Sat Sep 07 11:39:54 UTC 2024: ## Villa Vie Odyssey: A Three-and-a-Half-Year Cruise Still Awaiting Departure

**Belfast, Northern Ireland** – The Villa Vie Odyssey, a ship promising an eternal summer with its three-and-a-half-year cruise around the globe, remains anchored in Belfast harbour, facing delays and frustrations. Despite a planned departure in May, the ship is still awaiting final certification, a process that has proven more arduous than expected.

While the ship recently passed sea trials, a series of bureaucratic hurdles, including a stringent certification process, have kept the Odyssey from setting sail. The company, Villa Vie Residences, blames the delays on the 31-year-old vessel being held to standards required for a brand new ship.

“Every time I’ve given a date, I’ve been wrong,” admits Villa Vie CEO Mike Petterson, who hopes to finally set sail next week. However, the delay has caused significant hardship for passengers who have sold their homes, booked flights, and waited patiently in Belfast.

Despite the frustrations, some passengers like Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin, who paid $100,000 for their cabin, remain optimistic. “We’re not stuck in Belfast, we’ve been traveling,” Canen says, highlighting their travels across Northern Europe.

Other passengers like Fran Paroissien, who has been waiting in Belfast since May, are more concerned. Her mobility limitations have restricted her travels, and she is eager to finally embark on her long-awaited adventure.

Villa Vie is attempting to alleviate the frustration with onboard credit for stranded passengers, but a sense of uncertainty and frustration lingers. The Odyssey’s departure is a crucial moment, not only for the passengers who have invested their dreams in this venture, but also for the company itself, which is facing criticism for the ongoing delays.

The saga of the Villa Vie Odyssey is a reminder that even meticulously planned adventures can be subject to unforeseen delays and challenges. The story continues to unfold as the company races to secure certification and finally set sail for the cruise of a lifetime.

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