The vessel operated under the name Braemar until 2020. Image courtesy of Kees Torn via Wikimedia.

After months of delays, the Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey cruise ship, stranded in Belfast since May, finally set sail on Monday night (30 September 2024) – only to return to port on Tuesday due to missing paperwork.

The Odyssey, a round-the-world cruise ship, had faced a series of technical issues, including problems with its rudders and gearbox, which kept it in the repair yard of troubled shipbuilder Harland and Wolff for 17 weeks. Although it had been scheduled to depart for a 1,301-day (3.5-year) global journey in May, its departure was repeatedly postponed, with guests spending the summer staying in hotels in Belfast.

On Monday, the ship left Belfast Harbour just after 11.30pm with 125 passengers on board, many of whom had patiently waited for months in Northern Ireland. However, after anchoring overnight off the coast, passengers were informed that they would need to return to port for final paperwork to be completed. The ship is scheduled to leave Belfast again at 11pm tonight (1 October 2024).

Despite the setback, passengers remained in good spirits. Donna Martemucci told the BBC: “Another day to explore a lovely city. All good.” John Frim, another passenger, told the broadcaster he was “happy to be home” on the ship for the first time, even though the situation left him “a bit confused.”

Some passengers, like Mary Ann Demsar from Canada, expressed excitement about finally beginning their long-awaited adventure. She had spent the past few months exploring Ireland and Europe during the delay and told the BBC that the departure was “nerve-racking” but ultimately a positive experience. She noted that passengers enjoyed dinner, dancing and entertainment on board.

Among the passengers were John and Melody Hennessee from Florida, who had sold their home and invested over a million dollars in three cabins on the Odyssey, making it their permanent residence. They had spent the past few months exploring Belfast and expressed fondness for the city’s people. “We now love Guinness, that’s a big thing. We have one every day,” Melody tells Sky News, while John joked about finally being able to start the party.

Others, like Gian Perroni from Canada and Angie Harsanyi from Colorado, found love during the extended stay in Belfast. The Metro reports that the pair met in May, began spending time together while walking to and from the ship, and eventually got engaged. They are looking forward to their wedding, which (provided the ship ever leaves Belfast) will take place onboard between Panama and Costa Rica in April, officiated by the ship’s captain.

The delays are estimated to have cost Villa Vie Residences millions of pounds.

Mike Petterson, CEO of Villa Vie Residences, acknowledged the frustration caused by the delay but reassured passengers that the paperwork issues had already been resolved. In a statement to reports at the cruise terminal, he said: “It’s administrative paperwork. We needed the right person to press the button, at the end of the day. It’s been done, and we’re putting the vessel in motion right now. He added that the ship had passed all necessary inspections, and the vessel would be leaving Belfast “very, very soon.”

When asked about his memories of Belfast, Petterson quipped, “Your summer is horrible” and “you can’t cook to save your lives, but you do know how to drink.”

The Villa Vie Odyssey offers luxury suites for rent or purchase, with prices ranging from £90,000 to £260,000. Passengers, mainly from North America, have embarked on a three-and-a-half-year voyage that will visit all seven continents and stop at 425 ports, including locations such as Brest, France; the Bahamas; and Rio de Janeiro.

However, some passengers, like Holly Hennessy from Florida, who paid $329,000 (£246,000) for her balcony mini-suite, expressed optimism despite the delays, telling the Guardian, “It’s worth the wait.”

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