There was a modest display of applause and cheers of “hip, hip hooray” as the announcement was made that the cruise ship Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey, stranded in Belfast (Northern Ireland) for 4 months, was set to depart on Monday night, September 30th.
The vessel, undergoing outfitting at the Belfast yard, had originally been scheduled to leave in May but encountered delays due to necessary repairs. At ~20:00 BST, 125 passengers boarded the vessel, and it slipped away from the port just after 23:30, departing later than the anticipated 23:00 time.
Chief Executive Mikael Peterson of Villa Vie Residences attributed the delay to administrative paperwork. The ship quietly left the port under cover of darkness and rain, with no visible activity on deck. Passengers remained inside, staying warm on a cold Belfast night.
In the preceding days, many passengers remarked on the warm reception they had received during their extended stay in Belfast. Yet, as the Odyssey gathered speed in Belfast Lough, relief likely prevailed onboard, with sunnier destinations now in sight.
Earlier that evening, passengers had boarded in the rain at Belfast Cruise Terminal, some shouting farewells and waving as they embarked on the Odyssey for a global cruise - one that, for many, will span several years. During the vessel’s extended stay in Belfast, passengers had been housed in local hotels and rental accommodations while the ship was being prepared.
The ship anchored off the Northern Irish coast overnight and was expected to resume its journey on Tuesday. On the preceding Sunday, some passengers marked what they hoped would be their final night in the city with local sightseeing, including a beer bike tour.
The Odyssey had originally arrived at Queen’s Island for outfitting before embarking on its voyage on May 30th. However, it remained in Belfast due to issues with the rudder and gearbox, which delayed the vessel until Monday, September 30th. Final inspections were completed this week, allowing the ship to be cleared for departure.
The unplanned stay in Belfast has reportedly cost Villa Vie Residences millions of pounds.