Cruise passengers stranded in Belfast for almost three months

Holly Hennessy has been ready in Belfast from May for the ship to be prepared

BBC Blonde haired woman, windswept wearing large sun glasses and a navy blazer. — Holly Hennessy has been ready in Belfast from May for the ship to be prepared

Passengers on a round-the-world cruise have been left stranded in Belfast for 3 months after their voyage was beset by delays.

Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey arrived at Queen’s Island within the Northern Ireland capital to be outfitted earlier than it was scheduled to depart on 30 May for the primary leg of a three-year cruise.

But the ship has nonetheless not left but because of issues with its rudders and gearbox.

Florida resident Holly Hennessey is amongst these on board to have “hunkered down” and made town their surprising residence.

The round-the-world cruise has been left stranded in Belfast for 3 months

Travelling together with her cat, Captain, has meant the self-proclaimed “cruise addict” has been unable to depart Belfast whereas ready for the ship to cross pre-departure checks.

Passengers are allowed to spend time on the ship through the day, however should disembark within the evenings.

Holly and her cat Captain have been exploring Belfast

Holly Hennessy Left picture is a blonde woman wearing large sunglasses holding a beige and brown cat on her knee.
Right picture in a brown faced beige cat with blue eyes, wearing a blue lead and collar. — Holly and her cat Captain have been exploring Belfast

Travelling together with her cat Captain has meant that Ms Hennessy was unable to depart Belfast whereas ready for the ship to be prepared.

“We can spend all day aboard the ship, and so they present shuttle buses to get on and off; we will have all of our meals; and so they even have motion pictures and trivia leisure, virtually like cruising besides we’re on the dock!”

Despite having fun with the sights, the damp climate has been a shock for the Florida native.

“I’ve by no means had a lot use for my umbrella in my life, and I carry my raincoat in every single place I am going.”

Passengers on the cruise got the choice of shopping for their cabin outright quite than paying a every day price for his or her room like a standard resort.

It permits them to stay onboard past the Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey’s preliminary three-year tour.

“I wish to keep simply so long as I’m ready,” she mentioned. “I’ve all the time wished to dwell on a ship, and it will likely be a dream come true for me.”

Angela and Stephen Theriac have spent the time taking journeys overseas

On the left, a long haired blonde woman wearing a stripy blouse. On the right a tall dark haired man wearing a black puffy coat and black t-shirt with white writing. — Angela and Stephen Theriac have spent the time taking journeys overseas

Villa Vie Residences’ web site states that the price of shopping for a cabin can vary from $99,999 to $899,000.

Ms Hennessey’s cabin has area for a double mattress, small dwelling space with room for the cat and a balcony.

“Villa Vie is a group and an actual group has pets,” she mentioned.

The firm says they’re attempting to do all the things they will to “relieve the nervousness” of passengers by planning journeys and different cruises or placing them up in motels.

Angela and Stephen Theriac lived in Nicaragua and have made probably the most of their wait.

Since May they’ve travelled by practice round Spain, taken weekend journeys to England, and visited Greenland.

“We are travellers, and we wish to take advantage of the place we’re in,” mentioned Ms Theriac.

“We maintain teasing we’ll apply for residency right here in Belfast.”

Her husband Stephen says they’ve settled in with the locals.

“We have eaten in each restaurant and had a Guinness in each pub,” he mentioned.

“It is simply all a part of our journey.”

Dr David Austin has been cruising since he retired initially of the yr

David Austin MD Man wearing bright red shirt with surf boards and flowers on it, wearing sunglasses. Standing in front of icebergs and the sea. — Dr David Austin has been cruising since he retired initially of the yr

Dr David Austin, from Georgia within the United States, says he has “stopped counting down” the times till the ship launches.

“The payoff of seeing the world on this vogue is simply too nice to really feel too dissatisfied with every delay announcement,” he mentioned.

“I used to be dedicated, having bought my home proper earlier than my arrival, and I’ve stayed dedicated to this journey with each delay.”

Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey, docked in Belfast, was as a consequence of depart May 30

White cruise ship, surrounded by yellow cranes in the docks. — Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey, docked in Belfast, was as a consequence of depart May 30

CEO Mike Petterson mentioned that he expects the ship to launch by the top of subsequent week.

“We’re not targeted on the following days or perhaps weeks, we’re targeted on the remainder of our lives and what this firm will do for the residents and the business,” he mentioned.

Mr Petterson defined that Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey is the primary “inexpensive” residential cruise ship.

“When you are the primary at doing one thing, you’ll run into hiccups, however we’re positively getting there, and though we’re late, we’ll launch,” he added.