The Villa Vie Odyssey, a cruise ship that had been stranded in Belfast for four months, has finally embarked on its voyage. However, instead of heading straight to its first port of call in France, the ship will be making an overnight stop in Scotland, according to passengers.
Mike Petterson, the chief executive of Villa Vie Residences, revealed to BBC News that the ship will dock in Hunterston, Ayrshire, on Thursday night before continuing its journey to Brest, France. Originally scheduled to depart from Belfast in May for a three-year global cruise, the Odyssey faced delays due to unforeseen repairs.
After spending months in Belfast, the ship finally left Belfast Harbour on Monday night but only travelled a short distance before dropping anchor in Belfast Lough. Petterson attributed the delay to administrative paperwork but announced this afternoon that the ship had begun sailing away from Northern Ireland.
Passengers on board expressed their relief and excitement about the ship setting sail. Holly Hennessey shared, “Hallelujah! All of us are beyond words, delighted, and the celebration is already under way. We have stopped for christening ceremonies and will be heading to Scotland to refuel before continuing south in the morning.”
Another passenger, Wade Rand, mentioned that the stop in Scotland was necessary to gather supplies for their journey to northwestern France. The ship also needs refuelling before continuing its voyage, as indicated by Petterson’s instructions to depart from Belfast promptly.
Petterson emphasised that the ship is now “fully certified without conditions”. The luxurious cruise offers rental options ranging from 35 to 120 days, with villas available for purchase from £90,000 to £260,000. Owning a villa on board guarantees accommodation for a minimum of 15 years, extending through the entire ship’s operation.
Grateful for the hospitality shown during their extended stay in Belfast, many passengers commended the city’s people and its abundance of pubs. One passenger, who had a model of the Titanic with him, expressed enjoyment of Belfast but was eager to continue the cruise adventure.
As the Villa Vie Odyssey continues its journey towards France, passengers are looking forward to the experiences and destinations awaiting them. For further travel updates and advice, stay tuned to Simon Calder’s podcast.