After four frustrating months, a cruise ship docked in Belfast is finally ready to set sail. The Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey was scheduled to leave in late May until some last-minute repairs caused delays. As a result, up to 125 passengers were stranded in Belfast waiting for the vessel to be approved by authorities for sailing. Passengers celebrated the anticipated departure with a beer bike tour around Belfast, hoping the delays were ultimately behind them.
During their time in Belfast, some passengers put their time to good use. Some passengers traveled to Larne with family members while others worked to create their own luxuries. “We were able to build the largest suite on the ship,” said John and Melody Hennessee, a couple from Palm Beach Florida. Both plan to live onboard the ship for the rest of their lives.
Meanwhile, Canadian couple Monica and John Frim expressed relief to finally have the Odyssey ready to depart. Though the long wait was disappointing for John, he noted that management was efficient during the delays. For her part, Monica credited new friendships made during the ship’s delays, thanking the people of Belfast for their kindness despite the frustrating situation.
Of course, many passengers are just glad the journey can now begin. Over the next three years, passengers of the Odyssey will circumnavigate the globe, sailing international waters for the foreseeable future. There’s no word on what kind of complications the Odyssey might face over the course of the next three years, but hopefully, it will be smooth sailing from here on out
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