The Odyssey of Villa Vie Residences departed Belfast Harbour shortly after 11 p.m. on Monday, following a string of postponements and technical issues that resulted in many visitors having to spend an unforeseen night in Northern Ireland.
On May 30, the ship was scheduled to set out on a three-and-a-half-year journey around all seven continents, but it was forced to stop in Belfast for a number of repairs.
Those who had paid between $99,999 (£75,000) and $899,000 (£670,000) for their cabins were able to utilize the ship’s facilities during the day, but because of the repairs, they had to spend the night in motels.
As the string of delays continued, many people left for home, but some 100 are thought to have stayed in Northern Ireland for the previous four months.
Among them were John and Melody Hennessee from Palm Beach in Florida, who had sold up everything to spend more than one million dollars on three cabins on the Odyssey. Their goal is to live on the ship permanently.
