There were shouts, clapping and cheers of "hip, hip hooray" as it was announced that a cruise ship stranded in Belfast for the last four months would finally leave on Monday night. Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey, which was being outfitted in Belfast, should have departed in May but was delayed as it needed repairs.

A cruise ship taking passengers on a 3 ½-year around-the-world voyage has finally sailed from Belfast, after spending four months stuck in the Northern Ireland capital.

Cruise passengers are to set sail from Belfast on Monday on a three-and-a-half-year world voyage after being stranded in the city for months as the ship underwent unexpected repair works. Some plan to make it their forever home.