A cruise ship embarked on its 3.5-year, around-the-world voyage on Monday as it departed from Belfast after being delayed for four months.
The ship, operated by Villa Vie Residences, was greeted with cheers and celebrations as the liner’s chief confirmed on Monday night that they were ready for departure following extensive work at the historic Harland & Wolff shipyard—where the Titanic was built. The Odyssey left dock and anchored in the sea inlet Belfast Lough overnight as the ship’s operator said it needed to complete some final paperwork. The vessel was scheduled to leave Northern Ireland’s waters late Tuesday.
The Odyssey, a floating residential vessel offering long-term living at sea, had embarked from Southampton in May but encountered unexpected delays during its stopover in Belfast for engine and rudder repairs. Passengers, who had become quite familiar with Northern Ireland, shared their excitement as the ship finally sailed.
Cyndi Grzybowski, 69, from Georgia, remarked on the strong bonds formed during their prolonged stay, telling The Associated Press (AP): “We started as strangers but have become family.”
“Thank you all so very much–truly, Belfast has been such a wonderful place,” Grzybowski added.
Newsweek reached out to Villa Vie Residences via online email on Tuesday form for comment.
The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship leaves Belfast Harbour after the luxury cruise ship became marooned in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for four months due to unexpected repair works on September 30, 2024.
Liam McBurney/PA/AP
Meanwhile, Gian Perroni from Vancouver, Canada, and Angie Harsanyi from Colorado, got to know each other and announced their engagement while waiting for the cruise to begin. They now plan to be married aboard the ship by its captain in April.
“We found our soulmates,” Perroni said to the AP. He said that during the months “marooned” in Northern Ireland, “we’ve learned patience and perseverance—and learned how wonderful the people of Belfast have been.”
Meanwhile, Villa Vie Residences’ chief executive Mikael Petterson acknowledged he felt “a little stressed” while he awaited final clearance to depart, and he gave Belfast a mixed review.
“Your summer is horrible,” Petterson said to the AP, and “you can’t cook to save your lives. But you do know how to drink.”
The Odyssey was built in 1993 and operated under different names by several cruise lines over the years. After going out of service during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the Odyssey was then bought by Villa Vie Residences in 2023.
On its maiden voyage, the Odyssey is scheduled to visit 425 ports in 147 countries on seven continents as it offers residents the chance to buy cabins and live full-time aboard.
The ship’s amenities include a gym, spa, entertainment and even a hospital, catering to a range of lifestyles for the next 15 years. According to the ship’s marketing material, it is aimed at adventurous retirees and restless digital nomads as it touts “the incredible opportunity to own a home on a floating paradise.”
Cabins or “villas” start at $99,999, plus monthly fees for the operational life of the vessel for those eager to live at sea. However, passengers can also sign up for segments of the voyage lasting weeks or months.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
