A luxury cruise liner and its passengers finally left Belfast Harbour last night after being stuck for four months in the port because of engine trouble.
Passengers of Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey cheered as they finally said goodbye to the grey skies of Northern Ireland.
Many of the 600 passengers were seen celebrating as they boarded the ship, ready to head to the Caribbean.
The Odyssey arrived in Belfast in May and has been stuck ever since as it needed major repairs.
It was supposed to be undertaking the first part of a three-year cruise, but repairs took much longer than expected.
Mike Petterson, chief executive of Villa Vie Residences, was applauded by waiting passengers after telling them the ship was on the way at around 7pm.
He said he was “a little stressed” as efforts were made to clear “a few last-minute things”.
He said departure was due at 11.59pm last night — a minute before the terminal closes.
