Cruise ship stranded at Belfast departs after months of delays, passengers say

A US cruise ship bound for a round-the-world trip has departed Belfast for the second time this week following months of delays, passengers have said.

Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey set sail on Thursday afternoon and Sky News understands it is heading to Scotland to refuel.

Passengers were pictured celebrating at one of the bars on board the ship.

One of those was Holly Hennessy from Florida, who filmed herself on deck.

“It is my beautiful home-ship-home,” she said, adding: “And I am waiting for the horn to blow.”

The ship was originally set to leave Belfast in May but its departure was delayed as it needed repairs, forcing many guests into an unscheduled stay in Northern Ireland.

The US liner sailed out of Belfast Harbour just after 11pm on Monday night but shortly afterwards it was told it had to anchor off the coast of Northern Ireland as it still had to complete administrative paperwork.

The stranded passengers have not been staying on the ship during the four-month delay and have instead stayed in hotels and short-term rental properties in Belfast.

Rooms can be rented on the vessel for between 35 to 120 days, or cabins can be purchased for between £90,000 and £260,000.

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