Cruise passengers who have been stranded in Belfast for three months have been welcomed to a reception at City Hall.
More than 60 passengers from the Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey cruise liner have been in Belfast for longer than expected after the first leg of their planned round-the-world cruise was impacted by delays.
It is now expected to depart Belfast later this week.
Mayor Micky Murray met guests ahead of their planned departure and said many have highlighted their plans to return to the city in the future.
“While three months is a long time to stay in any one place, these guests have been emphatic in their praise for our city, particularly the warm, friendly welcome they have received,” he said.
“From our amazing food to our beautiful scenery, they have had ample time to soak up everything Belfast has to offer – but they’re still keen to return again.
“Last week, we heard how tourism across NI is continuing to thrive, generating £1.2 billion of expenditure to our local economy in 2023.”
The plan is for Villa Vie Residencies’ Odyssey to constantly sail around the world for over three years, with its inaugural cruise visiting all seven continents with stops in more than 425 ports in 147 countries.
