Woman on £680,000 world cruise stranded in Belfast unable to leave the ship because of her unlikely cruising companion
When Holly Hennessey flew across the pond to embark on a three-year world cruise which began in Belfast with her unlikely companion, she expected to swiftly climb aboard the ship before setting sail shortly afterwards.
But three months later, Villa Vie's Odyssey cruise ship is still at anchor in Northern Ireland.
The holiday plans of passengers have been plunged into doubt due to a string of issues which have put the cat among the pigeons before the first leg of the international voyage, which was due to set sail on 30 May.
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People have splashed a whopping £680,000 to outright buy a cabin for the three-year trip, which is set to take them to 425 ports and more than 100 islands in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
But all they've seen so far is the beauty that Belfast has to offer, because problems with the cruise ship's rudder and gearbox have forced Villa Vie Residences to delay the departure date.
Travellers are being put up in the capital at the expense of the cruise company, but some have decided to take the opportunity to head off on holiday elsewhere while their stranded.
Others have been passing the time by giving tours of their cabins.
Unfortunately for Florida-native Holly though, she hasn't got a chance to go much further afield as she is stuck onboard because she can't leave her furry friend who she is travelling with behind.
The self-proclaimed 'cruise addict' brought her beloved cat, aptly named Captain, along for the trip of a lifetime.
However, the US woman and her ball of fur - who she explained has 'grown up' on cruise ships - are trapped on the Odyssey because she isn't allowed to bring him off.
Passengers are allowed to muse around the vessel during the day, but have to disembark in the evening.
Discussing how her and her cat have been coping in Belfast, Holly told the BBC: "We can spend all day aboard the ship, and they provide shuttle buses to get on and off.
"We can have all of our meals and they even have movies and trivia entertainment... almost like cruising, except we're at the dock."
The only thing Holly had to moan about was the fact that it's been raining cats and dogs for the majority of her time in Northern Ireland.
"I've never had so much use for my umbrella in my life, and I carry my raincoat everywhere I go," she said.
The holidaymaker said she and Captain will cruise for 'as long as she is able' when the ship eventually sets off, saying: "I have always wanted to live on a ship, and it will be a dream come true for me."
And if it gives her another excuse to adorably dress her pet up as a skipper, then so be it.
Holly explained that her cabin has plenty of space for Captain to roam around, while it also features a double bed, small living area and a balcony.
"Villa Vie is a community and a real community has pets," she said.
Passengers onboard the Odyssey could either purchase their cabin for the three-year's outright, or stump up the daily rate as they would in hotels.
Prices for cabins, as listed on Villa Vie Residences' website, vary from £75,000 to an eye-watering £680,000.
The travel firm said they are doing everything they can to 'relieve the anxiety' of cruisers and explained they have been planning trips or putting customers up in hotels for the time being.
Hopefully, the Odyssey should set sail by the end of next week, according to Villa Vie Residences' CEO Mike Petterson.
He said: "When you're the first at doing something, you will run into hiccups, but we're definitely getting there, and although we are late, we will launch."
Fingers crossed!
Topics: Travel, Cruise Ship, World News, Cats, Animals
Olivia Burke