Cruise passengers who have been stranded in Belfast for the past three months could soon be leaving the city as sea trials are underway.
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.
Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey was scheduled to leave Queens Island in the city in May.
Departure dates have since been revised several times due to issues with the rudders and gearbox.
The vessel took to the waters on Wednesday afternoon to begin its sea trials, giving those onboard hope of a long-anticipated departure being confirmed.
Sea trials are conducted to measure a vessel’s performance and general seaworthiness by testing of a vessel’s speed, manoeuvrability, equipment and safety features.
Passenger Gregory Marshall (74), from California, who has remained in Belfast while the ship gets ready, said: “There are relatively few people onboard so far. People are coming back in more and more and their services are slowly one by one getting brought into shape.
“As far as I know we should be setting sail in a few days. First they need to do sea trails and as far as I know that’s the last step.”
The ship was built in 1993 and is sailing under the flag of the Bahamas.
If the sea trials are successful the ship should be able to depart Belfast within days.
