Villa Vie Odyssey Belfast: Victor looking forward to 15-year-cruise - circling the globe every four years
Fifty-three year old Victor Torres is looking forward to beginning a 15-year round the world cruise which is due to launch from Belfast this weekend.
The Los Angeles man has retired from his position as a senior vice president of human resources in the education sector and sold everything he owns – except his home – which he is now renting out.
He is one of many who have booked their place on the Villa Vie Odyssey which is due to set sail this weekend from Belfast, circling the globe every three-and-a-half years and visiting 147 countries.
The vessel has undergone renovations of at least £12m in Harland and Wolff after sitting idle for much of the pandemic and being bought over earlier this year by the new operator, Villa Vie Residences.
Asked why he decided to book 15 years of his life on the cruise, Mr Torres told the News Letter: “For someone like myself, I really enjoyed travelling, so this gave me an opportunity to where I can go ahead and travel the world and never have to unpack.
“And so that was one of my biggest attractions, for me it is a really convenient way to go see the world.”
He added: “I think there's just so many different places to see. I think Antarctica is one that I'm looking forward to going to, as well as Brazil and the Fiji islands.”
As a young man he served proudly in the US Marine Corps, having served in many places around the world.
He does not feel any particular ties to Los Angeles at present as both his parents have passed away and his siblings and children all live in different states. With internet technology he feels he can easily stay in touch with them.
Since May he has travelled around 11 European countries while waiting for the repairs to be completed.
But without any question he says the welcome he has got in Belfast during his time here beats them all.
“Most definitely, it's one of the top three places that I've been to after 11 European countries. I found the people very welcoming.
“Everyone was just so friendly. You know, you'd be out drinking or enjoying yourself at the local establishments and you always had people wanting to talk and just being very friendly and trying to guide you.
"They might say, 'Oh, check this place out, or go to this place or do this tour'. And so I think that's been one of the most enjoyable parts of my travels, being in Belfast especially after being in 11 different countries out here in the European area.”
He has also been converted to Guinness during his stay, he said, never having had a taste for it before, but is not so keen on the weather in Belfast this week.
“No, definitely not,” he laughed.
The Villa Vie features three restaurants, five bars and lounges, an extended pool, a spa and fitness centre, a library and a golf simulator with classes led by a Master PGA Professional.
Many of the new residents are wealthy retirees, some of whom have sold their homes to become permanent residents.
However, others are still planning to work remotely from the business centre.