The Villa Vie Residences Odyssey cruise ship in Belfast (Image: Justin Kernoghan) The luxury cruise ship that was stranded in Belfast for four months is still floating off Northern Ireland’s coast two days after it departed the harbour. The Villa Vie Odyssey had been scheduled to leave the city in May for a three-year, round-the-world cruise but was delayed due to unexpected repairs. Passengers were in good spirits when they gathered at the cruise terminal on Monday as they finally prepared to set off on their expedition.
They cheered and hugged chief executive of Villa Vie Residences, Mike Petterson, when he confirmed that night that the liner was ready to depart. READ MORE: Cruise ship passengers bid fond farewell after four months marooned in Belfast READ MORE: Pair who met on cruise stranded in Belfast set to get married onboard Passengers waved to the assembled media as they boarded the ship shortly before it set off from the harbour just before midnight on Monday. However, the cruise ship remained in Belfast Lough on Tuesday and on Wednesday.
Passenger Donna Martemucci told the BBC, who approached the liner via a boat, that people were “drinking and partying on board”. “We know it’s going to happen eventually, we’re not exactly sure when, but we know it’s going to be soon,” she said. Mr Petterson said on Tuesday the liner still had to complete administrative paperwork.
Passengers board the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship at Belfast Port's Cruise Ship Termi.