Zap Rowsdower

Sorry but this isn't an indication of Odyssey having issues. These are the ports two tugs, Masterman and Merchantman. Larger ships can't manoeuver or turn very well in ports like Belfast, so tugboats are used to push, pull and turn ships into their designated berths. In this case they've also helped it turn 180 degrees so it can be docked facing out to the lough. Tugs were used when I cruised out of {and back to) Belfast previously on another cruise line. Not saying Odyssey isn't a 100% issue free ship, but this photo just shows a standard procedure.

Today apparently wasn't the actual trial, but a test run ahead of the actual sea trial which appears to now be taking place this Friday (20th)

It was running at 17-18 knots for a while but seems to have slowed down on its next loop. Will be interesting to see how things go. Note the trial date for the 21st has disappeared from the Port website now, but departure date of the 22nd still in the system (would expect this to move out).

Odyssey heading out for the day!

It has just been confirmed on the news that as of today the Harland and Wolff shipyard has been placed into administration. Will be interesting to see what impact that this may have on Villa Vie Odyssey, though the article is saying operations at the shipyard won't be affected.

Had a look this morning and Odyssey is still in port, sea trials moved out (again🤔) to next Saturday, September 21st.

Seems to be staying out there overnight, expected back into port tomorrow noon according to the harbour site.

Sea trials now rescheduled to September 4th

Hello all, In April we (my wife, my stepson and i) travelled with MSC on the Virtuosa out of Southampton. Had an amazing time and while I was nervous about cruising with MSC for the first time, Any concerns were quickly swept away by the great ship and amazing staff. We did however hit a pretty big bump before we boarded at the terminal. As we were walking towards the check in desks, we were stopped by a member of the port staff who asked if we were both the legal guardians of our son. As a step parent doesn't qualify, we were promptly told we needed to complete a legal form,which also had to be signed by my stepson's dad / my wife's ex husband and supplied along with a piece of photo ID for him. And this all had to be done before we would be allowed to board the ship! Cue a lot of panicked phonecalls and messages, thankfully he answered and had to crudely fill in and sign the form by means of "drawing" on a photo of the form by WhatsApp. This was followed by a lot of to and fro-ing before at last we were allowed to get our cruise cards and board for our amazing trip. When asked about this the staff said it was a requirement in the small print on the MSC website and a new thing they were rolling out, but we had no warning or heads up at any time in the check in process before arriving at the terminal,and the MSC staff didnt know much about it either. Just wanted to make anyone with stepchildren aware that they may need to have all this in advance of heading on a cruise! Sorry for the long post!