Belfast has a rich maritime history, which the stranded passengers could visit. Credit: Shutterstock

An epic multi-year round-the-world cruise is returning to port in Belfast just hours after it left its berth of five months where it remained delayed by mechanical issues. 

According to the cruise operator Villa Vie Residences, the vessel’s crew are required to complete missing paperwork but the return to port should be a much shorter delay than its previous hold ups. 

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The passengers of the Villa Vie Residences’ vessel Odyssey knew they bought in for the long-haul, on a three-year round-the-world cruise with the option to buy a cabin out-right. 

But they hadn’t expected the first five months of the tour to be static in Belfast, Northern Ireland. But their departure was delayed by vital repairs, until finally the odyssey began in earnest as the ship left port.  

Rudder and gearbox issues on the eight deck, 650 passenger capacity ship had been fixed by 30 September, and the passengers who had not stayed in Belfast (many took the option to remain on board and explore the city) boarded at around 9pm. 

Despite jubilant scenes as the cruise liner filled up and set sail, the initial journey only lasted a matter of hours before the Odyssey dropped anchor off the coast of Bangor, to the north of Belfast. 

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It was then confirmed by Belfast Harbour that the cruise would be returning to its berth yet again. 

Villa Vie Residences CEO Mike Petterson told reporters at the cruise terminal that “a few last-minute things” needed to be completed at the port. 

“It’s administrative paperwork. We needed the right person to press the button, at the end of the day. It’s been done and we’re putting the vessel in motion right now,” he said. 

Patterson said the final departure from Belfast was expected at around 11pm on Tuesday 1 October.