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A new, custom floating platform from AquaBanas will debut this fall with Villa Vie Odyssey in the South Pacific.
The inflatable platform features space for gathering, relaxing, and watersports, as well as assisting tendering.
The space will be available to guests at various anchored ports of call and could be expanded to other parts of the ship’s ongoing itinerary.
Guests aboard the residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey are in for a unique and intimate experience when they visit the South Pacific in late 2025 and they will have opportunities no cruise traveler has ever had before.
When the 24,300-gross ton ship is visiting destinations such as the Maldives, Seychelles, and other exotic and highly desirable ports of call, a new floating platform from AquaBanas will be deployed directly from the vessel.
Called a Customized Floating Oasis, the large, inflatable platform has been designed exclusively for Villa Vie Odyssey and will serve as a “Floating Marine and Recreation Hub” for guests aboard.
When the ship is anchored at different ports, the hub can be deployed from either side of the vessel to offer extra space for sunbathing as well as a launching point for watersports such as kayaking or jet skiing.
The space will also offer some loungers and a cutout for an in-ocean pool, and can even be used to help tendering operations in ports that may not have the infrastructure to support cruise ship visits.
“With our global itinerary, we often visit breathtaking destinations that require tendering to reach shore,” explained Mikael Petterson, Chairman of Villa Vie Residences.
“Our residents are seeking more than just a place to live – they want experiences. This innovative addition reflects our commitment to reimagining life at sea, combining luxury, exploration, and community.”
This is also a great expansion for AquaBanas, introducing their customizable product in a new and innovative way.
“Working with Villa Vie Residences aligns perfectly with our vision of creating unforgettable aquatic experiences,” said Mark Anastasia, CEO of AquaBanas. “This oasis will redefine how people enjoy the adventures and luxuries of ocean living.”
About AquaBanas
AquaBanas is well known for its premium inflatable platforms, slides, and loungers, which are already familiar to cruise guests at different destinations.
Similar platforms are found at RelaxAway Half Moon Cay as well as the brand new Celebration Key in the Bahamas. They are offered for rentals during ship visits, giving guests a fun and unique way to enjoy their time on the islands.
The floating platforms do come at a premium price, however. On Celebration Key, the cost is $499.99 for a full day rental that can accommodate up to eight guests.
There is no indication that guests aboard Villa Vie Odyssey will need to pay any fees to enjoy the platform, though its availability will undoubtedly be dependent on weather conditions and occupancy limits.
The refurbished and updated ship can welcome up to 929 guests, but there is no way the platform could accommodate everyone at once.
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Still, everyone is bound to enjoy the option and make use of it during the ship’s unique Continual World Cruise, particularly if it is available at further ports outside the South Pacific.
Who knows what may be next? AquaBanas already offers several customizable configurations in different sizes, including a regulation-sized floating pickleball court, so perhaps pickleball that is REALLY at sea?
Villa Vie Odyssey set sail in October 2024, following months of setbacks and delays that had some guests nervous about the ship’s condition and what they could expect for their new oceangoing lifestyle.
Now with the addition of AquaBanas to the ship, that lifestyle is getting even more ocean-oriented and exciting, no matter where the ship may be sailing.
And hey, the sky – or the ocean – could be the limit! How about an anchored AquaBana day right at the Equator? Who knows what might be possible with the flexibility the new custom platform can provide!
Residential Cruise Ship Adds Floating Recreation Platform for Guests
