villa experiences.
Project Lumina will be about listening carefully to that demand and translating it into beautifully designed, high-value products that feel both elevated and deeply personal.”
An Expanding Global Presence
The launch of Project Lumina marks a new chapter in Villa Vie’s journey as a global leader in residential life at sea. While specific details about the second ship’s name and the inaugural development timeline will be shared at a later date, Villa Vie is committed to providing an unparalleled luxury experience.
With private residences starting at $539,999 for oceanview options and $899,999 for balcony suites, the company is setting the stage for a new wave of residential cruising that promises to blend luxury, exclusivity, and the freedom to explore the world—all from the comfort of a floating home.
A Vision for the Future
Villa Vie’s CEO, Kathy Villalba, emphasized the company’s dedication to maintaining the high standard of living that current residents aboard the Odyssey enjoy while expanding its offerings to meet growing demand.
The company plans to leverage Chris Cox’s experience and leadership to ensure that Project Lumina successfully fulfills the vision of providing a range of luxury products while maintaining a deeply personal and elevated living experience at sea.
With these exciting developments on the horizon, it’s clear that Villa Vie is ready to redefine the future of luxury cruise living, offering new levels of sophistication and comfort for residents seeking a life on the sea.
Stay tuned for more updates on the details of Project Lumina’s inaugural ship and its promising future.
