Passengers set for a three-year around-the-world-cruise have still yet to see much else other than Belfast, after being docked at the city for the past five months – and despite setting sail on Monday night, they’re still here.
The Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey arrived in Belfast in May, where it had remained all summer as it needed major repairs, but finally left the city harbour earlier this week and anchored not far off the coast, near Bangor.
However, the luxurious liner was delayed once more as it waited for “paperwork” to be completed, before passengers could finally embark on their journey around the world.
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Residents onboard the ship were told before departing on Monday that they would be returning to Belfast on Tuesday afternoon, as some ‘paperwork’ needed to be finished.
Despite being told that the vessel would depart on Tuesday night at 11pm — for a final time – it’s still there, with the updated departure time now set for 3pm today.
Steve and Angela Theriac (both 53), who are from Central Florida originally, have started social media accounts (‘MidLife Cruising’) to document their lives onboard the ship.
Steve and Angela Theriac onboard the Villa Vies ship
When asked why the ship even set sail at all on Monday night, given that it would have to return to Belfast, Angela said: “I think they just knew how desperate we all were — everyone from crew, staff, residents, leadership, the media. Everybody wanted us to get sailing, so once we had our insurance we were allowed to be onboard, so why not?
“We are just hoping for the best, whatever they have to do today, so that we can get going.”
The couple said that their official travel itinerary has still not been released yet either. And while it was understood they could be heading for the Caribbean after Monday night’s departure, it seems most likely that their next port of call, after eventually departing Northern Ireland, will be somewhere in France or Spain.
“That’s still pending. I don’t think they want to release anything until they actually know we are underway,” Angela continued.
“The residents are just so happy to be onboard. People partied all night. When I got up this morning, I heard that some people were just going to bed. It’s very electrifying and exciting onboard.
“Just imagine how thrilled we all are to just be onboard — we’ll take it.”
Luxury liner sets off from Belfast after being stranded for four months