A luxury cruise ship which was stranded in Northern Ireland for four months remains in Belfast Lough hours after it left the city’s harbour. Chief executive of Villa Vie Residences Mike Petterson said the liner still had to complete administrative paperwork before it could finally depart to undertake a three-year round-the-world cruise. Villa Vie Odyssey had been scheduled to leave the city in May but was delayed as it needed repairs.
Passengers cheered, applauded and hugged the liner’s chief when he confirmed on Monday night that they were ready for departure from Belfast port. However, the cruise ship remained in Belfast Lough on Tuesday evening. Information on the Belfast Harbour website indicated that it was due to depart at 11pm.
Mr Petterson told the PA news agency: “We still have some administrative paperwork to be finished before leaving the Belfast area.” He said passengers would not disembark and the liner would leave when the paperwork was completed before midnight. The residents of the Villa Vie Odyssey waved goodbye to the Northern Ireland city they had become so familiar with on Monday night, bringing souvenirs and memories with them.
One man, who carried a self-assembled model of the Titanic on board on Monday, said he enjoyed Belfast but was ready for the rest of the cruise. Another woman from Georgia said she had always wanted to see the world, but thanked Belfast for hosting them, calling it “a wonderful place”. One pair of would-be voyagers beca.
