A cruise ship bound on a round-the-world voyage leaves Belfast after a 4-month delay
A cruise ship taking passengers on a 3 ½-year around-the-world voyage has finally sailed from Belfast, after spending four months stuck in the Northern Ireland capital
LONDON (AP) — A cruise ship taking passengers on a 3 ½-year around-the-world voyage has finally sailed from Belfast's dockside, after spending four months stuck in the Northern Ireland capital.
Passengers cheered, applauded and hugged the liner’s chief when he confirmed on Monday night that they were ready for departure. The Odyssey left dock and anchored in Belfast Lough overnight and is due to start its journey on Tuesday.
The ship embarked from Southampton in May and put in at Belfast for repairs. It spent months at the Harland & Wolff shipyard, where the doomed RMS Titanic was built more than a century ago, undergoing work on its rudder and engine.
In the meantime, the ship’s operator, Villa Vie Residence, paid living expenses for dozens of passengers, who were allowed onto the ship during the day and provided with meals and entertainment, but could not stay overnight. Some went home, while some stayed in hotels in Belfast or visited other parts of Europe.
