There was a quiet eruption of applause and exclamations of “hip, hip hooray” when it was announced that the cruise ship Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey, which had been stuck in Belfast (Northern Ireland) for four months, was finally scheduled to set sail on Monday night, September 30th.
The ship was undergoing outfitting at the Belfast shipyard and had initially planned to depart in May but faced delays due to essential repairs. At approximately 20:00 BST, 125 passengers boarded the vessel, which departed just after 23:30—later than the expected 23:00 departure time.
The Chief Executive of Villa Vie Residences, Mikael Peterson, explained that the delay was caused by some administrative paperwork. The ship departed the port silently, cloaked in darkness and rain, with no activity visible on deck as passengers chose to stay inside, seeking warmth on a chilly night in Belfast.
In the days leading up to departure, many passengers shared how warmly they had been welcomed during their extended stay. However, as the Odyssey picked up speed in Belfast Lough, a sense of relief likely washed over everyone onboard, with brighter destinations now ahead.
Earlier that day, passengers boarded amid the rain at Belfast Cruise Terminal, some bidding farewells and waving as they set off on the Odyssey for a global cruise—a journey that would last years for many. During the ship’s prolonged stay in Belfast, passengers were accommodated in local hotels and rental properties while the ship was readied for departure.
The ship anchored off the Northern Irish coastline overnight and was anticipated to continue its journey on Tuesday. On the preceding Sunday, some passengers enjoyed what they hoped would be their final evening in the city with some local touring, which included a beer bike excursion.
The Odyssey had first arrived at Queen’s Island for outfitting before it was slated to sail on May 30th. Nonetheless, it remained docked due to complications with the rudder and gearbox, holding up its departure until September 30th. Final inspections took place earlier in the week, clearing the vessel for its long-awaited departure.
The unplanned extended stay in Belfast has reportedly led to significant financial losses for Villa Vie Residences.
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