A round-the-world cruise that has been stuck in Belfast for five months remains anchored off the coast of Bangor despite reportedly being set to return to Belfast Harbour yesterday afternoon.
The ship is currently showing a destination of Brest, France with an expected arrival time of 5am Friday.
The Villa Vie Odyssey arrived in Belfast in May, where it 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.
Luxury liner sets off from Belfast after being stranded for four months
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.
Ship residents were told before departing on Monday that they would be returning to Belfast on Tuesday afternoon, as some paperwork needed to be finished.
However, two days later the ship remains anchored off the coast of Bangor while residents say they are receiving “conflicting reports” about the ships departure.
The Belfast Telegraph understands that management told residents on Wednesday morning that they expected to set off in the afternoon. But by the afternoon reports were circling that its departure had once again been delayed.
Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey in Belfast Lough as pictured from the Co Down coast at Bangor. Image: Press Eye
In the afternoon Belfast Harbour’s website listed the Odyssey as returning to port in Belfast at 4:59pm on Wednesday, ready to depart on its around the world journey on Thursday at 11pm.
But three days after it set sail from Belfast Harbour, the cruise remains anchored off the coast of Bangor.
Cruise writer Dave Monk (or ‘Shipmonk’) who first reported on the ship’s new departure date, provided an update on Thursday morning indicating that the ships paperwork has now been completed.
In a social media post Mr Monk said: “DNV inspectors have extended the class certificate on the ship until Christmas day, suggesting it should be able to set sail with all paperwork complete.
“The sip remains at anchor off Bangor, Northern Ireland, showing a destination of Brest, France, arriving at 5am tomorrow.”
On Wednesday passengers spoke to the Belfast Telegraph about a lack of concrete information, adding that feelings on the ship were “mixed” following the series of delays.