mv Aegean Odyssey

The 1973-built MV Aegean Odyssey was last operated under charter by Voyages to Antiquity, a one-ship cruise company founded in 2009. The vessel was originally constructed as the Zim ro-ro ferry Narcis and was converted into a cruise ship in 1988. Her second major drydock refit and reconstruction took place in 2010.

In late August 2019, it was announced that Aegean Odyssey would be chartered for three years to Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel). Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Boston MA, Road Scholar is a nonprofit organization specializing in educational study tours throughout the USA and Canada, offering 5500+ programs geared primarily toward older travelers. The ship was chartered for Road Scholar voyages scheduled between March 2020 and March 2023.

The vessel (IMO 7225910) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 374757000) and registered in Colon.

History – construction and ownership

The 388-passenger Aegean Odyssey is a classically styled cruise vessel known for its relaxed atmosphere and high level of personalized service.

In early August 2019, Voyages to Antiquity officially announced that the company would cease operations at the end of October 2019. Earlier that year, the line was forced to cancel ten Aegean Odyssey sailings due to engine problems. The ship’s final four scheduled voyages in 2019 proceeded as planned. In a letter to passengers, Managing Director Jos Dewing explained:

“Since the announcement [of chartering the ship] was made, the executive management at Voyages to Antiquity has been looking at various alternative options to continue the company and serve our loyal clients. However, this process was severely impacted by the unforeseeable engine failure that occurred in April this year, forcing the company to cancel most of our remaining 2019 summer cruises. While we are pleased to advise that the ship has now been fully repaired and that the final four cruises of the 2019 season will go ahead as scheduled, this serious issue has had an impact on the future plans for Voyages to Antiquity and repairing the ship has been the absolute priority for management and the focus of the company during this difficult period. It is therefore with regret that we have taken the difficult decision to close Voyages to Antiquity at the end of October 2019, at which point our office in Oxford will also close. It is very much business as normal until this point and we have staff answering calls and supporting those passengers still traveling with us in 2019.”

Decks and cabins

MV Aegean Odyssey has 198 staterooms in 14 categories, including 6 Suites, 42 Balcony cabins and 41 Inside cabins. During the 2013 drydock refit, 18 new outside cabins were added on Lido Deck. Additionally, 57 existing cabins were rebuilt, and 80 more were reconfigured into 40 balcony cabins.

The vessel has 9 decks, of which 7 are accessible to passengers and 4 contain accommodations.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The Marco Polo Restaurant is the main open-seating dining room. The Terrace Café offers indoor and outdoor seating, Mediterranean-inspired interiors, and an open-grill cooking station. In the evenings, the Tapas venue recreates a relaxed bistro setting with seafood paella and a selection of Italian pizzas.

The Observation Lounge and Piano Bar, located on the Observation Deck, offer panoramic views and onboard Wi-Fi access. During the 2013 refit, the Athena Health Spa was relocated several decks lower. Additional amenities include the two-deck Lido Bar, Ambassador Lounge, Charleston Lounge, Fitness Studio & Gym (with complimentary sunrise classes), Beauty Salon, library, boutique, outdoor pool and Internet Centre.

Itineraries

Aegean Odyssey’s itinerary program includes Canary Islands and Mediterranean cruises departing from Civitavecchia-Rome, Venice, Athens and Istanbul, as well as Asia sailings from Singapore. Aegean Odyssey is ideally suited for visiting smaller Mediterranean ports inaccessible to larger cruise ships. She also navigates major Asian rivers, including the Saigon and Yangon Rivers, as well as Spain’s Guadalquivir River.