‘I was kicked off the Belfast cruise ship – now it’s about to set sail with my belongings on board’
After a frustrating four-month delay, residential ship Villa Vie Odyssey finally set sail on its “endless” world cruise on Monday evening – but travelled only a few miles from Belfast, before returning to port.
A final snag caused by outstanding paperwork meant the 31-year-old vessel was a further six hours late leaving Harland and Wolff dockyards, where it had been undergoing renovations and repairs.
It made the short journey to the city’s cruise terminal to pick up around 125 eager passengers – then anchored offshore overnight.
This morning however, Odyssey was forced to return to port, with paperwork issues again cited. It is now due to resume its three-and-a-half-year voyage to 425 ports in 147 countries – a circumnavigation it will then repeat for the next 15 years – at 11pm on Tuesday night.
One person who will not be on board is 66-year-old Bonny Kelter. She paid more than £75,000 for a cabin but was one of two women who had their contracts terminated in July for making critical comments in a private WhatsApp group.
Nine boxes and two suitcases of her possessions are still on board – including an eight-month supply of medicines and a safe full of jewellery.
Kelter was unable to retrieve her belongings before returning to the US, where she is staying in an Airbnb in New York state, having sold her home in New Jersey.
She now hopes to reach a deal with owners Villa Vie Residences to board Odyssey later in its global journey. Ms Kelter said: “It would be wonderful if we can make this work so I can start living my dream.”
In a joint statement to The Telegraph, she and the cruise line said they were “working towards a mutual agreement and positive resolution”.
The latest setback to the voyage didn’t dampen the spirit of residents who have waited patiently to board the ship, which was originally due to leave Southampton on May 15 before switching to Northern Ireland.
“I’m aboard! In my cabin! I love my home ship home!” exclaimed Holly Hennessy, who is travelling with her cat, Captain.
“We’re thrilled and overjoyed to be here. We feel nothing but pure happiness,” said Angela Theriac, who with her husband Steve streamed their embarkation live on their MidLife Cruising YouTube channel.
Another passenger, Randy Cassingham, said: “Tension and worry built all day – was yet another disappointment brewing? But finally, it all worked out. It’s not a problem at all that we are not on our way this second – we’re home.”
Resident David Austin agreed. He said: “I don’t care when we launch or even where we go – I’m going to party tonight!”
Odyssey’s first scheduled departure from Belfast on May 30 was held up by a series of mechanical issues and official inspections. During the long lay-up, repair, accommodation and other costs soared £10 million over the original £12 million budget. Villa Vie Residences stopped paying passengers’ hotel expenses and offered onboard credit instead.
One couple – John and Melody Hennessee – used the time to convert their three cabins into a two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite. “It will be a luxurious home for us for the rest of our lives,” he said as they settled in on Monday evening.
His wife added: “We embraced Belfast and all it had to offer. The people there are so friendly and genuinely kind.”
Two other travellers – Angela Harsanyi, 53, and 62-year-old Gian Perroni – became engaged during the wait for their voyage. Some passengers had to constantly switch hotels while others gave up and returned to their homes abroad, aiming to join the ship in warmer climes.
Melissa “Missy” Silva and her husband Henry, from Ontario, Canada, will pick up the journey in the Caribbean next month. They spent three weeks in Belfast earlier this year. She said: “I had my moments – crying at times because I had dreams of what it was all going to be like. But then you realise you’re crying about a first-world problem. I really think everyone’s always got to look on the bright side.”
She’s looking forward to joining the ship – formerly Fred Olsen’s Braemar. “It will be really interesting to finally meet everyone – I can’t wait for us all to blend as a family of citizens from around the world.”
Loyal customers were full of praise for CEO Mike Petterson and chief operating officer Kathy Villalba on Monday evening. Randy Cassingham said: “They have been working 12 to 14 hours a day, seven days a week, for months, with only occasional breaks, and they kept hitting one absolutely ridiculous obstacle after another.”
Undaunted, the company plans to buy another ship to replace Odyssey when it can no longer sail, giving their customers a truly “endless” voyage.
One passenger, Suzanne Lankes, isn’t due to board until next year but has been following the saga closely. She said: “Villa Vie gave everyone an open bar in the ship’s nightclub to celebrate its departure. Happy times!”
Asked what kept the residents going during their time in Northern Ireland, she answered: “The thing that made this group so positive was the overwhelming desire to have this lifestyle. They were not willing to give up the dream of spending the rest of their life at sea because of a few months of inconvenience.”
