BELFAST — Cruise passengers are to set sail from Belfast on Monday (Sept 30) on a three-and-a-half-year world voyage after being stranded in the city for months as the ship underwent unexpected repair works. Some plan to make it their forever home.

Passengers of the Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey, described as the world's first continual cruise, can either buy their cabins for the entire operational life of the ship or rent them to travel segments of the journey.

The ship, with a capacity for 650 passengers, was originally due to depart from the Northern Irish capital in May but was held up for repairs due to issues with its rudders and gearbox.

After a series of sea trials, the Odyssey announced on social media on Friday that it had received approval from Britain's Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Public Health and was looking forward to welcoming passengers aboard.

"It has just been dragging on (for a) long time," said John Frim, from Canada, who together with his wife Monica opted for the cruise to mark their 50th wedding anniversary. "(But) we've never lost faith in the concept."

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