by The long-awaited departure of a luxury cruise ship in Belfast appears to remain in limbo as the liner remained off the coast of Northern Ireland this week.
The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship that was stuck in Belfast after it first left, having turned back due to a paperwork error, is still waiting to set sail on its three-and-a-half-year journey. The 642-foot liner was originally scheduled to leave nearly five months ago.
There were reports earlier this week that passengers had been told to depart on the evening of Wednesday, October 2 – but it appeared the Odyssey was still closed off the Bangor coast at lunchtime on Thursday.
The Odyssey was supposed to depart on May 30, but was delayed because repairs were needed. The much-anticipated cruise could cost up to £260,000 and features an “unlimited horizon package” that will allow passengers lifetime access. Some boaters are said to have sold their homes to make the trip.
The vessel is expected to travel to Brest, France, next and make several stops before heading to the Bahamas. The luxury cruise offers rentals from 35 to 120 days, or villas can be purchased between £90,000 and £260,000.
As passengers wait for the Odyssey to pull up anchor, the long-delayed voyage has made headlines around the world. Here are some of the most notable stories from our media partners about that table.
Two people who met on a cruise stranded in Belfast got married on board
Two strangers who were stranded in Belfast for months waiting for their beach trip have fallen in love and are set to marry when the ship sets sail.
Gian Perroni and Angela Harsanyi were to be on the Odyssey for three and a half years from May 30, when engine problems forced them to stay in Northern Ireland.
But during their stay in the city, they started to go forward, and they found “completely meshed”. Four months into their relationship, they are engaged.
Watch: Luxury cruise ship passengers fall in love while marooned in Belfast
Two women lost their dream cruise ‘due to complaints made in the passenger WhatsApp group’
One person who won’t be on board is 66-year-old Bonny Kelter. She paid more than £75,000 for a cabin but was one of two women whose contracts were terminated in July for making critical comments in a private WhatsApp group.
Nine boxes and two suitcases of her possessions are still on board – including an eight-month supply of medicines and a safe full of jewellery.
Kelter was unable to retrieve her belongings before returning to the United States, where she is staying in an Airbnb in New York state, after selling her home in New Jersey.
She now hopes to reach an agreement with the owners Villa Vie Residences to board Odyssey later in her world journey. Ms Kelter said: “It would be great if we could make this work so I can start living my dream.”
In a statement to The TelegraphShe and the cruisers said they were “working towards mutual agreement and a positive resolution”.
‘Cuise addict’ from Florida goes on board the Belfast ship with her pet cat
Holly Hennessy, 67, from Florida, a self-confessed “cruise addict”, who is traveling with her cat Captain, wants to make the most of her time on board in Belfast but is keen to get to sea. She said: “I’ve always wanted to live on a ship, and it’s going to be a dream come true for me.
Regarding the weather in Belfast, Ms Hennessy told the Telegraph: “It didn’t feel like summer. It’s been winter as far as I’m concerned. I’m used to the Florida sunshine. I had to go out and buy vitamin D tablets.
She said the Captain enjoyed life in Belfast but it took him time to get used to the “noise of a big city”. “He’s used to the water,” she said.
Despite enjoying her time in Belfast, Ms Hennessy said she now wanted to leave.
“I want the problems to be resolved in June, but I’m just waiting now,” she said.
While in Belfast, passengers were able to spend time on the ship, which has amenities including fine dining, a golf simulator, and a swimming pool, during the day but must board in night.
Read the full story in the Telegraph here.
Boards for passengers with a model of Titanic
“Everybody’s ready to go,” said passenger Andy Garrison. “He got very frustrated,” he said of the delay. “The nice thing is that the people are being very resilient about it.”
Originally from Dallas, Texas, he was boarding a model of the Titanic, and he wasn’t worried if other passengers thought it was a bad joke. “They can, but that’s their problem, not mine,” he said, laughing.
Read the full story from Sky News here.
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