A round-the-world cruise has been left stranded in Belfast for the past three months with the passengers all on board as the ship.
Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey was set to leave Belfast for the first leg of its three year journey on May 30.
However, the luxury ocean liner has been plagued by delays including issues with its rudders and the gearbox.
This has meant that passengers, some of whom have paid £680,000 for their lavish cabin, have instead found themselves spending their summer in Belfast rather than Bermuda.
Many of the passengers who now call the Northern Irish city home are from across the world. They are allowed to spend time on the ship during the day but must leave during the evenings.
Florida native Holly Hennessey (pictured) has adapted to the rainy climate of the British Isles. She said: ‘I’ve never had so much use for my umbrella in my life, and I carry my raincoat everywhere I go’
Lanettte Canen and Johan Bodin (pictured) have been documenting their life on the ocean liner on their social media page called Living Life on a Cruise. The pair claim that their cabin on the Odyssey will be their home for the next 15 plus years
Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey which was set to leave Belfast for the first leg of its three year journey on May 30. However, the luxury ocean liner has been plagued by delays including issues with its rudders and the gearbox
Meanwhile, the company has paid for them to stay in hotels for the time being.
Speaking to BBC News, Florida native Holly Hennessey says she has adapted to the rainy climate of the British Isles.
She said: ‘I’ve never had so much use for my umbrella in my life, and I carry my raincoat everywhere I go.’
Ms Hennessey, is a self-described ‘cruise addict’ and is travelling with her cat Captain. She says Villa Vie have offered passengers meals and onboard entertainment which is like the cruise experience except you’re still in the dock.
While Ms Hennessey has stayed put in Belfast other passengers have used their peculiar predicament to their advantage and taken the opportunity to travel across Europe.
Since May, Angela and Stephen Theriac have travelled by train across Spain, took day trips to England and even visited Greenland.
Ms Theriac said: ‘We are travellers, and we want to make the most of the place we are in.’
The couple have evenjoked that they might apply for residency in Belfast.
Passengers have used their peculiar predicament to their advantage and taken the opportunity to travel across Europe. Since May, Angela and Stephen Theriac (pictured) have travelled by train across Spain, took day trips to England and even visited Greenland
Belfast city centre. Passengers from across the world have found themselves spending their summer in Belfast rather than Bermuda
Amenities including onboard the ship include access to a swimming pool, a theatre and a gourmet restaurant
Lanettte Canen and Johan Bodin have been documenting their life on the ocean liner on their social media page called Living Life on a Cruise.
The pair claim that their cabin on the Odyssey will be their home for the next 15 plus years and they gave a detailed tour of their ship showcasing the amenities.
During their time waiting to say bon voyage from Belfast, they have travelled to Croatia and Sweden for holidays while also giving tours of the ship they plan to call home for the next decade.
Villa Vie Residences’ CEO Mike Petterson told the BBC that the Odyssey’s round-the-world cruise ship will launch by the end of next week.
He said: ‘When you’re the first at doing something, you will run into hiccups, but we’re definitely getting there, and although we are late, we will launch.’
Amenities including onboard the ship include access to a swimming pool, a theatre and a gourmet restaurant.