The delayed Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey cruise ship could be finally ready to set sail after being stuck in Belfast for almost four months, hampering passenger plans to embark on a years-long, around-the-world voyage.
Passengers shed “tears of complete joy” upon learning that the liner is almost ready to depart from the Northern Ireland capital after reportedly passing sea trials.
A string of delays related to repair work on the rudders and gearbox prevented the vessel from leaving the cruise terminal, causing a months-long setback to the first leg of a three-and-a-half year cruise that was supposed to begin on 30 May.
Now, the Odyssey has been given the “all-clear” to finally embark on a voyage that intends to sail around all seven continents with stops at more than 425 ports in 147 countries, the Belfast Telegraph reports.
Angela Theriac, who co-runs the YouTube channel MidLife Cruising, a vlog detailing life onboard Villa Vie Odyssey, posted on social media that the ship has “PASSED sea trials!!!! One step closer to setting sail!!! Woo hoo!!”
Managing director of Villa Vie Residences, Mikael Petterson, also confirmed they are hopeful of being underway as soon as next Wednesday, according to the MailOnline.
One dock worker also told the outlet that the ocean liner “sailed through her final test, and she should be off as soon as Wednesday. Everything is looking good”.
The Independent has contacted Villa Vie Residencies for further confirmation.
“We are overjoyed at the potential of finally setting sail within a week,” Ms Theriac told The Belfast Telegraph. “After successfully completing sea trials, we can only hope that a sail date is right around the corner.
“We will find out more Monday or Tuesday when we have our weekly residents’ meeting with the CEO and COO.”
She continued: “After such a long delay, Villa Vie just can’t stick around any longer than necessary. We imagine the sail away being filled with tears — tears of complete joy, that is.
“It’s [been] a long time coming, and we are as excited as the first day we purchased our room to live full-time on a ship that circumnavigates the world.”
If the long-awaited cruise sets sail in the coming weeks, guests…
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