Passengers prepare to say goodbye to the city

Passengers on Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey cruise ship hope to set sail on Monday and finally say goodbye to Belfast after five months stranded on land.

The ship, which docked in Belfast to be fitted out, was scheduled to depart on May 30, however, it was held back because it needed repairsleaving passengers stranded in Belfast.

On Sunday, passengers celebrated what they hoped would be their last night in the city by taking in the sights on a bike and beer tour.

The cruisers hope that everything goes well from here on out and that they can finally start enjoying their round-the-world voyage, which will see them sailing in international waters for the next three years.

Melody and John Hennessee are from Palm Beach, Florida and wasted no time as they docked in Belfast.

“As a result of being here in Belfast for so long, we were able to build the biggest suite on the ship,” Melody told BBC News NI.

“It has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and the time here allowed us to complete the project.”

Melody and John plan to stay on the ship for the rest of their lives.

“This will be our home now,” said John.

Melody said the people of Belfast were amazing and “very kind and generous” during her time here.

“While we are happy here, we can’t wait to set sail on Monday,” she added.

Another couple who made good use of their five months in Belfast were Andy and Alicia Lewis from Alaska.

“We retraced my roots whilst we were here in Belfast,” said Andy.

“We went to Larne alongside my 89-year-old mother as it was a great opportunity for us all.”

“We will definitely come back and when we do, we will love Belfast as much as we do now,” said Alicia.

Surprisingly, the couple enjoyed the Northern Irish climate.

“Being from Alaska, I think the weather is great here, I love it,” Andy said.

“I’m looking forward to getting back on the road, it’s been a long wait.”

Canadian couple Monica and John Frim are eager to begin their journey around the world aboard Odyssey.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be leaving, we’ve been raring to go from the start,” Monica told BBC News NI.

“I think the atmosphere will be fantastic when we leave and it has been quite upbeat, even with all the delays.”

Monica’s husband, John, found the five-month delay a disappointing start to his cruise life.

“It’s disheartening that things weren’t resolved more quickly,” he said.

“However, communication with management has been efficient.

Monica said they were all “in this together.”

“It’s not about the trip or the destinations we’ll go to, it’s about the new friends we’ve made along the way,” she said.

“We want to say thank you to Belfast, the locals will always have a place in our hearts.”