Proposals, vitamin D tablets and the most epic pub crawl: How great sail-away delay left passengers bound for round-the-world voyage stranded for months
Its been nearly four months since hundreds of wealthy passengers were set to embark on the trip of a lifetime - a three-and-a-half year journey exploring the world from the luxury of a cruise ship.
Its been nearly four months since hundreds of wealthy passengers were set to embark on the trip of a lifetime - a three-and-a-half year journey exploring the world from the luxury of a cruise ship.
However, the dream voyage quickly plunged into a nightmare when passengers found themselves stranded in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for weeks on end as the start of their trip was plagued by relentless delays.
Those on board the Villa Vie Odyssey, some of whom are paying £27,000-a-month, were due to set sail from Southampton on May 15 and then from Belfast on May 30.
But instead of sailing sunseeking passengers to 425 destinations in 147 countries, the 485-cabin cruiser has remained docked in rainy Belfast ever since due to problems with its rudders and gearbox.
Some have hunkered down in the ship, while others have embraced the four-month delay by embarking on an epic crawl of Belfasts 131 pubs or jetting off on holidays to Europe.
A far cry from luxuriating in the tropical sun across more than a hundred different islands around the world, some have even been forced to purchase Vitamin D tablets amid a severe lack of sunshine on the rain-lashed quayside in Belfast.
Meanwhile in a love story that rivals a Hollywood rom-com, two passengers have even discovered they are soulmates and are planning a magical wedding onboard the $75million cruiser after getting engaged under a supermoon.
Cruise passengers Gian Perroni, 62, (left) and Angela Harsanyi, 53, (right) have had the time to discover they are soulmates - and have even got engaged
Holly Hennessy, of Florida, (pictured) has enjoyed her stay in Belfast with her cat Captain the Cruising Kitty. She has taken Vitamin D tablets to cope with the lack of sunshine
Steve and Angela Theriac (pictured), from Nicaragua, have used the delay to familiarise themselves with Belfasts 131 pubs
The cruise liner pictured at a repair facility in Belfast Harbour on August 30
As the landmark voyage finally prepares to get underway this week, some cruise passengers have handled the four-month delay better than others.
In fact, the Villa Vie will be setting sail without one passenger - 68-year-old Jenny Phenix who was kicked off for complaining about the delays in a private WhatsApp group.
The passenger, who sold her life belongings to cruise around the world, had her contact terminated for behaviour impacting community morale.
Despite the ongoing delays, its been a far better experience for others, including Angie Harsanyi, 53, and Gian Perroni, 62, who have had the time to discover they are soulmates and are now engaged.
The engagement took place last weekend under a supermoon as the couple walked over the Lagan Weir in Belfast.
Gian described the moment as magical, telling MailOnline: It just seemed like the right time. Everything was perfect.
Angie added: We got to know each other as friends first, and once you do that without the romance, you really get to know someone.
Their wedding plans are already underway, with the couple set to tie the knot aboard the Odyssey in April next year, between Panama and Costa Rica.
We want to do it at sea so we can get married by the captain, Gian said, while Angie joked about the difficulty of finding a wedding dress on a ship. Were going with a tropical theme for the big day.
The couple, who both own cabins on the ship, plan to host an engagement party onboard when they finally take off again next week.
Johan Bodin and Lanette Canen in front of the Villa Vie Residences Odyssey on August 29
Pictured: The passengers at a reception with the lord mayor of Belfast Micky Hurray on September 2
The Odyssey is now due to set sail next week after being plagued with mechanical issues
The luxury cruise liner includes cabins that are worth between $92,000 and $920,000
Passengers can also enjoy pools, a golf simulator, fine dining experiences and more while on board
Amenities including onboard the ship include access to a swimming pool, a theatre and a gourmet restaurant
All passengers have access to the onboard restaurants, pools, hot tubs, spa and fitness centre
Villa Vie Residences CEO Mikael Petterson said the company aims to empower travellers to make the world their home
The ship will circle the world every three and a half years visiting more than 420 ports in 147 countries
Another passenger who says she has stayed annoyingly positive is 68-year-old Holly Hennessy, also from Florida, who has even adapted to the lack of sunshine by purchasing Vitamin D tablets.
The retired wealth manager, who celebrated her birthday on board the Villa Vie, has been accompanied on the epic cruise with her pet cat Captain the Cruising Kitty.
Ms Hennessy, who sold her own boat and a summer house in Winconsin to pay for her £247,000 balcony cabin, previously told MailOnline: I love Belfast. Belfast people are wonderful. I just want to thank everybody in Belfast whos been so kind to us. And I mean, its been really nice.
I have been to Bushmills. Ive been to Giants Causeway twice. Yeah, I think its the best marketing job for a bunch of rocks in the whole wide world, but the best part of the trip was the stop at Bushmills.
I love the traditional music being played in the pubs. I had a blast.
Her enthusiasm for dressing up her cat has been hugely popular with the locals. In fact, the Europa hotel, where she has been staying, has even joked that Captain the Cruising Kitty might be added to the celebrities who have stayed there.
The company has spent around $2million over the past few months, covering accommodation costs, trips around Europe or the cost of the journey for those who have given up.
Steve and Angela Theriac, from Nicaragua, have used the delay to familiarise themselves with Belfasts 131 pubs.
Gian and Angelas engagement took place last weekend under a supermoon as the couple walked over the Lagan Weir in Belfast
The couple have gone for a pink engagement ring rather than a more traditional clear diamond
The couple even got matching tattoos in Belfast, a trinity knot to symbolise their never-ending love
The couple, who run a YouTube channel called MidLife Cruising, have enjoyed a pint of Guinness in every puub in the city centre.
Though the weather is challenging to our thin blood, the scenery is gorgeous and the pubs are excellent.
I mean, a boxty [a traditional Irish potato pancake] and a pint of Guinness just cant be beat. Life is too short to drink bad beer. Guinness is like chocolate in a glass, they said.
When the Odyssey finally departs this week, there will be around 100 passengers - mostly American. Others will be joining from locations around the world as it cruises to 425 destinations in 147 countries.
Around 100 passengers decided they could not continue to wait in Belfast, while Ms Phenix had no choice in the matter.
The Florida woman vented on a WhatsApp chat about how the Odssey would no longer be calling into Miami, where she was intending to collect her belongings for the rest of the cruise.
She also fumed that refurbishment would carry on after the ship left Belfast, and that she would have to use a temporary cabin because the one she booked was being used by crew.
Following her comments in the private chat, chief operating officer Kathy Villalba told her: We have received over a dozen formal complaints from residents regarding your continuous complaints and negativity. This behaviour has significantly impacted the morale and well-being of other passengers.
Ms Hennessy takes her cat Captain the Cruising Kitty on her travels with her
Captain the Cruising Kitty (pictured) is travelling on the ship with his owner
Captain the Cruising Kitty has his own Facebook page where his adventures are documented by his owner
Holly Hennessey, 67, from sunny Florida, has remained positive despite the ongoing delays
Given the overwhelming feedback, we must cancel your contract permanently to uphold the well-being and satisfaction of our community.
The 68-year-old, who said she had liquidated her businesses and had been living out of a suitcase since December, was due to go on a previous cruise with Life At Sea, but they filed for bankruptcy owing her $30,000.
She was forced to wait for the new venture to buy the ship before she could sign up for the voyage.
Many of the unlucky passengers left their normal lives behind for the round-the-world trip, with some selling their homes and possessions to pay between £75,000 and £700,000 to buy their cabins for the 15-year life of the vessel.
While they are able to stay on the ship during the day and use its facilities - which include three restaurants, four lounges, a library, gym, golf simulator and spa with a pool and two hot tubs - they have to disembark at night and stay in local hotels.
Jenny Phenix (pictured) will not be on the Villa Vie when it finally sets sail. She was kicked off for being too negative and complaining in WhatsApp groups
Villa Vie Residences offered customers the chance to buy a cabin onboard The Odyssey - which was built in 1993 and can hold 929 passengers - in return for unlimited cruises. There was also an option to book shorter spells on board of between 35 and 120 days.
The average passenger is aged 58 and eight per cent of the owners come from the US, with 90 per cent planning to stay onboard for the full world cruise taking in all seven continents.
Dr David Austin, from Georgia in the United States sold his home just for a chance at the new adventure - but is remaining optimistic.
The payoff of seeing the world in this fashion is too great to feel too disappointed with each delay announcement, he previously said.
I was committed, having sold my house right before my arrival, and Ive stayed committed to this adventure with every delay.
Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin, who met while on holiday nine years ago, sold their car rental business in Hawaii and are set to stay on the ship for 15 years.
They are paying $35,000 (£27,000) a month to stay on the ship, and while they have the option to sell their cabin, they plan to see how things go once they finally begin the cruise.
Mr Bodin previously said: While in Northern Ireland weve been to loads of pubs and eating fishing and chips. We also went to Giants Causeway and then in Ireland we did the Castaway tours.
The Odyssey underwent its final sea trial with DNV, a maritime safety assessment organisation, on Saturday.
Managing director of Villa Vie Residences Mike Petterson confirmed they are hopeful to at last be under way as soon as Wednesday.
After hearing the trip could finally get underway, Ms Theriac said: We are overjoyed at the potential of finally setting sail within a week.
After successfully completing sea trials, we can only hope that a sail date is right around the corner.
We will find out more Monday or Tuesday when we have our weekly residents meeting with the CEO and COO.
After such a long delay, Villa Vie just cant stick around any longer than necessary. We imagine the sail away being filled with tears — tears of complete joy that is.
Its a long time coming, and we are as excited as the first day we purchased our room to live full-time on a ship that circumnavigates the world.
