29 August 2024 , 16:35
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Passengers on a round-the-world cruise have been making the most of a bad situation after their ship has been stuck in Belfast for three months.
Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey was supposed to set sail on the first leg of a three-year cruise on May 30 – but problems with the ship’s rudders and gear box mean it’s yet to leave Northern Ireland.
Passengers on the cruise, some of whom have booked cabins for years at a time, have been forced to make Belfast their home while they wait for the ship to be repaired.
While they’re allowed to spend time on the ship during the day, they must disembark during the evenings, with shuttle buses put on to take them to hotels or other accommodations.
This is because many passengers pay for their cabin with a daily rate, similar to a traditional hotel, rather than buying the cabin outright.
Holly Hennessey, originally from Florida in the US, has made the Odyssey her home alongside her pet cat, Captain.
The cruise was due to set off from its three-year leg in May (Picture: Villa Vie Residences)
The ship promised retirees would be able to travel the world for a flat sum (Picture: Villa Vie Residences)
Passengers aren’t able to sleep on the ship and must spend the night in hotels (Picture: Villa Vie Residences)
She told the BBC: ‘We can spend all day aboard the ship, and they provide shuttle buses to get on and off.
‘We can have all of our meals and they even have movies and trivia entertainment, almost like cruising except we’re at the dock.
‘I want to stay just as long as I am able. I have always wanted to live on a ship, and it will be a dream come true for me.’
Villa Vie Residences charge anywhere between $99,999 and $899,000 (£75,000-£680,000 to buy a cabin.
They say they’re doing everything they can to ‘relieve the anxiety’ of passengers by planning trips or other cruises, or putting them up in hotels.
CEO Mike Petterson says he expects the ship to launch by the end of next week.
Angela and Stephen Theriac, another couple on the ship, say they’ve made the most of their wait by visiting Spain, England and Greenland while waiting for the Odyssey to be repaired.
Angela told the BBC: ‘We are travellers, and we want to make the most of the place we are in.
‘We keep teasing we will apply for residency here in Belfast.’
While Stephen added: ‘We have eaten in every restaurant and had a Guinness in every pub.
‘It is just all part of our adventure.’