LONDON (AP) — After spending four months docked in Belfast, a cruise ship embarking on a 3½-year journey around the globe has finally set sail. Passengers erupted in cheers and applause on Monday night when the ship’s captain announced their long-awaited departure.
The Odyssey had anchored in Belfast Lough overnight, remaining in the inlet as the ship’s operators completed final paperwork before their scheduled departure from Northern Ireland’s waters on Tuesday.
Originally leaving Southampton in May, the Odyssey made a stop in Belfast to prepare for its global voyage. During its months at the historic Harland & Wolff shipyard, where the RMS Titanic was constructed, it underwent significant work on its rudder and engine.
In the interim, the ship’s operator, Villa Vie Residences, covered living expenses for numerous passengers. They were allowed to board during the day for meals and entertainment but had to find overnight accommodations. Some took the opportunity to return home, while others stayed in hotels throughout Belfast or explored other parts of Europe.
Among the passengers, Cyndi Grzybowski, 69, from Appling, Georgia, expressed her eagerness for the voyage but enjoyed every moment spent in Belfast. “We started out as strangers in Southampton and Belfast and now we truly are family,” she reflected. “Thank you all so very much – truly, Belfast has been such a wonderful place.”
During their extended stay, a couple of passengers found love. Gian Perroni, from Vancouver, Canada, proposed to Angie Harsanyi from Colorado after they got to know each other on their walks to and from the ship. They plan to marry aboard the Odyssey, officiated by the captain, in April. “We found our soulmates,” Perroni said, noting how the delay taught them patience and perseverance while highlighting the kindness of the people of Belfast.
The Odyssey, built in 1993, has had a colorful history, operating under various names and cruise lines until the coronavirus pandemic paused its activities in 2020. Villa Vie Residences purchased the vessel in 2023, reviving it as a residential ship offering an extraordinary opportunity for travelers. The ship allows passengers to buy a cabin and live continuously at sea as it travels to various destinations around the world. In its inaugural journey, the Odyssey is set to visit 425 ports across 147 countries on all seven continents.
The marketing for this unique lifestyle targets adventurous retirees and digital nomads, emphasizing the chance to own a “home on a floating paradise” complete with amenities like a gym, spa, entertainment spaces, a business center, and even a culinary arts center. The cabins, referred to as “villas,” start at $99,999, with additional monthly fees for at least 15 years of operational life. Also available are segments of the voyage that last for weeks or months.
Amid the excitement of departure, Villa Vie Residences’ CEO Mikael Petterson admitted to feeling “a little stressed” waiting for final clearance to leave. He humorously offered a mixed review of Belfast: “Your summer is horrible,” he quipped, “and you can’t cook to save your lives. But you do know how to drink.”
