The Villa Vie Odyssey round-the-world cruise was to be the trip of a lifetime for many passengers. The residential ship was set to circumnavigate the globe every three and a half years stopping at over 400 ports in 147 countries.
But despite being scheduled to leave at the end of May, the vessel is still stationary in Belfast port - along with hundreds of stranded passengers.Reports suggest the ship may depart sometime this week, but a definite date has not been announced.Many who signed up for the epic voyage sold their houses and belongings in preparation for a potentially permanent move to live at sea.
Grace and Jerry Grady, an American-Italian couple who spoke to Euronews Travel in May, did exactly that. When we contacted them again in late September, the situation is not as expected.
Instead of regaling stories of far-flung lands, the pair explain that they are putting their sailing dreams on hold and heading back to America.