Belfast cruise passengers taking on 'grand adventure' while docked in Northern Ireland

Kit Cassingham and Dr Richard Namikas setting off on their walk from Belfast to Derry
-Credit: (Image: Randy Cassingham)


Cruise passengers who have been docked in Belfast for three months are taking on a "great adventure" to pass the time.

Kit Cassingham and Dr Richard Namikas are currently taking on a mighty 70 mile trek from Belfast to Derry, which they began on Friday morning. It's expected the journey will take them five days to complete.

The two friends from the US met on the Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey, a round-the-world cruise ship which has been docked in Belfast since May. The ocean liner has been unable to leave the cruise terminal due to repair work required to the rudders and gearbox.

Read more: See inside the impressive cruise ship docked in Belfast for past three months

Read more: Belfast cruise ship couple "keep getting asked to go out for pints by locals"

Despite the delays to their world travels, however, they're taking on the trek to show they are not "stranded" - as previous reports have suggested - and are enjoying their time getting to see more of Northern Ireland.

Kit is no stranger to long-distance walking, having previously walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain twice, totaling 750 miles. She has also recently walked from Rome to Assisi alone.

Her decision to take on the trek to Derry, which she decided to do just last week, is another step on the "grand adventure" she is experiencing as part of the residential cruise trip.

For the first day of Kit and Richard's walk - which they are affectionately naming their 'Ireno' in a nod to the Camino - ended after six hours with 11 miles covered, before spending the night at a B&B in Crumlin. On day two, they wrapped up just after 4pm after walking 13.2 miles.

Kit walking during the first day of their 'Ireno' trek from Belfast to Derry
Kit walking during the first day of their 'Ireno' trek from Belfast to Derry -Credit:Richard Namikas

During their time in Belfast, cruise passengers have been able to see more of Northern Ireland and further afield in Europe. Kit and her husband Randy spent three weeks in the Canary Islands, all paid for by Villa Vie Residences', during the time the ship has been docked.

Speaking to Belfast Live about their time in Belfast, Randy Cassingham, said they have enjoyed it - but will be looking forward to "warming up" when they set off on their travels.

He said: "Kit and I have both loved Belfast. The people are great, very welcoming. It's a wonderfully walkable city.

"The ship residents are scattered about a bit, but it's a quick stroll to meet someone at this or that hotel, or a restaurant or pub in between. Locals have been fascinated by our story, especially as it flashed around that we are 'stranded' here. Stranded in Belfast? Such a first world problem! It's not like we're on a tiny island with one palm tree. Other than the prices, it's a terrific place to be for awhile.

"We have been here before, five years ago specifically to see Belfast. We saw many highlights then, and this time we've been able to go both a bit deeper and a bit wider to really get the feel for the place, what makes it special."

Randy and Kit Cassingham went on a trip to the Canary Islands for a few weeks while the ship was docked in Belfast
Randy and Kit Cassingham went on a trip to the Canary Islands for a few weeks while the ship was docked in Belfast -Credit:Randy Cassingham

Randy said the "cruise people" have become well-known around the city, with their journey becoming a conversation starter with the locals.

He added: "The 'stranded' stories at least gave a lot of awareness. All we have to do is say we're "from the ship" and they know exactly what we mean!

"It's quite the conversation starter because they have so many questions. Do we REALLY intend to stay on the ship for years and years? Yes! It's our home, and we hate being locked out by the evil ship inspectors over what turn out to be rather trivial technicalities."

As for how they feel being close to leaving Northern Ireland, Randy said they'll miss it, but are looking forward to setting off on their travels around the world.

"We'll actually miss it! But the medicine for it will be pretty terrific: getting to see new places we never would have seen, meet new people, and warm up!," Randy added.

"Someday we'll tell people that even though we're from Colorado, one of the coldest winters we spent was a summer in Belfast!"

Kit and Richard's trek to Derry will be chronicled online. You can follow their journey by clicking here.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.