On a cool autumn night in Belfast, a ship full of people who had sold homes and possessions to chase a three-year dream of the world finally cast off, only to turn back within a few miles. It is a small and very human reminder that even the grandest voyages are governed by the quiet, unglamorous work of forms and signatures. Whether the Odyssey truly leaves this time will depend on that same patient paperwork, and on the hope of hundreds who have already gone a long way to be aboard.
Stranded Luxury Cruise Ship Leaves Belfast After Four Months, Then Turns Back Within Hours
They had waited four months for that moment.
Mark
So the ship finally left, and then came back. What happened?
Mimi
It left Belfast shortly after 11.30pm after four months docked, got a few miles down the lough, and turned around. The reported reason is unfinished paperwork.
Luke
Worth noting that's "believed" and "understood" in the reporting. The one on-record explanation is from the chief executive, who called it administrative.
Mark
What did Mike Petterson actually say?
Mimi
That they needed the right person to press the button, that it had been done, and that the harbour master was in contact with the managing director. He also admitted to being a little stressed.
Luke
He said they'd been expecting this outcome for hours. That's interesting, but we don't know what the paperwork was or who the person was.
Mark
And why was it stuck for four months?
Mimi
Crew found problems with the rudders and gearbox after it docked on May 30. Passengers were told over the weekend that certifications had all been passed, per Holly Hennessy.
Luke
That's one passenger relaying what guests were told. I haven't seen a regulator confirm it here.
Mark
The money involved is striking.
Mimi
Some people sold their homes or possessions. Cabins run from £75,000 to £700,000, and the monthly rate is £27,000.
Luke
Those are reported figures, and the $329,000 suite is one passenger's. The claim that nine in ten will stay aboard is also only "reportedly."
Mark
And what's next?
Mimi
A second departure is listed for 11pm.
Luke
Listed, yes. Whether it actually goes is still unknown.
Il Polso
- Four months of waiting in Belfast Harbour ended in a cheer as more than 600 passengers finally saw the Odyssey slip into Belfast Lough.
- The ship turned back after only a few miles, leaving decks full of anticipation suddenly uncertain.
- Villa Vie's chief executive admitted to stress as the company scrambled to get the right person to sign off the departure.
- A second departure is scheduled for 11pm, and the ship's return to Belfast is the next test of whether this voyage truly begins.
On a cool autumn night in Belfast, a ship full of people who had sold homes and possessions to chase a three-year dream of the world finally cast off, only to turn back within a few miles. It is a small and very human reminder that even the grandest voyages are governed by the quiet, unglamorous work of forms and signatures. Whether the Odyssey truly leaves this time will depend on that same patient paperwork, and on the hope of hundreds who have already gone a long way to be aboard.
Shortly after 11.30pm, the cruise ship Odyssey slipped out of Belfast Harbour, and passengers lining its decks cheered. They had waited four months for that moment, and for a few miles it seemed the Caribbean-bound voyage had finally begun.
The relief did not last. The ship turned back, with the reason given as paperwork still awaiting completion. It had been tracked near Bangor, Co Down, and was expected back in Belfast by early afternoon.
The Odyssey, operated by Villa Vie Residences, was meant to carry its guests on a three-year tour of Europe, Asia and the Americas. It docked in May after crew found faults with its rudders and gearbox. Many passengers sold homes or belongings to afford their cabins, and the chief executive, Mike Petterson, described the delay as administrative, saying the right person had finally been found to sign off.
The long wait also produced a love story. Two passengers met while exploring Northern Ireland, got engaged on the Lagan Weir Bridge, and plan a wedding aboard the ship with the captain officiating.
A second departure is now set for 11pm. Whether the Odyssey clears Belfast Lough for good this time is the question everyone is watching.
Shortly after 11.30pm, the cruise ship Odyssey slipped out of Belfast Harbour, and the passengers lining its decks cheered. They had waited four months for that moment. Sailing down Belfast Lough, more than 600 of them finally seemed to be under way on a voyage to the Caribbean.
The relief did not last. The ship travelled only a few miles before turning back. Reports indicate the reason was paperwork that still had to be completed. It was last tracked passing Bangor, Co Down, and according to the Belfast Harbour website it was due back in Belfast at around 1.30pm.
The Odyssey is operated by Villa Vie Residences and was meant to carry its guests on a three-year tour of Europe, Asia and the Americas. It docked in Belfast on May 30. Crew then found problems with its rudders and gearbox, and the ship stayed put for four months. Built in 1993, it can hold more than 900 guests. Reportedly, nine in ten of the passengers plan to stay aboard for the whole world cruise.
Villa Vie's chief executive, Mike Petterson, told media he was a little stressed while trying to clear the departure. He described the holdup as administrative. In his words, the company needed the right person to press the button at the end of the day. He said that had now been done and the vessel was being put in motion, and that the harbour master had been in direct contact with the managing director. The company, he said, had been expecting this outcome for hours.
The cost of a berth is considerable. Some passengers say they sold their homes to make the trip, which is priced at £27,000 (€32,350) a month. Others sold all their possessions to pay between £75,000 (€89,845) and £700,000 (€838,558) for a cabin. Holly Hennessy, from Florida, is staying in a balcony mini-suite costing $329,000 (€294,000). She said guests were told over the weekend that the ship had passed all its certifications.
The long wait produced at least one happy story. Gian Perroni, from Vancouver, and Angie Harsanyi, from Colorado, fell for each other while exploring Northern Ireland, and they announced their engagement over the weekend. Perroni told RTE he had found his soulmate and that the two were made for each other, and he proposed on Belfast's Lagan Weir Bridge. Harsanyi said yes, adding that she could not imagine spending another day of her life without him. They plan a gigantic wedding aboard the Odyssey between Costa Rica and Panama, with the captain officiating.
A second attempt to leave is now expected. The ship is listed to depart again at 11pm, once it is back in Belfast. Whether it clears Belfast Lough for good this time is the thing to watch.
Citazioni salienti
It's administrative paperwork. We needed the right person to press the button at the end of the day.— Mike Petterson, chief executive, Villa Vie Residences
I can't imagine spending another day of my life without him.— Angie Harsanyi, passenger
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