A couple booked on a supposedly “never-ending” £468,000 cruise which has been stuck in Belfast for three months have been jet-setting while they wait to board.
Passengers on a round-the-world cruise have been left stranded in Belfast for three months after their voyage on the Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey has been hit by several delays. While many have shacked up in Belfast for months will they wait to board, couple Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin, both 54, have gone to Norway, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, and Sweden to wait it out.
Johan, a retired carpenter, from Sweden, said: “We’ve had good time but we didn’t sign up for a ship to stay in one port! Everyone on the ship is pretty positive… There are worse places to be stuck!”
The couple, who met while on holiday in Hawaii nine years ago, are paying £2,600 a month to go on the cruise ship, which has three restaurants, five bars and lounges, an extended pool with two Jacuzzis, a spa and fitness center – and even a library.
However, problems with the ship’s rudders and gearbox have meant its original departure date of 30 May has been extended to “the end of next week”, according to the captain.
Johan said: “While in Northern Ireland we’ve been to loads of pubs and eating fishing and chips. We also went to Giant’s Causeway and then in Ireland we did the Castaway tours.
The couple say they have fallen in love with Irish music and the local cuisine. Johan said: “I’ve never met so many cool, fun, friendly people we keep getting asked to go out for pints by locals, everyone is so friendly.”
After the first postponement, the couple travelled to the Norwegian fjords, before spending some time travelling around the countryside in Ireland.
Then also went to the Canary Islands for almost two weeks before flying to Croatia and spending another two weeks there. They were then told that the ship would be setting sail on July 31 so they flew back to Belfast where they spent another two weeks but once again the departure date was extended.
Lanette, from Arizona, US, said: “We were able to get on the ship but not allowed to sleep on there, though we can do everything else. They have an open bar for us but the whole thing has just been delayed and delayed.
“We are normally used to just travelling with a backpack we’ve only done one cruise together for two weeks, but it’s a great way of seeing the world.”
The pair say they are “very relaxed” about the situation, though are looking forward to finally starting their big cruise. Lanette said: “We’re easygoing to be honest and they company has paid for all our accommodation everywhere which has been really good.”
They are booked in to stay on the cruise for 15 years – which, at £2,600 a month – means the cruise will have cost them £468,000.
However, the couple are able to sell their booking at any time and say they are going to “see how things go” once they finally get on board. Lanette is continuing to work on running her autoglass business based in Arizona while globetrotting, while Johan is working on YouTube vlogging the couples’ travelling experience.
Villa Vie Residences say they are trying to do everything they can to “relieve the anxiety” of passengers by planning trips and other cruises or putting guests up in hotels.
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Publish date : 2024-08-30 04:36:00
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