The cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey, which was stranded in Belfast for four months for repairs, has finally departed and started its world cruise.
Passengers initially thought they were going to Scotland to refuel, but Marine Traffic shows the vessel heading to Brest, France.
With 125 passengers, the ship was anchored in Belfast for three days before being given the green light to leave after a false start earlier this week. The final delay was due to “administrative paperwork.”
Passengers celebrated the departure with excitement, using champagne and confetti. While in Belfast, the ship became a local attraction, drawing interest from residents and local media.
Angle and Steve from Midlife Cruising posted on their social media accounts on Thursday afternoon about the vessel’s christening.
With the failed inspections, wastewater issues, and rudder problems behind them, the Villa Vie Odyssey is officially on its world tour, with stops planned in France, Portugal, and the Caribbean.
Now that the ship is heading to Brest, France, passengers can look forward to continuing their world tour, though lingering questions remain about the impact of the prolonged delay on the rest of the voyage.
How Does the World Cruise Work?
The residents on the ship have two options: they can either purchase a room for the lifetime of the ship and pay a monthly fee similar to an HOA fee, or they can buy a segment on the vessel and stay for a limited amount of time.
The company also stated that it would buy back rooms at a reduced price if the residents decided to leave the ship permanently.
Many guests who set sail today were part of the failed Life at Sea venture that went belly up last year. Last November, the company failed to acquire the former AIDA cruise ship as promised.
Would-be residents who did not get their money back have taken Life at Sea Cruises to a Florida federal court in a class action lawsuit.
