Belfast cruise: Could the stranded ship be ready to leave?

The thought of a winter in Belfast is sobering to even the most upbeat of the Odyssey’s passengers.

Randy and Kit Cassingham sold their home in the Colorado mountains, their cars and all their belongings to become residents of the ship.

Their windowless cabin cost them a six-figure sum. It will be their home for the lifetime of the Odyssey ship.

“It’s lovely,” said Kit.

“They do all the cooking, cleaning and laundry. We can travel the world without the hassle of airports or trains or packing and unpacking.”

But standing at Belfast Harbour and looking over at the ship is a wistful moment for Randy.

“It is frustrating because it feels like we’ve been banned from our own home,” he said.

“We have paid our bills. We live there.

“Yet we can’t be there right now, and it’s all the paperwork and all the inspections and getting things ready, we understand that, but we are getting anxious to go.”