'Cursed' cruise ship which set sail after four-month delay anchored AGAIN after sailing for just hours

Cruise ship in the sea

A cruise ship which set off for a round-the-world trip four months late on Monday anchored again in Belfast Lough just hours later

PA
Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 01/10/2024

- 17:01

The company's website states that the cost of buying a cabin can range from $99,999 to $899,000

A cruise ship which set off for a round-the-world trip four months late on Monday anchored again in Belfast Lough just hours later.

Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey was due to leave Belfast in May, however it was stuck in the city due to problems with its rudders and gearbox.


It finally set sail on Monday but overnight the ship anchored in Belfast Lough and remains in the same place on Tuesday.

Passengers onboard the cruise liner said the further delay is due to final pieces of paperwork needing to be completed.

Cruise ship in the seaA cruise ship which set off for a round-the-world trip four months late on Monday anchored again in Belfast Lough just hours laterPA

Those who spent the night on board said the mood has been "positive", despite not travelling very far.

Donna Martemucci told BBC News NI she is using the delay as just "another day to explore a lovely city. All good."

John Frim said although he was a little confused by the situation, he was "happy to be home" and to have slept in his "own bed" on board for the first time.

The ship originally arrived in the Northern Ireland capital to be fit out in April 2024.

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It was scheduled to leave on May 30.

However, due to the delays with its rudders and gearbox, the cruise did not sail until Monday.

Earlier this week, passengers were able to spend time on the ship during the day while waiting for a departure date, but had to leave to sleep in hotels.

The company's website states that the cost of buying a cabin can range from $99,999 to $899,000.

Ship in Belfast Lough

The ship finally set sail on Monday but overnight the ship anchored in Belfast Lough and remains in the same place on Tuesday

PA

Passengers were able to buy their cabin outright rather than paying a daily rate for their room.

Some have sold their houses and plan to live on the ship.

Melody and John Hennessee, from Palm Beach in Florida said the delays have meant they could "build the largest suite on the ship.

"It has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and the time here has allowed us to complete the project."

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