Belfast Cruise Ship: Passengers prepare to say goodbye to city

Passengers on a cruise ship are hoping to set sail on Monday and finally wave goodbye to Belfast after four months of being stuck on shore.

The Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey, which docked in Belfast to be outfitted, was scheduled to depart on 30 May but it was held up for repairs, leaving passengers stranded in Belfast.

On Sunday, some of them celebrated what they hoped would be their final night in the city by taking in the sights on a beer bike tour.

A total of 125 passengers are expected to depart on the ship on Monday evening.

The cruisers are hoping it will be plain sailing from here on in and they can finally start to enjoy their round-the-world trip which will see them sailing international waters for the next three years.

Melody and John Hennessee, from Palm Beach in Florida, did not waste any time while docked in Belfast.

“As a result of being here so long in Belfast, we were able to build the largest suite on the ship,” Melody told BBC News NI.

“It has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and the time here has allowed us to complete the project.”

Both Melody and John plan to stay on the ship for the rest of their lives.

“This will be our home now,” John said.

Melody said the people of Belfast had been amazing and “so kind and generous” during their time here.

“While we have been happy here, we can’t wait to hopefully set sail on Monday,” she added.

Another couple who put their five months in Belfast to good use was Andy and Alicia Lewis from Alaska.

“We retraced my roots while here in Belfast,” Andy said.

“We went to Larne alongside my 89-year-old mother as it was such a great opportunity for us all.

“We will absolutely come back and when we do, we will love Belfast just as much as we do now,” Alicia said.

Surprisingly, the couple enjoyed the Northern Irish weather.

“Being from Alaska, I think the weather is great here, I love it,” Andy said.

“I’m looking forward to getting on the road again, it’s been a long wait.”

Canadian couple, Monica and John Frim, are eager to start their journey across the world on board the Odyssey.

“I’m absolutely happy to be leaving, we have been eager to go from the start,” Monica told BBC News NI.

“I think the atmosphere will be fantastic once we set sail and it’s been pretty upbeat even with all the delays.”

Monica’s husband John found the five-month delay a disappointing start to their life on the cruise.

“It’s disheartening that things weren’t fixed faster,” he said.

“However, the communication with the management has been efficient.

Monica said everyone had “been in this together”.

“It’s not about the journey or the destinations we are going to, it’s about the new friends we have made along the way,” she said.

“We want to say thank you to Belfast, the locals will always have a place in our hearts.”