IT was billed as the ultimate dream trip, cruising exotic locations on a non-stop journey around the world. Passengers on the luxury Villa Vie Odyssey should be sunning themselves in the Bahamas today after seeing Norway ’s majestic fjords and northern lights, soaking up the romance of France and taking in the delights of Spain and Portugal . Instead, they spent four months in not-so-sunny Belfast after the ship — meant to circumnavigate the globe every three years — was beset by repairs, inspections and delays.
It was stuck at the docks of Harland & Wolff, famous for building the ill-fated Titanic . Last week the owners of the dock went bankrupt, which meant they had nowhere to board passengers, causing a further delay of five days. Jubilant travellers finally hit the high seas on Monday, only to spend the night moored off the coast of Northern Ireland before going BACK to Belfast again.
READ MORE UK NEWS Last night the 200 or so beleaguered passengers were hoping to finally get going for real after the crew turned the ship around to deal with last-minute paperwork. The voyagers have stayed upbeat as many enjoyed the hospitality of Ireland, staying in hotels and Airbnbs . Others took up the offer of a free holiday in the Canaries while some toured Europe.
Two passengers even fell in love during their time in the Emerald Isle and will marry on board next April after getting matching Celtic tattoos . Most read in The Sun Canadian Gian Perronic, 62, and Angie Harsanyi, 53.