A luxury cruise ship which was stranded in Belfast for four months is to return to the city just hours after it finally set sail. 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 prepare to board the Villa Vie Odyssey at Belfast Port (Liam McBurney/PA) However, on Tuesday the ship remained docked off the Co Down coast and information on the Belfast Harbour website indicated that it was expected to return to the port in the afternoon with another departure scheduled for 11pm. Mr Petterson told the PA news agency: “We still have some administrative paperwork to be finished before leaving the Belfast area.” Gian Perroni and Angie Harsanyi found love in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) Th 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. CEO of Villa Vie Residences Mikael Petterson speaks to Donna Martemucci as passengers prepare to board the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship (Liam McBurney/PA) One pair of would-be voyagers became engaged while waiting for the cruise to.
